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Thaimel Aanai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Kanna Chella Kanna

From Thaimel Aanai · 1988

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Chandrabose
Movie name
Thaimel Aanai
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
31 Jan 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Mmm….mm….mmm….
Aaa….aa….aa….aah…aa…
Chinna kannaa chella kannaa
Sontham enna sontham
Yaezhu jenmam pona pinnum
Vaazhum intha bantham
Thaai madiyil oivedukkum
Kaalam nimmathi
Thalaiyeduththu valarnthu vittaal
Inbam thunbam paathi
Chinna kannaa chella kannaa
Sontham enna sontham
Yaezhu jenmam pona pinnum
Vaazhum intha bantham
Maarbanaththu oottavillai
Naanum pillaithaan
Mani vayittril sumakkavillai
Aanaal annaithaan
Ini orunaal eendreduppaal
Unthan annaiyaaga
Illaiyendraal piranthiruppaal
Untha pillaiyaaga
Chinna kannaa chella kannaa
Sontham enna sontham
Yaezhu jenmam pona pinnum
Vaazhum intha bantham
Manam ondrae vaazhkkaiyendrae
Mannai aala vaa
Veeram ondrae vedhamendrae
Vinnai saadi vaa
Yaar magan nee enbathaithaan
Oorum solla vendum
Pirantha udal maraintha pinnum
Perum solla vendum
Chinna kannaa chella kannaa
Sontham enna sontham
Yaezhu jenmam pona pinnum
Vaazhum intha bantham
Thaai madiyil oivedukkum
Kaalam nimmathi
Thalaiyeduththu valarnthu vittaal
Inbam thunbam paathi
Inbam thunbam paathi
Mmmheemmmm……mmmm….
Mmmheemmmm……mmmm….
Mmm... mm... mmm...
Aah... aa... aa... aah... aa...
My little darling, my precious child,
what a wonderful bond this is!
Even after seven lifetimes pass,
this bond will live on forever.
The time spent resting on a mother's lap
is a time of pure peace.
Once you grow up and stand tall,
life is half joy and half sorrow.
My little darling, my precious child,
what a wonderful bond this is!
Even after seven lifetimes pass,
this bond will live on forever.
She did not hold you to her breast to nurse,
yet I too am her child.
She did not carry you in her womb,
yet she is truly a mother.
One day she may give birth to you
and be your mother in another life,
or perhaps she will be born
as your own little child.
My little darling, my precious child,
what a wonderful bond this is!
Even after seven lifetimes pass,
this bond will live on forever.
Believing that honor is all of life,
come forward to rule this land.
Believing that bravery is sacred truth,
leap high and touch the sky.
Whose son you truly are,
the whole world should proudly say.
Even after this mortal body fades away,
your name should live on and be spoken.
My little darling, my precious child,
what a wonderful bond this is!
Even after seven lifetimes pass,
this bond will live on forever.
The time spent resting on a mother's lap
is a time of pure peace.
Once you grow up and stand tall,
life is half joy and half sorrow.
Life is half joy and half sorrow...
Mmm-hmm mm... mmmm...
Mmm-hmm mm... mmmm...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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