April Mayilae
From Idhayam · 1991
- Lyricist
- Piraisoodan
- Singers
- Ilayaraja, Deepan Chakravarthy, S. N. Surendar
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Idhayam1991
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| April mayilae | In April and May, |
| Pasumaiyae illae | There is no greenery at all, |
| Kaanji pochuda | Everything has dried up! |
| Indha oorum pudikkalae | I don't like this town, |
| Ulagam pudikkalae | I don't like this world, |
| Boru boruda | It is so boring! |
| Male | |
| Idhu thevaya | Is this really necessary? |
| Ada pongayya | Oh, go away! |
| June july yaa… | Ah, June and July... |
| Male | |
| Pattaamboochigal | Butterflies |
| Parakkudhu parakkudhu | Are flying, flying! |
| Kannaamoochigal | Hide-and-seek games |
| Nadakkudhu nadakkudhu | Are happening, happening! |
| Pachai pasumaigal | Lush green scenery |
| Theriyudhu theriyudhu | Is visible, visible! |
| Azhagu kiligal | Beautiful parrots |
| Namadhu vizhiyil valam varudhae | Are circling around in our vision! |
| Male | |
| April mayilae | In April and May, |
| Pasumaiyae illae | There is no greenery at all, |
| Kaanji pochuda | Everything has dried up! |
| Indha oorum pudikkalae | I don't like this town, |
| Ulagam pudikkalae | I don't like this world, |
| Boru boruda | It is so boring! |
| Male | |
| Kurta maxiyum | Girls wearing kurtas, maxis, |
| Salwar kameezum | And salwar kameezes... |
| Sumandha pengalae | Young maidens carrying fashion... |
| Ha ha ha ha | Ha ha ha ha |
| Male | |
| Engae endruthaan | Asking 'Where are they?' |
| Ingae indruthaan | Looking right here today, |
| Varundhum kangalae | Eyes are yearning! |
| Haiyo haiyo haiyo haiyo | Oh my, oh my, oh my, oh my! |
| Male | |
| Veettil nirkura | Standing at home, |
| Kaaval kaararum | Even the security guard |
| Morachi paarkuraar | Is glaring sternly! |
| Aam …aamaaa | Yes... yes... |
| Male | |
| Solakkollayin | Like a scarecrow |
| Bommai polavae | In a crop field, |
| Verachi pogiraar | He freezes stiffly! |
| Ada da da da da da | Oh dear, oh dear! |
| Male | |
| Drive-in hotel-um | The drive-in hotel |
| Santhom beach-um | And Santhome beach |
| Dull-aai thondruthae paarungal | Look, they both seem dull! |
| Panneer pookkalai paarkathindru | Unable to see the rose-water flowers today, |
| Kanneer vaarkirom naangal | We are shedding tears! |
| Male | |
| Nenjam thaanguma | Can the heart bear this? |
| Kangal thoonguma | Will the eyes get sleep? |
| Thunbam neenguma…. | Will this sorrow ever pass?... |
| Male | |
| April mayilae | In April and May, |
| Pasumaiyae illae | There is no greenery at all, |
| Kaanji pochuda | Everything has dried up! |
| Indha oorum pudikkalae | I don't like this town, |
| Ulagam pudikkalae | I don't like this world, |
| Boru boruda | It is so boring! |
| Chorus | |
| ………………………………. | ... |
| Male | |
| College azhagiyum | College beauties |
| Convent kumariyum | And convent maidens |
| Theatre poguraar | Are heading to the theatre! |
| Ho ho ho ho | Ho ho ho ho |
| Male | |
| Taxi driver-um | Even the taxi driver |
| Paarthu paathudhaan | Glares and looks carefully |
| Meter poduvaar | Before switching on the meter! |
| Dududoo doo doo | Dududoo doo doo |
| Male | |
| Kaalai maalaithaan | Day and night, |
| Velai paarppavar | The working man |
| Magizhchi kolgiraar | Feels immense joy! |
| Hahahahaaaa | Hahahahaaaa |
| Male | |
| Vaalai kumarigal | When young maidens |
