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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Muthu Chippi

From Ramu · 1966

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Ramu1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ohooo ohooo ohoooVocalizing melodiously
Ohooo…ooo…oooVocalizing melodiously
Ahaaa…aaahaaa..ahaaa….Expressing joyful vocalization
Lallalla laa lala laaaaaSinging cheerful vocal refrains
Female
Muthu chippi mella mellaThe pearl shell, very gently
Thirandhu varumOpens up slowly
Mutham ondru saththam indriA kiss, without making any sound
Pirandhu varumIs born into existence
Female
Ammammammaa appappappaaOh my goodness, ah dear me
Thiththikkum saedhi varumSweet news will arrive
Female
Muthu chippi mella mellaThe pearl shell, very gently
Thirandhu varumOpens up slowly
Mutham ondru saththam indriA kiss, without making any sound
Pirandhu varumIs born into existence
Female
Ammammammaa appappappaaOh my goodness, ah dear me
Thiththikkum saedhi varumSweet news will arrive
Female
Thaairundhu palli konda manjamThe couch where the mother rested
Adhil thaanirukka thullum endhan nenjamMy heart leaps to lie down right there
Thaairundhu palli konda manjamThe couch where the mother rested
Adhil thaanirukka thullum endhan nenjamMy heart leaps to lie down right there
Female
Sendra ulagam indru thirumbumThe world that had departed will return today
Thaedi eduththaal kodi malarumIf searched and picked, ten million flowers will bloom
Ammammammaa appappappaaOh my goodness, ah dear me
Thiththikkum saedhi varumSweet news will arrive
Female
Muthu chippi mella mellaThe pearl shell, very gently
Thirandhu varumOpens up slowly
Mutham ondru saththam indriA kiss, without making any sound
Pirandhu varumIs born into existence
Female
Ammammammaa appappappaaOh my goodness, ah dear me
Thiththikkum saedhi varumSweet news will arrive
Female
Moovarukkum chinna chinna veeduA cozy little home for the three of us
Adhil moondru thamizh vandhadhendru paaduSing that the three Tamil streams have entered it
Moovarukkum chinna chinna veeduA cozy little home for the three of us
Adhil moondru thamizh vandhadhendru paaduSing that the three Tamil streams have entered it
Female
Anbu mozhiyum inba isaiyumWords of affection and sweet music
Thanga mazhaiyum pongi vazhiyumAlong with a rain of gold, will overflow
Ammammammaa appappappaaOh my goodness, ah dear me
Thiththikkum saedhi varumSweet news will arrive
Female
Muthu chippi mella mellaThe pearl shell, very gently
Thirandhu varumOpens up slowly
Mutham ondru saththam indriA kiss, without making any sound
Pirandhu varumIs born into existence
Female
Ammammammaa appappappaaOh my goodness, ah dear me
Thiththikkum saedhi varumSweet news will arrive
Female
Ohooo ohooo ohoooVocalizing melodiously
Ohooo…ooo…oooVocalizing melodiously
Ahaaa…aaahaaa..ahaaa….Expressing joyful vocalization
Lallalla laa lala laaaaaSinging cheerful vocal refrains
Lallalla laa lala laaaaaSinging cheerful vocal refrains
Lallalla laa lala laaaaaSinging cheerful vocal refrains

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Muthu Chippi Mella Mella from the 1966 movie Ramu is a tender, joyful song celebrating family bliss, love, and the anticipation of happiness. Using the delicate metaphor of an oyster shell gently opening to reveal a pearl, the song describes love and sweet news unfolding silently and beautifully within a home. The lyrics paint a warm picture of domestic harmony, where a small home for three becomes a palace of affection, sweet music, and prosperity, poetically linked to the sacred three branches of the Tamil language (Mutthamizh).

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Muthu chippi mella mella Thirandhu varum

Comparing lips opening gently for a silent kiss or a loving moment to a pearl shell opening up slowly.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Muthu chippi mella mella / Mutham ondru saththam indri

Repetition of the initial sound 'Mu' across successive lines.

Cultural Allusion

Adhil moondru thamizh vandhadhendru paadu

Referencing 'Moondru Thamizh' (Mutthamizh: Prose, Music, Drama) as a poetic symbol for the three members of the family unit bringing harmony.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Thanga mazhaiyum pongi vazhiyum

Exaggerating joy as a shower of gold overflowing in the household.

Did you know?

Trivia

Ramu (1966) featured timeless music composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan. Sung brilliantly by P. Susheela, 'Muthu Chippi' remains one of the most beloved lullaby-like family melodies in Tamil cinema history.

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