Balleilakka
From Sivaji · 2007
- Lyricist
- Na. Muthu Kumar
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Sivaji2007
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Sooriyano chandirano | Is he the sun or the moon? |
| Yaarivano sattunnu sollu | Tell me quickly, who is he? |
| Chera paandiya sooranum ivano | Is he a brave warrior of Chera or Pandya origin? |
| Sollu sollu sattunnu sollu | Tell me, tell me quickly! |
| Sooriyano chandirano | Is he the sun or the moon? |
| Yaarivano sattunnu sollu | Tell me quickly, who is he? |
| Chera paandiya sooranum ivano | Is he a brave warrior of Chera or Pandya origin? |
| Sollu sollu sattunnu sollu | Tell me, tell me quickly! |
| Chorus | |
| Paaradi paaradi yaaradi ivano | Look, girl, look! Who is he? |
| Paaigira siruthayin kaaladi ivano | Is he the pouncing step of a leopard? |
| Kooradi kooradi yaaradi ivano | Tell us, tell us, who is he? |
| Kettathai pattena suttidum sivano | Is he Lord Shiva who instantly destroys evil? |
| Chorus | |
| Ye balleilakka balleilakka | Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka! |
| Selathukka maduraikka | Is it for Salem, for Madurai? |
| Madrasukka thiruchikka thiruthanikka | For Madras, for Trichy, for Tiruttani? |
| Ae balleilakka balleilakka | Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka! |
| Ottu motha makkalukka | For all the people completely! |
| Annan vantha tamil nadum america | If elder brother arrives, Tamil Nadu will become America! |
| Male | |
| Kaaveri aarum kai kuthal arisiyum | Can the Kaveri river and hand-pounded rice ever be forgotten? |
| Maranthu poguma | Will they ever be forgotten? |
| Oh thavani pengalum thoothu vidum kangalum | Oh, can the girls in half-sarees and their expressive eyes sending messages... |
| Tholainthu poguma | Ever get lost? |
| Chorus :Hahahahahahaha…. | (Choral laughter) |
| Male | |
| Namma kalathu medu | Our threshing floor mound, |
| Chorus :Ah ah ha ha | (Choral vocalizations) |
| Male :Kamma karai karisa kaadu | The bank of the lake and the black-soil fields, |
| Chorus :Oh oh oh oh | (Choral vocalizations) |
| Male :Semmann alli thelikkum roadu | The red-soil roads sprinkled with dust, |
| Chorus :Hmm…mm….mmm….. | (Choral humming) |
| Male | |
| Ye ye sadugudu sadugudu | Hey, Kabaddi, Kabaddi! |
| Sadugudu sadugudu | Kabaddi, Kabaddi! |
| Sadugudu sadugudu sadugudu sadugudu | Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi! |
| Sadugudu sadugudu aadiya marathadi | Under the shade of the tree where we played Kabaddi, |
| Padu padu paduvena porthiya pulveli | The lawn covered like a lush green blanket, |
| Thoda thoda thoda thoda udaikira pani thuli | Dewdrops that burst as soon as you touch them, |
| Suda suda suda suda kidaikkira idli | Piping hot idlis served fresh, |
| Thada thada thada thadavena athirgira rayiladi | The clattering train tracks that shake with speed, |
| Kada kada kadavena kadakkira kaaviri | The fast-flowing river Kaveri rushing past, |
| Viru viru viruvena madikkira vetrilai | Betel leaves folded up briskly, |
| Muru muru murnuvena murukkiya meesaigal | Crisp, curled-up twirled moustaches, |
| Manathil irukkuthu mei mei mei mei mei mei mei | All these truths reside deep inside my mind! |
| Mei mei mei mei………………………. | Truth, truth, truth... |
| Chorus | |
| {Sooriyano chandirano | {Is he the sun or the moon? |
| Yaarivano sattunnu sollu | Tell me quickly, who is he? |
| Chera paandiya sooranum ivano | Is he a brave warrior of Chera or Pandya origin? |
| Sollu sollu sattunnu sollu} (2) | Tell me, tell me quickly!} (Repeated) |
| Chorus | |
| Hey le le lalala | Hey le le lalala |
| Ye balleilakka balleilakka | Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka! |
| Selathukka maduraikka | For Salem, for Madurai, |
| Madrasukka thiruchikka thiruthanikka | For Madras, for Trichy, for Tiruttani, |
