Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chittu Chittu

From Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu · 1960

Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
Singer
K. Jamunarani
Music director
T. G. Lingappa
Movie name
Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu
Movie release year
1960
Lyrics added on
13 Feb 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Chittu chittu chittu
Nee seiyadhae pagattu
Un vethuvettu
Namma kitta venam moottai kattu
Chittu chittu chittu
Aattam romba mattu
Vaal aattadhae suruttu
Thaalam theriyaama thavikkiriyaa
Kaalum onji kaiyum onji
Kanni ponnae
Aandhai pola mulikiriyaa
Chittu chittu chittu
Nee seiyadhae pagattu
Un vethuvettu
Namma kitta venam moottai kattu
Chittu chittu chittu
Little bird, little bird, little bird,
Don't put on such a show!
All your empty swagger,
Won't work with me, so pack it up!
Little bird, little bird, little bird,
Your dance moves are pretty weak,
Don't wag your tail, tuck it in!
Are you struggling without knowing the beat?
With your tired hands and weary legs,
Oh young girl,
Are you staring blankly like an owl?
Little bird, little bird, little bird,
Don't put on such a show!
All your empty swagger,
Won't work with me, so pack it up!
Little bird, little bird, little bird!
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Kuzhanthaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.