Chinna Thambi Unnai Nambi
From Ithu Engal Neethi · 1988
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Chinna thambi unnai nambi | Little brother, trusting in you, |
| Intha naadu kaaththirukku | This country is waiting. |
| Naalezhuththu nee padiththu | For you to study a few words, |
| Mannin maanam kaappatharkku | To protect the honor of this soil. |
| Male | |
| Chinna thambi unnai nambi | Little brother, trusting in you, |
| Intha naadu kaaththirukku | This country is waiting. |
| Chorus :Chinna thambi unnai nambi | Chorus: Little brother, trusting in you, |
| Intha naadu kaaththirukku | This country is waiting. |
| Male | |
| Naalezhuththu nee padiththu | For you to study a few words, |
| Mannin maanam kaappatharkku | To protect the honor of this soil. |
| Chorus :Naalezhuththu nee padiththu | Chorus: For you to study a few words, |
| Mannin maanam kaappatharkku | To protect the honor of this soil. |
| Male | |
| Neengal thaanae naadaalum rajakkal | You are the kings who rule the country! |
| Chorus :Neengal thaanae naadaalum rajakkal | Chorus: You are the kings who rule the country! |
| Male :Entha naalum vaadaatha rojakkal | Male: Roses that never fade on any day! |
| Chorus :Entha naalum vaadaatha rojakkal | Chorus: Roses that never fade on any day! |
| Male :Naam yaavarum orr inam orr kulam | Male: We are all one race and one community, |
| Jaadhiyum pedhamum illaiyae | There is no caste or discrimination here. |
| Male | |
| Pongi pongi engum odum odai | The stream that overflows and runs everywhere, |
| Bhoomi endra penn uduththum aadai | Is the garment worn by the maiden named Earth. |
| Vanna vanna pookkal konjum cholai | The garden where colorful flowers caress, |
| Thendral vanthu thaer nadaththum saalai | The road where the gentle breeze drives the chariot. |
| Male | |
| Ellaarukkum ellaamae sonthamena koorungal | Tell everyone that everything belongs to all. |
| Illaathavan aanaalum thendral thodum paarungal | See how the gentle breeze touches even a poor person with nothing. |
| Yaavum inguthaan devan thanthathu | Everything here was given by God, |
| Paavam allavaa pangu vaippathu | Isn't it a sin to divide and hoard it? |
| Oorukkintha saedhi solladaa | Tell this news to the entire village! |
| Chorus | |
| Chinna thambi unnai nambi | Little brother, trusting in you, |
| Intha naadu kaaththirukku | This country is waiting. |
| Naalezhuththu nee padiththu | For you to study a few words, |
| Mannin maanam kaappatharkku | To protect the honor of this soil. |
| Chorus | |
| Neengal thaanae naadaalum rajakkal | You are the kings who rule the country, |
| Entha naalum vaadaatha rojakkal | Roses that never fade on any day. |
| Male | |
| Maanaththodu vaazhum intha maangal | These deer live with honor, |
| Maanai pola vaazha venum neengal | You must live like these deer. |
| Singam pola ungalukkum naalai | Like a lion, for you tomorrow, |
| Seeri paayum veera nenjam thevai | A brave heart that pounces with fury is needed. |
| Male | |
| Yaanai palam ennaalum | Although an elephant's strength always, |
| ThumbikkaiThaan endraalum | Lies in its trunk, |
| Yaezhai palam naalthorum | The strength of the poor every day, |
| Nambikkaiyil undaagum | Is born out of hope. |
| Male | |
| Kaalam enbathu naalai maaralaam | Time may change tomorrow, |
| Kannil pattathu kayil seralaam | What met your eyes may reach your hands, |
| Thottathingu thangam aagalaam | Whatever you touch here may turn into gold. |
| Chorus | |
| Chinna thambi unnai nambi | Little brother, trusting in you, |
| Intha naadu kaaththirukku | This country is waiting. |
| Naalezhuththu nee padiththu | For you to study a few words, |
| Mannin maanam kaappatharkku | To protect the honor of this soil. |
| Chorus | |
| Neengal thaanae naadaalum rajakkal | You are the kings who rule the country, |
| Entha naalum vaadaatha rojakkal | Roses that never fade on any day. |
சின்னத் தம்பி உன்னை நம்பி
இந்த நாடு காத்திருக்கு
நாலெழுத்து நீ படித்து
மண்ணின் மானம் காப்பதற்கு
Little brother, trusting in you,
This country is waiting.
For you to study a few words,
To protect the honor of this soil.
சின்னத் தம்பி உன்னை நம்பி
இந்த நாடு காத்திருக்கு
குழு :
சின்னத் தம்பி உன்னை நம்பி
இந்த நாடு காத்திருக்கு
Little brother, trusting in you,
This country is waiting.