| Thiruthanikkaa……… | For Tiruttani... |
| Ae balleilakka balleilakka | Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka! |
| Ottu motha makkalukka | For all the people completely, |
| Annan vantha tamil nadum america | If elder brother arrives, Tamil Nadu will become America! |
| Chorus | |
| Sattena sollu satenna sollu | Tell me quickly, tell me quickly! |
| Male | |
| Elae elae gramathu kudisayila | Hey friend, stay in a village hut for a little while and see, |
| Konja kaalam thangi paarulae | Stay a while and experience it, |
| Koorayin ottai virisal vali | Through the cracks and holes in the thatched roof, |
| Natchathiram enni paarulae | Try counting the stars at night! |
| Chorus | |
| Yelae yelae yelae | Yelae yelae yelae! |
| Male | |
| Koovum cell phonenin | Switch off the nagging ring of the ringing cell phone, |
| Nacharippai anaithu | Turn off its persistence, |
| Konjam sil vandin ucharippai ketpom | And let us listen for a while to the hum of the crickets, |
| Verum kaalil seruppindri nadanthu | Walking barefoot without shoes, |
| Mannodu pesikkondu povom | Let us walk along talking with the soil, |
| Mazhalaigal aavom | And become innocent children again! |
| Female | |
| Aala marathukku | For the banyan tree's hanging aerial roots, |
| Jadaikal pinni thaan | We can braid them as hair, |
| Pookkal vaikkalaamae | And adorn them with flowers! |
| Male :Oororam ayyanaaridam | From the deity Ayyanaar at the edge of the village, |
| Kathi vaangithan pencil seevalaamae | Can we borrow his sword to sharpen our pencil? |
| Chorus | |
| Ye balleilakka balleilakka | Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka! |
| Selathukka maduraikka | For Salem, for Madurai, |
| Madrasukka thiruchikka thiruthanikka | For Madras, for Trichy, for Tiruttani, |
| Ae balleilakka balleilakka | Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka! |
| Ottu motha makkalukka | For all the people completely, |
| Annan vantha tamil nadum america | If elder brother arrives, Tamil Nadu will become America! |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………………………… | ................................... |
| Chorus | |
| Sattena sollu satenna sollu | Tell me quickly, tell me quickly! |
| Male | |
| Elae elae anjara pettiyila | Hey friend, in the traditional five-spice box, |
| Aathavoda rusiyirukkum | The delicious taste of a mother's touch resides, |
| Chorus | |
| Yelae yelae yelae | Yelae yelae yelae! |
| Male | |
| Ammiyil arachu aakkivacha | Country chicken cooked by grinding spices on a stone, |
| Naattu kozhi patta kelappum | Will create an absolute sensation! |
| Chorus | |
| Yelae yelae yelae | Yelae yelae yelae! |
| Male | |
| Elae aadu maadu mela ulla paasam | The affection held towards goats and cattle, |
| Veetu ration card-il serkka solli ketkum | Will make people ask to add them to the household ration card! |
| Verum thanni ketta mooru tharum nesam | When asked for plain water, the love that offers buttermilk instead, |
| Vellanthi manithargal vaasam | The warmth of innocent human hearts, |
| Mannu engum veesum | Spreads everywhere across this land! |
| Female | |
| Paampada kilaviyin | For the herbal remedy of an old woman wearing wide earrings, |
| Pachilai marunthukku | Even evil ghosts will run away! |
| Peyum odi pogum | Even a demon would flee! |
| Male :Pangaali pakkathu veettukkum | Even for the kinfolk living next door, |
| Serthu samaikkira | Cooking food together for them too, |
| Anbu ingu vaalum | Such selfless love thrives here! |
| Chorus | |
| Ye balleilakka balleilakka | Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka! |
| Selathukka maduraikka | For Salem, for Madurai, |
| Madrasukka thiruchikka thiruthanikka | For Madras, for Trichy, for Tiruttani, |
| Ae balleilakka balleilakka | Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka! |
