Chinna Mani Koyililey
From Vanna Vanna Pookkal · 1992
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Vanna Vanna Pookkal1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Hmmm…mmm…mmm…mmmm | Humming melody |
| Ohoo…ohoo…oooo..mmm…mmm.. | Singing vocalization |
| Male | |
| {Chinna mani koyililae aadudhadi | In the small bell-adorned temple, it sways |
| Oru vilakku | A single lamp |
| Ponnulagam kaanbadharkku | To behold a golden world |
| Yetri vaitha thiruvilakku} (2) | The sacred lamp lit with devotion |
| Male | |
| Therkku dhisai vazhiyae | Will a gentle breeze blow |
| Thendral varumoo | From the southern direction? |
| Dheebam vidum sudarai | The flickering flame of the lamp |
| Theendi vidumo | Will it touch genty? |
| Male | |
| Chinna mani koyililae aadudhadi | In the small bell-adorned temple, it sways |
| Oru vilakku | A single lamp |
| Ponnulagam kaanbadharkku | To behold a golden world |
| Yetri vaitha thiruvilakku | The sacred lamp lit with devotion |
| Male | |
| Andha pakkam nanbanadi | On that side stands a friend |
| Indha pakkam thangaiyadi | On this side stands a sister |
| Sonnadho paadhi | What has been spoken is only half |
| Sollaadhadhu meedhi | What remains unsaid is the rest |
| Male | |
| Andha kannil karpanaigal | In those eyes lie dreams and imaginations |
| Indha kannil sanjalangal | In these eyes lie anxieties and dilemmas |
| Rendaiyum naan dhaan | Both of these, I myself |
| Kanden indha naalil | Observed on this very day |
| Male | |
| Yendha vazhi amaippaan | Whichever path is mapped out |
| Vaanirukkum dhevan | By God who dwells in heaven |
| Andha vazhi nadakkum | Along that destined path walks |
| Manidarin jeevan | The life journey of human beings |
| Male | |
| Un vasam en vasam | What truly rests in your hands or mine |
| Enna dhaan ingae | In this earthly realm? |
| Unakkaaga naanae | For your well-being, I myself |
| Nalam paaduvenae | Will sing prayers of prosperity |
| Dhevan undhan | May the Almighty surely come |
| Thunai varathaanae | To stand by you as support |
| Male | |
| Chinna mani koyililae aadudhadi | In the small bell-adorned temple, it sways |
| Oru vilakku | A single lamp |
| Ponnulagam kaanbadharkku | To behold a golden world |
| Yetri vaitha thiruvilakku | The sacred lamp lit with devotion |
| Male | |
| Nalliravu nerathilae | In the dead of the late night hours |
| Natta nadu vaanathilae | In the middle of the vast sky |
| Velli meen polae | Like a gleaming silver star |
| Naan dhaan unnai paarthen | It was I who gazed upon you |
| Male | |
| Nitham ingu vaasalilae | Every single day here at the entrance |
| Paadi varum thendralilae | In the gentle breeze that arrives singing |
| Un kural osai | The sweet sound of your voice |
| Naan dhaan endrum ketpen | I will forever listen to |
| Male | |
| Annan thangai uravu | The eternal bond between brother and sister |
| Ipparappil thodakkam | Has its beginning in this earthly span |
| Innum idhu thodarndhu | Continuing ever forward like this |
| Eppirappum irukkum | It will endure across every rebirth |
| Male | |
| Vandhadhum vaazhndhadhum | Having arrived and lived here |
| Konja naal aagum | It has been only a short duration |
| Unakkaaga naanae | For your sake, I myself |
| Nalam paaduvenae | Will sing prayers of prosperity |
| Dhevan undhan | May the Almighty surely come |
| Thunai varathaanae | To stand by you as support |
| Male | |
| {Chinna mani koyililae aadudhadi | In the small bell-adorned temple, it sways |
| Oru vilakku | A single lamp |
| Ponnulagam kaanbadharkku | To behold a golden world |
| Yetri vaitha thiruvilakku} (2) | The sacred lamp lit with devotion |
| Male | |
| Therkku dhisai vazhiyae | Will a gentle breeze blow |
| Thendral varumoo | From the southern direction? |
| Dheebam vidum sudarai | The flickering flame of the lamp |
| Theendi vidumo | Will it touch gently? |
| Therkku dhisai vazhiyae | Will a gentle breeze blow |
| Thendral varumoo | From the southern direction? |
ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ ஓஒ ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்
Humming melody
Singing vocalization
{சின்ன மணி கோயிலிலே
ஆடுதடி ஒரு விளக்கு
பொன்னுலகம் காண்பதற்கு
ஏற்றி வைத்த திருவிளக்கு} (2)
In the small bell-adorned temple, it sways
A single lamp
To behold a golden world
The sacred lamp lit with devotion
தெற்கு திசை வழியே
தென்றல் வருமோ
தீபம் விடும் சுடரை
தீண்டி விடுமோ
Will a gentle breeze blow
From the southern direction?
