From Tamil Nadu to Thailand: School Children's Cute Dance to Viral Thai Song Steals the Internet

Who would have thought a school performance by a subdued Tamil Nadu village could catch the interest of more than 100 million individuals on the internet? But that is precisely what transpired when children of Melur Panchayat Union Kindergarten and Middle School, Therkamoor, covered a Thai viral hit — and completely rocked it.

In a video posted by one of their educators, a cluster of uniform-wearing school kids can be heard singing and dancing to the catchy tune Anan Ta Pad Chaye — a Thai ditty that has been a crossover viral sensation in India, courtesy of its lyrics sounding strangely like Tamil. How the children recited confidently what seemed like to be "Annana Pathiya Aapata Kethiya" had the web scratching its head — and then pressing replay.

The actual charm, though, wasn't the thumping melody. It was the pure joy and innocence in the faces of the children, especially that of young Shivadarshini, who inadvertently became the star of the viral video. Her simple confidence and warm smile were the standout elements — and the next thing anyone knew, she had her own second viral moment too.

In another clip, students were seen doing positive self-affirmations in class, and little Shivadarshini’s proud declaration — “Shivadarshini believes in herself” — struck a chord with viewers across languages and cultures. It wasn’t just a quote; it became a vibe.

Social media users drenched the video with affection. "They look like little minions — full of energy," posted one user. "This is what wholesome content looks like," posted another. One nostalgic commenter even sighed, "God, take me back to school."

While Anan Ta Pad Chaye is catching a moment of the Indian limelight for its quirky Tamil-like expression, the song has actually Thai origins. In its original form, it was part of a traditional chant, popularized by Thai comedian-singer Noi Chernyim and then became viral with Indonesian singer Niken Salindry in 2019.

But this new development — school kids from Tamil Nadu dancing to it like naturals — is a testimony to how language is no hindrance when there's joy and creativity at play.

In a noisy world, it's these kinds of moments that show us how strong classrooms can be — not only to learn about equations or grammar, but to create smiles across the world with something as easy as a song and a bit of self-confidence.