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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinnachiru Kanmalar

From Pathi Bakthi · 1958

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Pathi Bakthi1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Hmm mm mm hmm mm mmHumming...
Chinnanjiru kann malarTiny flower-like eyes,
Sembavala vaai malarRed coral flower-like mouth,
Sindhidum malarae aaraarooOh blossoming flower, rock-a-bye.
Vanna tamil solaiyaeA colorful garden of Tamil,
Maanikka maalaiyaeA ruby necklace,
Aarirooo anbae aaraaroo aariroo aaraarooRock-a-bye, my love, rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye.
Female
Chinnanjiru kann malarTiny flower-like eyes,
Sembavala vaai malarRed coral flower-like mouth,
Sindhidum malarae aaraarooOh blossoming flower, rock-a-bye.
Vanna tamil solaiyaeA colorful garden of Tamil,
Maanikka maalaiyaeA ruby necklace,
Aarirooo anbae aaraaroo aariroo aaraarooRock-a-bye, my love, rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye.
Female
Paappaa un appaavaiLittle child, is it the longing
Paarkaatha yaekkamoOf not seeing your father?
Paaindhae madithanilLeaping onto his lap,
Saaindhaal thaan thukkamooWill your grief fade only if you lean on him?
Thappaamal vandhunnai alliyae anaippaarHe will surely come, pick you up, and embrace you,
Thaamarai kannathil muthangal vidhaippaarHe will sow kisses on your lotus-like cheeks.
Kuppai thanil vaazhum gundu mani saramaeOh garland of red seed beads living amidst garbage,
Kunguma simizhae aaraaoooOh small vermilion casket, rock-a-bye.
Vanna tamil solaiyaeA colorful garden of Tamil,
Maanikka maalaiyaeA ruby necklace,
Aarirooo anbae aaraaroo aariroo aaraarooRock-a-bye, my love, rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye.
Female
Ezhai namm nilaiyai enni nondhaayooDid you grieve thinking of our impoverished state?
Edhir kaala vaazhvil kavanam kondaayooAre you anxious about life in the future?
Naalai ulagam nalloorin kaiyilTomorrow's world belongs in the hands of good people,
Naamum adhailae uyarvom unmaiyilWe too shall truly rise in that future world.
Maadi manai vendaamWe don't need multi-storey mansions,
Kodi selvam vendaamWe don't need crores of wealth,
Valarum piraiyae nee pothumYou alone are enough, my growing crescent moon.
Vanna tamil solaiyaeA colorful garden of Tamil,
Maanikka maalaiyaeA ruby necklace,
Aarirooo anbae aaraaroo aariroo aaraarooRock-a-bye, my love, rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye.
Female
Chinnanjiru kann malarTiny flower-like eyes,
Sembavala vaai malarRed coral flower-like mouth,
Sindhidum malarae aaraarooOh blossoming flower, rock-a-bye.
Vanna tamil solaiyaeA colorful garden of Tamil,
Maanikka maalaiyaeA ruby necklace,
Aarirooo anbae aaraaroo aariroo aaraarooRock-a-bye, my love, rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye.
Aariroo aaraarooRock-a-bye, rock-a-bye,
Aariroo aaraarooRock-a-bye, rock-a-bye,
Aariroo aaraarooRock-a-bye, rock-a-bye.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Chinnanjiru Kann Malar' from the film Pathi Bakthi (1958) is a tender Tamil lullaby written by Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram and set to music by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy. The song depicts a mother soothing her young child to sleep while reflecting on their life's hardship, the father's absence, and their humble living conditions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Metaphor / Imagery)

Chinnanjiru kann malar / Sembavala vaai malar

Compares the child's features to nature and precious items like flowers, coral, garden of Tamil, and a ruby necklace.

Metaphor

Thaamarai kannathil muthangal vidhaippaar

Compares kissing the child's lotus-like cheeks to sowing seeds ('vidhaippaar').

Socialist Imagery / Contrast

Maadi manai vendaam / Kodi selvam vendaam / Valarum piraiyae nee pothum

Contrasts immense material wealth (mansions and millions) with the simple joy of having a child like a growing crescent moon.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pathi Bakthi (1958) featured music composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy. Lyricist Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram was renowned for seamlessly blending socialist philosophy and hope for working-class people even into gentle lullabies like this one.

Keep listening

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