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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinnavane Thennavane

From Panchalankuruchi · 1996

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. Janaki, Krishnaraj, Bhuvana
Music director
Deva
Details
Panchalankuruchi1996

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Chinnavanae thennavanaeOh little one, oh southern ruler!
Sabaiyerum mannavanaeOh king who ascends the royal assembly!
Chinnavanae thennavanaeOh little one, oh southern ruler!
Sabaiyerum mannavanaeOh king who ascends the royal assembly!
Varundhaana nadanthu paaraiyaaWalk with pride and look ahead, my dear sir!
Ini varungaalam unakku thaanaiyaaThe future belongs only to you, my dear!
Female
Naadanda raasakkaThe place where legendary kings who ruled the land once lived,
Vaazhndha edam en maganeIs this very soil, my son!
Mannu thaan kaanjirukkumThe land itself may be parched and dry,
Indha makkal manasila eeram irukkumYet compassion and love reside in the hearts of these people!
Female
Kai kaalu suthamirundhuIf your hands and feet stay pure,
Kallamillaa manasirundhaAnd your heart remains free of malice or deceit,
Naadi desi engumAcross every land and country,
Un peru nelachirukkumYour name and legacy shall endure forever!
Female
Porukku nee ponaaWhen you march into battle,
Puludhi kelambaadhaDoes not the dust rise up in fury?
Magaraasan kambeduthaaWhen the great king raises his staff,
Andha madhura thaan kalangaadhaDoes not the famous city of Madurai tremble?
Naalaikku poludhuTomorrow's light
Adhu unakkaaga vidiyumWill dawn especially for you.
Nambikkai nee konduKeep your faith strong,
Nadadaa en sella maganaeAnd march forward, my beloved son!
Male
Kannimaaru koyil odaiyilaBy the stream near the Kannimaar temple,
Kanji kondu pora pon mayilaOh golden peacock carrying porridge!
Maalaiyila manjolaiyilaIn the mango grove in the evening,
Oru velai irukku vandhu viduThere is something to share, so come along.
Female
Aasai amchaan kaathirundhaen naanI have been waiting with desire, my dear cousin,
Arisi porichu kondu vaarenI am bringing fried rice delicacies for you.
Koodi pesi irukka thaan oruJust to sit together and talk,
Koraapaayum kondu vaarenI am also bringing a mat woven of korai grass.
Female
Maadham mummaari peiyumIt is a prosperous region where
Valamaana seemaiyadaRain falls thrice every month!
Kalappa kaayum munnaeEven before the plough dries,
Kadhir velaiyum boomiyadaIt is a earth where crops ripen quickly!
Female
Rendu kaiyil kathi suthaYou who come from the grand lineage
Vamsathilae vandhavanaeOf warriors who wielded swords in both hands!
Seemai ellaam kappam kattaYou who sent written decrees
Seetezhudhi vittavanaeDemanding tribute from the entire realm!
Female
Ponnaana boomi aathaMother Earth, as golden as she is,
Thannaala thara maattaWill not yield her treasures effortlessly.
Vervai vedhachu vechaaIf you sow the seeds of your sweat,
Verungaiyaa vidamattaShe will never leave you empty-handed!
Paadupadu maganeToil hard, my beloved son,
Un pasi thagam theerumYour hunger and thirst will be satisfied.
PaanjaalankuruchiThis land of Panchalankuruchi
Adhu pachakkodithaan kattumShall hoist its green flag of prosperity and victory!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Chinnavanae Thennavanae' from Panchalankuruchi is an uplifting folk ballad that blends parental guidance, heroic heritage, playful romance, and agrarian pride. It encourages a young protagonist to hold his head high, highlighting that true leadership comes from a clean heart, hard work, and living up to the legacy of historic warriors who once ruled the southern soil with courage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Chinnavanae thennavanae / Sabaiyerum mannavanae

Matching second consonants in adjacent lines ('Chinnavanae' / 'Sabaiyerum' - 'n' sounds; 'Mannu' / 'Indha').

Monae (First-letter alliteration)

Paadupadu magane / Un pasi thagam theerum

Alliteration of the initial letter 'P' in 'Paadupadu' and 'Pasi'.

Personification / Metaphor

Ponnaana boomi aatha / Thannaala thara maatta

Depicting Mother Earth (Ponnaana boomi aatha) as a generous mother who rewards honest hard work (sweat) with prosperity.

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie Panchalankuruchi is named after the historic village ruled by Veerapandiya Kattabomman, a famous 18th-century chieftain who fought against British rule. The lyrics by Vairamuthu echo the traditional folk ballads (Kummi and Naattupura Paattu) native to the Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi regions of Tamil Nadu.

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