Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinnavale Chinnavale

From Idhaya Deepam · 1989

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sunandha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Idhaya Deepam1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Chinnavalae chinnavalaeO young girl, O young girl
Chellakili yaarammaWho is this darling parrot, dear girl?
Sengamala kann thirandhuOpen your red lotus eyes
Enna konjam paarammaaAnd look at me a little, dear girl
Male
Chinnavalae chinnavalaeO young girl, O young girl
Chellakili yaarammaWho is this darling parrot, dear girl?
Sengamala kann thirandhuOpen your red lotus eyes
Enna konjam paarammaaAnd look at me a little, dear girl
Female
Thenpodhigai thendral inguShould the breeze from Southern Pothigai hills
Vara vendumaa…aaa…Come here... ah...
Kaathirundhu kaadhal thoodhuShould it wait patiently and deliver
Thara vendumaa…aaa…A message of love... ah...
Male
Chinnavalae chinnavalaeO young girl, O young girl
Chellakili yaarammaWho is this darling parrot, dear girl?
Sengamala kann thirandhuOpen your red lotus eyes
Enna konjam paarammaaAnd look at me a little, dear girl
Female
Malar malarndhadhu enakkaagaThe flower bloomed for my sake
Manam mayangudhu unakkaagaThe heart swoons for your sake
Male :Silai pirandhadhu edharkaagaMale: Why was this sculpture born?
Kalai valarthida adharkaagaIt was born to nurture art
Female
Andhaadhi ammaanaiVerse-chain games and poetic plays
Pon oonjal tharavaShall I offer a golden swing?
Male :Sondhangal undaagaMale: To forge sweet relationships
Pakkathil varavooShall I come closer to you?
Female
Solla vizhi irukkuThere are eyes to speak
Nalla vazhi irukkuThere is a good way ahead
Male :Indha ilamaiyai inimaiyaiMale: This youthfulness and sweetness
Thanimayil vidalaamaCan we leave it all in loneliness?
Male
Chinnavalae chinnavalaeO young girl, O young girl
Chellakili yaarammaWho is this darling parrot, dear girl?
Sengamala kann thirandhuOpen your red lotus eyes
Enna konjam paarammaaAnd look at me a little, dear girl
Female
Mannavarae mannavaraeO my king, O my king
Mangai mugam paar aiyaaLook at this maiden's face, my lord
Sengamala kann thirandhaThe darling parrot that opened her red lotus eyes
Chella kili naan aiyaaIs none other than me, my lord
Male
Indha thalai magan varum neramWhen this hero lover arrives
En thalaiviyin niram maarumMy heroine's complexion transforms
Female :Oru thalaiyanai udal nogumFemale: A single pillow causes body aches
Suga arigalai adhuvaagumThat itself becomes a sign of joy
Male
Thindaadum vandangaeO struggling honeybees
Sendhooram kodukkumIt gives red vermillion
Female :Sendhaazham poo meedhuFemale: Upon the fragrant screw-pine flower
Sangeeedham padikkumIt sings sweet music
Male
Ingu iravu varumHere comes the night
Inba varavu varumBringing a joyous arrival
Female :Andha anubhavamFemale: Until that intimate experience arrives
Varum varai avasarapadalaamaShould we be in such a hurry?
Female
Mannavarae mannavaraeO my king, O my king
Mangai mugam paar aiyaaLook at this maiden's face, my lord
Sengamala kann thirandhaThe darling parrot that opened her red lotus eyes
Chella kili naan aiyaaIs none other than me, my lord
Male
Thenpodhigai thendral inguShould the breeze from Southern Pothigai hills
Vara vendumaa…aaa…Come here... ah...
Kaathirundhu kaadhal thoodhuShould it wait patiently and deliver
Thara vendumaa…aaa…A message of love... ah...
Male
Chinnavalae chinnavalaeO young girl, O young girl
Chellakili yaarammaWho is this darling parrot, dear girl?
Female :Sengamala kann thirandhuFemale: Opening her red lotus eyes
Chella kili naan aiyaaI am that darling parrot, my lord

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Idhaya Deepam' (1989), featuring lyrics by the renowned poet Mu. Metha, is a romantic duet capturing a playful and intimate dialogue between two lovers. The hero coaxes his beloved, metaphorically calling her a cherished parrot with eyes like red lotuses. He wonders if the gentle breeze from the Podhigai hills needs to act as an intermediary for their love, urging her not to let her youthful beauty go to waste in solitude. In response, the heroine playfully claims the mantle of the parrot he seeks. She describes the sweet agony and bodily signs of longing that come with romance, advising patience until the intimacy of night arrives. Rich in traditional Tamil poetic imagery—such as Podhigai breezes, statues nurturing art, and screw-pine flowers—the song beautifully captures the eager anticipation and shy affection of young love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Metaphor / Simile)

Sengamala kann thirandhu

Compares the beloved girl's bright, beautiful eyes to a blossoming red lotus.

Metaphor / Endearment

Chellakili yaaramma

Addresses the beloved metaphorically as a cherished, darling parrot.

Adukkut Thodar (Repetition for poetic emphasis)

Chinnavalae chinnavalae

The affectionate form of address 'Chinnavalae' and 'Mannavarae' is repeated twice consecutively to build rhythmic flow and emotional warmth.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Malar malarndhadhu enakkaaga / Manam mayangudhu unakkaaga

Matching end sounds ('enakkaaga' and 'unakkaaga') create a sweet, balanced musical harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pened by Sahitya Akademi award-winning poet Mu. Metha, this song incorporates classic Sangam literary tropes like the 'Podhigai Thendral' (southern mountain breeze) and 'Andhaadhi' (poetic chain games) into modern romantic film lyrics.

Keep listening

More from Idhaya Deepam

No related songs found yet.