Thulli Thulli Sellum
From Kadamai Nenjam · 1979
- Lyricist
- Aalangudi Somu
- Singers
- M. S. Rajeswari, Chorus
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Kadamai Nenjam1979
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| …………….. | ... |
| Female | |
| Thulli thulli sellum | Our beloved baby who prances and skips around, |
| Enga chella paappaavaam | Is our darling child. |
| Thottil katti podaavittaal | Unless put in a tied cradle, |
| Thookkam varaathaam | Sleep will not come to her. |
| Chorus | |
| Thulli thulli sellum | Our beloved baby who prances and skips around, |
| Enga chella paappaavaam | Is our darling child. |
| Thottil katti podaavittaal | Unless put in a tied cradle, |
| Thookkam varaathaam | Sleep will not come to her. |
| Female | |
| Pattu sokkaa thachchu vanthu | Shall we stitch and bring a silk shirt |
| Potu vaipomaa | And put it on her? |
| Chorus :Pattu sokkaa thachchu vanthu | Chorus: Shall we stitch and bring a silk shirt |
| Potu vaipomaa | And put it on her? |
| Female | |
| Antha pappavukku pirantha naalil | On this baby's birthday, |
| Vaazhththi solvomaa | Shall we offer our blessings and wishes? |
| Female | |
| Daddy birth today daddy birth today | Daddy's birthday today, daddy's birthday today, |
| Daddy birth today daddy birth today | Daddy's birthday today, daddy's birthday today, |
| Chorus | |
| Happy birth day to you | Happy birthday to you, |
| Happy birth day to you | Happy birthday to you, |
| Happy birth day to you | Happy birthday to you, |
| Happy birth day to you | Happy birthday to you, |
| Chorus | |
| Thulli thulli sellum | Our beloved baby who prances and skips around, |
| Enga chella paappaavaam | Is our darling child. |
| Thottil katti podaavittaal | Unless put in a tied cradle, |
| Thookkam varaathaam | Sleep will not come to her. |
| Chorus | |
| …………… | ... |
| Female | |
| Naattukellaam thaathaavaaga | As a grandfather to the whole nation, |
| Gandhi vanthaanga | Gandhi came. |
| Chorus :Naattukellaam thaathaavaaga | Chorus: As a grandfather to the whole nation, |
| Gandhi vanthaanga | Gandhi came. |
| Female | |
| Nalla pillaiyaaga nammaoi | To live as good children, |
| Vaazha sonnaanga | He told us. |
| Chorus :Nalla pillaiyaaga nammaoi | Chorus: To live as good children, |
| Vaazha sonnaanga | He told us. |
| Female | |
| Pappa paattu bharathiyaar | The child song 'Paapa Paattu', |
| Paadi thanthaanga | Bharathiyar sang and gave us. |
| Chorus :Pappa paattu bharathiyaar | Chorus: The child song 'Paapa Paattu', |
| Paadi thanthaanga | Bharathiyar sang and gave us. |
| Female | |
| Antha paattu paadi aada solli | Asking us to sing and dance to that song, |
| Teacher sonnaanga | The teacher told us. |
| Chorus :Antha paattu paadi aada solli | Chorus: Asking us to sing and dance to that song, |
| Teacher sonnaanga | The teacher told us. |
| Chorus | |
| Thulli thulli sellum | Our beloved baby who prances and skips around, |
| Enga chella paappaavaam | Is our darling child. |
| Thottil katti podaavittaal | Unless put in a tied cradle, |
| Thookkam varaathaam | Sleep will not come to her. |
| Female | |
