Alaiye Alaiye
From Iyarkai · 2003
- Lyricist
- Lyricist Not Known
- Singer
- Shankar Mahadevan
- Music director
- Vidyasagar
- Details
- Iyarkai2003
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Ohhh..hooo…hooo..hooo… | Ohhh..hooo…hooo..hooo… |
| Male | |
| Alaiyae alaiyae | Oh wave, oh wave! |
| Athumeeridum alaiyae | Oh wave that transgresses bounds! |
| Undhan kaadhilae | Into your ears, |
| Kaadhal sonnadhu yaar | Who spoke words of love? |
| Male | |
| Pirandhen pirandhen | I was born, I was born! |
| Indru marubadi pirandhen | Today, I was born again! |
| Konja kaalamaai | For a short while, |
| Mannil naan illai | I was not on this earth. |
| Male | |
| Oru thuliyaanen unnaalae | I became a drop because of you, |
| Indru kadal aanen pennaalae | Today I became an ocean because of a woman. |
| En uyir ellaam thaenaaga | As my entire life turned into honey, |
| Oru vaarthai sonnaalae | She spoke just one word. |
| Male | |
| Alaiyae alaiyae | Oh wave, oh wave! |
| Athumeeridum alaiyae | Oh wave that transgresses bounds! |
| Undhan kaadhilae | Into your ears, |
| Kaadhal sonnadhu yaar | Who spoke words of love? |
| Male | |
| Pirandhen pirandhen | I was born, I was born! |
| Indru marubadi pirandhen | Today, I was born again! |
| Konja kaalamaai | For a short while, |
| Mannil naan illai | I was not on this earth. |
| Male | |
| Mottukkullae vaasam polae | Like fragrance trapped inside a bud, |
| Kattuppattu nindraayae | You remained restrained. |
| Ehhh…ehhh…hehhhh…. | Ehhh…ehhh…hehhhh…. |
| Mutti sellum kaatraai vandhu | Coming like a wind that gently brushes past, |
| Thottu thirandhu kondenae | I touched and unlocked you. |
| Ehhh…ehhh…hehhhh…. | Ehhh…ehhh…hehhhh…. |
| Male | |
| Unadhu oodal theeraamal | Without your playful sulking coming to an end, |
| Enadhu kadalil meen illai | There are no fish in my ocean. |
| Karunai paarvai nee paarthaai | You cast a compassionate glance, |
| Karaiyil kooda meen thollai | And now there is an abundance of fish even on the shore! |
| Male | |
| Muga thiraiyai kazhatrikondaai | You removed your face veil, |
| Siragugalai anindhu konden | And I put on wings! |
| Muga thiraiyai kazhatrikondaai | You removed your face veil, |
| Siragugalai anindhu konden | And I put on wings! |
| Male | |
| Alaiyaadiya alaiyaadiya karaiyil | On the shore where waves danced, |
| Vizhaiyaadiya vizhaiyaadiya paravai | The bird that played and frolicked, |
| Madiyerudhu madiyerudhu margaliyae | Climbs onto the lap in the month of Margazhi! |
| Chorus | |
| Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo | Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo |
| Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo | Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo |
| Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo | Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo |
| Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo | Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo |
| Male | |
| Pennae naan orr vaarthai illai | Oh woman, I am not a word, |
| Undhan idhazhil thithikka | To taste sweet upon your lips. |
| Ehhh…ehhh…hehhhh…. | Ehhh…ehhh…hehhhh…. |
| Kannae naan orr thookkam illai | Oh my dear, I am not sleep, |
| Undhan kannil ottikka | To rest upon your eyes. |
| Ehhh…ehhh…hehhhh…. | Ehhh…ehhh…hehhhh…. |
| Male | |
| Enadhu jeevan therndhaalum | Even if my life breath ceases, |
| Enadhu vaazhvu unnodu | My existence remains with you. |
| Kilaigal veliyil ponaalum | Even if branches spread far outside, |
| Verin vaazhvu mannodu | The life of the root remains with the soil. |
| Male | |
| Neer vizhundhaal man madiyil | If rain falls, it falls into the lap of the earth; |
| Naan vizhundhaal un madiyil | If I fall, I fall into your lap! |
| Neer vizhundhaal man madiyil | If rain falls, it falls into the lap of the earth; |
