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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chittu Pole Vaanagam

From Illara Jothi · 1954

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Jikki, Chorus
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Illara Jothi1954

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Chittupolae vaanagam katti etti parandhaeFlying far away across the sky like a little sparrow,
Vaira vettu polae jothi kotti magizhvenI will rejoice, showering light like a brilliant diamond cut.
Chittupolae vaanagam katti etti parandhaeFlying far away across the sky like a little sparrow,
Female & Chorus :Female & Chorus :
Vaira vettu polae jothi kotti magizhvenI will rejoice, showering light like a brilliant diamond cut.
Vaira vettu polae jothi kotti magizhvenI will rejoice, showering light like a brilliant diamond cut.
Chorus
Haaa…haaa…haaa..haa…haa…aaa…Haaa…haaa…haaa..haa…haa…aaa…
Haaa…haaa…haaa..haa…haa…aaa…Haaa…haaa…haaa..haa…haa…aaa…
Female
Aaa….aa…aaa….aa…aa…aa…aa…Aaa….aa…aaa….aa…aa…aa…aa…
Kalai baavanan ullam ennumIn the kingdom that is the creative artist's heart,
Raajaangam thannai endrum aatchi seiguvenI shall forever rule as the sovereign monarch.
Baavanan ullam ennumIn the artist's heart,
Raajaangam thannai endrum aatchi seiguvenI shall forever rule as the sovereign monarch.
Naan kaaviya solaiyin raaniI am the queen of the poetic grove.
Chorus :Nee kaaviya solaiyin raaniChorus: You are the queen of the poetic grove.
Nee kaaviya solaiyin raaniYou are the queen of the poetic grove.
Female
Vaadaamal minnum vanna paamaalai polaeLike a colorful garland of verses that gleams without fading,
Vaadaamal minnum vanna paamaalai polaeLike a colorful garland of verses that gleams without fading,
Nenjam ennum thanga thattil vaazhvenae naanaeI shall dwell on the golden platter of his heart.
Chorus :Avar nenjam ennum thanga thattilChorus: On the golden platter of his heart,
Vaazhvaaiyae neeyae….vaazhvaaiyae neeyaeYou shall live, yes, you shall live!
Chorus
Haaa…haaa…haaa..haa…haa…aaa…Haaa…haaa…haaa..haa…haa…aaa…
Haaa…haaa…haaa..haa…haa…aaa…Haaa…haaa…haaa..haa…haa…aaa…
Female
Aaa….aa…aaa….aa…aa…aa…aa…Aaa….aa…aaa….aa…aa…aa…aa…
Mozhi pesaadha killai endrumCalling me a silent parrot that speaks no words,
Veesaadha thendral endrum pesi magizhvaarAnd a gentle breeze that does not blow, he delights in speaking so.
Mozhi pesaadha killai endrumCalling me a silent parrot that speaks no words,
Veesaadha thendral endrum pesi magizhvaarAnd a gentle breeze that does not blow, he delights in speaking so.
Naan kaanbadhu illara jothiWhat I behold is the sacred light of domestic bliss.
Chorus :Nee kaanbadhu illara jothiChorus: What you behold is the sacred light of domestic bliss.
Nee kaanbadhu illara jothiWhat you behold is the sacred light of domestic bliss.
Female
Vaadaamal minnum vanna paamaalai polaeLike a colorful garland of verses that gleams without fading,
Chorus :Nenjam ennum thanga thattilChorus: On the golden platter of his heart,
Vaazhvaaiyae neeyae….vaazhvaaiyae neeyaeYou shall live, yes, you shall live!
Female
Chittupolae vaanagam katti etti parandhaeFlying far away across the sky like a little sparrow,
Female & Chorus :Female & Chorus :
Vaira vettu polae jothi kotti magizhvenI will rejoice, showering light like a brilliant diamond cut.
Vaira vettu polae jothi kotti magizhvenI will rejoice, showering light like a brilliant diamond cut.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the 1954 movie 'Illara Jothi' is an exuberant expression of love, domestic happiness, and creative pride. The female protagonist compares her freedom and joy to a bird flying freely in the vast sky and a diamond casting radiant beams of light. She views her beloved's heart as an artistic kingdom in which she reigns supreme as the queen of poetry, cherished and adored as a precious jewel. The surrounding chorus echoes and reinforces her happiness, affirming her identity as the light of their home ('Illara Jothi') and celebrating a life filled with enduring affection, poetry, and fulfillment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Chittupolae vaanagam katti etti parandhae

Compares the protagonist's free spirit and flight of joy to a sparrow flying in the sky ('Chittupolae').

Simile (Upamai)

Vaira vettu polae jothi kotti magizhven

Compares her radiance and happiness to the sparkle of a cut diamond ('Vaira vettu polae').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kalai baavanan ullam ennum Raajaangam thannai endrum aatchi seiguven

Equates the lover's artistic heart to a kingdom ('ullam ennum raajaangam').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Nenjam ennum thanga thattil vaazhvenae naanae

Metaphorically describes the lover's heart as a golden plate ('Nenjam ennum thanga thattil').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Illara Jothi' (1954) starred Sivaji Ganesan and P. Bhanumathi. The musical score was composed by legendary music director G. Ramanathan, with lyrics written by Kannadasan. The film's title 'Illara Jothi' literally translates to 'The Light of Domestic Life', a central theme poetically celebrated throughout this song.

Keep listening

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