| Saalai kadakkayil | Cross the road, |
| Vaayai pilakuraar | People's jaws drop wide open! |
| Ada da da da da da | Oh my goodness! |
| Male | |
| Stella mary’s-um | Stella Maris |
| Queen mary’s-um | And Queen Mary's |
| Thendral veesidum poonthottam | Are flower gardens where the gentle breeze blows! |
| Vanji paavaigal thondrum pothu | When those young damsels appear, |
| Nenjam poduthae aattam | The heart begins to dance! |
| Male | |
| Engal paaduthaan | Our condition now |
| Sakkai poduthaan | Is super grand, |
| Badaa joruthaan | It is hitting the jackpot! |
| Male | |
| April mayilae | In April and May, |
| Pasumaiyae illae | There is no greenery at all, |
| Kaanji pochuda | Everything has dried up! |
| Indha oorum pudikkalae | I don't like this town, |
| Ulagam pudikkalae | I don't like this world, |
| Boru boruda | It is so boring! |
| Male | |
| Idhu thevaya | Is this really necessary? |
| Ada pongayya | Oh, go away! |
| June july yaa… | Ah, June and July... |
| Male | |
| Pattaamboochigal | Butterflies |
| Parakkudhu parakkudhu | Are flying, flying! |
| Kannaamoochigal | Hide-and-seek games |
| Nadakkudhu nadakkudhu | Are happening, happening! |
| Pachai pasumaigal | Lush green scenery |
| Theriyudhu theriyudhu | Is visible, visible! |
| Azhagu kiligal | Beautiful parrots |
| Namadhu vizhiyil valam varudhae | Are circling around in our vision! |
ஏப்ரல் மேயிலே
பசுமையே இல்லே காஞ்சி
போச்சுடா இந்த ஊரும்
புடிக்கலே உலகம் புடிக்கலே
போரு போருடா
In April and May,
There is no greenery at all,
Everything has dried up!
I don't like this town,
I don't like this world,
It is so boring!
இது தேவையா
அட போங்கையா
ஜூன் ஜூலையா
Is this really necessary?
Oh, go away!
Ah, June and July...
பட்டாம் பூச்சிகள்
பறக்குது பறக்குது கண்ணா
மூச்சிகள் நடக்குது நடக்குது
பச்சைப் பசுமைகள் தெரியுது
தெரியுது அழகு கிளிகள் நமது
விழியில் வலம் வருதே
Butterflies
Are flying, flying!
Hide-and-seek games
Are happening, happening!
Lush green scenery
Is visible, visible!
Beautiful parrots
Are circling around in our vision!
ஏப்ரல் மேயிலே
பசுமையே இல்லே காஞ்சி
போச்சுடா இந்த ஊரும்
புடிக்கலே உலகம் புடிக்கலே
போரு போருடா
In April and May,
There is no greenery at all,
Everything has dried up!
I don't like this town,
I don't like this world,
It is so boring!
குர்தா மேக்சியும்
சல்வார் கமீசும் சுமந்த
பெண்களே ஹா ஹா
ஹா ஹா
Girls wearing kurtas, maxis,
And salwar kameezes...
Young maidens carrying fashion...
Ha ha ha ha
எங்கே என்று
தான் இங்கே இன்று
தான் வருந்தும் கண்களே
ஹையோ ஹையோ
ஹையோ ஹையோ
Asking 'Where are they?'
Looking right here today,
Eyes are yearning!
Oh my, oh my, oh my, oh my!
வீட்டில் நிற்குற
காவல் காரரும் மொறச்சி
பார்க்குறார் ஆம் ஆமாமா
Standing at home,
Even the security guard
Is glaring sternly!
Yes... yes...
சோலைக்
கொள்ளையின்
பொம்மை போலவே
வெறச்சி போகிறார்
அட டா டா டா டா டா
Like a scarecrow
In a crop field,
He freezes stiffly!
Oh dear, oh dear!
டிரைவின்
ஹோட்டலும் சாந்தோம்
பீச்சும் டல்லாய் தோன்றுதே
பாருங்கள் பன்னீர் பூக்களை
பார்க்காதின்று கண்ணீர்
வார்க்கிறோம் நாங்கள்
The drive-in hotel
And Santhome beach
Look, they both seem dull!
Unable to see the rose-water flowers today,
We are shedding tears!
நெஞ்சம் தாங்குமா
கண்கள் தூங்குமா
துன்பம் நீங்குமா
Can the heart bear this?
Will the eyes get sleep?
Will this sorrow ever pass?...
ஏப்ரல் மேயிலே
பசுமையே இல்லே காஞ்சி
போச்சுடா இந்த ஊரும்
புடிக்கலே உலகம் புடிக்கலே
போரு போருடா
In April and May,
There is no greenery at all,
Everything has dried up!