| Naan vizhundhaal un madiyil | If I fall, I fall into your lap! |
| Male | |
| Kadaloo kadal idam | Even if the ocean changes its place, |
| Maariya pozhudhum | And switches its boundary, |
| Nilamoo nilam | Even if the earth itself, |
| Thadumaariya pozhudhum | Stumbles and falters, |
| Piriyaadhiru piriyaadhiru punnagaiyae… | Do not part from me, oh smile! |
| Chorus | |
| Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo | Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo |
| Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo | Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo |
| Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo | Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo |
| Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo | Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo |
| Male | |
| Alaiyae alaiyae | Oh wave, oh wave! |
| Athumeeridum alaiyae | Oh wave that transgresses bounds! |
| Undhan kaadhilae | Into your ears, |
| Kaadhal sonnadhu yaar | Who spoke words of love? |
| Male | |
| Pirandhen pirandhen | I was born, I was born! |
| Indru marubadi pirandhen | Today, I was born again! |
| Konja kaalamaai | For a short while, |
| Mannil naan illai | I was not on this earth. |
| Male | |
| Oru thuliyaanen unnaalae | I became a drop because of you, |
| Indru kadal aanen pennaalae | Today I became an ocean because of a woman. |
| En uyir ellaam thaenaaga | As my entire life turned into honey, |
| Oru vaarthai sonnaalae | She spoke just one word. |
| Chorus | |
| Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo | Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo |
| Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo | Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo |
| Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo | Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo |
| Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo | Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo |
ஓ ஹோ
ஹோ ஹோ
Ohhh..hooo…hooo..hooo…
அலையே அலையே
அத்து மீறிடும் அலையே
உந்தன் காதிலே காதல்
சொன்னது யார்
Oh wave, oh wave!
Oh wave that transgresses bounds!
Into your ears,
Who spoke words of love?
பிறந்தேன் பிறந்தேன்
இன்று மறுபடி பிறந்தேன்
கொஞ்ச காலமாய்
மண்ணில் நானில்லை
I was born, I was born!
Today, I was born again!
For a short while,
I was not on this earth.
ஒரு துளியானேன்
உன்னாலே இன்று
கடலானேன் பெண்ணாலே
என் உயிரெல்லாம் தேனாக
ஒரு வார்த்தை சொன்னாலே
I became a drop because of you,
Today I became an ocean because of a woman.
As my entire life turned into honey,
She spoke just one word.
அலையே அலையே
அத்து மீறிடும் அலையே
உந்தன் காதிலே காதல்
சொன்னது யார்
Oh wave, oh wave!
Oh wave that transgresses bounds!
Into your ears,
Who spoke words of love?
பிறந்தேன் பிறந்தேன்
இன்று மறுபடி பிறந்தேன்
கொஞ்ச காலமாய்
மண்ணில் நானில்லை
I was born, I was born!
Today, I was born again!
For a short while,
I was not on this earth.
மொட்டுக்குள்ளே
வாசம் போலே கட்டுப்பட்டு
நின்றாயே ............................
முட்டிச்செல்லும் காற்றாய்
வந்து தொட்டு திறந்து
கொண்டேனே ......................
Like fragrance trapped inside a bud,
You remained restrained.
Ehhh…ehhh…hehhhh….
Coming like a wind that gently brushes past,
I touched and unlocked you.
Ehhh…ehhh…hehhhh….
உனது ஊடல்
தீராமல் எனது கடலில்
மீன் இல்லை கருணை
பார்வை நீ பார்த்தாய்
கரையில் கூட மீன்
தொல்லை
Without your playful sulking coming to an end,
There are no fish in my ocean.
You cast a compassionate glance,
And now there is an abundance of fish even on the shore!
முகத்திரையை
கழற்றிக்கொண்டாய்
சிறகுகளை அணிந்து
கொண்டேன் முகத்திரையை
கழற்றிக்கொண்டாய்
சிறகுகளை அணிந்து
கொண்டேன்
You removed your face veil,
And I put on wings!
You removed your face veil,
And I put on wings!
அலையாடிய
அலையாடிய கரையில்
விளையாடிய விளையாடிய
பறவை மடியேறுது மடியேறுது
மார்கழியே
On the shore where waves danced,
The bird that played and frolicked,
Climbs onto the lap in the month of Margazhi!
