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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kinkini Kinkini

From Thavapudhalavan · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thavapudhalavan1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kinghini kinghiniRinging tinkling bells, ringing tinkling bells,
Kini kinikiniyena varumThe sound that comes ringing kinikini,
Maadhaa kovil maniyosaiIs the church bell sound of the Holy Mother,
Kanmani ponmaniyenaTo the children precious as golden gems,
Thullidum pillaigalukkuTo the children bouncing with delight,
Thaathaa koorum arulosaiIt is the blessed voice of Santa Claus,
Chrismas thaathaa koorum arulosaiThe blessed voice spoken by Christmas Santa Claus.
Chorus
Welcome welcome chrismas thaathaaWelcome, welcome, Christmas Santa Claus!
Welcome welcomeWelcome, welcome!
Welcome welcome chrismas thaathaaWelcome, welcome, Christmas Santa Claus!
Welcome welcomeWelcome, welcome!
Male
Aadai azhagi maeri unakkuTo Mary, who dresses so prettily,
Muthu maalai parisuA pearl necklace is the gift!
Maedai pechu mohan unakkuTo Mohan, who gives speeches on stage,
Thanga paenaa parisuA golden pen is the gift!
Paattu paadum babu unakkuTo Babu, who sings songs,
Pattu chokkai parisuA silk shirt is the gift!
Aattam aadu raji unakkuTo Raji, who dances,
Dance paappaa parisuA dancing doll is the gift!
Seerudai thaangiya sheelaa ponnukkuTo Sheela, the girl wearing a neat uniform,
Chiclet packet parisuA packet of Chiclets is the gift!
Noorukku noorena maarkku vaangiyaTo Noorjahan, who scored a full hundred marks,
Noorjahaanukku watchuA wristwatch is the gift!
Male
Kinghini kinghiniRinging tinkling bells, ringing tinkling bells,
Kini kinikiniyena varumThe sound that comes ringing kinikini,
Maadhaa kovil maniyosaiIs the church bell sound of the Holy Mother,
Kanmani ponmaniyenaTo the children precious as golden gems,
Thullidum pillaigalukkuTo the children bouncing with delight,
Thaathaa koorum arulosaiIt is the blessed voice of Santa Claus,
Chrismas thaathaa koorum arulosaiThe blessed voice spoken by Christmas Santa Claus.
Chorus
Welcome welcome chrismas thaathaaWelcome, welcome, Christmas Santa Claus!
Welcome welcomeWelcome, welcome!
Welcome welcome chrismas thaathaaWelcome, welcome, Christmas Santa Claus!
Welcome welcomeWelcome, welcome!
Chorus
Ohoi… ohoi… ohoi…Ohoi… ohoi… ohoi…
Chorus
Ohoi… ohoi… ohoi…Ohoi… ohoi… ohoi…
Male
Pillai nenjil kallam illaiThere is no guile or deceit in a child's heart,
Sirithaal enna paavamWhat sin is there if they laugh?
Pizhaigal konda udalai andhaA body afflicted with physical imperfections,
Dhevan kodukka koodumGod Himself may give to a person.
Thaathaa thaanae paarvai konjamI am an old grandfather, what if my eyesight
Kuraivaai irundhaal ennaIs a bit weak and failing?
Thattu thadavi thadukki vizhundhaalIf I grope around and stumble and fall down,
Sirippaayo en kannaeWill you laugh at me, my darling child?
Sirippaayo en kannaeWill you laugh at me, my darling child?
Male
Kinghini kinghiniRinging tinkling bells, ringing tinkling bells,
Kini kinikiniyena varumThe sound that comes ringing kinikini,
Maadhaa kovil maniyosaiIs the church bell sound of the Holy Mother,
Kanmani ponmaniyenaTo the children precious as golden gems,
Thullidum pillaigalukkuTo the children bouncing with delight,
Thaathaa koorum arulosaiIt is the blessed voice of Santa Claus,
Chrismas thaathaa koorum arulosaiThe blessed voice spoken by Christmas Santa Claus.
Male
Kanneer sindhum kangal meedhuUpon eyes that shed tears of sorrow,
Karunai kaatta vendumOne must show compassion and kindness.
Vaadum nenjam aarum vannamSo that a weary, suffering heart is comforted,
Vaarthai pesa vendumOne must speak comforting words.
Oonam konda uyirgal vaazhaSo that people with physical disabilities can live well,
Udhavum ennam vendumOne must possess the mind to extend help.
Azhudhaal vandhu thazhuvum anbuThe love that comes to embrace when one cries,
Annai ullam vendumOne must possess a mother's compassionate heart.
Annai ullam vendumOne must possess a mother's compassionate heart.
Male
Kinghini kinghiniRinging tinkling bells, ringing tinkling bells,
Kini kinikiniyena varumThe sound that comes ringing kinikini,
Maadhaa kovil maniyosaiIs the church bell sound of the Holy Mother,
Kanmani ponmaniyenaTo the children precious as golden gems,
Thullidum pillaigalukkuTo the children bouncing with delight,
Thaathaa koorum arulosaiIt is the blessed voice of Santa Claus,
Chrismas thaathaa koorum arulosaiThe blessed voice spoken by Christmas Santa Claus.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This delightful and morally enriching Christmas song from 'Thavapudhalavan' features a character disguised as Santa Claus giving personalized gifts to children based on their talents, good behavior, and academic achievements. Beyond the festive joy, the song smoothly transitions into profound humanistic themes about empathy, compassion, and acceptance. Santa Claus reminds the children that children's hearts are innocent, and urges them to respect people with physical limitations or age-related infirmities, as God creates people in diverse forms. He emphasizes the virtue of helping those who are suffering and acquiring a mother-like compassionate heart, blending festive celebration with essential moral values.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia (Oli-kkurippu)

Kinghini kinghini / Kini kinikiniyena varum

The words 'Kinghini kinghini' and 'Kini kinikiniyena' phonetically imitate the ringing sound of small church or Christmas bells.

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uruvagam)

Kanmani ponmaniyena

'Kanmani ponmaniyena' compares the innocent children to precious gems and apples of the eyes, highlighting their precious value.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kanneer sindhum kangal meedhu / Karunai kaatta vendum

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Kanneer' and 'Karunai', or 'Vaadum' and 'Vaarthai' to create rhythmic flow.

Etukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Oonam konda uyirgal vaazha / Udhavum ennam vendum

Rhyming of the second letter 'n' in 'Oonam' and 'Udhavum' or 'Azhudhaal' and 'Annai'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie 'Thavapudhalavan' (1972) stars Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan in the lead role, playing a blind person who overcomes adversity. This famous Christmas track, composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, highlights themes of disability and compassion central to the film's plot.

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