Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Damakku Damakku Dum

From Azhagi · 2002

Lyricist
Pazhani Bharathi
Singers
Bhavatharani, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Azhagi2002

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
{Damakku damakku dumDamakku damakku dum (Rhythmic drum beats)
Damakku damakku dumDamakku damakku dum (Rhythmic drum beats)
Damakku damakku dumDamakku damakku dum (Rhythmic drum beats)
Damakku damakku dumDamakku damakku dum (Rhythmic drum beats)
Damakku damakku dumDamakku damakku dum (Rhythmic drum beats)
Dama..Dama..
Damakku damakku dumDamakku damakku dum (Rhythmic drum beats)
Damakku damakku dumDamakku damakku dum (Rhythmic drum beats)
Damakku damakku dumDamakku damakku dum (Rhythmic drum beats)
Damakku damakku dumDamakku damakku dum (Rhythmic drum beats)
Damakku damakku dum} (2)Damakku damakku dum (Rhythmic drum beats)
Chorus
Chittu chittu kuruvi andha vaanathilaeDoes a tiny sparrow flying in the vast sky...
Pattu rakka virikka solli tharanumaaNeed to be taught how to spread its silky wings?
Chorus
………………………….....
Chorus
Chittu chittu kuruvi andha vaanathilaeDoes a tiny sparrow flying in the vast sky...
Pattu rakka virikka solli tharanumaaNeed to be taught how to spread its silky wings?
Mottu vittu virinjirukkum poovukkullaeInside the blossom that has opened from a bud,
Sottum thaena vandugalukku kaattanumaaDoes anyone need to show the dripping nectar to the bees?
Male
Paravai polavaeJust like a bird,
Engum parakkum manasellaamThe mind that flies around everywhere,
Oru paravai polavaeJust like a bird,
Parakkum manasellaamThe mind that flies around,
Poothu kulungudhae..heyyy…Blooms and sways with pure joy... hey!
Chorus
Chittu chittu kuruvi andha vaanathilaeDoes a tiny sparrow flying in the vast sky...
Pattu rakka virikka solli tharanumaaNeed to be taught how to spread its silky wings?
Mottu vittu virinjirukkum poovukkullaeInside the blossom that has opened from a bud,
Sottum thaena vandugalukku kaattanumaaDoes anyone need to show the dripping nectar to the bees?
Chorus
Paravai polavaeJust like a bird,
Engum parakkum manasellaamThe mind that flies around everywhere,
Oru paravai polavaeJust like a bird,
Parakkum manasellaamThe mind that flies around,
Poothu kulungudhae..heyyy…Blooms and sways with pure joy... hey!
Chorus
…………………….....
Chorus
Kava kaaran paarkkaamaWithout the watchman spotting us,
Kaachu kedukkum verkadalaiThe fresh peanuts lying in the crop fields,
Edupoamaa..parippomaa…Shall we pick them? Shall we pluck them?
Chorus
Saruga kootti thee moottiGathering dry leaves and lighting a small fire,
Thiruttu kadalai adhil vaattiRoasting those stolen peanuts over the flames,
varuppomaa…korippomaa…Shall we fry them? Shall we munch on them?
Chorus
Thenanjovai naayanamPlaying a pipe instrument made of coconut leaf stem,
Oorukkettida oodhanumWe must play it loudly for the whole village to hear!
Munthirithoppulla naadagamA game/drama in the cashew groves,
Namm raathiri varaiyila aadanumWe should play and dance until nightfall!
Ada kattanum adhukku ettu mundhiriAh, we must buy eight cashew nuts for that,
Kannakku paathu vaangu…..Calculate carefully and buy them...
Chorus
Chittu chittu kuruvi andha vaanathilaeDoes a tiny sparrow flying in the vast sky...
Pattu rakka virikka solli tharanumaaNeed to be taught how to spread its silky wings?
Mottu vittu virinjirukkum poovukkullaeInside the blossom that has opened from a bud,
Sottum thaena vandugalukku kaattanumaaDoes anyone need to show the dripping nectar to the bees?
Chorus
Paravai polavaeJust like a bird,
Engum parakkum manasellaamThe mind that flies around everywhere,
Oru paravai polavaeJust like a bird,
Parakkum manasellaamThe mind that flies around,
Poothu kulungudhae..heyyy…Blooms and sways with pure joy... hey!
Chorus