Chorus: Little brother, trusting in you,
This country is waiting.
நாலெழுத்து நீ படித்து
மண்ணின் மானம் காப்பதற்கு
குழு :
நாலெழுத்து நீ படித்து
மண்ணின் மானம் காப்பதற்கு
For you to study a few words,
To protect the honor of this soil.
Chorus: For you to study a few words,
To protect the honor of this soil.
நீங்கள் தானே நாடாளும் ராஜாக்கள்
குழு :
நீங்கள் தானே நாடாளும் ராஜாக்கள்
எந்த நாளும் வாடாத ரோஜாக்கள்
குழு :
எந்த நாளும் வாடாத ரோஜாக்கள்
நாம் யாவரும் ஓர் இனம் ஓர் குலம்
ஜாதியும் பேதமும் இல்லையே....
You are the kings who rule the country!
Chorus: You are the kings who rule the country!
Male: Roses that never fade on any day!
Chorus: Roses that never fade on any day!
Male: We are all one race and one community,
There is no caste or discrimination here.
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
சின்னத் தம்பி உன்னை நம்பி
இந்த நாடு காத்திருக்கு
நாலெழுத்து நீ படித்து
மண்ணின் மானம் காப்பதற்கு
The stream that overflows and runs everywhere,
Is the garment worn by the maiden named Earth.
The garden where colorful flowers caress,
The road where the gentle breeze drives the chariot.
பொங்கிப் பொங்கி எங்கும் ஓடும் ஓடை
பூமி என்ற பெண் உடுத்தும் ஆடை
வண்ண வண்ணப் பூக்கள் கொஞ்சும் சோலை
தென்றல் வந்து தேர் நடத்தும் சாலை
Tell everyone that everything belongs to all.
See how the gentle breeze touches even a poor person with nothing.
Everything here was given by God,
Isn't it a sin to divide and hoard it?
Tell this news to the entire village!
எல்லாருக்கும் எல்லாமே சொந்தமென கூறுங்கள்
இல்லாதவன் ஆனாலும் தென்றல் தொடும் பாருங்கள்
யாவும் இங்குதான் தேவன் தந்தது
பாவம் அல்லவா பங்கு வைப்பது
ஊருக்கிந்த சேதி சொல்லடா.....
Little brother, trusting in you,
This country is waiting.
For you to study a few words,
To protect the honor of this soil.
சின்னத் தம்பி உன்னை நம்பி
இந்த நாடு காத்திருக்கு
நாலெழுத்து நீ படித்து
மண்ணின் மானம் காப்பதற்கு
You are the kings who rule the country,
Roses that never fade on any day.
நீங்கள் தானே நாடாளும் ராஜாக்கள்
எந்த நாளும் வாடாத ரோஜாக்கள்
These deer live with honor,
You must live like these deer.
Like a lion, for you tomorrow,
A brave heart that pounces with fury is needed.
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
நாம் யாவரும் ஓர் இனம் ஓர் குலம்
ஜாதியும் பேதமும் இல்லையே....
Although an elephant's strength always,
Lies in its trunk,
The strength of the poor every day,
Is born out of hope.
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
சின்னத் தம்பி உன்னை நம்பி
இந்த நாடு காத்திருக்கு
நாலெழுத்து நீ படித்து
மண்ணின் மானம் காப்பதற்கு
Time may change tomorrow,
What met your eyes may reach your hands,
Whatever you touch here may turn into gold.
மானத்தோடு வாழும் இந்த மான்கள்
மானைப் போல வாழ வேணும் நீங்கள்
சிங்கம் போல உங்களுக்கும் நாளை
சீறிப் பாயும் வீர நெஞ்சம் தேவை
Little brother, trusting in you,
This country is waiting.
For you to study a few words,
To protect the honor of this soil.
யானை பலம் எந்நாளும்
தும்பிக்கை தான் என்றாலும்
ஏழை பலம் நாள்தோறும்
நம்பிக்கையில் உண்டாகும்
You are the kings who rule the country,
Roses that never fade on any day.
காலம் என்பது நாளை மாறலாம்
கண்ணில் பட்டது கையில் சேரலாம்
தொட்டதிங்கு தங்கம் ஆகலாம்
சின்னத் தம்பி உன்னை நம்பி
இந்த நாடு காத்திருக்கு
நாலெழுத்து நீ படித்து
மண்ணின் மானம் காப்பதற்கு
நீங்கள் தானே நாடாளும் ராஜாக்கள்
எந்த நாளும் வாடாத ரோஜாக்கள்
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
நாம் யாவரும் ஓர் இனம் ஓர் குலம்
ஜாதியும் பேதமும் இல்லையே....
