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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chittu Parakkuthu

From Nilave Mugam Kaattu · 1999

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singers
Shankar Mahadevan, Sujatha Mohan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Nilave Mugam Kaattu1999

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
……………………………
Male
Chittu parakuthu kuthaalathilA sparrow flies in Courtallam
Kottamadikuthu mathaalathilBeating drums make a joyous racket
RaasathiiO my princess!
Male
Yaarumilla oru vattarathilIn a region where nobody else is present
Neeyum naanum ulla kottarathilIn the palace room where you and I are together
Kaadhal theeThe fire of love burns
Female
Oru mottu malaruthu rosaA rose bud blossoms
Inghu muthu kulipathu raasaHere the prince dives for pearls
Manam pithu pidikuthu aathiiThe heart goes crazy, Oh my!
Aathii aathii….Oh my, oh my!
Male
Chittu parakuthu kuthaalathilA sparrow flies in Courtallam
Kottamadikuthu mathaalathilBeating drums make a joyous racket
RaasathiiO my princess!
Female
:Yaarumilla oru vattarathilIn a region where nobody else is present
Neeyum naanum ulla kottarathilIn the palace room where you and I are together
Kaadhal theeThe fire of love burns
Chorus
…………………………
Male
Vellikolusoli ketaalWhen hearing the sound of silver anklets
Vizhigal thedumThe eyes search for you
Manam virumbi paadumThe heart sings with joy
Thanga mani kural ketaalWhen hearing that golden bell voice
Thavazhnthu aadumIt crawls and dances
Pongi manam thathumbi odumThe mind swells and overflows with emotion
Female
Chinna chinna nenjil vantha kanavugalThe dreams that entered this tiny heart
Ennai mayakuthu yenoWhy do they entrance me so?
Vanna vannakkili unnai sutri sutriIs it for the colorful parrot to circle around you
Vattamadithida thaanoAnd fly in circles again and again?
Male
Aaah.. thottu thottu vilaiyaadum kaatruAh, the breeze that playfully touches and leaves
Thottil katti thaalaatu paadumTies a cradle and sings a lullaby
Female
Oru chithirai pennuku maalaiA garland for the lady born in Chithirai
Varum chithiraiyil oru olaiA love letter arriving in the coming month of Chithirai
Male
Chittu parakuthu kuthaalathilA sparrow flies in Courtallam
Kottamadikuthu mathaalathilBeating drums make a joyous racket
RaasathiiO my princess!
Female
Yaarumilla oru vattarathilIn a region where nobody else is present
Neeyum naanum ulla kottarathilIn the palace room where you and I are together
Kaadhal theeThe fire of love burns
Male
Oru mottu malaruthu rosaA rose bud blossoms
Inghu muthu kulipathu raasaHere the prince dives for pearls
Manam pithu pidikuthu aathiiThe heart goes crazy, Oh my!
Aathii aathii….Oh my, oh my!
Chorus
………………………………….
Female
Manjal araikuthu vaanamThe sky is grinding turmeric
Enakku thaanae thinamJust for me every single day
Enakku thaanaeJust for me
Female
Nenjai izhukuthu raagamThe melody pulls my heart
Unakku naanaeI am yours
Ini inghu unakku naanaeFrom now on, I am only yours here
Male
Idai asaiyuthuThe waist sways
Isai pirakkuthuMusic is born
Kodi parakkuthu melaeThe flag flies high above
Male
Mani mudigalumEven jeweled crowns
Malai sigaramumAnd mountain peaks
Malar adigalin keezhaeAre beneath your flower-like feet
Female
Aahh..muthu muthuAh, pearl-like
Neer thoovum meghamClouds that shower water drops
Sutri vanthu poo thoovi poghumWill gather around and shower flowers
Male
Puthu rathina kambalam poduSpread a new ruby carpet
Muthu muthu thamizhisai paaduSing pearl-like sweet Tamil music
Female
Chittu parakuthu kuthaalathilA sparrow flies in Courtallam
Kottamadikuthu mathaalathilBeating drums make a joyous racket
RaasathiiO my princess!
Male
Yaarumilla oru vattarathilIn a region where nobody else is present
Neeyum naanum ulla kottarathilIn the palace room where you and I are together
Kaadhal theeThe fire of love burns
Female
Oru mottu malaruthu rosaA rose bud blossoms
Inghu muthu kulipathu raasaHere the prince dives for pearls
Male :Manam pithu pidikuthu aathiiThe heart goes crazy, Oh my!
Aathii aathii….Oh my, oh my!
Female
Chittu parakuthu kuthaalathilA sparrow flies in Courtallam
Kottamadikuthu mathaalathilBeating drums make a joyous racket
RaasathiiO my princess!
Male
Yaarumilla oru vattarathilIn a region where nobody else is present
Neeyum naanum ulla kottarathilIn the palace room where you and I are together
Kaadhal theeThe fire of love burns

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Chittu Parakuthu Kuthaalathil' is a joyful, romantic duet that celebrates passion, nature, and intimate togetherness. The lyrics painterly weave elements of nature—such as flying sparrows, breezes, rain clouds, and the golden evening sky—with the intoxicating emotions of love, describing a private space where two lovers share an affectionate bond free from the rest of the world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethirai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Chittu parakuthu kuthaalathil / Kottamadikuthu mathaalathil

The second consonant sound 't' in 'Chittu' and 'Kottamadikuthu' matches, creating rhythmic harmony characteristic of classical Tamil poetry.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Oru mottu malaruthu rosa / Inghu muthu kulipathu raasa

The line endings 'rosa' and 'raasa' rhyme harmoniously.

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagam)

Manjal araikuthu vaanam

The evening golden sky is poetically likened to turmeric being ground, and feet are metaphorically elevated as delicate flowers ('Malar adigal').

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Nilave Mugam Kaattu' (1999) stars Karthik and Devayani and was directed by Kalanjiyam with music composed by Deva. Lyricist Mu. Metha penned the song's vivid imagery blending romantic euphoria with pastoral nature metaphors.

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