- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- M. S. Rajeswari
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Movie name
- Durga
- Movie release year
- 1990
- Lyrics added on
- 8 Apr 2026
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Pappa Paadum Paattu from the 1990 film Durga is an innocent and heartwarming song centered around a young child expressing her deep bond with her companions—her beloved pet dog and monkey. The lyrics reflect pure childhood innocence, joyful playfulness, and unwavering affection, presenting the trio as an inseparable unit that brings light to their home. The song highlights how true friendship and love transcend language barriers. The child expresses that even without verbal speech, emotions can be communicated through music, play, and heartfelt gaze, reinforcing themes of unconditional love and togetherness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Chinna kuyil naan paadinaal / Chinna kili naan pesinaal”
The child metaphorically compares herself to a sweet cuckoo bird (kuyil) and a talking parrot (kili) to emphasize her sweet voice and playful innocence.
Etukai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Onnaaga paadi …onnaaga aadi”
Rhyming of the second consonant in consecutive words or lines, such as 'paadi' and 'aadi'.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Chinna kuyil naan paadinaal... Chinna kili naan pesinaal...”
End-rhyming structure used to maintain a cheerful nursery-rhyme rhythm, such as 'paadinaal' and 'pesinaal' or 'pudikkum vaa' and 'puriyum vaa'.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)
“Naam thaane anbukku ellai…”
Exaggerating affection by calling the trio 'the very boundary/limit of love' (anbukku ellai).
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is iconic for featuring Baby Shamili in the lead role alongside a trained dog and monkey, who perform playful routines in sync with the lyrics. Legendary singer M. S. Rajeswari, renowned for her unique vocal timbre suited for child songs in Tamil cinema since the 1940s, rendered this song, making it one of her memorable late-career hits.
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