| Ottu motha makkalukka | For all the people completely, |
| Annan vantha tamil nadum america | If elder brother arrives, Tamil Nadu will become America! |
| Male | |
| Kaaveri aarum kai kuthal arisiyum | Can the Kaveri river and hand-pounded rice ever be forgotten? |
| Maranthu poguma | Will they ever be forgotten? |
| Chorus :Maranthu poguma | Will they ever be forgotten? |
| Male :Oh thavani pengalum | Oh, the girls wearing half-sarees, |
| Female | |
| Namma kalathu medu | Our threshing floor mound, |
| Chorus :Ah ah ha ha | (Choral vocalizations) |
| Male :Kamma karai karisa kaadu | The bank of the lake and the black-soil fields, |
| Chorus :Oh oh oh oh | (Choral vocalizations) |
| Female :Semmann alli thelikkum roadu | The red-soil roads sprinkled with dust, |
| Chorus :Hmm…mm….mmm….. | (Choral humming) |
| Male | |
| Ye ye sadugudu sadugudu | Hey, Kabaddi, Kabaddi! |
| Sadugudu sadugudu | Kabaddi, Kabaddi! |
| Sadugudu sadugudu sadugudu sadugudu | Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi! |
| Sadugudu sadugudu aadiya marathadi | Under the shade of the tree where we played Kabaddi, |
| Padu padu paduvena porthiya pulveli | The lawn covered like a lush green blanket, |
| Thoda thoda thoda thoda udaikira pani thuli | Dewdrops that burst as soon as you touch them, |
| Suda suda suda suda kidaikkira idli | Piping hot idlis served fresh, |
| Thada thada thada thadavena athirgira rayiladi | The clattering train tracks that shake with speed, |
| Kada kada kadavena kadakkira kaaviri | The fast-flowing river Kaveri rushing past, |
| Viru viru viruvena madikkira vetrilai | Betel leaves folded up briskly, |
| Muru muru murnuvena murukkiya meesaigal | Crisp, curled-up twirled moustaches, |
| Manathil irukkuthu mei mei mei mei mei mei mei | All these truths reside deep inside my mind! |
| Mei mei mei mei………………………. | Truth, truth, truth... |
| Chorus | |
| Ye balleilakka balleilakka | Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka! |
| Selathukka maduraikka | For Salem, for Madurai, |
| Madrasukka thiruchikka thiruthanikka | For Madras, for Trichy, for Tiruttani, |
| Thiruthanikkaa……… | For Tiruttani... |
| Ae balleilakka balleilakka | Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka! |
| Ottu motha makkalukka | For all the people completely, |
| Annan vantha tamil nadum america | If elder brother arrives, Tamil Nadu will become America! |
| Male :Cool……. | Cool... |
சூரியனோ சந்திரனோ
யார் இவனோ சட்டுன்னு
சொல்லு சேர பாண்டிய
சூரனும் இவனோ சொல்லு
சொல்லு சட்டுன்னு சொல்லு
சூரியனோ சந்திரனோ
யார் இவனோ சட்டுன்னு
சொல்லு சேர பாண்டிய
சூரனும் இவனோ சொல்லு
சொல்லு சட்டுன்னு சொல்லு
Is he the sun or the moon?
Tell me quickly, who is he?
Is he a brave warrior of Chera or Pandya origin?
Tell me, tell me quickly!
Is he the sun or the moon?
Tell me quickly, who is he?
Is he a brave warrior of Chera or Pandya origin?
Tell me, tell me quickly!
பாரடி பாரடி
யாரடி இவனோ
பாய்கிற சிறுத்தையின்
காலடி இவனோ கூறடி
கூறடி யாரடி இவனோ
கெட்டதை பட்டென
சுட்டிடும் சிவனோ
Look, girl, look! Who is he?
Is he the pouncing step of a leopard?
Tell us, tell us, who is he?
Is he Lord Shiva who instantly destroys evil?
ஏ பல்லே லக்கா
பல்லே லக்கா சேலத்துக்கா
மதுரைக்கா மெட்ராசுக்கா
திருச்சிக்கா திருத்தணிக்கா
ஏ பல்லே லக்கா பல்லே
லக்கா ஒட்டு மொத்த
மக்களுக்கா அண்ணன்
வந்தா தமிழ்நாடும்
அமெரிக்கா
Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka!
Is it for Salem, for Madurai?
For Madras, for Trichy, for Tiruttani?
Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka!
For all the people completely!
If elder brother arrives, Tamil Nadu will become America!
காவிரி ஆறும்
கை குத்தல் அரிசியும்
மறந்து போகுமா ஓ
தாவணிப் பெண்களும்
தூதுவிடும் கண்களும்
தொலைந்து போகுமா
குழு :
...........................
Can the Kaveri river and hand-pounded rice ever be forgotten?
Will they ever be forgotten?