The flickering flame of the lamp
Will it touch genty?
சின்ன மணி கோயிலிலே
ஆடுதடி ஒரு விளக்கு
பொன்னுலகம் காண்பதற்கு
ஏற்றி வைத்த திருவிளக்கு
In the small bell-adorned temple, it sways
A single lamp
To behold a golden world
The sacred lamp lit with devotion
அந்த பக்கம் நண்பனடி
இந்த பக்கம் தங்கையடி
சொன்னதோ பாதி
சொல்லாதது மீதி
On that side stands a friend
On this side stands a sister
What has been spoken is only half
What remains unsaid is the rest
அந்த கண்ணில் கற்பனைகள்
இந்த கண்ணில் சஞ்சலங்கள்
இரண்டையும் நான் தான்
கண்டேன் இந்த நாளில்
In those eyes lie dreams and imaginations
In these eyes lie anxieties and dilemmas
Both of these, I myself
Observed on this very day
எந்த வழி அமைப்பான்
வானிருக்கும் தேவன்
அந்த வழி நடக்கும்
மானிடரின் ஜீவன்
Whichever path is mapped out
By God who dwells in heaven
Along that destined path walks
The life journey of human beings
உன் வசம் என் வசம்
என்ன தான் இங்கே
உனக்காக நானே நலம் பாடுவேனே
தேவன் உந்தன் துணை வரத்தானே
What truly rests in your hands or mine
In this earthly realm?
For your well-being, I myself
Will sing prayers of prosperity
May the Almighty surely come
To stand by you as support
சின்ன மணி கோயிலிலே
ஆடுதடி ஒரு விளக்கு
பொன்னுலகம் காண்பதற்கு
ஏற்றி வைத்த திருவிளக்கு
In the small bell-adorned temple, it sways
A single lamp
To behold a golden world
The sacred lamp lit with devotion
நள்ளிரவு நேரத்திலே
நட்ட நாடு வானத்திலே
வெள்ளி மீன் போலே
நான் தான் உன்னைப் பார்த்தேன்
In the dead of the late night hours
In the middle of the vast sky
Like a gleaming silver star
It was I who gazed upon you
நித்தம் இங்கு வாசலிலே
பாடி வரும் தென்றலிலே
உன் குரல் ஓசை
நான் தான் என்றும் கேட்பேன்
Every single day here at the entrance
In the gentle breeze that arrives singing
The sweet sound of your voice
I will forever listen to
அண்ணன் தங்கை உறவு
இப்பிறப்பில் தொடக்கம்
இன்னும் இது தொடர்ந்து
எப்பிறப்பும் இருக்கும்
The eternal bond between brother and sister
Has its beginning in this earthly span
Continuing ever forward like this
It will endure across every rebirth
வந்ததும் வாழ்ந்ததும்
கொஞ்ச நாள் ஆகும்
உனக்காக நானே நலம் பாடுவேனே
தேவன் உந்தன் துணை வரத்தானே
Having arrived and lived here
It has been only a short duration
For your sake, I myself
Will sing prayers of prosperity
May the Almighty surely come
To stand by you as support
{சின்ன மணி கோயிலிலே
ஆடுதடி ஒரு விளக்கு
பொன்னுலகம் காண்பதற்கு
ஏற்றி வைத்த திருவிளக்கு} (2)
In the small bell-adorned temple, it sways
A single lamp
To behold a golden world
The sacred lamp lit with devotion
தெற்கு திசை வழியே
தென்றல் வருமோ
தீபம் விடும் சுடரை
தீண்டி விடுமோ
தெற்கு திசை வழியே
தென்றல் வருமோ
Will a gentle breeze blow
From the southern direction?
The flickering flame of the lamp
Will it touch gently?
Will a gentle breeze blow
From the southern direction?
Hmmm…mmm…mmm…mmmm
Humming melody
Ohoo…ohoo…oooo..mmm…mmm..
Singing vocalization
{Chinna mani koyililae aadudhadi
In the small bell-adorned temple, it sways
Oru vilakku
A single lamp
Ponnulagam kaanbadharkku
To behold a golden world
Yetri vaitha thiruvilakku} (2)
The sacred lamp lit with devotion
Therkku dhisai vazhiyae
Will a gentle breeze blow
Thendral varumoo
From the southern direction?
Dheebam vidum sudarai
The flickering flame of the lamp
Theendi vidumo
Will it touch genty?