| Pattu sokkaa thachchu vanthu | Shall we stitch and bring a silk shirt |
| Pottu vaippomaa | And put it on her? |
| Female :Antha pappavukku pirantha naalil | Female: On this baby's birthday, |
| Vaazhththu solvomaa | Shall we offer our wishes? |
| Female | |
| Daddy birth today daddy birth today | Daddy's birthday today, daddy's birthday today, |
| Daddy birth today daddy birth today | Daddy's birthday today, daddy's birthday today, |
| Chorus | |
| Happy birth day to you | Happy birthday to you, |
| Happy birth day to you | Happy birthday to you, |
| Chorus | |
| Harae rama harae krishna | Hare Rama Hare Krishna, |
| Harae rama harae krishna | Hare Rama Hare Krishna, |
| Harae rama harae krishna | Hare Rama Hare Krishna, |
| Harae rama harae krishna | Hare Rama Hare Krishna, |
| Female | |
| Appa engal deivamunnu | Mother said that Father is our God, |
| Ammaa sonnanga | Mother told us. |
| Chorus :Appa engal deivamunnu | Chorus: Mother said that Father is our God, |
| Ammaa sonnanga | Mother told us. |
| Female | |
| Amma sollae vedhamunnu | Father said that Mother's word is scripture, |
| Appa sonnaanga | Father told us. |
| Chorus :Amma sollae vedhamunnu | Chorus: Father said that Mother's word is scripture, |
| Appa sonnaanga | Father told us. |
| Female | |
| Amma appa deivamunnu | Avvaiyar said both Mother and Father are divine, |
| Avvai sonnaanga | Avvaiyar told us. |
| Chorus :Amma appa deivamunnu | Chorus: Avvaiyar said both Mother and Father are divine, |
| Avvai sonnaanga | Avvaiyar told us. |
| Female | |
| Antha avvai sollae vedhamunnu | The teacher said that Avvaiyar's words are scripture, |
| Teacher sonnanga | The teacher told us. |
| Chorus :Antha avvai sollae vedhamunnu | Chorus: The teacher said that Avvaiyar's words are scripture, |
| Teacher sonnanga | The teacher told us. |
| Chorus | |
| Thulli thulli sellum | Our beloved baby who prances and skips around, |
| Enga chella paappaavaam | Is our darling child. |
| Thottil katti podaavittaal | Unless put in a tied cradle, |
| Thookkam varaathaam | Sleep will not come to her. |
| Female | |
| Pattu sokkaa thachchu vanthu | Shall we stitch and bring a silk shirt |
| Pottu vaippomaa | And put it on her? |
| Female :Antha pappavukku pirantha naalil | Female: On this baby's birthday, |
| Vaazhththu solvomaa | Shall we offer our wishes? |
| Chorus | |
| …………… | ... |
லாலாலலலலலாலா....லாலாலாலா
லாலாலலலலலாலா....லாலாலாலா
...
துள்ளி துள்ளி செல்லும்
எங்க செல்லப் பாப்பாவாம்
தொட்டில் கட்டி போடாவிட்டால்
தூக்கம் வராதாம்
Our beloved baby who prances and skips around,
Is our darling child.
Unless put in a tied cradle,
Sleep will not come to her.
துள்ளி துள்ளி செல்லும்
எங்க செல்லப் பாப்பாவாம்
தொட்டில் கட்டி போடாவிட்டால்
தூக்கம் வராதாம்
Our beloved baby who prances and skips around,
Is our darling child.
Unless put in a tied cradle,
Sleep will not come to her.
பட்டு சொக்கா தச்சு வந்து
போட்டு வைப்போமா
குழு :
பட்டு சொக்கா தச்சு வந்து
போட்டு வைப்போமா
Shall we stitch and bring a silk shirt
And put it on her?
Chorus: Shall we stitch and bring a silk shirt
And put it on her?
அந்த பாப்பாவுக்கு பிறந்த நாளில்
வாழ்த்து சொல்வோமா....
On this baby's birthday,
Shall we offer our blessings and wishes?
