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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Kabali

From Sivalinga · 2017

Lyricist
Viveka
Singers
Shankar Mahadevan, Arunraja Kamaraj, Naveen
Music director
S. S. Thaman
Details
Sivalinga2017

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Alluvutta appeat-uIf you brag, beat it and disappear
Dillurundha repeat-uIf you have courage, repeat it
Dalladikkum nerathilaWhen things stagger and falter
Machan nippattu..Friend, put an end to it..
Male
Allivitta getit-uIf you show off and talk big, get lost
Thallivitta ticket-uA discarded ticket
Jolluvitta mattikuvaeIf you drool over girls, you will get caught
Machan wicket-u…Friend, you will lose your wicket…
Male
Gillikkuthaan salute-uA salute to the ultimate champion
Solliadi rotate-uCall your shot and rotate the strike
Parapatcham pakka mattanHe will never show partiality
Chinna kabali..Little Kabali..
Chinna kabali…Little Kabali…
Male
Hey pattali pattaliHey worker, hard worker
Yezhaikkellam kottaliA companion to all the poor
Vellamanan ullavandaThe one with a pure, white heart
Chinna kabaliLittle Kabali
Male
Samali samaliHandle it, handle it
Dhilirundha samaliIf you have guts, manage it
Vandu ninna andha yedamThe place where he comes and stands
Double diwali..Becomes a double Diwali celebration..
Male
Pazhagunaa uruguvenIf you bond with me, I will melt with love
Pasathukku kalanguvenI will get emotional for true affection
Pagaya valakka venam pangali..No need to nurture enmity, partner..
Male
Odambuthan karuppudaThe body may look dark
Orasipparu neruppudaRub it and see, it is pure fire
Anjamattan chinna kabali..The fearless Little Kabali..
Male
{Ye gumma gumma{Hey gumma gumma
Gummanguthu kuttidalamaa…Shall we deliver a heavy folk punch…
Ye dappa dappaHey dappa dappa
Dappanguthu adidalamaa.. }(2)Shall we dance to the dappanguthu rhythm.. }(2)
Chinna kabali..Little Kabali..
Chinna kabali..Little Kabali..
Male
Alluvutta appeat-uIf you brag, beat it and disappear
Dillurundha repeat-uIf you have courage, repeat it
Dalladikkum nerathilaWhen things stagger and falter
Machan nippattu..Friend, put an end to it..
Male
Hey pattali pattaliHey worker, hard worker
Yezhaikkellam kottaliA companion to all the poor
Vellamanan ullavandaThe one with a pure, white heart
Chinna kabaliLittle Kabali
Male
Samali samaliHandle it, handle it
Dhilirundha samaliIf you have guts, manage it
Vandu ninna andha yedamThe place where he comes and stands
Double diwali..Becomes a double Diwali celebration..
Male
Therasa pol ayulellamNo need to live your whole life as a martyr
Thyagiyaga vazhavendamLike Mother Teresa
Sirusa orr orathula sevai seiyada..Serve quietly in a small corner of your neighborhood..
Male
Paaripol vaaritharaTo give generously like King Paari
Budget anga pathalennaIf your budget falls short
Pasiaarum idam engae kaatividudda..Just point out where hungry people can get food..
Male
Sirurokkam koduthathumGiving a small amount of pocket money
Oru pakka vilambaramAnd seeking publicity on an entire page
Nazhithalil neeyum tharaathae..Do not publish that in newspapers..
Ezhaikagalin kannoramIn the corner of the eyes of the poor
Parkkindra santhoshamThe happiness that you witness
Pola oru inbam varathae..No other bliss can match that..
Male
{Ye gumma gumma{Hey gumma gumma
Gummanguthu kuttidalamaa…Shall we deliver a heavy folk punch…
Ye dappa dappaHey dappa dappa
Dappanguthu adidalamaa.. }(2)Shall we dance to the dappanguthu rhythm.. }(2)
Male
Hey pattali pattaliHey worker, hard worker
Yezhaikkellam kottaliA companion to all the poor
Vellamanan ullavandaThe one with a pure, white heart
Chinna kabaliLittle Kabali
