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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinnanchiru Kiliye

From Kannukkul Nilavu · 2000

Lyricist
Pazhani Bharathi
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kannukkul Nilavu2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Chinnanjiru kiliyaeOh little tiny parrot
Theiyaadha vennilavaeOh unwaning full moon
Thozh meedhu thottil kattiTying a cradle on my shoulder
Naan valarththa sooriyanaeOh sun that I raised
Thuli sogam kandaal undhan kannilIf a drop of sadness is seen in your eyes
Puyal veesum kannaa endhan nenjilA storm blows in my heart, my dear
Arivaayooo…..ooo…Do you know...?
Female
Chinnanjiru kiliyaeOh little tiny parrot
Theiyaadha vennilavaeOh unwaning full moon
Thozh meedhu thottil kattiTying a cradle on my shoulder
Naan valarththa sooriyanaeOh sun that I raised
Female
Pagal neraththilumEven during daytime
Nilaa ketkumundhanWhich asks for the moon
Kannil nilavu kudiyirukkumThe moon resides in your eyes
Idhazh oraththilumEven at the corner of your lips
Sindhum thaenthuligalThe drops of honey that spill
Amudhaai amudhaai adhu inikkumThey taste sweet like divine nectar
Female
Nee siriththaalIf you smile
Andha dheiveega sangeedham ketkumThat divine music can be heard
Nee paarththalIf you look
Mani dheebangal en nenjil aadumJeweled lamps dance in my heart
Arivaayoo….ooo….Do you know...?
Female
Chinnanjiru kiliyaeOh little tiny parrot
Theiyaadha vennilavaeOh unwaning full moon
Thozh meedhu thottil kattiTying a cradle on my shoulder
Naan valarththa sooriyanaeOh sun that I raised
Female
Ennai annaiyendraanHe called me a mother
Varam alli thandhaanHe bestowed bountiful blessings
Maganaai pirandhu thavam mudithaanBorn as a son, he fulfilled my penance
Vizhi thedi vandhuEyes searching and coming
Madi aadi nindruPlaying and standing on my lap
Yeriyum vilakkaai oli kuduppaaiYou give light like a burning lamp
Female
Un nizhalumEven your shadow
En magan pola paalootta ketkkumWill ask to be nurtured like my son
Thaalaattum indha sondhangalThese soothing, lullabying relationships
Eppodhum vendumAre needed forever
Aaraaroo…oooo…Lullaby... (Aaraaroo)
Female
Chinnanjiru kiliyaeOh little tiny parrot
Theiyaadha vennilavaeOh unwaning full moon
Thozh meedhu thottil kattiTying a cradle on my shoulder
Naan valarththa sooriyanaeOh sun that I raised
Thuli sogam kandaal undhan kannilIf a drop of sadness is seen in your eyes
Puyal veesum kannaa endhan nenjilA storm blows in my heart, my dear
Arivaayooo…..ooo…Do you know...?
Female
Chinnanjiru kiliyaeOh little tiny parrot
Theiyaadha vennilavaeOh unwaning full moon
Thozh meedhu thottil kattiTying a cradle on my shoulder
Naan valarththa sooriyanaeOh sun that I raised

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This heartfelt lullaby from the movie Kannukkul Nilavu expresses pure maternal affection and deep emotional attachment toward a loved one. The singer addresses the loved one as a tiny bird, an unwaning full moon, and a bright sun raised with tenderness. The lyricist highlights how deeply connected their spirits are—a single drop of sorrow in the loved one's eyes triggers a storm of pain in the speaker's heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Naan valarththa sooriyanae

Comparing the child/beloved directly to 'sooriyan' (sun) and 'vennilavu' (full moon) to highlight brightness and beauty.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Puyal veesum kannaa endhan nenjil

Exaggerating the emotional pain as a 'puyal' (storm) blowing in the heart over a single drop of sorrow.

Refrain (Madakku / Anaphora)

Chinnanjiru kiliyae / Theiyaadha vennilavae

Repetition of opening lines throughout the song to anchor the emotional theme of a lullaby.

Did you know?

Trivia

The opening words 'Chinnanjiru Kiliye' are inspired by Mahakavi Subramania Bharati's famous poem of the same name expressing maternal love. Although the metadata provided mentions unknown music, the soundtrack of Kannukkul Nilavu (2000) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, marking his 25th year in the Tamil film industry.

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