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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanmanikkul Chinna

From Chinna Mapillai · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Minmini, Uma Ramanan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Chinna Mapillai1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kanmanikkul chinna chinnaInside the pupil of the eye, tiny
Minminigal minna minnaFireflies glitter and shine,
Manmadhanin mandhirangalThe magical incantations of Cupid
Sollaamal solludhoAre they speaking without words?
Indha mannavanin nenjai indruThe heart of this king today,
Killaamal killudhoIs it being pinched without even pinching?
Male
Aadattum aadattumLet it dance, let it dance,
Aanandham koodattumLet joy accumulate!
Paadattum paadattumLet it sing, let it sing,
Paalaaru odattumLet a river of milk flow!
Male
Kanmanikkul chinna chinnaInside the pupil of the eye, tiny
Minminigal minna minnaFireflies glitter and shine,
Manmadhanin mandhirangalThe magical incantations of Cupid
Sollaamal solludhoAre they speaking without words?
Indha mannavanin nenjai indruThe heart of this king today,
Killaamal killudhoIs it being pinched without even pinching?
Male
Vaanil varum natchathiramWill a star from the sky
Penaagha indru pakkathil minnidumoShine closely beside me today like a woman?
Female :Mukkaniyum sakkaraiyumFemale: The three classic fruits and sugar,
Vaangikol endru sollaamal sollidumoDoes it silently ask you to take them?
Male
Thaerukkul veikkaTo be enshrined within a chariot,
Thevaippatta sirpamaeOh cherished idol of sculpture!
Dhegathil endrumIn your body always,
Thaena sottum pushpamaeOh blossom dripping with honey!
Female
Kaathirundhen nee anaikkaI waited for you to embrace me,
Kaadhal ennum thee anaikkaTo extinguish the fire known as love!
Male :Paarthirundhen naal muzhukkaMale: I was watching all day,
Paar kuzhaththil naan kulikkaTo bathe in this pond of beauty!
Female :Pudhu minsaaram unnaalaeFemale: A fresh spark of electricity,
Undaagum neram inghuIs generated right here because of you!
Male
Kanmanikkul chinna chinnaInside the pupil of the eye, tiny
Minminigal minna minnaFireflies glitter and shine,
Manmadhanin mandhirangalThe magical incantations of Cupid
Sollaamal solludhoAre they speaking without words?
Indha mannavanin nenjai indruThe heart of this king today,
Killaamal killudhoIs it being pinched without even pinching?
Female
Pathu dharamTen times over,
Muththam tharumBestowing kisses,
Kannathil vanthaOn the cheek,
Kaayangal aaridumoWill those love scars ever heal?
Male
Alli mottu thendral thottuWhen the gentle breeze touches the lily bud,
Ammaadi endru koochalgal pottidumoWill it cry out 'Oh my!' in sweet excitement?
Female :Maapillai seiyum lelaigalFemale: The playful pranks the groom pulls,
Innum ennavoWhat more is left to see?
Vedikkai ingu podhumShould I say that
Endru sollavoThis fun is enough for now?
Male
Kaadhalukku yedhu ellaiIs there any boundary for love?
Podhumendra vaarththai illaiThere is no word called 'enough'!
Female :Raathirikku raathiridhaanFemale: Night after night,
Paatedukkum pokkiridhaanHe is a rogue who breaks into song!
Male
Adi ippodhum eppodhumHey girl, now and always,
Thappaadhu thaalathattuThe beat of the rhythm will never miss!
Male
Kanmanikkul chinna chinnaInside the pupil of the eye, tiny
Minminigal minna minnaFireflies glitter and shine,
Manmadhanin mandhirangalThe magical incantations of Cupid
Sollaamal solludhoAre they speaking without words?
Indha mannavanin nenjai indruThe heart of this king today,
Killaamal killudho..ooIs it being pinched without even pinching?..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful romantic duet from the film Chinna Mapillai conveys the excitement, intimacy, and joyful banter between a couple. The lyrics compare the couple's intense romantic feelings to fireflies sparkling in the eyes, electric current, honey-dripping flowers, and flowing rivers of milk. Through poetic dialogue, both partners express their passion, impatience, and endless affection for each other, concluding that love knows no boundaries or limits.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition (Iruttaikilavi)

Kanmanikkul chinna chinna / Minminigal minna minna

The repetitive use of 'chinna chinna' and 'minna minna' creates a rhythmic beat and enhances the playful musicality.

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Kanmanikkul chinna chinna / Minminigal minna minna

The second letter 'n' matches across lines ('Kanmanikkul' / 'Minminigal'), creating traditional Tamil poetic harmony.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kaadhal ennum thee anaikka

Describing love as a fire ('Kaadhal ennum thee') that needs to be extinguished by an embrace.

Did you know?

Trivia

Chinna Mapillai (1993) is a blockbuster Tamil comedy-drama directed by Santhana Bharathi, starring Prabhu and Sukanya. The music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, and this hit track was rendered by Mano and Swarnalatha.

Keep listening

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