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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Pattampoochi

From Sugamana Sumaigal · 1992

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Mano, K. S. Chitra
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Sugamana Sumaigal1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thamthana thamthana thamthana thamthanaRhythmic vocalizing (Thamthana thamthana...)
Aahaahaa haa laalaa lala laalaa….Aha la la vocalizing...
Female
Chinna pattaampoochiA little butterfly
Rekka katti parakkuthu kannaaIt flies away with wings tied, my dear
Adhu sooriyana thottu vida thudikkuthu kannaaIt yearns to touch the sun, my dear
Antha pattaampoochi polaeJust like that butterfly
Naamum parakkanum kannaaWe too should fly, my dear
Female
Nenjin paaramellaam theerum varaiUntil all the burdens of the heart clear away
Rasikkanum kannaaWe must enjoy life, my dear
Ullam thulli sendraalIf the heart leaps with joy
Thunbam illai manamae….vaadaathaeThere is no sorrow; oh mind, do not wither
Female
Intha vaanum mannum inimaiyaanathuThis sky and earth are sweet
Ingu vaazhum kaalam arumaiyaanathuThe time spent living here is precious
Female
Chinna pattaampoochiA little butterfly
Rekka katti parakkuthu kannaaIt flies away with wings tied, my dear
Adhu sooriyana thottu vida thudikkuthu kannaaIt yearns to touch the sun, my dear
Female
Pookkal pesum paasai ennaWhat is the language that flowers speak?
Olinthu ketkalaamShall we hide and listen?
Pullin thuligakal udainthidamalWithout breaking the dew drops on grass
Nadanthu paarkkalamaShall we try walking?
Bhoomi ennum panthai naamumThe ball called Earth
Aadi paarkkalaamShall we try playing with it?
Pudhumai innum enna unduWhat other novelty is out there?
Thedi paarkkalamShall we search and see?
Female
Vaazhkkai enbathu naatkal allavaeLife is not merely a count of days, is it?
Roja enbathu mutkal allavaeA rose is not defined only by its thorns, is it?
Sumaigal kooda manithaa vaazhvil sugangal kaanavaeEven burdens are meant for humans to experience pleasures in life
Female
Intha pattaampoochiThis butterfly
Rekka katti parakkuthu kannaaIt flies away with wings tied, my dear
Adhu sooriyana thottu vida thudikkuthu kannaaIt yearns to touch the sun, my dear
Male
Ennai kanda pookkal koottamSeeing me, the crowd of flowers
Olinthu kondathuHid themselves away
Ilaiya kaatru irangal paattu ezuthi vanthathuThe gentle breeze arrived writing a song of sympathy
Sogam poga enathu ullam nilavu paarththathuTo ease my sorrow, my heart looked at the moon
Nilavukooda megam eduththu porththi kondathuEven the moon covered itself with a cloud
Male
Idhayam theeyilae eriyum pothilaeWhen the heart burns in fire
Isaiyin keerththanam vizhumaa kaadhilaeDoes a musical hymn fall upon the ears?
Oliyum kooda azhugaithaanae mezhugin vaazhvilaeEven light is merely a cry in the life of a candle
Female
Heehhmm chinna pattaampoochiHmm... a little butterfly
Rekka katti parakkuthu kannaaIt flies away with wings tied, my dear
Adhu sooriyana thottu vida thudikkuthu kannaaIt yearns to touch the sun, my dear
Female
Nenjin paaramellaam theerum varaiUntil all the burdens of the heart clear away
Rasikkanum kannaaWe must enjoy life, my dear
Ullam thulli sendraalIf the heart leaps with joy
Thunbam illai manamae….vaadaathaeThere is no sorrow; oh mind, do not wither
Female
Intha vaanum mannum inimaiyaanathuThis sky and earth are sweet
Ingu vaazhum kaalam arumaiyaanathuThe time spent living here is precious
Female
Chinna pattaampoochiA little butterfly
Rekka katti parakkuthu kannaaIt flies away with wings tied, my dear
Adhu sooriyana thottu vida thudikkuthu kannaa….It yearns to touch the sun, my dear...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song uses the metaphor of a little butterfly reaching for the sun to express human yearning for joy, wonder, and liberation from life's burdens. It encourages the listener to appreciate nature's subtle beauties, emphasizing that life is not just a routine counting of days, nor is a rose defined solely by its thorns.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Chinna pattaampoochi Rekka katti parakkuthu kannaa

Compares human soul and aspirations to a butterfly soaring towards the sun, and the earth to a playful ball.

Personification

Ilaiya kaatru irangal paattu ezuthi vanthathu

Attributes human behaviors to nature, such as flowers speaking a language and the breeze writing a sympathetic song.

Couplet Rhyme / Parallelism (Edhugai)

Vaazhkkai enbathu naatkal allavae / Roja enbathu mutkal allavae

Uses parallel philosophical structure comparing life and days to roses and thorns.

Did you know?

Trivia

Sugamana Sumaigal (1992) was directed by Parthiban. Lyricist Vairamuthu weaves deep philosophical thoughts into simple, nature-inspired imagery throughout the album.

Keep listening

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