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Meendum Kokila album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Chiru Vayathil

From Meendum Kokila · 1981

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Meendum Kokila
Movie release year
1981
Lyrics added on
26 Jul 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Hmmm mmm hmmhmm hmm hmm
Mmm mm hmmhmm hmm hmm
Mmm mm hmmhmm hmm hmm
Chinnanjiru vayadhil
Enakkor sithiram thonudhadi
Pinnal vizhundhadhu pol
Edhaiyo pesavum thonudhadi
Chellammaa pesavum thonudhadi
Chinnanjiru vayadhil
Enakkor sithiram thonudhadi
Pinnal vizhundhadhu pol
Edhaiyo pesavum thonudhadi
Chellammaa pesavum thonudhadi
Mogana punnagaiyil or naal
Moondru thamizh padithen
Mogana punnagaiyil or naal
Moondru thamizh padithen
Saagasa naadagathil avanor
Thathuvam solli vaithaan
Ullathil vaithirundhum
Naanor oomaiyai polirundhen…
Oomaiyai polirundhen mm… mmm…
Aa…haaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…..
Kallathanam ennadi
Enakkor kaaviyam sollu endraan…
Chinnanjiru vayadhil
Enakkor sithiram thonudhadi
Pinnal vizhundhadhu pol
Edhaiyo pesavum thonudhadi
Chellammaa pesavum thonudhadi
Sabaash… balae…
Velli paniyurugi madiyil
Veezhndhadhu polirundhen
Velli paniyurugi madiyil
Veezhndhadhu polirundhen
Pallithalam varaiyil chellammaa
Paadam payindru vandhen
Kaadhal neruppinilae
Enadhu kangalai vittu vitten
Modhum viragathilae…
Modhum viragathilae chellammaa
Hm mmm mmm mmm mmm……….
Chinnanjiru vayadhil
Enakkor sithiram thonudhadi
Pinnal vizhundhadhu pol
Edhaiyo pesavum thonudhadi
Chellammaa pesavum thonudhadi
Hmm mm hmm-hmm hmm hmm
Mmm mm hmm-hmm hmm hmm
Mmm mm hmm-hmm hmm hmm
From my tender young days,
a picture comes to my mind, my friend,
and like strands woven into a braid,
I feel like speaking of something.
Oh Chellama, I feel like speaking out.
From my tender young days,
a picture comes to my mind, my friend,
and like strands woven into a braid,
I feel like speaking of something.
Oh Chellama, I feel like speaking out.
One day, in his charming smile,
I learned the three arts of Tamil (prose, poetry, drama).
One day, in his charming smile,
I learned the three arts of Tamil (prose, poetry, drama).
Through his playful theatrical ways,
he shared a philosophy of life.
Though I kept it all in my heart,
I stayed quiet like one who cannot speak...
Like one who cannot speak... mmm... mmmm...
Aah... haa... aah... aah... aah...
"Why hide your feelings, girl?
Tell me an epic tale of love," he said...
From my tender young days,
a picture comes to my mind, my friend,
and like strands woven into a braid,
I feel like speaking of something.
Oh Chellama, I feel like speaking out.
Bravo... Well done!...
I felt as though melting silver snow
had fallen softly into my lap.
I felt as though melting silver snow
had fallen softly into my lap.
Only until school, Chellama,
had I learned my lessons,
yet into the fire of love,
I surrendered my eyes.
In this surging pain of longing...
In this surging pain of longing, Chellama...
Hmm mm mm mm mm...
From my tender young days,
a picture comes to my mind, my friend,
and like strands woven into a braid,
I feel like speaking of something.
Oh Chellama, I feel like speaking out.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Chinnanjiru Vayadhil' is a hauntingly nostalgic exploration of childhood memories, innocent awakening, and the bewildering intensity of first love. The narrator confides in her companion, Chellamma, describing how visions of her past resurface as she reflects on a lover who taught her the depths of emotion through subtle, poetic interactions. She recounts how she remained speechlessly overwhelmed by his presence, unable to voice her deep feelings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

“Naanor oomaiyai polirundhen…”

Compares the protagonist's inability to express her inner thoughts to a mute person.

Simile (Upamai)

“Velli paniyurugi madiyil Veezhndhadhu polirundhen”

Compares the feeling of surrendering to affection to silver snow softly melting into a lap.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Kaadhal neruppinilae Enadhu kangalai vittu vitten”

Compares love to an consuming fire in which the eyes/vision are surrendered.

Refrain (Anaphora)

“Chinnanjiru vayadhil Enakkor sithiram thonudhadi”

Repetition of the opening pallavi stanza to reinforce the reflective, nostalgic motif.

Did you know?

Trivia

This classic song from 'Meendum Kokila' (1981) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by the legendary Kannadasan. Sung brilliantly by S. Janaki (with a duet version featuring K.J. Yesudas), the song's melancholic melody vividly reflects the emotional vulnerability and mental state of Sridevi's character in the film.

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