Oh, can the girls in half-sarees and their expressive eyes sending messages...
Ever get lost?
(Choral laughter)
நம்ம களத்து மேடு
குழு :
ஆ ஆ ஹா ஹா
கம்மா கரை
கரிசக் காடு
குழு :
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ
செம்மண் அள்ளித்
தெளிக்கும் ரோடு
குழு :
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்
Our threshing floor mound,
(Choral vocalizations)
The bank of the lake and the black-soil fields,
(Choral vocalizations)
The red-soil roads sprinkled with dust,
(Choral humming)
ஏ ஏ சடுகுடு
சடுகுடு சடுகுடு சடுகுடு
சடுகுடு சடுகுடு சடுகுடு
சடுகுடு சடுகுடு சடுகுடு
ஆடிய மரத்தடிபடு படு
படுவென போர்த்திய
புல்வெளி தொட தொட
தொட தொட உடைகிற
பனித்துளி சுட சுட சுட
சுட கிடைக்கிற இட்லி
தட தட தட தடவென
அதிர்கிற ரயிலடி கட
கட கடவென கடக்கிற
காவிரி விறு விறு
விறுவென மடிக்கிற
வெற்றிலை முறு முறு
முறுவென முறுக்கிய
மீசைகள் மனதில்
இருக்குது மெய் மெய்
மெய் மெய் மெய் மெய்
மெய் மெய் மெய் மெய்
மெய்
Hey, Kabaddi, Kabaddi!
Kabaddi, Kabaddi!
Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi!
Under the shade of the tree where we played Kabaddi,
The lawn covered like a lush green blanket,
Dewdrops that burst as soon as you touch them,
Piping hot idlis served fresh,
The clattering train tracks that shake with speed,
The fast-flowing river Kaveri rushing past,
Betel leaves folded up briskly,
Crisp, curled-up twirled moustaches,
All these truths reside deep inside my mind!
Truth, truth, truth...
{ சூரியனோ சந்திரனோ
யார் இவனோ சட்டுன்னு
சொல்லு சேர பாண்டிய
சூரனும் இவனோ சொல்லு
சொல்லு சட்டுன்னு
சொல்லு } (2)
{Is he the sun or the moon?
Tell me quickly, who is he?
Is he a brave warrior of Chera or Pandya origin?
Tell me, tell me quickly!} (Repeated)
......................
ஏ பல்லே லக்கா
பல்லே லக்கா சேலத்துக்கா
மதுரைக்கா மெட்ராசுக்கா
திருச்சிக்கா திருத்தணிக்கா
ஏ பல்லே லக்கா பல்லே
லக்கா ஒட்டு மொத்த
மக்களுக்கா அண்ணன்
வந்தா தமிழ்நாடும்
அமெரிக்கா
Hey le le lalala
Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka!
For Salem, for Madurai,
For Madras, for Trichy, for Tiruttani,
For Tiruttani...
Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka!
For all the people completely,
If elder brother arrives, Tamil Nadu will become America!
சட்டென சொல்லு
சட்டென சொல்லு
Tell me quickly, tell me quickly!
ஏலே ஏலே கிராமத்து
குடிசையிலே கொஞ்ச காலம்
தங்கி பாருலே கூரையின்
ஓட்டை விரிசல் வழி
நட்சத்திரம் எண்ணி பாருலே
Hey friend, stay in a village hut for a little while and see,
Stay a while and experience it,
Through the cracks and holes in the thatched roof,
Try counting the stars at night!
ஏலே ஏலே ஏலே
Yelae yelae yelae!
கூவும் செல்ஃபோனின்
நச்சரிப்பை அணைத்து
கொஞ்சும் சில்வண்டின்
உச்சரிப்பை கேட்போம்
வெறும் காலில் செருப்பின்றி
நடந்து மண்ணோடு பேசிக்
கொண்டு போவோம்
மழலைகள் ஆவோம்
Switch off the nagging ring of the ringing cell phone,
Turn off its persistence,
And let us listen for a while to the hum of the crickets,
Walking barefoot without shoes,
Let us walk along talking with the soil,
And become innocent children again!
ஆல மரத்துக்கு
ஜடைகள் பிண்ணித்தான்
பூக்கள் வைக்கலாமே
ஊரோரம்
அய்யனாரிடம் கத்தி
வாங்கித்தான் பென்சில்
சீவலாமே
For the banyan tree's hanging aerial roots,
We can braid them as hair,
And adorn them with flowers!
