- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- V. Kumar
- Movie name
- Karotti Kannan
- Movie release year
- 1975
- Lyrics added on
- 27 Sept 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Chinna Kannaa Chella Kannaa is an uplifting, values-driven lullaby and anthem from Karotti Kannan (1975). Sung by T. M. Soundararajan with lyricist Kannadasan's profound penmanship, the song addresses a young child who represents the future of the nation. It encourages the child to walk the moral path shown by visionary leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and C. N. Annadurai (Anna), to gain strength from the inspiring poetry of Mahakavi Bharathiyar, and to lead the country with truthfulness and courage.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Un ullam koyiladaa”
Compares the child's heart directly to a temple ('Un ullam koyiladaa').
Polyptoton / Wordplay (Yamakam / Siledai)
“Bharathi paattai padiththu / Nee bharatha naattai nadaththu”
Plays with the homonym/etymological connection between poet Bharathi and the nation Bharatha.
Hyperbole & Simile
“Thoosaaga nee ennadaa”
Urges the child to view massive hardships as insignificant as dust ('Thoosaaga').
Ethirai (Second letter rhyming)
“Allal vanthaalum innal vanthaalum”
Matching second consonants in 'Allal' and 'Innal' for rhythmic emphasis.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song seamlessly blends nationalistic ideals with regional political reverence by invoking both Mahatma Gandhi and C. N. Annadurai (Anna) alongside Tamil nationalist poet Subramania Bharathi, reflecting Kannadasan's signature style of social commentary in film lyrics.
Keep listening
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