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Lyrics & meaning

Chinnanjiru Kiliye

From Mundhanai Mudichu · 1983

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Mundhanai Mudichu1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
AariraarirooLullaby refrain (Aariraariroo)
AariraarirooLullaby refrain (Aariraariroo)
Aariraariroo aariraarirooLullaby refrain (Aariraariroo aariraariroo)
Aariraariroo aariraarirooLullaby refrain (Aariraariroo aariraariroo)
Female
Chinnajchiru kiliyaeO tiny little parrot
Chithira poovizhiyaeO beautiful picture-like flower eyes
Chinnajchiru kiliyaeO tiny little parrot
Chithira poovizhiyaeO beautiful picture-like flower eyes
Annai manam yengumA mother's heart yearns
Thandhai manam thoongumA father's heart sleeps
Naadagam yenadaa niyayathai keladaaWhy this drama? Listen to justice!
Chinnajchiru kiliyaeO tiny little parrot
Female
Sugamae ninaithu suyavaram theadiThinking of joy, searching for a groom in a self-choice wedlock
Suzhal mel thavikum thuyarangal koadiTen million sorrows suffer amidst this whirlpool
Mazhai neer megam vizhigalil meavumRain-bearing clouds gather in my eyes as tears
Indha nilai maarumooWill this condition ever change?
Anbu vazhi cherumooWill love find its true path?
Kann kalangi paadum enadhuMy eyes are tearful as I sing
Paasam unaku veshamooIs my affection just a facade to you?
Vaanzhdhadhu podhumadaa vaazhkai iniyeanI have lived enough; why go on living life now?
Female
ChinnajchiruO tiny little...
Male :Chinnajchiru kiliyaeMale: O tiny little parrot
Chithira poovizhiyaeO beautiful picture-like flower eyes
Chinnajchiru kiliyaeO tiny little parrot
Chithira poovizhiyaeO beautiful picture-like flower eyes
Unnai enni naalum ullam thadumaarumThinking of you every day, my heart stumbles
Vedhanai paaradaa vedikai thanadaaLook at the pain; it is truly a spectacle
Chinnajchiru kiliyaeO tiny little parrot
Male
Mayilae unnai naan mayakavum illaiO peacock, I did not try to charm you
Manadhal yendrum verukavum illaiNor did I ever hate you in my heart
Ennai nee theadi inaindhadhu paavamYour coming in search of me and joining me is a misfortune
Ellam neeyae yezhudhiya kolamAll this is a pattern drawn by yourself
Indha nilai kaanum pozhudhuWhen seeing this helpless state
Naanum azhudhu vaazhgirenI too live on weeping
Kaalathin theerpugalai yaar arivaarooWho can foresee the verdicts of time?
Female
Chinnajchiru kiliyaeO tiny little parrot
Chithira poovizhiyaeO beautiful picture-like flower eyes
Male :Unnai enni naalum ullam thadumaarumMale: Thinking of you every day, my heart stumbles
Female :Naadagam yenadaa niyayathai keladaaFemale: Why this drama? Listen to justice!
Male :Chinnajchiru kiliyaeMale: O tiny little parrot
Female :Chithira poovizhiyaeFemale: O beautiful picture-like flower eyes

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant lullaby-style duet from the 1983 movie Mundhanai Mudichu captures a heartbreaking dialogue between two individuals bound by complex relationship turmoil and fate. The female voice expresses deep distress, questioning whether her genuine love is treated as mere drama and pondering if her suffering will ever end. The male voice echoes similar helplessness and grief, clarifying that he never meant to deceive her and explaining how fate's tragic design has brought them both to tears. Ultimately, the song reflects on the unpredictability of time and destiny, with both voices yearning for justice, understanding, and closure.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Chinnajchiru kiliyae / Chithira poovizhiyae

Repetition of the initial 'Chi' sound across adjacent words/lines creates a rhythmic lullaby effect.

Urvagam (Metaphor)

Mazhai neer megam vizhigalil meavum

Tears in the eyes are metaphorically described as rain-bearing clouds resting within the eyes.

Etukai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Mayilae unnai naan mayakavum illai / Manadhal yendrum verukavum illai

The second consonant 'ya' sound rhymes across the lines, adding melodic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written and directed by K. Bhagyaraj, Mundhanai Mudichu (1983) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Muthulingam. The song uses traditional lullaby phrasing ('Aariraariroo') to set a tragic emotional contrast between comforting a child and expressing deep adult heartache.

Keep listening

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