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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Raasaavae

From Walter Vetrivel · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Walter Vetrivel1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Chinna raasaavae Chitterumbu enna kadikkudhu Onna seraamaa Adikkadi raathiri thudikkudhuOh little prince, a tiny ant is biting me; without uniting with you, I throb often at night.
Female
Chinna raasaavae Chitterumbu enna kadikkudhu Onna seraamaa Adikkadi raathiri thudikkudhu Vaangina poovum pathaadhu Veesura kaathum nikkaadhu Ada moochukku moochukku Raavellaam pechukku Raasaavae raasaavaeEven the purchased flowers are not enough, and the blowing breeze does not stop.
Female
Chinna raasaavae Chitterumbu enna kadikkudhu Onna seraamaa Adikkadi raathiri thudikkudhuOh, for every breath, talks continue all night, my prince, my prince!
Chorus
Aa… aa… aa… aa… Aa… aa… aa… aa…Oh little prince, a tiny ant is biting me; without uniting with you, I throb often at night.
Female
Akkaa maga paatta kettu Mukkaa mozha poova choottu Akkaalathu coatta pottu Nikkaadhae nee romba lateuAa... aa... aa... aa... (Melodic vocalizations)
Male
Konjam poru maanae Kolli malai thaenae Kaatthirukken meenae Thoondil ida naanaeListen to your cousin's song, adorn three cubits of flowers; wearing an old-style coat, do not stand there being late!
Female
Ada maamaavae Vaayaa naan kooda Oru maamaangam pochae Naan vaadaWait a little, my deer, honey of Kolli Hills! I am waiting, my fish, to cast my hook!
Male
Ada moochukku moochukku Raavellaam pechukku Rosaavae chitterumbu Onna kadikkudhaa…Female :HaanMale :Enna seraamaa Adikkadi raathiri thudikkudhaa… aa haaOh uncle, come to me! A whole twelve-year cycle has passed while I withered away!
Chorus
Jimkku chikku chikkichaa Jimkku chikkuchaa Jimkku chikku chikkichaa Jimkku chikku Jimkku chikku chikkichaa Jimkku chikkuchaa Jimkku chikku chikkichaa Jimkku chikkuOh, for every breath, night-long chatter! Oh Rose, is a tiny ant biting you? Without uniting with me, do you throb at night?
Male
Thekkaala thaan maeyum kaathu Thenna mara keetha paathu Okkaandhu thaan thaalam podum Unnudaiya raagam paadumJimkku chikku chikkichaa... (Rhythmic folk rhythm refrains)
Female
Uchi mala oram Veyil thaazhum neram Ootthu thanni pola Un nenappu oorumThe wind blowing from the south looks at the coconut leaf, sits down to keep rhythm, and sings your tune.
Male
Siru paavaada Soodum poonthaeru Idhu poo vaada Veesum paalaaruAt the peak of the mountain as the sun sets, thoughts of you flow like spring water.
Female
Ada moochukku moochukku Raavellaam pechukku Raasaavae chitterumbu enna kadikkudhu Onna seraamaa Adikkadi raathiri thudikkudhuA flower chariot wearing a small skirt; this is a river of milk wafting floral fragrance!
Male
Vaangina poovum pathaadhu Veesura kaathum nikkaadhu Ada moochukku moochukku Raavellaam pechukku Rosaavae rosaavaeOh, for every breath, night-long chatter! Oh prince, a tiny ant bites me, throbbing at night without being together.
Male
RosaavaeFemale :Chitterumbu enna kadikkudhu Onna seraamaa Adikkadi raathiri thudikkudhuBought flowers aren't enough, blowing wind won't stop; with every breath, night-long talk, oh Rose!
Male
Hmm… ada rosaavae Chitterumbu unna kadikkudhaa Enna seraamaa Adikkadi raathiri thudikkudhaa Haahaahaan haahaa……Female: A tiny ant bites me... Male: Oh Rose, does a tiny ant bite you? Throbbing at night without being united?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Chinna Raasaave is a playful romantic duet from the 1993 Tamil film Walter Vetrivel, penned by Vaali and set to music by Ilaiyaraaja. The song utilizes folk metaphors to express intense romantic yearning and desire between two lovers. The heroine poetically describes her restless nights and longing as being bitten by a chitterumbu (tiny ant), symbolizing the sweet, persistent pangs of love during separation. The hero lovingly responds, teasing her and validating her emotions. Set against rural imagery of south winds, coconut leaves, and mountain springs, the track captures the passionate yet lighthearted exchange between the lead characters.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Chinna raasaavae Chitterumbu enna kadikkudhu

The phrase 'Chitterumbu enna kadikkudhu' (a tiny ant is biting me) is used metaphorically to describe the subtle, ticklish pangs of romantic longing and sleepless desire during separation.

Simile (Uvamaani)

Ootthu thanni pola Un nenappu oorum

'Ootthu thanni pola un nenappu oorum' compares the continuous, unstoppable flow of thoughts about the beloved to fresh spring water welling up from the earth.

Rhyme and Alliteration (Ethirai / Monai)

Thekkaala thaan maeyum kaathu Thenna mara keetha paathu

Lines like 'Thekkaala thaan maeyum kaathu' and 'Thenna mara keetha paathu' showcase Tamil poetic rhyming structures (Ethirai / second letter agreement: kaathu/paathu).

Did you know?

Trivia

Walter Vetrivel (1993) was a major blockbuster starring Sathyaraj and Sukanya, directed by P. Vasu. Although credited as Unknown in some metadata, the soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, and this song features vocals by Mano and S. Janaki.

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