I don't like this town,
I don't like this world,
It is so boring!
.............................
...
காலேஜ் அழகியும்
கான்வெண்ட் குமரியும்
தியேட்டர் போகுறார்
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
College beauties
And convent maidens
Are heading to the theatre!
Ho ho ho ho
டாக்சி டிரைவரும்
பார்த்து பார்த்து தான்
மீட்டர் போடுவார்
டூ டூ டூ டூ டூ
Even the taxi driver
Glares and looks carefully
Before switching on the meter!
Dududoo doo doo
காலை மாலை
தான் வேலை பார்ப்பவர்
மகிழ்ச்சி கொள்கிறார்
ஹாஹாஹாஹா
Day and night,
The working man
Feels immense joy!
Hahahahaaaa
வாலைக் குமரிகள்
சாலை கடக்கையில்
வாயை பிளக்குறார்
அட டா டா டா டா டா
When young maidens
Cross the road,
People's jaws drop wide open!
Oh my goodness!
ஸ்டெல்லா மேரிசும்
குயின் மேரிசும் தென்றல்
வீசிடும் பூந்தோட்டம் வஞ்சிப்
பாவைகள் தோன்றும்போது
நெஞ்சம் போடுதே ஆட்டம்
Stella Maris
And Queen Mary's
Are flower gardens where the gentle breeze blows!
When those young damsels appear,
The heart begins to dance!
எங்கள் பாடுதான்
சக்கப் போடுதான்
படா ஜோருதான்
Our condition now
Is super grand,
It is hitting the jackpot!
ஏப்ரல் மேயிலே
பசுமையே இல்லே காஞ்சி
போச்சுடா இந்த ஊரும்
புடிக்கலே உலகம் புடிக்கலே
போரு போருடா
In April and May,
There is no greenery at all,
Everything has dried up!
I don't like this town,
I don't like this world,
It is so boring!
இது தேவையா
அட போங்கையா
ஜூன் ஜூலையா
Is this really necessary?
Oh, go away!
Ah, June and July...
பட்டாம் பூச்சிகள்
பறக்குது பறக்குது கண்ணா
மூச்சிகள் நடக்குது நடக்குது
பச்சைப் பசுமைகள் தெரியுது
தெரியுது அழகு கிளிகள் நமது
விழியில் வலம் வருதே
Butterflies
Are flying, flying!
Hide-and-seek games
Are happening, happening!
Lush green scenery
Is visible, visible!
Beautiful parrots
Are circling around in our vision!
April mayilae
In April and May,
Pasumaiyae illae
There is no greenery at all,
Kaanji pochuda
Everything has dried up!
Indha oorum pudikkalae
I don't like this town,
Ulagam pudikkalae
I don't like this world,
Boru boruda
It is so boring!
Idhu thevaya
Is this really necessary?
Ada pongayya
Oh, go away!
June july yaa…
Ah, June and July...
Pattaamboochigal
Butterflies
Parakkudhu parakkudhu
Are flying, flying!
Kannaamoochigal
Hide-and-seek games
Nadakkudhu nadakkudhu
Are happening, happening!
Pachai pasumaigal
Lush green scenery
Theriyudhu theriyudhu
Is visible, visible!
Azhagu kiligal
Beautiful parrots
Namadhu vizhiyil valam varudhae
Are circling around in our vision!
April mayilae
In April and May,
Pasumaiyae illae
There is no greenery at all,
Kaanji pochuda
Everything has dried up!
Indha oorum pudikkalae
I don't like this town,
Ulagam pudikkalae
I don't like this world,
Boru boruda
It is so boring!
Kurta maxiyum
Girls wearing kurtas, maxis,
Salwar kameezum
And salwar kameezes...
Sumandha pengalae
Young maidens carrying fashion...
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Engae endruthaan
Asking 'Where are they?'
Ingae indruthaan
Looking right here today,
Varundhum kangalae
Eyes are yearning!
Haiyo haiyo haiyo haiyo
Oh my, oh my, oh my, oh my!
Veettil nirkura
Standing at home,
Kaaval kaararum
Even the security guard
Morachi paarkuraar
Is glaring sternly!
Aam …aamaaa
Yes... yes...
Solakkollayin
Like a scarecrow
Bommai polavae
In a crop field,
Verachi pogiraar
He freezes stiffly!