Pazhathu vizhundha panam pazhathaThe ripe palmyra fruit that fell down,
Paarthu eduthu pakkuvamaaPicking it up carefully,
Panguvachu rusippomaa…Shall we share it and savor its taste?
Chorus
Thoorukooda munnaalaEven before the drizzle begins,
Saaral pola eesalgalWinged termites coming out like a light shower,
Pidippomaa… varuppomaaShall we catch them? Shall we roast them?
Female
Ayyanaar koyililAt the Ayyanar temple grounds,
School-u mudinja nerathilWhen school gets over for the day,
Odi olinju adalamWe can play hide and seek,
Adi kandupidikka thedallaamWe can search to find each other,
Chorus
Inga yaaru kaiyilum maatikkollaamaWithout getting caught by anyone,
Veettukku odidallaamWe can run back home!
Female
Chittu chittu kuruvi andha vaanathilaeDoes a tiny sparrow flying in the vast sky...
Pattu rakka virikka solli tharanumaaNeed to be taught how to spread its silky wings?
Female
Paravai polavaeJust like a bird,
Jujumpumkuchum…Jujumpumkuchum... (playful rhythmic sound)
Engum parakkum manasellaamThe mind that flies around everywhere,
Jujumpumkuchum…Jujumpumkuchum... (playful rhythmic sound)
Oru paravai polavaeJust like a bird,
Parakkum manasellaamThe mind that flies around,
Poothu kulungudhae..heyyy…Blooms and sways with pure joy... hey!
Chorus
Chittu chittu kuruvi andha vaanathilaeDoes a tiny sparrow flying in the vast sky...
Pattu rakka virikka solli tharanumaaNeed to be taught how to spread its silky wings?
Mottu vittu virinjirukkum poovukkullaeInside the blossom that has opened from a bud,
Sottum thaena vandugalukku kaattanumaaDoes anyone need to show the dripping nectar to the bees?
Chorus
Damakku damakku dumDamakku damakku dum (Rhythmic drum beats)
Damakku damakku dumDamakku damakku dum (Rhythmic drum beats)
Damakku damakku dumDamakku damakku dum (Rhythmic drum beats)
Damakku damakku dumDamakku damakku dum (Rhythmic drum beats)
Damakku damakku dumDamakku damakku dum (Rhythmic drum beats)
Dama..Dama..
Damakku damakku dumDamakku damakku dum (Rhythmic drum beats)
Damakku damakku dumDamakku damakku dum (Rhythmic drum beats)
Damakku damakku dumDamakku damakku dum (Rhythmic drum beats)
Damakku damakku dumDamakku damakku dum (Rhythmic drum beats)
Damakku damakku dumDamakku damakku dum (Rhythmic drum beats)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Chittu Chittu Kuruvi' captures the uninhibited freedom, innocent mischief, and joyous spirit of childhood in rural Tamil Nadu. Using nature metaphors—such as a sparrow knowing how to fly naturally or bees inherently finding nectar—the lyrics emphasize that joy and curiosity are innate qualities that do not require external instruction.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor & Analogy

Chittu chittu kuruvi andha vaanathilae / Pattu rakka virikka solli tharanumaa

Comparing children's natural instincts and free minds to sparrows flying without instruction and bees finding nectar.

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Chittu chittu kuruvi... / Pattu rakka virikka...

The second letter ''tt'' rhymes across consecutive lines (Chittu / Pattu; Mottu / Sottu).

Onomatopoeia (Oli-kkurippu)

Damakku damakku dum

Use of folk rhythmic vocables like 'Damakku damakku dum' and playful sound effects like 'Jujumpumkuchum'.

Imagery (Visual & Sensory)

Saruga kootti thee mootti / Thiruttu kadalai adhil vaatti

Vivid imagery depicting rural childhood activities such as gathering dry leaves, lighting fires to roast stolen peanuts, and playing in cashew groves.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja for Cheran's critically acclaimed film 'Azhagi' (2002), the soundtrack received widespread praise for capturing the nostalgic essence of rural Tamil childhood. The track features vocals by Vijay Yesudas and Anuradha Sriram, along with lyrics penned by Pazhani Bharathi.

Keep listening

More from Azhagi