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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Kili Vanna Kili

From Chinna Gounder · 1992

Lyricist
R. V. Udhaya Kumar
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Chinna Gounder1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Chinnakili vannakili sethi sollum sellakiliLittle parrot, colorful parrot, pet parrot that brings news.
Koondukula vachatharu sollukiliyaeTell me, speaking parrot, who put you inside the cage?
Chinnakili vannakili sethisollum sellakiliLittle parrot, colorful parrot, pet parrot that brings news.
Koondukula vachatharu sollukiliyaeTell me, speaking parrot, who put you inside the cage?
Female
{Yaaru yaaru athu yaaru..Who is that, who is that, who is he?
Avar peru peru enna peru} (2)What is his name, name, what is his name?
Female
Chinnakili vannakili sethi sollum sellakiliLittle parrot, colorful parrot, pet parrot that brings news.
Koondukula vachatharu sollukiliyaeTell me, speaking parrot, who put you inside the cage?
Male
Chinnakili vannakili sethi sollum sellakiliLittle parrot, colorful parrot, pet parrot that brings news.
Yenudaya peraketatharu kiliyaeParrot, who asked for my name?
Chinnakili vannakili sethi sollum sellakiliLittle parrot, colorful parrot, pet parrot that brings news.
Yenudaya peraketatharu kiliyaeParrot, who asked for my name?
Male
{Yaaru yaaru athu yaaruWho is that, who is that, who is she?
Ava peru enna atha kooru} (2)What is her name? Tell me that!
Male
Chinnakili vannakili sethi sollum sellakiliLittle parrot, colorful parrot, pet parrot that brings news.
Yenudaya peraketatharu kiliyaeParrot, who asked for my name?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Chinnakili Vannakili is a playful rural duet from the movie Chinna Gounder (1992). The song is structured as a lighthearted conversation where the lead characters express their growing romantic curiosity through the metaphor of a parrot acting as a messenger. The woman playfully inquires who caged the parrot and who is interested in her, while the man teasingly questions who is asking about his name in return. Rich in folk flair, the track captures the innocence, bashfulness, and playful teasing inherent in traditional village romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Internal Rhyme (Iyaibu / Edugai)

Chinnakili vannakili sethi sollum sellakili

The line features strong internal rhyming with words ending in 'kili' (Chinnakili, vannakili, sellakili), creating a rhythmic folk cadence.

Apostrophe (Addressing an absent or non-human entity)

Koondukula vachatharu sollukiliyae

The singer addresses the parrot ('sollukiliyae') as if it were a conscious confidante capable of carrying romantic messages.

Epizeuxis (Immediate Repetition)

Yaaru yaaru athu yaaru

The immediate repetition of the word 'yaaru' builds eager emphasis and playful curiosity.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed with unknown credits in the prompt context, the soundtrack of Chinna Gounder (1992) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, and this song was sung by Mano and K. S. Chithra with lyrics penned by director R. V. Udhaya Kumar. The film was one of the biggest village-centric blockbusters of the 1990s in Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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