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
சின்னத் தம்பி உன்னை நம்பி
இந்த நாடு காத்திருக்கு
நாலெழுத்து நீ படித்து
மண்ணின் மானம் காப்பதற்கு
Chinna thambi unnai nambi
Little brother, trusting in you,
Intha naadu kaaththirukku
This country is waiting.
Naalezhuththu nee padiththu
For you to study a few words,
Mannin maanam kaappatharkku
To protect the honor of this soil.
Chinna thambi unnai nambi
Little brother, trusting in you,
Intha naadu kaaththirukku
This country is waiting.
Chorus :Chinna thambi unnai nambi
Chorus: Little brother, trusting in you,
Intha naadu kaaththirukku
This country is waiting.
Naalezhuththu nee padiththu
For you to study a few words,
Mannin maanam kaappatharkku
To protect the honor of this soil.
Chorus :Naalezhuththu nee padiththu
Chorus: For you to study a few words,
Mannin maanam kaappatharkku
To protect the honor of this soil.
Neengal thaanae naadaalum rajakkal
You are the kings who rule the country!
Chorus :Neengal thaanae naadaalum rajakkal
Chorus: You are the kings who rule the country!
Male :Entha naalum vaadaatha rojakkal
Male: Roses that never fade on any day!
Chorus :Entha naalum vaadaatha rojakkal
Chorus: Roses that never fade on any day!
Male :Naam yaavarum orr inam orr kulam
Male: We are all one race and one community,
Jaadhiyum pedhamum illaiyae
There is no caste or discrimination here.
Pongi pongi engum odum odai
The stream that overflows and runs everywhere,
Bhoomi endra penn uduththum aadai
Is the garment worn by the maiden named Earth.
Vanna vanna pookkal konjum cholai
The garden where colorful flowers caress,
Thendral vanthu thaer nadaththum saalai
The road where the gentle breeze drives the chariot.
Ellaarukkum ellaamae sonthamena koorungal
Tell everyone that everything belongs to all.
Illaathavan aanaalum thendral thodum paarungal
See how the gentle breeze touches even a poor person with nothing.
Yaavum inguthaan devan thanthathu
Everything here was given by God,
Paavam allavaa pangu vaippathu
Isn't it a sin to divide and hoard it?
Oorukkintha saedhi solladaa
Tell this news to the entire village!
Chinna thambi unnai nambi
Little brother, trusting in you,
Intha naadu kaaththirukku
This country is waiting.
Naalezhuththu nee padiththu
For you to study a few words,
Mannin maanam kaappatharkku
To protect the honor of this soil.
Neengal thaanae naadaalum rajakkal
You are the kings who rule the country,
Entha naalum vaadaatha rojakkal
Roses that never fade on any day.
Maanaththodu vaazhum intha maangal
These deer live with honor,
Maanai pola vaazha venum neengal
You must live like these deer.
Singam pola ungalukkum naalai
Like a lion, for you tomorrow,
Seeri paayum veera nenjam thevai
A brave heart that pounces with fury is needed.
Yaanai palam ennaalum
Although an elephant's strength always,
ThumbikkaiThaan endraalum
Lies in its trunk,
Yaezhai palam naalthorum
The strength of the poor every day,
Nambikkaiyil undaagum
Is born out of hope.
Kaalam enbathu naalai maaralaam
Time may change tomorrow,
Kannil pattathu kayil seralaam
What met your eyes may reach your hands,
Thottathingu thangam aagalaam
Whatever you touch here may turn into gold.
Chinna thambi unnai nambi
Little brother, trusting in you,
Intha naadu kaaththirukku
This country is waiting.
Naalezhuththu nee padiththu
For you to study a few words,
Mannin maanam kaappatharkku
To protect the honor of this soil.
Neengal thaanae naadaalum rajakkal
You are the kings who rule the country,
Entha naalum vaadaatha rojakkal
Roses that never fade on any day.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This uplifting song is an anthem of encouragement directed towards the youth and children, motivating them to get educated and uphold the dignity of the nation. Lyricist Vaali frames young people as the future rulers and unfading roses of the land, emphasizing social equality and unity across all castes and backgrounds. Through evocative nature imagery, the song illustrates that natural elements like streams and breezes make no distinction between rich and poor.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhyme (Emoni/Edhukai)
“Chinna thambi unnai nambi”
Assonance and rhyming sound pattern between 'thambi' and 'nambi'.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Bhoomi endra penn uduththum aadai”
Compares the flowing stream to the dress worn by Earth personified as a maiden.
Personification
“Thendral vanthu thaer nadaththum saalai”
Attributes human driver qualities to the breeze ('thendral') driving a chariot.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Singam pola ungalukkum naalai”
Compares the courage required in young hearts to the fierce nature of a lion.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the 1988 film 'Ithu Engal Neethi', this track features energetic vocals by singer Mano. Vaali's lyrics carry a strong social reformer tone reminiscent of classic Tamil educational anthems.
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