From the deity Ayyanaar at the edge of the village,
Can we borrow his sword to sharpen our pencil?
ஏ பல்லே லக்கா
பல்லே லக்கா சேலத்துக்கா
மதுரைக்கா மெட்ராசுக்கா
திருச்சிக்கா திருத்தணிக்கா
ஏ பல்லே லக்கா பல்லே
லக்கா ஒட்டு மொத்த
மக்களுக்கா அண்ணன்
வந்தா தமிழ்நாடும்
அமெரிக்கா
Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka!
For Salem, for Madurai,
For Madras, for Trichy, for Tiruttani,
Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka!
For all the people completely,
If elder brother arrives, Tamil Nadu will become America!
.....................
...................................
சட்டென சொல்லு
சட்டென சொல்லு
Tell me quickly, tell me quickly!
ஏலே ஏலே
அஞ்சறை பெட்டியிலே
ஆத்தோவோட ருசியிருக்கும்
குழு :
ஏலே ஏலே ஏலே
Hey friend, in the traditional five-spice box,
The delicious taste of a mother's touch resides,
அம்மியில் அரைச்சு
ஆக்கிவச்ச நாட்டுக்கோழி
பட்டை கிளப்பும்
குழு :
ஏலே ஏலே ஏலே
Yelae yelae yelae!
ஏலே ஆடு மாடு
மேல உள்ள பாசம் வீட்டு
ரேஷன் கார்டில் சேர்க்க
சொல்லி கேட்கும் வெறும்
தண்ணி கேட்டா மோரு
தரும் நேசம் வெள்ளந்தி
மனிதர்கள் வாசம் மண்ணு
எங்கும் வீசும்
Country chicken cooked by grinding spices on a stone,
Will create an absolute sensation!
பாம்பட கிழவியின்
பச்சிலை மருந்துக்கு
பேயும் ஓடிப்போகும்
பங்காளி பக்கத்து
வீட்டுக்கும் சோ்த்து
சமைக்கிற அன்பு
இங்கு வாழும்
Yelae yelae yelae!
ஏ பல்லே லக்கா
பல்லே லக்கா சேலத்துக்கா
மதுரைக்கா மெட்ராசுக்கா
திருச்சிக்கா திருத்தணிக்கா
ஏ பல்லே லக்கா பல்லே
லக்கா ஒட்டு மொத்த
மக்களுக்கா அண்ணன்
வந்தா தமிழ்நாடும்
அமெரிக்கா
The affection held towards goats and cattle,
Will make people ask to add them to the household ration card!
When asked for plain water, the love that offers buttermilk instead,
The warmth of innocent human hearts,
Spreads everywhere across this land!
காவிரி ஆறும்
கை குத்தல் அரிசியும்
மறந்து போகுமா
குழு :
மறந்து போகுமா
ஓ தாவணிப்
பெண்களும்
தூதுவிடும் கண்களும்
தொலைந்து போகுமா
குழு :
...........................
For the herbal remedy of an old woman wearing wide earrings,
Even evil ghosts will run away!
Even a demon would flee!
Even for the kinfolk living next door,
Cooking food together for them too,
Such selfless love thrives here!
நம்ம களத்து மேடு
குழு :
ஆ ஆ ஹா ஹா
கம்மா கரை
கரிசக் காடு
குழு :
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ
செம்மண் அள்ளித்
தெளிக்கும் ரோடு
குழு :
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்
Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka!
For Salem, for Madurai,
For Madras, for Trichy, for Tiruttani,
Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka!
For all the people completely,
If elder brother arrives, Tamil Nadu will become America!
ஏ ஏ சடுகுடு
சடுகுடு சடுகுடு சடுகுடு
சடுகுடு சடுகுடு சடுகுடு
சடுகுடு சடுகுடு சடுகுடு
ஆடிய மரத்தடிபடு படு
படுவென போர்த்திய
புல்வெளி தொட தொட
தொட தொட உடைகிற
பனித்துளி சுட சுட சுட
சுட கிடைக்கிற இட்லி
தட தட தட தடவென
அதிர்கிற ரயிலடி கட
கட கடவென கடக்கிற
காவிரி விறு விறு
விறுவென மடிக்கிற
வெற்றிலை முறு முறு
முறுவென முறுக்கிய
மீசைகள் மனதில்
இருக்குது மெய் மெய்
மெய் மெய் மெய் மெய்
மெய் மெய் மெய் மெய்
மெய்
Can the Kaveri river and hand-pounded rice ever be forgotten?