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
ஓஓஓஹோ ஓஹோ
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓஹோ
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
ஓஓஓஹோ ஓஹோ
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓஹோ
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
பெண்ணே நான்
ஓர் வார்த்தையில்லை
உந்தன் இதழில் தித்திக்க
..............................................
கண்ணே நான் ஓர் தூக்கமில்லை
உந்தன் கண்ணில் ஒட்டிக்க
.............................................
Oh woman, I am not a word,
To taste sweet upon your lips.
Ehhh…ehhh…hehhhh….
Oh my dear, I am not sleep,
To rest upon your eyes.
Ehhh…ehhh…hehhhh….
எனது ஜீவன் தீர்ந்தாலும்
எனது வாழ்வு உன்னோடு
கிளைகள் வெளியில்
போனாலும் வேரின் வாழ்வு
மண்ணோடு
Even if my life breath ceases,
My existence remains with you.
Even if branches spread far outside,
The life of the root remains with the soil.
நீர் விழுந்தால் மண்
மடியில் நான் விழுந்தால்
உன் மடியில் நீர் விழுந்தால்
மண் மடியில் நான் விழுந்தால்
உன் மடியில்
If rain falls, it falls into the lap of the earth;
If I fall, I fall into your lap!
If rain falls, it falls into the lap of the earth;
If I fall, I fall into your lap!
கடலோ கடல்
இடம் மாறிய பொழுதும்
நிலமோ நிலம் தடுமாறிய
பொழுதும் பிரியாதிரு
பிரியாதிரு புன்னகையே
Even if the ocean changes its place,
And switches its boundary,
Even if the earth itself,
Stumbles and falters,
Do not part from me, oh smile!
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
ஓஓஓஹோ ஓஹோ
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓஹோ
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
ஓஓஓஹோ ஓஹோ
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓஹோ
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
அலையே அலையே
அத்து மீறிடும் அலையே
உந்தன் காதிலே காதல்
சொன்னது யார்
Oh wave, oh wave!
Oh wave that transgresses bounds!
Into your ears,
Who spoke words of love?
பிறந்தேன் பிறந்தேன்
இன்று மறுபடி பிறந்தேன்
கொஞ்ச காலமாய்
மண்ணில் நானில்லை
I was born, I was born!
Today, I was born again!
For a short while,
I was not on this earth.
ஒரு துளியானேன்
உன்னாலே இன்று
கடலானேன் பெண்ணாலே
என் உயிரெல்லாம் தேனாக
ஒரு வார்த்தை சொன்னாலே
I became a drop because of you,
Today I became an ocean because of a woman.
As my entire life turned into honey,
She spoke just one word.
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
ஓஓஓஹோ ஓஹோ
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓஹோ
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
ஓஓஓஹோ ஓஹோ
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓஹோ
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohhh..hooo…hooo..hooo…
Ohhh..hooo…hooo..hooo…
Alaiyae alaiyae
Oh wave, oh wave!
Athumeeridum alaiyae
Oh wave that transgresses bounds!
Undhan kaadhilae
Into your ears,
Kaadhal sonnadhu yaar
Who spoke words of love?
Pirandhen pirandhen
I was born, I was born!
Indru marubadi pirandhen
Today, I was born again!
Konja kaalamaai
For a short while,
Mannil naan illai
I was not on this earth.
Oru thuliyaanen unnaalae
I became a drop because of you,
Indru kadal aanen pennaalae
Today I became an ocean because of a woman.
En uyir ellaam thaenaaga
As my entire life turned into honey,
Oru vaarthai sonnaalae
She spoke just one word.
Alaiyae alaiyae
Oh wave, oh wave!
Athumeeridum alaiyae
Oh wave that transgresses bounds!
Undhan kaadhilae
Into your ears,
Kaadhal sonnadhu yaar
Who spoke words of love?
Pirandhen pirandhen
I was born, I was born!
Indru marubadi pirandhen
Today, I was born again!
Konja kaalamaai
For a short while,
Mannil naan illai
I was not on this earth.
Mottukkullae vaasam polae
Like fragrance trapped inside a bud,
Kattuppattu nindraayae
You remained restrained.
Ehhh…ehhh…hehhhh….
Ehhh…ehhh…hehhhh….
Mutti sellum kaatraai vandhu
Coming like a wind that gently brushes past,
Thottu thirandhu kondenae
I touched and unlocked you.
