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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinnanchiru Pennai

From Vazhi Piranthathu · 1964

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. Chalapathi Rao
Details
Vazhi Piranthathu1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Chinnanjiru pennai polaLike a tiny young girl,
Thendral nadai podudhuThe gentle breeze walks along.
Minnal vettung kannai kanduSeeing her eyes that flash like lightning,
Chinnanjiru pennai polaLike a tiny young girl,
Thendral nadai podudhuThe gentle breeze walks along.
Female
Meenum thulli oodudhuThe fish leap and run about.
Themmaanghu paadalukkuTo the tune of the folk song,
Alai thaalam podudhuThe waves beat the rhythm.
Sirichu thalai asachuSmiling and nodding their heads,
Malarellaam aadudhuAll the flowers dance.
Chinnanjiru pennai polaLike a tiny young girl,
Thendral nadai podudhuThe gentle breeze walks along.
Female
Yenguthu manasu amaidhiyilladhuMy heart longs and finds no peace,
Idathu kann puruvam thudikudhippodhuMy left eye and eyebrow are twitching right now.
Endrumillaama idhu yenoo theriyallaNever like before, I do not know why this is happening.
Yedhukkum poru maname avasaramillaeBe patient, my heart, there is no hurry for anything.
Female
Chinnanjiru pennai polaLike a tiny young girl,
Thendral nadai podudhuThe gentle breeze walks along.
Minnal vettung kannai kanduSeeing her eyes that flash like lightning,
Chinnanjiru pennai polaLike a tiny young girl,
Thendral nadai podudhuThe gentle breeze walks along.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Chinnanjiru pennai pola' depicts the youthful exuberance and sweet restlessness of a young woman immersed in the joy of nature. She observes her surroundings responding to her beauty and mood: the cool breeze walks gracefully like a little girl, fish leap playfully, ocean waves clap in rhythm to a rustic tune, and flowers laugh and sway in harmony. Amidst this vivid nature imagery, she notices an inner agitation and the twitching of her left eyebrow—a traditional Tamil omen signaling good fortune or love. Unsure of why her heart feels so restless, she gently comforts herself to remain patient, embracing the sweet anticipation of love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamaani)

Chinnanjiru pennai pola / Thendral nadai podudhu

Compares the soft movement of the gentle breeze to the innocent walk of a tiny young girl using the explicit comparative word 'pola'.

Personification

Sirichu thalai asachu / Malarellaam aadudhu

Attributes human behaviors such as walking, smiling, nodding, and dancing to nature elements like the breeze and flowers.

Metaphor / Imagery

Minnal vettung kannai kandu

Compares bright, sparkling eyes to striking lightning bolts ('minnal vettum').

Cultural Allusion

Idathu kann puruvam thudikudhippodhu

Refers to the ancient Tamil belief that the twitching of the left eye or eyebrow in women signifies an auspicious event or the arrival of a loved one.

Did you know?

Trivia

In traditional Tamil folklore and literature, 'Idathu kann thudippu' (twitching of the left eye) for women is considered a highly auspicious sign indicating happy news or romantic fulfillment. Lyricist A. Maruthakasi skillfully weaves this cultural belief into the verse to reflect the heroine's secret romantic anticipation.

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