Will they ever be forgotten?
Will they ever be forgotten?
Oh, the girls wearing half-sarees,
ஏ பல்லே லக்கா
பல்லே லக்கா சேலத்துக்கா
மதுரைக்கா மெட்ராசுக்கா
திருச்சிக்கா திருத்தணிக்கா
ஏ பல்லே லக்கா பல்லே
லக்கா ஒட்டு மொத்த
மக்களுக்கா அண்ணன்
வந்தா தமிழ்நாடும்
அமெரிக்கா
கூல்
Our threshing floor mound,
(Choral vocalizations)
The bank of the lake and the black-soil fields,
(Choral vocalizations)
The red-soil roads sprinkled with dust,
(Choral humming)
Hey, Kabaddi, Kabaddi!
Kabaddi, Kabaddi!
Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi!
Under the shade of the tree where we played Kabaddi,
The lawn covered like a lush green blanket,
Dewdrops that burst as soon as you touch them,
Piping hot idlis served fresh,
The clattering train tracks that shake with speed,
The fast-flowing river Kaveri rushing past,
Betel leaves folded up briskly,
Crisp, curled-up twirled moustaches,
All these truths reside deep inside my mind!
Truth, truth, truth...
Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka!
For Salem, for Madurai,
For Madras, for Trichy, for Tiruttani,
For Tiruttani...
Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka!
For all the people completely,
If elder brother arrives, Tamil Nadu will become America!
Cool...
Sooriyano chandirano
Is he the sun or the moon?
Yaarivano sattunnu sollu
Tell me quickly, who is he?
Chera paandiya sooranum ivano
Is he a brave warrior of Chera or Pandya origin?
Sollu sollu sattunnu sollu
Tell me, tell me quickly!
Sooriyano chandirano
Is he the sun or the moon?
Yaarivano sattunnu sollu
Tell me quickly, who is he?
Chera paandiya sooranum ivano
Is he a brave warrior of Chera or Pandya origin?
Sollu sollu sattunnu sollu
Tell me, tell me quickly!
Paaradi paaradi yaaradi ivano
Look, girl, look! Who is he?
Paaigira siruthayin kaaladi ivano
Is he the pouncing step of a leopard?
Kooradi kooradi yaaradi ivano
Tell us, tell us, who is he?
Kettathai pattena suttidum sivano
Is he Lord Shiva who instantly destroys evil?
Ye balleilakka balleilakka
Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka!
Selathukka maduraikka
Is it for Salem, for Madurai?
Madrasukka thiruchikka thiruthanikka
For Madras, for Trichy, for Tiruttani?
Ae balleilakka balleilakka
Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka!
Ottu motha makkalukka
For all the people completely!
Annan vantha tamil nadum america
If elder brother arrives, Tamil Nadu will become America!
Kaaveri aarum kai kuthal arisiyum
Can the Kaveri river and hand-pounded rice ever be forgotten?
Maranthu poguma
Will they ever be forgotten?
Oh thavani pengalum thoothu vidum kangalum
Oh, can the girls in half-sarees and their expressive eyes sending messages...
Tholainthu poguma
Ever get lost?
Chorus :Hahahahahahaha….
(Choral laughter)
Namma kalathu medu
Our threshing floor mound,
Chorus :Ah ah ha ha
(Choral vocalizations)
Male :Kamma karai karisa kaadu
The bank of the lake and the black-soil fields,
Chorus :Oh oh oh oh
(Choral vocalizations)
Male :Semmann alli thelikkum roadu
The red-soil roads sprinkled with dust,
Chorus :Hmm…mm….mmm…..
(Choral humming)
Ye ye sadugudu sadugudu
Hey, Kabaddi, Kabaddi!
Sadugudu sadugudu
Kabaddi, Kabaddi!
Sadugudu sadugudu sadugudu sadugudu
Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi!