Ada da da da da da
Oh dear, oh dear!
Drive-in hotel-um
The drive-in hotel
Santhom beach-um
And Santhome beach
Dull-aai thondruthae paarungal
Look, they both seem dull!
Panneer pookkalai paarkathindru
Unable to see the rose-water flowers today,
Kanneer vaarkirom naangal
We are shedding tears!
Nenjam thaanguma
Can the heart bear this?
Kangal thoonguma
Will the eyes get sleep?
Thunbam neenguma….
Will this sorrow ever pass?...
April mayilae
In April and May,
Pasumaiyae illae
There is no greenery at all,
Kaanji pochuda
Everything has dried up!
Indha oorum pudikkalae
I don't like this town,
Ulagam pudikkalae
I don't like this world,
Boru boruda
It is so boring!
……………………………….
...
College azhagiyum
College beauties
Convent kumariyum
And convent maidens
Theatre poguraar
Are heading to the theatre!
Ho ho ho ho
Ho ho ho ho
Taxi driver-um
Even the taxi driver
Paarthu paathudhaan
Glares and looks carefully
Meter poduvaar
Before switching on the meter!
Dududoo doo doo
Dududoo doo doo
Kaalai maalaithaan
Day and night,
Velai paarppavar
The working man
Magizhchi kolgiraar
Feels immense joy!
Hahahahaaaa
Hahahahaaaa
Vaalai kumarigal
When young maidens
Saalai kadakkayil
Cross the road,
Vaayai pilakuraar
People's jaws drop wide open!
Ada da da da da da
Oh my goodness!
Stella mary’s-um
Stella Maris
Queen mary’s-um
And Queen Mary's
Thendral veesidum poonthottam
Are flower gardens where the gentle breeze blows!
Vanji paavaigal thondrum pothu
When those young damsels appear,
Nenjam poduthae aattam
The heart begins to dance!
Engal paaduthaan
Our condition now
Sakkai poduthaan
Is super grand,
Badaa joruthaan
It is hitting the jackpot!
April mayilae
In April and May,
Pasumaiyae illae
There is no greenery at all,
Kaanji pochuda
Everything has dried up!
Indha oorum pudikkalae
I don't like this town,
Ulagam pudikkalae
I don't like this world,
Boru boruda
It is so boring!
Idhu thevaya
Is this really necessary?
Ada pongayya
Oh, go away!
June july yaa…
Ah, June and July...
Pattaamboochigal
Butterflies
Parakkudhu parakkudhu
Are flying, flying!
Kannaamoochigal
Hide-and-seek games
Nadakkudhu nadakkudhu
Are happening, happening!
Pachai pasumaigal
Lush green scenery
Theriyudhu theriyudhu
Is visible, visible!
Azhagu kiligal
Beautiful parrots
Namadhu vizhiyil valam varudhae
Are circling around in our vision!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'April Mayilae' is a popular vibrant youth anthem from the 1991 Tamil film Idhayam. The song contrasts the dull, scorching summer months of April and May (when colleges are closed for vacation and streets feel deserted) with the energetic, lively months of June and July when colleges reopen across Chennai. The lyrics humorously describe the boredom of summer vacation, followed by the colorful return of college life, fashion, and social hustle at landmarks like Santhome Beach, Stella Maris, and Queen Mary's College.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukku Thodar (Repetition)
“Parakkudhu parakkudhu”
Words repeated consecutively for poetic emphasis and rhythm, such as 'Parakkudhu parakkudhu' and 'Nadakkudhu nadakkudhu'.
Upamai (Simile)
“Solakkollayin Bommai polavae”
Comparing a strict watchman standing motionless at home to a scarecrow ('Solakkollai bommai') in a field.
Metaphor / Juxtaposition
“June july yaa… Pattaamboochigal Parakkudhu parakkudhu”
Juxtaposing 'April/May' (barrenness, dullness, solitude) with 'June/July' (flowering, butterflies, college girls reopening term).
Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Stella mary’s-um / Queen mary’s-um”
Rhyming second consonants across lines, e.g., 'Stella mary's-um' and 'Queen mary's-um'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung energetically by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam with lyrics written by Piraisoodan, 'April Mayilae' became an iconic college anthem in Tamil Nadu during the 1990s, capturing the authentic local Chennai atmosphere and popular institutions like Stella Maris and Queen Mary's College.
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