Ehhh…ehhh…hehhhh….
Ehhh…ehhh…hehhhh….
Unadhu oodal theeraamal
Without your playful sulking coming to an end,
Enadhu kadalil meen illai
There are no fish in my ocean.
Karunai paarvai nee paarthaai
You cast a compassionate glance,
Karaiyil kooda meen thollai
And now there is an abundance of fish even on the shore!
Muga thiraiyai kazhatrikondaai
You removed your face veil,
Siragugalai anindhu konden
And I put on wings!
Muga thiraiyai kazhatrikondaai
You removed your face veil,
Siragugalai anindhu konden
And I put on wings!
Alaiyaadiya alaiyaadiya karaiyil
On the shore where waves danced,
Vizhaiyaadiya vizhaiyaadiya paravai
The bird that played and frolicked,
Madiyerudhu madiyerudhu margaliyae
Climbs onto the lap in the month of Margazhi!
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Pennae naan orr vaarthai illai
Oh woman, I am not a word,
Undhan idhazhil thithikka
To taste sweet upon your lips.
Ehhh…ehhh…hehhhh….
Ehhh…ehhh…hehhhh….
Kannae naan orr thookkam illai
Oh my dear, I am not sleep,
Undhan kannil ottikka
To rest upon your eyes.
Ehhh…ehhh…hehhhh….
Ehhh…ehhh…hehhhh….
Enadhu jeevan therndhaalum
Even if my life breath ceases,
Enadhu vaazhvu unnodu
My existence remains with you.
Kilaigal veliyil ponaalum
Even if branches spread far outside,
Verin vaazhvu mannodu
The life of the root remains with the soil.
Neer vizhundhaal man madiyil
If rain falls, it falls into the lap of the earth;
Naan vizhundhaal un madiyil
If I fall, I fall into your lap!
Neer vizhundhaal man madiyil
If rain falls, it falls into the lap of the earth;
Naan vizhundhaal un madiyil
If I fall, I fall into your lap!
Kadaloo kadal idam
Even if the ocean changes its place,
Maariya pozhudhum
And switches its boundary,
Nilamoo nilam
Even if the earth itself,
Thadumaariya pozhudhum
Stumbles and falters,
Piriyaadhiru piriyaadhiru punnagaiyae…
Do not part from me, oh smile!
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Alaiyae alaiyae
Oh wave, oh wave!
Athumeeridum alaiyae
Oh wave that transgresses bounds!
Undhan kaadhilae
Into your ears,
Kaadhal sonnadhu yaar
Who spoke words of love?
Pirandhen pirandhen
I was born, I was born!
Indru marubadi pirandhen
Today, I was born again!
Konja kaalamaai
For a short while,
Mannil naan illai
I was not on this earth.
Oru thuliyaanen unnaalae
I became a drop because of you,
Indru kadal aanen pennaalae
Today I became an ocean because of a woman.
En uyir ellaam thaenaaga
As my entire life turned into honey,
Oru vaarthai sonnaalae
She spoke just one word.
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Ohooo…ohoooo..ooooooohooo
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Alaiyae Alaiyae is a soulful romantic track from the 2003 Tamil film Iyarkai. Set against the backdrop of the sea, the song uses rich ocean imagery to capture the transformative experience of love. The protagonist feels reborn, describing how love turned a tiny drop into a vast ocean, and how the beloved's gentle touch unlocked hidden emotions. The song celebrates deep devotion, where two souls feel intertwined like the roots of a tree with the soil, bound together regardless of changing tides or shifting lands.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Mottukkullae vaasam polae”
Compares hidden love to fragrance trapped within an unopened flower bud.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Oru thuliyaanen unnaalae / Indru kadal aanen pennaalae”
Metaphorically illustrates the growth of love from a tiny drop (thuli) into a vast sea (kadal).
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Neer vizhundhaal man madiyil / Naan vizhundhaal un madiyil”
Repetition of initial consonant and vowel sounds ('Neer' and 'Naan') across consecutive lines.
Edukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Pirandhen pirandhen / Alaiyae alaiyae”
Repetition of words to emphasize intense emotion and rhythm.
Did you know?
Trivia
Iyarkai (2003), directed by S. P. Jananathan, won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil. The music was composed by Vidyasagar, with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu, and the song was rendered by Srinivas and Sujatha Mohan.
Keep listening
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