டாடி பர்த் டுடே டாடி பர்த் டுடே
டாடி பர்த் டுடே டாடி பர்த் டுடே
Daddy's birthday today, daddy's birthday today,
Daddy's birthday today, daddy's birthday today,
ஹாப்பி பர்த் டே டூ யூ
ஹாப்பி பர்த் டே டூ யூ
ஹாப்பி பர்த் டே டூ யூ
ஹாப்பி பர்த் டே டூ யூ.....
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
துள்ளி துள்ளி செல்லும்
எங்க செல்லப் பாப்பாவாம்
தொட்டில் கட்டி போடாவிட்டால்
தூக்கம் வராதாம்
Our beloved baby who prances and skips around,
Is our darling child.
Unless put in a tied cradle,
Sleep will not come to her.
......................
...
நாட்டுக்கெல்லாம் தாத்தாவாக
காந்தி வந்தாங்க
குழு :
நாட்டுக்கெல்லாம் தாத்தாவாக
காந்தி வந்தாங்க
As a grandfather to the whole nation,
Gandhi came.
Chorus: As a grandfather to the whole nation,
Gandhi came.
நல்லப் பிள்ளையாக நம்மை
வாழ சொன்னாங்க....
குழு :
நல்லப் பிள்ளையாக நம்மை
வாழ சொன்னாங்க....
To live as good children,
He told us.
Chorus: To live as good children,
He told us.
பாப்பா பாட்டு பாரதியார்
பாடி தந்தாங்க
குழு :
பாப்பா பாட்டு பாரதியார்
பாடி தந்தாங்க
The child song 'Paapa Paattu',
Bharathiyar sang and gave us.
Chorus: The child song 'Paapa Paattu',
Bharathiyar sang and gave us.
அந்த பாட்டு பாடி ஆடச் சொல்லி
டீச்சர் சொன்னாங்க
குழு :
அந்த பாட்டு பாடி ஆடச் சொல்லி
டீச்சர் சொன்னாங்க
Asking us to sing and dance to that song,
The teacher told us.
Chorus: Asking us to sing and dance to that song,
The teacher told us.
துள்ளி துள்ளி செல்லும்
எங்க செல்லப் பாப்பாவாம்
தொட்டில் கட்டி போடாவிட்டால்
தூக்கம் வராதாம்
Our beloved baby who prances and skips around,
Is our darling child.
Unless put in a tied cradle,
Sleep will not come to her.
பட்டு சொக்கா தச்சு வந்து
போட்டு வைப்போமா
Shall we stitch and bring a silk shirt
And put it on her?
Female: On this baby's birthday,
Shall we offer our wishes?
அந்த பாப்பாவுக்கு பிறந்த நாளில்
வாழ்த்து சொல்வோமா....
Daddy's birthday today, daddy's birthday today,
Daddy's birthday today, daddy's birthday today,
டாடி பர்த் டுடே டாடி பர்த் டுடே
டாடி பர்த் டுடே டாடி பர்த் டுடே
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
ஹாப்பி பர்த் டே டூ யூ
ஹாப்பி பர்த் டே டூ யூ
Hare Rama Hare Krishna,
Hare Rama Hare Krishna,
Hare Rama Hare Krishna,
Hare Rama Hare Krishna,
ஹரே ராமா ஹரே கிருஷ்ணா
ஹரே ராமா ஹரே கிருஷ்ணா
ஹரே ராமா ஹரே கிருஷ்ணா
ஹரே ராமா ஹரே கிருஷ்ணா
Mother said that Father is our God,
Mother told us.
Chorus: Mother said that Father is our God,
Mother told us.
அப்பா எங்கள் தெய்வமுன்னு
அம்மா சொன்னாங்க
குழு :
அப்பா எங்கள் தெய்வமுன்னு
அம்மா சொன்னாங்க
Father said that Mother's word is scripture,
Father told us.
Chorus: Father said that Mother's word is scripture,
Father told us.
அம்மா சொல்லே வேதமுன்னு
அப்பா சொன்னாங்க..
குழு :
அம்மா சொல்லே வேதமுன்னு
அப்பா சொன்னாங்க..