Male
Samali samaliHandle it, handle it
Dhilirundha samaliIf you have guts, manage it
Vandu ninna andha yedamThe place where he comes and stands
Double diwali..Becomes a double Diwali celebration..
Chorus
……………………………….……………………………….
Male
Alluvutta appeat-uIf you brag, beat it and disappear
Dillurundha repeat-uIf you have courage, repeat it
Dalladikkum nerathilaWhen things stagger and falter
Machan nippattu..Friend, put an end to it..
Male
Allivitta getit-uIf you show off and talk big, get lost
Thallivitta ticket-uA discarded ticket
Jolluvitta mattikuvaeIf you drool over girls, you will get caught
Machan wicket-u…Friend, you will lose your wicket…
Male
Un vettu kettaithaandaCrossing your home threshold
Nooru morai yosichittuThinking a hundred times
Bill gates-u agalennu'I couldn't become Bill Gates'
Feeling aagathae..Do not feel disappointed about it..
Male
Palgova kadikkavaeJust to bite into a piece of milk sweets
Pallusettu venumunnaIf you need a set of artificial teeth
Barfiya vaangiBuying rich candy
Vettil seththu vekkathae…Do not hoard it inside your home…
Male
Yeraikkatha kenarellamA well from which water is not drawn
Sorakkathu solvaangaWill not yield fresh water, they say
Udhavi na odu munnadi..Run forward whenever help is needed..
Nee enna valakkuraWhat are you cultivating?
Naan anba kodukkurenI am bestowing love
Athuthaanda chinna kabali..That is the true spirit of Little Kabali..
Male
{Ye gumma gumma{Hey gumma gumma
Gummanguthu kuttidalamaa…Shall we deliver a heavy folk punch…
Ye dappa dappaHey dappa dappa
Dappanguthu adidalamaa.. }(2)Shall we dance to the dappanguthu rhythm.. }(2)
Male
Hey pattali pattaliHey worker, hard worker
Yezhaikkellam kottaliA companion to all the poor
Vellamanan ullavandaThe one with a pure, white heart
Chinna kabaliLittle Kabali
Male
Samali samaliHandle it, handle it
Dhilirundha samaliIf you have guts, manage it
Vandu ninna andha yedamThe place where he comes and stands
Double diwali..Becomes a double Diwali celebration..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Chinna Kabali' is a high-energy Tamil folk dance song (dappanguthu) from the 2017 film Sivalinga. The song celebrates the character of a local, working-class hero who possesses a heart of gold despite his rugged exterior. Through vibrant slang and local metaphors, the song encourages living courageously, standing up for the underprivileged, and helping others without seeking fame or grand public displays of charity. It emphasizes that happiness comes from small, genuine acts of kindness rather than excessive wealth or self-glorification.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme (Monnai / Ethirai)

Hey pattali pattali / Yezhaikkellam kottali

Repetition of rhyming syllable sounds across words like Pattali and Kottali to add rhythmic bounce.

Metaphor

Odambuthan karuppuda / Orasipparu neruppuda

Comparing the hero's dark-complexioned physical appearance to fire when rubbed, signifying hidden strength and righteousness.

Allusion

Therasa pol ayulellam / Thyagiyaga vazhavendam

References to historical and public figures such as Mother Teresa, King Paari, and Bill Gates to convey lessons on humble charity and contentment.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Sivalinga' (2017) starred R. Raghava Lawrence and P. Vasu directed the film, which was a remake of his own successful 2016 Kannada film of the same name. Music for the Tamil version was composed by S. Thaman, and the track 'Chinna Kabali' incorporates popular Chennai slang and high-energy folk beats tailored to Lawrence's signature fast-paced dance choreography.

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