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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Kanna Chella Kanna

From Thaimel Aanai · 1988

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Thaimel Aanai1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mmm….mm….mmm….(Humming)
Aaa….aa….aa….aah…aa…(Vocalizing)
Male
Chinna kannaa chella kannaaLittle darling, precious child,
Sontham enna sonthamWhat a profound relationship this is!
Yaezhu jenmam pona pinnumEven after seven lifetimes pass,
Vaazhum intha banthamThis bond will live on.
Male
Thaai madiyil oivedukkumThe time spent resting in a mother's lap
Kaalam nimmathiIs a time of pure peace.
Thalaiyeduththu valarnthu vittaalOnce you stand tall and grow up,
Inbam thunbam paathiPleasure and pain are shared equally.
Male
Chinna kannaa chella kannaaLittle darling, precious child,
Sontham enna sonthamWhat a profound relationship this is!
Yaezhu jenmam pona pinnumEven after seven lifetimes pass,
Vaazhum intha banthamThis bond will live on.
Male
Maarbanaththu oottavillaiShe did not feed you breastmilk,
Naanum pillaithaanYet I too am her child.
Mani vayittril sumakkavillaiShe did not carry you in her precious womb,
Aanaal annaithaanYet she is truly your mother.
Male
Ini orunaal eendreduppaalOne day in the future, she will give birth to you
Unthan annaiyaagaAs your mother again,
Illaiyendraal piranthiruppaalOr else she will be reborn
Untha pillaiyaagaAs your own child.
Male
Chinna kannaa chella kannaaLittle darling, precious child,
Sontham enna sonthamWhat a profound relationship this is!
Yaezhu jenmam pona pinnumEven after seven lifetimes pass,
Vaazhum intha banthamThis bond will live on.
Male
Manam ondrae vaazhkkaiyendraeBelieving that the mind alone is life,
Mannai aala vaaCome to rule this earth!
Veeram ondrae vedhamendraeBelieving that bravery alone is the sacred scripture,
Vinnai saadi vaaCome to leap and conquer the sky!
Male
Yaar magan nee enbathaithaanWhose son you are,
Oorum solla vendumThe entire town should proudly proclaim.
Pirantha udal maraintha pinnumEven after the mortal body perishes,
Perum solla vendumYour fame and name should endure.
Male
Chinna kannaa chella kannaaLittle darling, precious child,
Sontham enna sonthamWhat a profound relationship this is!
Yaezhu jenmam pona pinnumEven after seven lifetimes pass,
Vaazhum intha banthamThis bond will live on.
Male
Thaai madiyil oivedukkumThe time spent resting in a mother's lap
Kaalam nimmathiIs a time of pure peace.
Thalaiyeduththu valarnthu vittaalOnce you stand tall and grow up,
Inbam thunbam paathiPleasure and pain are shared equally.
Inbam thunbam paathiPleasure and pain are shared equally.
Mmmheemmmm……mmmm….(Humming)
Mmmheemmmm……mmmm….(Humming)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Chinna Kannaa Chella Kannaa from the 1988 movie Thaimel Aanai is a moving lullaby celebrating the sacred, eternal bond between a mother and child. Lyricist Vairamuthu captures the depth of maternal love that transcends biological birth, highlighting that true motherhood lies in nurturing affection rather than merely carrying a child in the womb. Beyond tender affection, the song serves as an empowering anthem for the growing child. It inspires him to embrace courage and integrity, encouraging him to build a legacy of honor that will outlast his physical lifetime.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emona / Ethirnilai (Antithesis)

Inbam thunbam paathi

Pairs opposing concepts 'Inbam' (joy) and 'Thunbam' (sorrow) together to show life's balanced realities after growing up.

Hyperbole / Cultural Trope

Yaezhu jenmam pona pinnum / Vaazhum intha bantham

Uses the Tamil traditional concept of 'Yaezhu jenmam' (seven reincarnations) to express the immortal nature of maternal love.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Manam ondrae vaazhkkaiyendrae / Mannai aala vaa

Rhyming line endings ('vaazhkkaiyendrae' / 'vedhamendrae' and 'aala vaa' / 'saadi vaa') creates a rhythmic, musical lullaby flow.

Monnai (Initial Alliteration)

Manam ondrae vaazhkkaiyendrae / Mannai aala vaa

Repetition of the initial 'M' sound across lines ('Manam', 'Mannai') enhances acoustic beauty.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thaimel Aanai (1988) starred Arjun Sarja and was directed by L. Raja. The song is composed by Chandrabose and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. It remains a classic 1980s Tamil cinema lullaby exploring non-biological maternal attachment.

Keep listening

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