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Lyrics & meaning

Chinnanjiru Chitte

From Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum · 1956

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
Jikki, S. C. Krishnan
Music director
Susarla Dakshinamurthi
Details
Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum1956

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Chinnanjiru sittae endhanOh tiny little sparrow, my
Seenaa karkandaaChinese rock candy
En seenaa karkandaeMy Chinese rock candy!
Jil jil endru aadi kondu vaa pon vandaeCome dancing coolly, golden beetle
Kittae vaa pon vandaeCome close, golden beetle!
Female
Konji konji pesa vandhaYou came to speak with affectionate words
Komaali raajaaJester king
Ae komaali raajaaHey jester king!
Kenjik kenji kittae vandhuBegging and pleading coming close
Seiyaadhae thaajaaDo not plead and flatter
Nee seiyaadhae thaajaaDo not plead and flatter!
Male
Haa chinnanjiru sittae endhanHaa, oh tiny little sparrow, my
Seenaa karkandaaChinese rock candy
En seenaa karkandaeMy Chinese rock candy!
Jil jil endru aadi kondu vaa pon vandaeCome dancing coolly, golden beetle
Kittae vaa pon vandaeCome close, golden beetle!
Female
Sittu endrum pattu endrumCalling me sparrow and silk
Yaarai yaeikka paakkuraWhom are you trying to fool?
Nee yaarai yaeikka paakkuraWhom are you trying to fool?
Female
Sittu endrum pattu endrumCalling me sparrow and silk
Yaarai yaeikka paakkuraWhom are you trying to fool?
Male
Thattaadhae en sollai dhawlathDo not disobey my words, my treasure
Unnai yaeikka paakkallaI am not trying to fool you
Naan unnai yaeikka paakkallaI am not trying to fool you!
Female
Katti kollum munnaeBefore marrying and embracing me
Namba maattaa bul bullaeThis nightingale will not believe you
Namba maattaa bul bullaeThis nightingale will not believe you!
Male
Chinnanjiru sittae konjam kittae vaayaendiOh tiny sparrow, come a little closer
Nee kittae vaayaendiYou come a little closer!
Seemaan endhan nenjaiTouch and see this gentleman's
Thottu thaam paaraendiHeart for yourself
Thottu thaam paaraendiTouch and see it for yourself!
Female
Konji konji pesa vandhaYou came to speak with affectionate words
Komaali raajaaJester king
Ae komaali raajaaHey jester king!
Kenjik kenji kittae vandhuBegging and pleading coming close
Seiyaadhae thaajaaDo not plead and flatter
Nee seiyaadhae thaajaaDo not plead and flatter!
Female
Namba cheidhu oodi ponaaIf you make me trust you and run away
Naanenna seivadhu naanenna seivadhuWhat will I do, what will I do?
Female
Namba cheidhu oodi ponaaIf you make me trust you and run away
Naanenna seivadhuWhat will I do?
Male
Nallaayillae endhan melaeIt is not good towards me
Sandhaegam nee kolvadhuTo harbor suspicion
Veen sandhaegam nee kolvadhuTo harbor vain suspicion!
Male
Nallaayillae endhan melaeIt is not good towards me
Sandhaegam nee kolvadhuTo harbor suspicion
Veen sandhaegam nee kolvadhuTo harbor vain suspicion!
Allaa maelae aanai unnaiI swear upon Allah, I will
Nikkaah seivadhu nikkaah seivadhuMarry you, marry you!
Female
Ah konji konji pesa vandhaAh, you came to speak with affectionate words
Komaali raajaaJester king
Ae komaali raajaaHey jester king!
Kenjik kenji kittae vandhuBegging and pleading coming close
Seiyaadhae thaajaaDo not plead and flatter
Nee seiyaadhae thaajaaDo not plead and flatter!
Male
Chinnanjiru sittae endhanOh tiny little sparrow, my
Seenaa karkandaaChinese rock candy
En seenaa karkandaeMy Chinese rock candy!
Jil jil endru aadi kondu vaa pon vandaeCome dancing coolly, golden beetle
Kittae vaa pon vandaeCome close, golden beetle!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Chinnanjiru Sittae is a playful and comic duet from the landmark 1956 Tamil film Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum. The song features a lighthearted banter between two lovers where the male character showers his beloved with poetic endearments, calling her a tiny bird and sugar candy while trying to coax her to come closer. The female character teasingly rejects his advances, expressing doubt over his sincerity and demanding a firm commitment of marriage before yielding to his charm. The song resolves humorously as he swears by Allah to wed her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Chinnanjiru sittae endhan Seenaa karkandaa

The speaker compares his beloved to a tiny sparrow (chinnanjiru sittu) and Chinese rock sugar (Seenaa karkandhu) to convey sweetness and charm.

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Konji konji pesa vandha

Repetition of 'konji' and 'kenji' creates a rhythmic beat reflecting sweet, pleading conversation.

Rhyme and Alliteration (Edhugai / Monai)

Sittu endrum pattu endrum

Internal rhyming of 'Sittu' and 'Pattu' enhances the musicality and comic tone of the lyrics.

Did you know?

Trivia

Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1956) was the first full-length Geva Color feature film in South India. Composed by Susarla Dakshinamurthi with lyrics by A. Maruthakasi, this popular comedy song was rendered by singers S. C. Krishnan and Jikki.

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