Chittu Chittu
From Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu · 1960
- Lyricist
- Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
- Singer
- K. Jamunarani
- Music director
- T. G. Lingappa
- Details
- Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu1960
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Chittu chittu chittu | Little bird, little bird, little bird, |
| Nee seiyadhae pagattu | Do not put on grand pretenses! |
| Un vethuvettu | Your hollow bluffs, |
| Namma kitta venam moottai kattu | Won't work with us, pack them up and leave! |
| Chittu chittu chittu | Little bird, little bird, little bird, |
| Female | |
| Aattam romba mattu | Your dance is very subpar, |
| Vaal aattadhae suruttu | Don't wag your tail, curl it back in! |
| Thaalam theriyaama thavikkiriyaa | Are you struggling without understanding the rhythm? |
| Kaalum onji kaiyum onji | With tired legs and exhausted hands, |
| Kanni ponnae | Oh young maiden, |
| Aandhai pola mulikiriyaa | Are you blinking endlessly like an owl? |
| Female | |
| Chittu chittu chittu | Little bird, little bird, little bird, |
| Nee seiyadhae pagattu | Do not put on grand pretenses! |
| Un vethuvettu | Your hollow bluffs, |
| Namma kitta venam moottai kattu | Won't work with us, pack them up and leave! |
| Chittu chittu chittu | Little bird, little bird, little bird. |
சிட்டு சிட்டு சிட்டு நீ செய்யாதே பகட்டு
உன் வெத்துவேட்டு
நம்மகிட்ட வேணாம் மூட்டை கட்டு
சிட்டு சிட்டு சிட்டு........
Little bird, little bird, little bird,
Do not put on grand pretenses!
Your hollow bluffs,
Won't work with us, pack them up and leave!
Little bird, little bird, little bird,
ஆட்டம் ரொம்ப மட்டு
வால் ஆட்டாதே சுருட்டு
தாளம் தெரியாமத் தவிக்கிறியா
காலும் ஓஞ்சி கையும் ஓஞ்சி
கன்னிப் பொண்ணே
ஆந்தைபோல முளிக்கிறியா
Your dance is very subpar,
Don't wag your tail, curl it back in!
Are you struggling without understanding the rhythm?
With tired legs and exhausted hands,
Oh young maiden,
Are you blinking endlessly like an owl?
சிட்டு சிட்டு சிட்டு நீ செய்யாதே பகட்டு
உன் வெத்துவேட்டு
நம்மகிட்ட வேணாம் மூட்டை கட்டு
சிட்டு சிட்டு சிட்டு........
Little bird, little bird, little bird,
Do not put on grand pretenses!
Your hollow bluffs,
Won't work with us, pack them up and leave!
Little bird, little bird, little bird.
Chittu chittu chittu
Little bird, little bird, little bird,
Nee seiyadhae pagattu
Do not put on grand pretenses!
Un vethuvettu
Your hollow bluffs,
Namma kitta venam moottai kattu
Won't work with us, pack them up and leave!
Chittu chittu chittu
Little bird, little bird, little bird,
Aattam romba mattu
Your dance is very subpar,
Vaal aattadhae suruttu
Don't wag your tail, curl it back in!
Thaalam theriyaama thavikkiriyaa
Are you struggling without understanding the rhythm?
Kaalum onji kaiyum onji
With tired legs and exhausted hands,
Kanni ponnae
Oh young maiden,
Aandhai pola mulikiriyaa
Are you blinking endlessly like an owl?
Chittu chittu chittu
Little bird, little bird, little bird,
Nee seiyadhae pagattu
Do not put on grand pretenses!
Un vethuvettu
Your hollow bluffs,
Namma kitta venam moottai kattu
Won't work with us, pack them up and leave!
Chittu chittu chittu
Little bird, little bird, little bird.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This lively and teasing track from 'Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu' (1960) uses playful animal metaphors to call out someone putting on false bravado and empty displays. The narrator mockingly addresses a young girl as a small bird ('chittu'), telling her that her showy pretenses ('pagattu') and bluffs ('vethuvettu') will not work here. As she struggles to keep beat and looks utterly exhausted, the lyrics mockingly compare her bewildered expression to that of a wide-eyed owl staring into the dark.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Nee seiyadhae pagattu / Un vethuvettu / Namma kitta venam moottai kattu”
The second consonant sound '-t-' (ட்) rhymes consistently across multiple lines: pagattu, vethuvettu, moottai kattu, mattu, suruttu.
Upamai (Simile)
“Aandhai pola mulikiriyaa”
Compares the bewildered, staring look of the girl to an owl using the explicit comparative word 'pola' (like).
Anaphora / Repetition (Adukku Thodar)
“Chittu chittu chittu”
The word 'Chittu' is repeated thrice in succession for rhythmic emphasis and affectionate teasing.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Chittu chittu chittu”
Refers to the person being addressed as a 'chittu' (little sparrow/bird) to emphasize smallness or helplessness despite their big boasts.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu' (1960) was a prominent bilingual children's fantasy film produced and directed by B. R. Panthulu, simultaneously made in Kannada as 'Makkala Rajya'. The music composed by T. G. Lingappa was acclaimed for its playful tunes tailored for young characters.
Keep listening
More from Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu
Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu
Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu
Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu
Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu
Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu
Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu