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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pakkathula Nee Irundhum

From Chinna Durai · 1999

Lyricist
Pazhani Bharathi
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Devi
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Chinna Durai1999

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pakkatthula nee irundhumEven though you were near
Dhooramunnu naan irundhenI remained distant
Chinnanjiru kiliayaeOh little parrot
Kaiyil ulla vairam thannaThe diamond held in my hand
Kandu kolla naan marandhenI forgot to recognize
Chinnanjiru kiliayaeOh little parrot
Padha padhaikkum nenjukkullaInside my trembling heart
Kadhai irukku nee keluThere is a story, listen
Sollaama aaraadhuIt will not rest without being told
Female
Pakkatthula nee irundhumEven though you were near
Dhooramunnu naan irundhenI remained distant
Chinnanjiru kiliayaeOh little parrot
Male
Paarvaiyilae kuthamunnaaIf there is a flaw in one's perspective
Paarppadhellaam kuthamadiEverything seen will seem flawed, dear
Chinnanjiru kiliayaeOh little parrot
Ulla padi solla ponaaTo tell things as they really are
Unmaikku thaan kaalam indruToday is the time for truth
Chinnanjiru kiliayaeOh little parrot
Padha padhaikkum nenjukkullaInside my trembling heart
Kadhai irukku nee keluThere is a story, listen
Sollaama aaraadhuIt will not rest without being told
Male
Paarvaiyilae kuthamunnaaIf there is a flaw in one's perspective
Paarppadhellaam kuthamadiEverything seen will seem flawed, dear
Chinnanjiru kiliayaeOh little parrot
Female
Kannu therandhirundhadhuThe eyes were open
Manasu mattum yaeno adachirundhadhuYet why was the heart kept closed?
Azhuvadhaa sirippadhaa ammaadiShould I cry or laugh, my dear?
Male
Naanaa virumbavillaiyaeI did not desire this myself
Nadandhadhaiyum yaeno thadukkavillaiyaeYet why didn't I prevent what happened?
Nadappadhae nadakkumae ammaadiWhatever is destined to happen will happen, my dear
Female
Poonthendralae…Oh gentle breeze...
Thaevai illaa vaeligal undaagaFor unnecessary barriers to arise
Yaar kaaranamWho is responsible?
Poo mullaiyae…Oh jasmine flower...
Michathai kaalangal thaan kooranumOnly time must speak for the rest
Male
Naan nadakkum paadhaiyil yaar nadappaOn the path I walk, who else will walk?
Oor baaram en meedhuThe burden of the village rests on me
En veettu baarathai yaar sumappaaWho will carry the burden of my home?
Male
Paarvaiyilae kuthamunnaaIf there is a flaw in one's perspective
Paarppadhellaam kuthamadiEverything seen will seem flawed, dear
Chinnanjiru kiliayaeOh little parrot
Male
Munnaala vizundha mudichuThe knot tied in the past
Avizhtha kili yengo parandhu sendradhuThe parrot that untied it flew away somewhere
Kedachadhu neeyadi poongiliyaeThe one I found is you, oh gentle parrot
Female
Thannaal vizhundha mudichuA knot that bound by itself
Ennai eduthu ingae enachu vechadhuPicked me up and united me here
Iruppadhae neeyadi poongiliyaeThe one who remains is you, oh gentle parrot
Male
Vaazhkkai tharum…Life gives...
Vaazhkkai tharum paadangalThe lessons that life provides
Vaerengum kidaikkaadhammaaCannot be found anywhere else, dear
Vittu vittaalIf missed once
Pogindra nerangal thiurmbaadhammaaThe lost time will never return, dear
Female
Kandeduthu muthaana muthu maniA priceless pearl discovered
Naan indru vaerallaI am no longer distinct today
En vaarthai poi alla nee arivaaiMy words are not false, as you well know
Female
Pakkatthula nee irundhumEven though you were near
Dhooramunnu naan irundhenI remained distant
Chinnanjiru kiliayaeOh little parrot
Male
Ulla padi solla ponaaTo tell things as they really are
Unmaikku thaan kaalam indruToday is the time for truth
Chinnanjiru kiliayaeOh little parrot
Female
Padha padhaikkum nenjukkullaInside my trembling heart
Kadhai irukku nee keluThere is a story, listen
Sollaama aaraadhuIt will not rest without being told
Male
Solla vandha saedhigalaThe news I came to share
Solla vandha naeram idhuThis is the time to share it
Chinnanjiru kiliayeOh little parrot
Ulla padi solla ponaaTo tell things as they really are
Unmaikku thaan kaalam indruToday is the time for truth
Chinnanjiru kiliayaeOh little parrot

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional song portrays a protagonist coming to terms with past mistakes, realization, and deep love. The speaker expresses regret over having emotionally distanced himself from someone precious who was right beside him, comparing her to a unrecognized diamond. He reflects on how distorted perceptions can lead to misunderstandings and acknowledges that life teaches lessons that cannot be unlearned or replaced.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagamm)

Kaiyil ulla vairam thanna

Compares a cherished loved one to a precious diamond in hand ('Kaiyil ulla vairam') and a delicate bird ('Chinnanjiru kili').

Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Padha padhaikkum nenjukkulla

Repetition of the initial sound 'Pa' across words in the phrase ('Padha', 'padhaikkum').

Refrain / Anaphora

Chinnanjiru kiliayae

The term of endearment 'Chinnanjiru kiliayae' is repeated consistently at the end of stanzas to emphasize affection and address.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song comes from the 1999 Tamil drama film Chinna Durai starring R. Sarathkumar and Roja. Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Pazhani Bharathi, the track features deep philosophical themes about timing, truth, and self-realization.

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