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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chittan Chittan Kuruvi

From Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu · 1991

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Mano, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
………………..[Music Intro]
Female
Chittaan chittaan kuruvi unakkuthaanaeThe little sparrow is only for you
Chorus :Aamam aamam appadi poduChorus: Yes, yes, hit it like that!
Female :Siru pattaam pattaam poochi pazhagathaanaeFemale: The little butterfly is getting familiar with you
Chorus :Aamaam paadu thiruppi poduChorus: Yes, sing it and turn it around!
Female :Ada usirae unnakkaagathaan padachaanae saamidhaanFemale: Hey, God created my life only for you
Chorus :Ada usirae unnakkaagathaan padachaanae saamidhaanChorus: Hey, God created my life only for you
Female
Chittaan chittaan kuruvi unakkuthaanaeThe little sparrow is only for you
Chorus :Aamam aamam appadi poduChorus: Yes, yes, hit it like that!
Female :Siru pattaam pattaam poochi pazhagathaanaeFemale: The little butterfly is getting familiar with you
Chorus :Aamaam paadu thiruppi poduChorus: Yes, sing it and turn it around!
Chorus
…………..[Music Interlude]
Male
Vasiyam pottu pidichu paaruTry catching me by casting a spell
Adichaa lucky prize-uthaanIf you win me over, it is a jackpot prize
Masinja naanum aambala illaIf I yield so easily, I am no real man
Pudicha puliyang kombuthaanI hold onto a strong, firm tamarind branch
Female
Muthaalamma sathiyamaSwearing upon Goddess Muthaalamma
Mundhaanaikku needhaan aiyaaYou are the master of my saree drape, sir
Vithaarama paththiyamaWith charming elegance and modest discipline
En manasae thaangaadhaiyaaMy heart cannot bear this overwhelming feeling, sir
Male
Vaelai illa potta pulla jolly-ila jimkaanaAn idle young girl dancing with joy
Moolai ellaam kettupochu podi podi thumkaana……My mind has gone completely crazy, move away girl
Female
Usirae unnakkaagathaan padachaanae saamidhaanGod created my life only for you
Chorus :Usirae unnakkaagathaan padachaanae saamidhaanChorus: God created my life only for you
Male :Hey chittaan chittaan kuruviFemale :UnakkuthaanaeMale: Hey little sparrow, Female: Is only for you
Chorus :Aamam aamam appadi poduChorus: Yes, yes, hit it like that!
Male :Siru pattaam pattaam poochiFemale :PazhagathaanaeMale: Little butterfly, Female: Getting familiar with you
Chorus :Aamaam paadu thiruppi poduChorus: Yes, sing it and turn it around!
Female
Vepamthoppu kuyilu kunjuThe cuckoo chick in the neem grove
Vedala ennai paarkudhuLooks at young me longingly
Edhuthu potta elavam panjuFluffy cotton tossed into the air
Medhuva vandhu thaakudhuGently comes and strikes me
Male
Villaendhithaan povadhengaeWhere are you heading with that armed bow?
Vallikillae maanae maanaeValli's parrot, my dear deer-like lover
Pulli kullae pulli vechenI drew a dot within a dot
Thalli nillu thaene thaeneStand at a distance, my sweet honey
Female
Ettu ooru panchayathilIn the village council of eight surrounding villages
Naanum gnyaayam ketkavaShall I ask for justice and validation?
Kitta vandhu unkaiyaalaComing close with your own hands
Naanum thaali yerkavaShall I accept the sacred wedding knot from you?
Usirae unnakkaagathaan padachaanae saamidhaanGod created my life only for you
Chorus :Usirae unnakkaagathaan padachaanae saamidhaanChorus: God created my life only for you
Female
Chittaan chittaan kuruvi unakkuthaanaeThe little sparrow is only for you
Chorus :Aamam aamam appadi poduChorus: Yes, yes, hit it like that!
Female :Siru pattaam pattaam poochi pazhagathaanaeFemale: The little butterfly is getting familiar with you
Chorus :Aamaam paadu thiruppi poduChorus: Yes, sing it and turn it around!
Female :Ada usirae unnakkaagathaan padachaanae saamidhaanFemale: Hey, God created my life only for you
Chorus :Ada usirae unnakkaagathaan padachaanae saamidhaanChorus: Hey, God created my life only for you
Male
Hey chittaan chittaan kuruviFemale :UnakkuthaanaeMale: Hey little sparrow, Female: Is only for you
Chorus :Aamam aamam appadi poduChorus: Yes, yes, hit it like that!
Male :Siru pattaam pattaam poochiFemale :PazhagathaanaeMale: Little butterfly, Female: Getting familiar with you
Chorus :Aamaam paadu thiruppi poduChorus: Yes, sing it and turn it around!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Chittaan Chittaan Kuruvi' from the film Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu (1991) is a playful, high-energy rural Tamil folk duet. The song features lively playful banter between two lovers in a village setting. The female lead affectionately surrenders her heart, declaring that the Almighty created her life solely for her beloved, while teasingly encouraging him to embrace her love. The male lead responds with lighthearted swagger and mock resistance before succumbing to her romantic charm. Richly woven with natural imagery of birds, butterflies, cotton flowers, and village landscapes, lyricist Gangai Amaran captures the vibrant essence of traditional rural romance. The song culminates in a tender call for marriage, bringing the playful chase to a heartwarming commitment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Chittaan chittaan kuruvi unakkuthaanae

Compares the romantic partners playfully to a sparrow ('kuruvi') and a butterfly ('pattaam poochi').

Anaphora / Repetition (Eratema)

Chorus :Aamam aamam appadi podu

Repetition of sound and words ('Chittaan chittaan', 'Aamam aamam', 'Maane maane', 'Thaene thaene') creates a rhythmic, infectious folk melody cadence.

Rural Visual Imagery

Edhuthu potta elavam panju

Uses vivid imagery of neem groves ('Vepamthoppu'), cuckoo chicks ('kuyilu kunju'), and kapok cotton ('elavam panju') to evoke a authentic pastoral landscape.

Rhyme / Alliteration (Ethukai & Monai)

Ettu ooru panchayathil / Naanum gnyaayam ketkava

Tamil poetic second-letter rhyme (Ethukai) visible in 'Villaendhi' / 'Vallikillae' and 'Ettu' / 'Kitta'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu' (1991) was directed by veteran director Bharathiraja, marking the film debut of actors Rahul and Sukanya. The song features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by his brother Gangai Amaran. The song became a massive hit across Tamil Nadu due to its infectious folk beat and chorus call-and-response format.

Keep listening

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