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Lyrics & meaning

Thenchittu Thennanjittu

From Ponnukku Sethi Vanthachu · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Ponnukku Sethi Vanthachu1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thaen sittu thennanjittu naanaeI am a sunbird, a tiny little sunbird.
Thenmaangu paadi selvenaeI will go along singing a folk song.
Santhosathil sangeetham polLike music born out of happiness,
Chinna ponnu naan sirippen aahaaI, a young girl, will laugh happily, aha!
Female
Thaen sittu thennanjittu naanaeI am a sunbird, a tiny little sunbird.
Thenmaangu paadi selvenaeI will go along singing a folk song.
Santhosathil sangeetham polLike music born out of happiness,
Chinna ponnu naan sirippenI, a young girl, will laugh happily.
Female
Nadhi polae nadai podumWalking with grace like a flowing river,
Ila nangaiyin valai yosaiIs the tinkling of a young maiden's bangles.
Adhikaalai arul koorumBestowing blessings in the early morning,
Andha aalaya mani oosaiIs the sound of that temple bell.
Female
Kaanum yaavum azhagu kolamEverything seen is a beautiful design,
Ketkkum yaavum amudha gaanamEverything heard is sweet nectar-like music.
Vaazhvil endrum vasanthamaeLife is an everlasting spring.
Naanum oru raasathi thaanI too am like a queenly princess,
Naalai ival raajangam thaanTomorrow, this kingdom shall belong to her.
Female
Thaen sittu thennanjittu naanaeI am a sunbird, a tiny little sunbird.
Thenmaangu paadi selvenaeI will go along singing a folk song.
Santhosathil sangeetham polLike music born out of happiness,
Chinna ponnu naan sirippen ahaaI, a young girl, will laugh happily, aha!
Female
Kadal vaanam nilam yaavumThe sea, the sky, and the land, all of them,
Ilam kanniyin poonthottamAre a flower garden for this young maiden.
Thadaiyedhum kidaiyaadhuThere are no obstacles anywhere,
Ini naaloru munnaettramFrom now on, every day brings progress.
Female
Paravai poale siragu vaaithaalIf I were given wings like a bird,
Ulagai kooda alanthu paarppenI would even traverse and measure the whole world.
Yaarum vaazha paaduvenI will sing for everyone to live well.
Kaalai mudhal maalai varaiFrom morning until evening,
Paavai manam paadum isaiIs the melody sung by this maiden's heart.
Female
Thaen sittu thennanjittu naanaeI am a sunbird, a tiny little sunbird.
Thenmaangu paadi selvenaeI will go along singing a folk song.
Santhosathil sangeetham polLike music born out of happiness,
Chinna ponnu naan sirippen ahaaaI, a young girl, will laugh happily, aha!
Female
Thaen sittu thennanjittu naanaeI am a sunbird, a tiny little sunbird.
Lalalalalalalalalala…………….La la la la la la la la la...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Thaen Sittu Thennanjittu Naanae' is an uplifting and joyful song celebrating youth, freedom, and optimism. The protagonist metaphorically compares herself to a sweet sunbird, floating freely through life while singing traditional rural folk tunes (Thenmaangu). She sees the world around her—flowing rivers, ringing temple bells, sky, and sea—as a realm of absolute harmony and beauty where life feels like an eternal spring. The lyrics reflect a spirit of empowerment and ambition, as the young maiden expresses her desire to soar across the entire world like a bird, overcoming obstacles and spreading happiness through her songs. Written by Vaali, the song captures innocence intertwined with hopeful aspirational dreams for the future.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Santhosathil sangeetham pol

Compares the girl's laughter to music created out of joy using 'pol'.

Simile (Upamai)

Nadhi polae nadai podum

Compares her graceful walk to a flowing river using 'polae'.

Simile (Upamai)

Paravai poale siragu vaaithaal

Compares having wings to a bird using 'poale'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kadal vaanam nilam yaavum / Ilam kanniyin poonthottam

Directly equates all elements of nature (sea, sky, land) to a young maiden's flower garden.

Anaphora / Parallelism

Kaanum yaavum azhagu kolam / Ketkkum yaavum amudha gaanam

Repetition of 'Kaanum yaavum' and 'Ketkkum yaavum' structure for poetic emphasis.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Ponnukku Sethi Vanthachu' (1991) features lyrics by the legend Vaali. The term 'Thenmaangu' in the song refers to a traditional Tamil rural folk melody genre typically sung by villagers working in fields or traveling, symbolizing natural rhythm and uninhibited joy.

Keep listening

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