Sadugudu sadugudu aadiya marathadi
Under the shade of the tree where we played Kabaddi,
Padu padu paduvena porthiya pulveli
The lawn covered like a lush green blanket,
Thoda thoda thoda thoda udaikira pani thuli
Dewdrops that burst as soon as you touch them,
Suda suda suda suda kidaikkira idli
Piping hot idlis served fresh,
Thada thada thada thadavena athirgira rayiladi
The clattering train tracks that shake with speed,
Kada kada kadavena kadakkira kaaviri
The fast-flowing river Kaveri rushing past,
Viru viru viruvena madikkira vetrilai
Betel leaves folded up briskly,
Muru muru murnuvena murukkiya meesaigal
Crisp, curled-up twirled moustaches,
Manathil irukkuthu mei mei mei mei mei mei mei
All these truths reside deep inside my mind!
Mei mei mei mei……………………….
Truth, truth, truth...
{Sooriyano chandirano
{Is he the sun or the moon?
Yaarivano sattunnu sollu
Tell me quickly, who is he?
Chera paandiya sooranum ivano
Is he a brave warrior of Chera or Pandya origin?
Sollu sollu sattunnu sollu} (2)
Tell me, tell me quickly!} (Repeated)
Hey le le lalala
Hey le le lalala
Ye balleilakka balleilakka
Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka!
Selathukka maduraikka
For Salem, for Madurai,
Madrasukka thiruchikka thiruthanikka
For Madras, for Trichy, for Tiruttani,
Thiruthanikkaa………
For Tiruttani...
Ae balleilakka balleilakka
Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka!
Ottu motha makkalukka
For all the people completely,
Annan vantha tamil nadum america
If elder brother arrives, Tamil Nadu will become America!
Sattena sollu satenna sollu
Tell me quickly, tell me quickly!
Elae elae gramathu kudisayila
Hey friend, stay in a village hut for a little while and see,
Konja kaalam thangi paarulae
Stay a while and experience it,
Koorayin ottai virisal vali
Through the cracks and holes in the thatched roof,
Natchathiram enni paarulae
Try counting the stars at night!
Yelae yelae yelae
Yelae yelae yelae!
Koovum cell phonenin
Switch off the nagging ring of the ringing cell phone,
Nacharippai anaithu
Turn off its persistence,
Konjam sil vandin ucharippai ketpom
And let us listen for a while to the hum of the crickets,
Verum kaalil seruppindri nadanthu
Walking barefoot without shoes,
Mannodu pesikkondu povom
Let us walk along talking with the soil,
Mazhalaigal aavom
And become innocent children again!
Aala marathukku
For the banyan tree's hanging aerial roots,
Jadaikal pinni thaan
We can braid them as hair,
Pookkal vaikkalaamae
And adorn them with flowers!
Male :Oororam ayyanaaridam
From the deity Ayyanaar at the edge of the village,
Kathi vaangithan pencil seevalaamae
Can we borrow his sword to sharpen our pencil?
Ye balleilakka balleilakka
Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka!
Selathukka maduraikka
For Salem, for Madurai,
Madrasukka thiruchikka thiruthanikka
For Madras, for Trichy, for Tiruttani,
Ae balleilakka balleilakka
Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka!
Ottu motha makkalukka
For all the people completely,
Annan vantha tamil nadum america
If elder brother arrives, Tamil Nadu will become America!
………………………………………
...................................
Sattena sollu satenna sollu
Tell me quickly, tell me quickly!
Elae elae anjara pettiyila
Hey friend, in the traditional five-spice box,
Aathavoda rusiyirukkum
The delicious taste of a mother's touch resides,
Yelae yelae yelae
Yelae yelae yelae!
Ammiyil arachu aakkivacha
Country chicken cooked by grinding spices on a stone,
Naattu kozhi patta kelappum
Will create an absolute sensation!
Yelae yelae yelae
Yelae yelae yelae!
Elae aadu maadu mela ulla paasam
The affection held towards goats and cattle,
Veetu ration card-il serkka solli ketkum
Will make people ask to add them to the household ration card!
Verum thanni ketta mooru tharum nesam
When asked for plain water, the love that offers buttermilk instead,
Vellanthi manithargal vaasam
The warmth of innocent human hearts,
Mannu engum veesum
Spreads everywhere across this land!
Paampada kilaviyin
For the herbal remedy of an old woman wearing wide earrings,
Pachilai marunthukku
Even evil ghosts will run away!
Peyum odi pogum
Even a demon would flee!
Male :Pangaali pakkathu veettukkum
Even for the kinfolk living next door,
Serthu samaikkira
Cooking food together for them too,
Anbu ingu vaalum
Such selfless love thrives here!
Ye balleilakka balleilakka
Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka!