Chinna mani koyililae aadudhadi
In the small bell-adorned temple, it sways
Oru vilakku
A single lamp
Ponnulagam kaanbadharkku
To behold a golden world
Yetri vaitha thiruvilakku
The sacred lamp lit with devotion
Andha pakkam nanbanadi
On that side stands a friend
Indha pakkam thangaiyadi
On this side stands a sister
Sonnadho paadhi
What has been spoken is only half
Sollaadhadhu meedhi
What remains unsaid is the rest
Andha kannil karpanaigal
In those eyes lie dreams and imaginations
Indha kannil sanjalangal
In these eyes lie anxieties and dilemmas
Rendaiyum naan dhaan
Both of these, I myself
Kanden indha naalil
Observed on this very day
Yendha vazhi amaippaan
Whichever path is mapped out
Vaanirukkum dhevan
By God who dwells in heaven
Andha vazhi nadakkum
Along that destined path walks
Manidarin jeevan
The life journey of human beings
Un vasam en vasam
What truly rests in your hands or mine
Enna dhaan ingae
In this earthly realm?
Unakkaaga naanae
For your well-being, I myself
Nalam paaduvenae
Will sing prayers of prosperity
Dhevan undhan
May the Almighty surely come
Thunai varathaanae
To stand by you as support
Chinna mani koyililae aadudhadi
In the small bell-adorned temple, it sways
Oru vilakku
A single lamp
Ponnulagam kaanbadharkku
To behold a golden world
Yetri vaitha thiruvilakku
The sacred lamp lit with devotion
Nalliravu nerathilae
In the dead of the late night hours
Natta nadu vaanathilae
In the middle of the vast sky
Velli meen polae
Like a gleaming silver star
Naan dhaan unnai paarthen
It was I who gazed upon you
Nitham ingu vaasalilae
Every single day here at the entrance
Paadi varum thendralilae
In the gentle breeze that arrives singing
Un kural osai
The sweet sound of your voice
Naan dhaan endrum ketpen
I will forever listen to
Annan thangai uravu
The eternal bond between brother and sister
Ipparappil thodakkam
Has its beginning in this earthly span
Innum idhu thodarndhu
Continuing ever forward like this
Eppirappum irukkum
It will endure across every rebirth
Vandhadhum vaazhndhadhum
Having arrived and lived here
Konja naal aagum
It has been only a short duration
Unakkaaga naanae
For your sake, I myself
Nalam paaduvenae
Will sing prayers of prosperity
Dhevan undhan
May the Almighty surely come
Thunai varathaanae
To stand by you as support
{Chinna mani koyililae aadudhadi
In the small bell-adorned temple, it sways
Oru vilakku
A single lamp
Ponnulagam kaanbadharkku
To behold a golden world
Yetri vaitha thiruvilakku} (2)
The sacred lamp lit with devotion
Therkku dhisai vazhiyae
Will a gentle breeze blow
Thendral varumoo
From the southern direction?
Dheebam vidum sudarai
The flickering flame of the lamp
Theendi vidumo
Will it touch gently?
Therkku dhisai vazhiyae
Will a gentle breeze blow
Thendral varumoo
From the southern direction?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Chinna Mani Koyililae' from Vanna Vanna Pookkal (1992) is a deeply emotional Tamil song centered on pure affection, unspoken emotional bonds, and brotherly devotion. The song uses the metaphor of a glowing sacred lamp in a small temple, representing a fragile yet radiant life or relationship that needs protection from harsh winds of life. The narrator reflects on the delicate balance of friendship and sibling affection, recognizing that human destiny is ultimately guided by the divine beyond human control. Throughout the song, the speaker expresses unselfish well-wishes and prayers for the sibling's happiness, emphasizing that true emotional bonds transcend a single lifetime and persist across births. Set against a serene nocturnal backdrop with starry skies and gentle breezes, Vaali's evocative lyrics paired with Ilaiyaraaja's soulful composition evoke feelings of warmth, protection, and eternal familial love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Chinna mani koyililae aadudhadi / Oru vilakku”
The life or beloved person is allegorized as a delicate sacred lamp ('thiruvilakku') burning softly in a small temple, where external breezes symbolize destiny or trials.
Antithesis (Contrast)
“Andha pakkam nanbanadi / Indha pakkam thangaiyadi”
Contrasting spatial positions, human roles ('nanban' vs 'thangai'), and inner emotional states ('karpanaigal' vs 'sanjalangal').
Simile
“Velli meen polae / Naan dhaan unnai paarthen”
Comparing the cherished sister to a bright silver star shining high up in the quiet mid-night sky.
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Andha kannil karpanaigal / Indha kannil sanjalangal”
Tamil poetic rhyme where the second letter of consecutive lines matches ('n-da' / 'n-da').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Vanna Vanna Pookkal' (1992), directed by Balu Mahendra and starring Prashanth and Mounika, features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Vaali. The soundtrack received immense critical acclaim and won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil.
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