Avvaiyar said both Mother and Father are divine,
Avvaiyar told us.
Chorus: Avvaiyar said both Mother and Father are divine,
Avvaiyar told us.
அம்மா அப்பா தெய்வமுன்னு
ஔவை சொன்னாங்க
குழு :
அம்மா அப்பா தெய்வமுன்னு
ஔவை சொன்னாங்க
The teacher said that Avvaiyar's words are scripture,
The teacher told us.
Chorus: The teacher said that Avvaiyar's words are scripture,
The teacher told us.
அந்த ஔவை சொல்லே வேதமுன்னு
டீச்சர் சொன்னாங்க.....
குழு :
அந்த ஔவை சொல்லே வேதமுன்னு
டீச்சர் சொன்னாங்க.....
Our beloved baby who prances and skips around,
Is our darling child.
Unless put in a tied cradle,
Sleep will not come to her.
துள்ளி துள்ளி செல்லும்
எங்க செல்லப் பாப்பாவாம்
தொட்டில் கட்டி போடாவிட்டால்
தூக்கம் வராதாம்
Shall we stitch and bring a silk shirt
And put it on her?
Female: On this baby's birthday,
Shall we offer our wishes?
பட்டு சொக்கா தச்சு வந்து
போட்டு வைப்போமா
...
அந்த பாப்பாவுக்கு பிறந்த நாளில்
வாழ்த்து சொல்வோமா....
..............................
……………..
...
Thulli thulli sellum
Our beloved baby who prances and skips around,
Enga chella paappaavaam
Is our darling child.
Thottil katti podaavittaal
Unless put in a tied cradle,
Thookkam varaathaam
Sleep will not come to her.
Thulli thulli sellum
Our beloved baby who prances and skips around,
Enga chella paappaavaam
Is our darling child.
Thottil katti podaavittaal
Unless put in a tied cradle,
Thookkam varaathaam
Sleep will not come to her.
Pattu sokkaa thachchu vanthu
Shall we stitch and bring a silk shirt
Potu vaipomaa
And put it on her?
Chorus :Pattu sokkaa thachchu vanthu
Chorus: Shall we stitch and bring a silk shirt
Potu vaipomaa
And put it on her?
Antha pappavukku pirantha naalil
On this baby's birthday,
Vaazhththi solvomaa
Shall we offer our blessings and wishes?
Daddy birth today daddy birth today
Daddy's birthday today, daddy's birthday today,
Daddy birth today daddy birth today
Daddy's birthday today, daddy's birthday today,
Happy birth day to you
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birth day to you
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birth day to you
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birth day to you
Happy birthday to you,
Thulli thulli sellum
Our beloved baby who prances and skips around,
Enga chella paappaavaam
Is our darling child.
Thottil katti podaavittaal
Unless put in a tied cradle,
Thookkam varaathaam
Sleep will not come to her.
……………
...
Naattukellaam thaathaavaaga
As a grandfather to the whole nation,
Gandhi vanthaanga
Gandhi came.
Chorus :Naattukellaam thaathaavaaga
Chorus: As a grandfather to the whole nation,
Gandhi vanthaanga
Gandhi came.
Nalla pillaiyaaga nammaoi
To live as good children,
Vaazha sonnaanga
He told us.
Chorus :Nalla pillaiyaaga nammaoi
Chorus: To live as good children,
Vaazha sonnaanga
He told us.
Pappa paattu bharathiyaar
The child song 'Paapa Paattu',
Paadi thanthaanga
Bharathiyar sang and gave us.
Chorus :Pappa paattu bharathiyaar
Chorus: The child song 'Paapa Paattu',
Paadi thanthaanga
Bharathiyar sang and gave us.
Antha paattu paadi aada solli
Asking us to sing and dance to that song,
Teacher sonnaanga
The teacher told us.
Chorus :Antha paattu paadi aada solli
Chorus: Asking us to sing and dance to that song,
Teacher sonnaanga
The teacher told us.