Selathukka maduraikka
For Salem, for Madurai,
Madrasukka thiruchikka thiruthanikka
For Madras, for Trichy, for Tiruttani,
Ae balleilakka balleilakka
Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka!
Ottu motha makkalukka
For all the people completely,
Annan vantha tamil nadum america
If elder brother arrives, Tamil Nadu will become America!
Kaaveri aarum kai kuthal arisiyum
Can the Kaveri river and hand-pounded rice ever be forgotten?
Maranthu poguma
Will they ever be forgotten?
Chorus :Maranthu poguma
Will they ever be forgotten?
Male :Oh thavani pengalum
Oh, the girls wearing half-sarees,
Namma kalathu medu
Our threshing floor mound,
Chorus :Ah ah ha ha
(Choral vocalizations)
Male :Kamma karai karisa kaadu
The bank of the lake and the black-soil fields,
Chorus :Oh oh oh oh
(Choral vocalizations)
Female :Semmann alli thelikkum roadu
The red-soil roads sprinkled with dust,
Chorus :Hmm…mm….mmm…..
(Choral humming)
Ye ye sadugudu sadugudu
Hey, Kabaddi, Kabaddi!
Sadugudu sadugudu
Kabaddi, Kabaddi!
Sadugudu sadugudu sadugudu sadugudu
Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi!
Sadugudu sadugudu aadiya marathadi
Under the shade of the tree where we played Kabaddi,
Padu padu paduvena porthiya pulveli
The lawn covered like a lush green blanket,
Thoda thoda thoda thoda udaikira pani thuli
Dewdrops that burst as soon as you touch them,
Suda suda suda suda kidaikkira idli
Piping hot idlis served fresh,
Thada thada thada thadavena athirgira rayiladi
The clattering train tracks that shake with speed,
Kada kada kadavena kadakkira kaaviri
The fast-flowing river Kaveri rushing past,
Viru viru viruvena madikkira vetrilai
Betel leaves folded up briskly,
Muru muru murnuvena murukkiya meesaigal
Crisp, curled-up twirled moustaches,
Manathil irukkuthu mei mei mei mei mei mei mei
All these truths reside deep inside my mind!
Mei mei mei mei……………………….
Truth, truth, truth...
Ye balleilakka balleilakka
Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka!
Selathukka maduraikka
For Salem, for Madurai,
Madrasukka thiruchikka thiruthanikka
For Madras, for Trichy, for Tiruttani,
Thiruthanikkaa………
For Tiruttani...
Ae balleilakka balleilakka
Hey Balleilakka, Balleilakka!
Ottu motha makkalukka
For all the people completely,
Annan vantha tamil nadum america
If elder brother arrives, Tamil Nadu will become America!
Male :Cool…….
Cool...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Balleilakka is a high-energy anthem celebrating the heroic return of the protagonist (Sivaji) to his native land while painting a grand, romanticized, and nostalgic picture of rural Tamil Nadu. Lyricist Na. Muthu Kumar weaves together images of natural beauty, traditional village life, culinary culture, rustic warmth, and deep community bonds, contrasting them with modern electronic distractions. The song conveys a strong sense of cultural pride, suggesting that no matter how far one travels or how developed Tamil Nadu becomes, its rich roots and human warmth remain irreplaceable.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhetorical Question (Uvama / Vinavu)
“Sooriyano chandirano / Yaarivano sattunnu sollu”
The lyrics begin with rhetorical questions asking whether the hero is the sun, moon, or ancient Tamil kings, heightening his mythical hero stature.
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Paaigira siruthayin kaaladi ivano”
Comparing the movement/stance of the protagonist to a pouncing leopard.
Onomatopoeia (Irattai Kilavi / Anukaranai)
“Suda suda suda suda kidaikkira idli”
Use of rhythmic sensory sound words like 'padu padu', 'suda suda', 'thada thada', and 'kada kada' to evoke rural textures and motions.
Hyperbole (Adukkuthodar & Uyarkavu)
“Annan vantha tamil nadum america”
Whimsical exaggeration comparing Tamil Nadu's potential under the protagonist to America, and borrowing a village deity's sword to sharpen a pencil.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by A. R. Rahman with iconic vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Reena Bhardwaj, and D. A. V. Prashanth, 'Balleilakka' served as the opening song for Rajinikanth's blockbuster film 'Sivaji: The Boss' (2007). The grand visual sequence was filmed with hundreds of folk dancers set against lavishly constructed village backdrops.
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