S. Janaki’s commanding vocals define ‘Chinnavane Thennavane’ from the album Panchalankuruchi. Lyricist Vairamuthu and composer Deva craft a matriarchal blessing through traditional folk rhythms. The song carries ancestral wisdom for future leaders.
Chinnavane Thennavane
Krishnaraj | S. Janaki • From “Panchalankuruchi”
Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Composer
Deva
Panchalankuruchi’s Chinnavane Thennavane Tamil Lyrics English Meaning
Vairamuthu compares dry soil to enduring community spirit in ‘Mannu Thaan Kaanjirukkum.’ The lyrics promise harvests from hard work with ‘Vervai Vedhachu Vechaa Verungaiyaa Vidamatta.’ Janaki delivers these injunctions with maternal authority.
Chinnavanae ThennavanaeLittle one, king from the South,
Sabaiyerum MannavanaeKing who ascends the royal court.
Chinnavanae ThennavanaeLittle one, king from the South,
Sabaiyerum MannavanaeKing who ascends the royal court.
Varundhaana Nadanthu PaaraiyaJust walk with a majestic stride,
Ini Varungaalam Unakku ThaanaiyaFor the future belongs to you now.
Naadanda RaasakkaThe kings who once ruled this land,
Vaazhndha Edam En MaganeThis is where they lived, my son.
Mannu Thaan KaanjirukkumThe soil might be parched,
Indha Makkal Manasila Eeram IrukkumBut there’s still kindness in these people’s hearts.
Kai Kaalu SuthamirundhaIf your hands and feet are clean,
Kallamillaa ManasirundhaAnd your heart is free from guile,
Naadi Desi EngumAcross every country and nation,
Un Peru NelachirukkumYour name’s going to live on forever.
Porukku Nee PonaaIf you head off to war,
Puludhi KelambaadhaThe dust won’t even rise.
Magaraasan KambeduthaaIf a great king like you takes up a staff,
Andha Madhura Thaan KalangaadhaWon’t the city of ‘Madurai’ tremble?
Naalaikku PoludhuTomorrow’s day,
Adhu Unakkaaga VidiyumIt’ll dawn just for you.
Nambikkai Nee KonduKeep your faith strong,
Nadadaa En Sella MaganaeAnd walk on, my precious son.
Kannimaaru Koyil OdaiyilaBy the stream of the ‘Seven Virgin Goddesses’ temple,
Kanji Kondu Pora Pon MayilaLike a golden peacock carrying ‘rice porridge’,
Maalaiyila ManjolaiyilaIn the evening, in the mango grove,
Oru Velai Irukku Vandhu ViduThere’s some work to do, so please come.
Aasai Amchaan Kaathirundhaen NaanI’ve been waiting with so much love,
Arisi Porichu Kondu VaarenI’m bringing some ‘puffed rice’ for you.
Koodi Pesi Irukka Thaan OruTo sit together and talk,
Koraapaayum Kondu VaarenI’m bringing a ‘mat made of reeds’.
Maadham Mummaari PeiyumIn this land where rain falls three times a month,
Valamaana SeemaiyadaIt’s a place of true abundance.
Kalappa Kaayum MunnaeBefore the plow even has time to dry,
Kadhir Velaiyum BoomiyadaThe grain ripens in this rich soil.
Rendu Kaiyil Kathi SuthaTo spin swords skillfully in both hands,
Vamsathilae VandhavanaeYou were born into this brave lineage.
Seemai Ellaam Kappam KattaTo make the whole land pay tribute,
Seetezhudhi VittavanaeYou’re the one who sent out the decree.
Ponnaana Boomi AathaThis golden Mother Earth,
Thannaala Thara MaattaShe won’t give anything away on her own.
Vervai Vedhachu VechaaBut if you’ve sown the seeds of your sweat,
Verungaiyaa VidamattaShe won’t let you leave empty-handed.
Paadupadu MaganeWork hard, my son,
Un Pasi Thagam TheerumAnd your hunger and thirst will be quenched.
PaanjaalankuruchiThe land of ‘Panchalankuruchi’,
Adhu Pachakkodithaan KattumIt’ll surely hoist a green flag of victory.
S. Janaki’s rendition clarifies the Panchalankuruchi lyrics meaning: true leadership requires integrity and labor. The track remains a staple in Tamil lyrics translation discussions about heritage and duty.
