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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Thangam

From Cheran Pandiyan · 1991

Lyricist
Soundaryan
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Soundaryan
Details
Cheran Pandiyan1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Chinna thangamLittle gold,
Enthan chella thangamMy darling precious gold,
Yen kannu kalanguthuWhy are your eyes welling up with tears?
Male
Ethai ennikkonduPondering over what,
Intha allithanduIs this delicate lily stem,
Manam vimmi varunthuthuSobbing with a aching heart?
Male
Nee thulli varumYou are a companion,
Maaninaththin thozhiyadiTo the bounding deer, my dear.
Siru thumbam endraalIf a tiny sorrow strikes you,
Enthan nenjil kaayamadiIt leaves a wound in my heart, my dear.
Male
Chinna thangamLittle gold,
Enthan chella thangamMy darling precious gold,
Yen kannu kalanguthuWhy are your eyes welling up with tears?
Male
Ethai ennikkonduPondering over what,
Intha allithanduIs this delicate lily stem,
Manam vimmi varunthuthuSobbing with a aching heart?
Male
Kumari neeyum kuzhanthaiyadiThough a young woman, you are still a child, my dear,
Maankozhunthu thaanae idhayamadiYour heart is like a tender fawn, my dear.
Porantha paasam thavikkuthadiThe innate affection of a sibling yearns for you,
Unna paakka manasu thudikkuthadiMy heart aches and beats fast to see you.
Male
Enna nadanthathaalWhat came to pass,
Unthan mugam sivanthathuThat made your face turn red with distress?
Entha ninaivilaeIn what thoughts,
Sogam engum nirainthathuHas sorrow filled everywhere?
Indha annan irukkaWhile this elder brother is alive,
Unathu vaazhvil kalakkamenadiWhy should there be any worry or hesitation in your life, my dear?
Male
Chinna thangamLittle gold,
Enthan chella thangamMy darling precious gold,
Yen kannu kalanguthuWhy are your eyes welling up with tears?
Male
Ethai ennikkonduPondering over what,
Intha allithanduIs this delicate lily stem,
Manam vimmi varunthuthuSobbing with a aching heart?
Male
Manasukketha maappilaiyaA bridegroom suited to your heart's desire,
Un manasu pola manam mudippenI will get you married just as your heart wishes.
Seemanthamum nadaththi veppenI will conduct your baby shower ceremony,
Un kuzhanthaigala naan sumappenI will carry your children in my arms.
Male
PathinaarugalumWith all sixteen blessings of wealth,
Petru nee vaazhanumYou must live a long and happy life.
Atha paarththu naanBeholding that sight,
Dhinam dhinam magizhanumI should rejoice day after day.
Namma oorum uravumOur village and our extended family,
Unathu vaazhvai magizhnthu paadanumShould happily sing praises of your life.
Male
Chinna thangamLittle gold,
Enthan chella thangamMy darling precious gold,
Yen kannu kalanguthuWhy are your eyes welling up with tears?
Male
Ethai ennikkonduPondering over what,
Intha allithanduIs this delicate lily stem,
Manam vimmi varunthuthuSobbing with a aching heart?
Male
Nee thulli varumYou are a companion,
Maaninaththin thozhiyadiTo the bounding deer, my dear.
Siru thumbam endraalIf a tiny sorrow strikes you,
Enthan nenjil kaayamadiIt leaves a wound in my heart, my dear.
Male
Chinna thangamLittle gold,
Enthan chella thangamMy darling precious gold,
Yen kannu kalanguthuWhy are your eyes welling up with tears?
Male
Ethai ennikkonduPondering over what,
Intha allithanduIs this delicate lily stem,
Manam vimmi varunthuthuSobbing with a aching heart?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song expresses the deep, unconditional bond of sibling love between an elder brother and his younger sister. Seeing his sister shedding tears, the brother lovingly consoles her, asking what trouble has saddened her tender heart. He compares her innocent and delicate nature to a lily stem and a fawn, assuring her that any minor pain she feels deeply wounds his own heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Intha allithandu

Comparing the sister to 'Intha allithandu' (this lily stem) emphasizes her delicate and fragile emotional state.

Alliteration (Monai)

Chinna thangam / Enthan chella thangam

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Chinna' and 'chella' enhances the rhythmic, lulling quality of sibling affection.

Cultural Allusion

Pathinaarugalum / Petru nee vaazhanum

'Pathinaarugalum petru' refers to the traditional Tamil blessing 'Pathinaarum petru peru vazhvu vazhga' (may you gain the 16 classic forms of wealth/prosperity).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Chinna Thangam' from the movie Cheran Pandiyan (1991) is a classic Tamil song celebrating brotherly affection. Directed by K. S. Ravikumar, the film's soundtrack was composed by Soundaryan, who also penned the lyrics, marking a major breakthrough in his musical career.

Keep listening

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