Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Nila Sirikkum Nila

From Naagam · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Naagam
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
12 Jun 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thaalaelo thaalaelo thaalaelo
Thaalaelo thaalaelo…..
Chinna nilaa sirikkum nilaa
Tharaiyinilae neliyum nilaa
Chinna nilaa sirikkum nilaa
Tharaiyinilae neliyum nilaa
Pinchu nilaa pesum nilaa
Thendralai pol veesum nilaa
Pinchu nilaa pesum nilaa
Thendralai pol veesum nilaa
Chinna nilaa sirikkum nilaa
Tharaiyinilae neliyum nilaa
Madi valikka munnaalil eendreduththaen
Maar valikka kannae naan paal koduththaen
Madi valikka munnaalil eendreduththaen
Maar valikka kannae naan paal koduththaen
Ippothum paal manam illaamal pogumo
Appaavai polavae en meedhum kobamo
Paaloottum thaaimaiyum pagaiyaaga koodumo
Nee pirakka naanthaan kattilittaen
Thalaivithiyai therinthaa thottilittaen
Madi valikka munnaalil eendreduththaen
Maar valikka kannae naan paal koduththaen
Chinna nilaa sirikkum nilaa
Tharaiyinilae neliyum nilaa
Pinchu nilaa pesum nilaa
Thendralai pol veesum nilaa
Chinna nilaa sirikkum nilaa
Tharaiyinilae neliyum nilaa
Koyilgalil thaayaaga iruppaval nee
Ketkkum varam ennaalum koduppaval nee
Koyilgalil thaayaaga iruppaval nee
Ketkkum varam ennaalum koduppaval nee
Seiyaana unnai naan thaaga enninaen
Thaayaan ennai nee seiyaaga ennidu
Seiyullam vaadiinaal thaayullam thaangumo
Naan mudikka poovum manjalum nee
Nee ninaiththaal endrum nilaiththidumae
Thaalaelo thaalaelo thaalaelo
Thaalaelo thaalaelo…..
Chinna nilaa sirikkum nilaa
Tharaiyinilae neliyum nilaa
Pinchu nilaa pesum nilaa
Thendralai pol veesum nilaa
Thaalaelo thaalaelo thaalaelo
Thaalaelo thaalaelo…..
Thaalaelo thaalaelo…..
Lullaby, lullaby, thalelo,
Thalelo, thalelo...
A little moon, a smiling moon,
A moon that slithers on the ground,
A little moon, a smiling moon,
A moon that slithers on the ground,
A tender moon, a speaking moon,
A moon blowing softly like a gentle breeze,
A tender moon, a speaking moon,
A moon blowing softly like a gentle breeze,
A little moon, a smiling moon,
A moon that slithers on the ground,
Bearing pain in my womb, I gave birth to you back then,
With aching breasts, my child, I nursed you,
Bearing pain in my womb, I gave birth to you back then,
With aching breasts, my child, I nursed you,
Could that sweet scent of mother's milk be gone even now?
Are you angry with me too, just like your father?
Can a nursing mother ever become an enemy?
I prepared a bed when you were born,
Would I have rocked your cradle had I known our fate?
Lullaby, lullaby, thalelo,
Thalelo, thalelo...
A little moon, a smiling moon,
A moon that slithers on the ground,
A tender moon, a speaking moon,
A moon blowing softly like a gentle breeze,
A little moon, a smiling moon,
A moon that slithers on the ground,
You are the divine Mother who dwells in temples,
You are the one who always grants every boon...
You are the divine Mother who dwells in temples,
You are the one who always grants every boon...
Though you are my child, I saw you as a goddess mother,
Now look upon me, your mother, as your own child!
If the child's heart withers, can a mother's heart bear it?
You are the flowers and turmeric for my hair,
If you bless it, they will stay with me forever!
Lullaby, lullaby, thalelo,
Thalelo, thalelo...
A little moon, a smiling moon,
A moon that slithers on the ground,
A tender moon, a speaking moon,
A moon blowing softly like a gentle breeze,
Lullaby, lullaby, thalelo,
Thalelo, thalelo...
Thalelo, thalelo...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a poignant lullaby sung by a mother expressing her unconditional love, grief, and emotional turmoil to her child. Affectionately addressing her offspring as a tender, smiling moon slithering on the ground, she reflects on the intense physical labor and loving devotion required to bring the child into the world and raise it. She questions whether enmity could ever taint maternal affection and laments the tragic twist of fate. In the second half, she elevates her child to a divine maternal entity, begging for empathy and mercy. Reversing roles, she asks her child to show motherly compassion, emphasizing that no mother can withstand the anguish of her child's suffering. The lyrics blend traditional motherly warmth with profound sorrow.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

“Chinna nilaa sirikkum nilaa”

The child is directly compared to a smiling, slithering moon ('Chinna nilaa'), imagery fitting for the snake-mythology context of the film.

Simile (Uvamai)

“Thendralai pol veesum nilaa”

Comparing the gentle presence and movement of the child to a soft-blowing breeze ('Thendralai pol').

Etukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Madi valikka munnaalil eendreduththaen”

Rhyming of the second consonants 'di' and 'r' in 'Madi' and 'Maar' creates rhythmic structure.

Anaphora / Repetition

“Thaalaelo thaalaelo thaalaelo”

Repetition of the traditional lullaby phrase 'Thaalaelo' sets the soothing yet melancholic rhythmic tone of the song.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Naagam' (1985) is a snake-mythology drama starring Arjun Sarja and Radha, featuring music composed by the veteran duo Shankar-Ganesh. Sung by Vani Jairam, this song blends classical Tamil lullaby tropes ('Thaalaelo') with dramatic, tragic themes specific to snake-themed South Indian fantasy films.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Vada Thangam Vada1995
PasumponMotherhoodDevotion
Aiyirandu Thingalile1978
AnnapoorniMotherhoodDevotion
Chinna Arumbu Female1961
PangaligalMotherhoodDevotion
Poomarathu Nizhalumundu1969
Kuzhanthai UllamMotherhoodTender
Vaada Malar Thenen1960
ThozhanMotherhoodGrief
Petredutha Ullam1972
Kanna NalamaDevotionMotherhood

From the same album

More songs from Naagam

View album
Thenandal Koyilukku1985
NaagamDevotional
Oothungada Pippippee1985
NaagamCelebratory
Amma Ammamma1985
NaagamVulnerable

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.