Thulli thulli sellum
Our beloved baby who prances and skips around,
Enga chella paappaavaam
Is our darling child.
Thottil katti podaavittaal
Unless put in a tied cradle,
Thookkam varaathaam
Sleep will not come to her.
Pattu sokkaa thachchu vanthu
Shall we stitch and bring a silk shirt
Pottu vaippomaa
And put it on her?
Female :Antha pappavukku pirantha naalil
Female: On this baby's birthday,
Vaazhththu solvomaa
Shall we offer our wishes?
Daddy birth today daddy birth today
Daddy's birthday today, daddy's birthday today,
Daddy birth today daddy birth today
Daddy's birthday today, daddy's birthday today,
Happy birth day to you
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birth day to you
Happy birthday to you,
Harae rama harae krishna
Hare Rama Hare Krishna,
Harae rama harae krishna
Hare Rama Hare Krishna,
Harae rama harae krishna
Hare Rama Hare Krishna,
Harae rama harae krishna
Hare Rama Hare Krishna,
Appa engal deivamunnu
Mother said that Father is our God,
Ammaa sonnanga
Mother told us.
Chorus :Appa engal deivamunnu
Chorus: Mother said that Father is our God,
Ammaa sonnanga
Mother told us.
Amma sollae vedhamunnu
Father said that Mother's word is scripture,
Appa sonnaanga
Father told us.
Chorus :Amma sollae vedhamunnu
Chorus: Father said that Mother's word is scripture,
Appa sonnaanga
Father told us.
Amma appa deivamunnu
Avvaiyar said both Mother and Father are divine,
Avvai sonnaanga
Avvaiyar told us.
Chorus :Amma appa deivamunnu
Chorus: Avvaiyar said both Mother and Father are divine,
Avvai sonnaanga
Avvaiyar told us.
Antha avvai sollae vedhamunnu
The teacher said that Avvaiyar's words are scripture,
Teacher sonnanga
The teacher told us.
Chorus :Antha avvai sollae vedhamunnu
Chorus: The teacher said that Avvaiyar's words are scripture,
Teacher sonnanga
The teacher told us.
Thulli thulli sellum
Our beloved baby who prances and skips around,
Enga chella paappaavaam
Is our darling child.
Thottil katti podaavittaal
Unless put in a tied cradle,
Thookkam varaathaam
Sleep will not come to her.
Pattu sokkaa thachchu vanthu
Shall we stitch and bring a silk shirt
Pottu vaippomaa
And put it on her?
Female :Antha pappavukku pirantha naalil
Female: On this baby's birthday,
Vaazhththu solvomaa
Shall we offer our wishes?
……………
...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Thulli Thulli Sellum is a joyful children's song from the 1979 film Kadamai Nenjam, composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh and penned by lyricist Aalangudi Somu. Sung predominantly in a child-like vocal style by M. S. Rajeswari along with a chorus, the song celebrates a birthday with playful innocence while invoking warmth and family affection.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukku Thodar (Repetition / Reduplication)
“Thulli thulli sellum”
The word 'Thulli' is repeated consecutively to depict the bouncing, joyful movement of a child.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Pattu sokkaa thachchu vanthu”
The repetition of initial sounds 'Pa' in 'Pattu' and 'Potu' creates a rhythmic cadence suitable for a nursery rhyme.
Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Thottil katti podaavittaal”
The agreement of second letters ('tt' in Thottil and Thookkam) maintains Tamil traditional poetic meter.
Did you know?
Trivia
Playback singer M. S. Rajeswari was renowned across South Indian cinema for her distinct ability to render songs in a child's voice, making her the primary choice for kid-centric songs from the late 1940s through the 1980s. Lyricist Aalangudi Somu famously integrated traditional moral instruction and historical cultural figures like Bharathiyar and Avvaiyar into simple lyrics for young audiences.
Keep listening
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