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Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Mani Koyililey

From Vanna Vanna Pookkal · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Vanna Vanna Pookkal
Movie release year
1992
Lyrics added on
15 Oct 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Hmmm…mmm…mmm…mmmm
Ohoo…ohoo…oooo..mmm…mmm..
{Chinna mani koyililae aadudhadi
Oru vilakku
Ponnulagam kaanbadharkku
Yetri vaitha thiruvilakku} (2)
Therkku dhisai vazhiyae
Thendral varumoo
Dheebam vidum sudarai
Theendi vidumo
Chinna mani koyililae aadudhadi
Oru vilakku
Ponnulagam kaanbadharkku
Yetri vaitha thiruvilakku
Andha pakkam nanbanadi
Indha pakkam thangaiyadi
Sonnadho paadhi
Sollaadhadhu meedhi
Andha kannil karpanaigal
Indha kannil sanjalangal
Rendaiyum naan dhaan
Kanden indha naalil
Yendha vazhi amaippaan
Vaanirukkum dhevan
Andha vazhi nadakkum
Manidarin jeevan
Un vasam en vasam
Enna dhaan ingae
Unakkaaga naanae
Nalam paaduvenae
Dhevan undhan
Thunai varathaanae
Chinna mani koyililae aadudhadi
Oru vilakku
Ponnulagam kaanbadharkku
Yetri vaitha thiruvilakku
Nalliravu nerathilae
Natta nadu vaanathilae
Velli meen polae
Naan dhaan unnai paarthen
Nitham ingu vaasalilae
Paadi varum thendralilae
Un kural osai
Naan dhaan endrum ketpen
Annan thangai uravu
Ipparappil thodakkam
Innum idhu thodarndhu
Eppirappum irukkum
Vandhadhum vaazhndhadhum
Konja naal aagum
Unakkaaga naanae
Nalam paaduvenae
Dhevan undhan
Thunai varathaanae
{Chinna mani koyililae aadudhadi
Oru vilakku
Ponnulagam kaanbadharkku
Yetri vaitha thiruvilakku} (2)
Therkku dhisai vazhiyae
Thendral varumoo
Dheebam vidum sudarai
Theendi vidumo
Therkku dhisai vazhiyae
Thendral varumoo
Mmm… mmm… mmm… mmmm…
Oho… oho… oooo… mmm… mmm…
Inside the sweet little temple, it sways,
a single lamp,
lit so that we may see a golden world,
a sacred, glowing flame.
From the southern skies,
will a breeze blow in?
And the flame of this lamp,
will it touch and disturb it?
Inside the sweet little temple, it sways,
a single lamp,
lit so that we may see a golden world,
a sacred, glowing flame.
On that side is a friend,
on this side is a sister.
What has been spoken is only half,
what remains unsaid is the rest.
In those eyes are dreams,
in these eyes are worries.
Both of these,
I have witnessed on this day.
Whatever path is made
by God in heaven,
along that very path,
every human soul must walk.
What is in your hands or mine
in this life after all?
For your sake,
I will sing a prayer for your well-being,
so that God Himself
will come to stand by your side.
Inside the sweet little temple, it sways,
a single lamp,
lit so that we may see a golden world,
a sacred, glowing flame.
In the quiet of midnight,
right in the middle of the sky,
like a bright silver star,
I have watched over you.
Every day at this doorway,
in the breeze that comes singing,
the sound of your voice
is what I will always hear.
The bond between brother and sister,
began in this earthly life,
and it will continue
through every lifetime to come.
Arriving and living here
lasts only for a few short days.
For your sake,
I will sing a prayer for your well-being,
so that God Himself
will come to stand by your side.
Inside the sweet little temple, it sways,
a single lamp,
lit so that we may see a golden world,
a sacred, glowing flame.
From the southern skies,
will a breeze blow in?
And the flame of this lamp,
will it touch and disturb it?
From the southern skies,
will a breeze blow in?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'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.

Keep listening

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