- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Chembaruthi
- Movie release year
- 1992
- Lyrics added on
- 18 Jul 2018
Lyrics & meaning
♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Chalakku chalakku chela
Atha kattikitaalae
Oru kalakku kalakkum aala
Vanthu ottikitaalae
Sandhana petti sakara katti
Vaangikka neeyum vattiku vatti
Ada chalakku chalakku chela
Atha kattikitaalae
Oru kalakku kalakkum aala
Vanthu ottikitaalae
Sandhana petti sakara katti
Vaangikka neeyum vattiku vatti
Ada chalakku chalakku chela
Atha kattikitaalae
Female :Oru kalakku kalakkum aala
Vanthu ottikitaalae…
Vaazndhalum un kooda
Naan vaazhavenum
Illaama vaaznthenna laabam
Female :Un kaiyil poo maala
Naan vaanga venum
Vangaama theerathu thaabam
Kuthalam thevai illa
Nee siricha saaral varum
Female :Then kaasi thevai illa
Nee irundha thooral varum
Vanna vanna chembaruthi
Enna cherum
Female :Neeyum thoda sollamalae
Thaenum oorum
Male :Valai osai alai osai
Adhil nitham nitham paatu chatham
Chalakku chalakku chela
Atha kattikitaalae
Oru kalakku kalakkum aala
Vanthu ottikitaalae
Hoi sandhana petti sakara katti
Vaangikka neeyum vattiku vatti
Ada chalakku chalakku chela
Atha kattikitaalae
Male :Oru kalakku kalakkum aala
Vanthu ottikitaalae
Poo maala podama
Paai poda venaam
Ennaala agaathu aamaaa
Male :Illaenu sollaama
Neeyaaga vaama
Maateenu sollaama thaama
Pollatha ennamellam
Nenjukulla pothi vaiyi
Male :Ipothu vetkam enna
Konja neram othi vaiyi
Konjam poru kaadhil vizhum
Ketti melam
Male :Melam vanthaal kettukalaam
Kattil thaalam
Oru naalu thiru naalu
Apo nitham nitham paatu chatham
Chalakku chalakku chela
Atha kattikitaalae
Oru kalakku kalakkum aala
Vanthu ottikitaalae
Sandhana petti sakara katti
Vaangikka neeyum vattiku vatti
Ada chalakku chalakku chela
Atha kattikitaalae
Female :Oru kalakku kalakkum aala
Vanthu ottikitaalae
A swishing, rustling sari,
she draped it around herself!
To the man who makes heads turn,
she came and clung close!
A sandalwood box, a piece of sugar candy,
take your share with interest on interest!
Oh, a swishing, rustling sari,
she draped it around herself!
To the man who makes heads turn,
she came and clung close!
A sandalwood box, a piece of sugar candy,
take your share with interest on interest!
Oh, a swishing, rustling sari,
she draped it around herself!
Female: To the man who makes heads turn,
she came and clung close...
If I live, it must be with you,
I want to live my life!
What is the point of living without you?
Female: A flower garland from your hands,
I must receive!
Without it, my longing will never fade.
There is no need for Courtallam waterfalls,
when you smile, a cool drizzle falls.
Female: There is no need for Tenkasi breezes,
when you are here, gentle showers fall.
The colourful hibiscus,
will unite with me!
Female: When you touch me, without even a word,
sweet honey begins to flow!
Male: The sound of bangles and the sound of waves,
will bring songs of joy every single day!
A swishing, rustling sari,
she draped it around herself!
To the man who makes heads turn,
she came and clung close!
Hey, a sandalwood box, a piece of sugar candy,
take your share with interest on interest!
Oh, a swishing, rustling sari,
she draped it around herself!
Male: To the man who makes heads turn,
she came and clung close!
Without exchanging wedding garlands,
do not spread out the mat!
I will not allow it, no!
Male: Without saying no,
come to me on your own!
Without refusing, give it to me!
All those naughty desires,
keep them hidden inside your heart!
Male: Why be shy right now?
Set it aside for just a little while!
Wait a little, our ears will soon hear
the wedding drums!
Male: Once the wedding drums beat, we can listen to
the rhythm of our bed!
That one day will be a festive day,
and from then on, songs will echo every single day!
A swishing, rustling sari,
she draped it around herself!
To the man who makes heads turn,
she came and clung close!
A sandalwood box, a piece of sugar candy,
take your share with interest on interest!
Oh, a swishing, rustling sari,
she draped it around herself!
Female: To the man who makes heads turn,
she came and clung close!
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Chalakku Chalakku Chela from the 1992 Tamil film Chembaruthi is a playful romantic duet expressing the deep affection and flirtatious dynamic between lovers. The song highlights their yearning for marriage, playful teasing, and the joy of marital intimacy, using colorful nature imagery like rain showers, hibiscus blossoms, and sweet honey.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Onomatopoeia (Oliyaakkam)
“Chalakku chalakku chela”
The phrase mimics the rhythmic rustling sound made by a crisp saree.
Metaphor (Uruvagandhal)
“Sandhana petti sakara katti”
Comparing the beloved to a box of fragrant sandalwood and a sweet sugar block.
Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kuthalam thevai illa / Then kaasi thevai illa”
The second letters 'tha' in Kuthalam and 'n'/'tha' sounds rhyme rhythmically across coupled lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
Chembaruthi (1992) was directed by R. K. Selvamani and featured Prashanth alongside debutante Roja. The song's soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by the legendary Vaali.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
Malaiyoram Maanguruvi1993
Enga ThambiCourtshipDesire
Thanniyillenna Thangadhu Meenu1982
Pakkathu Veettu RojaCourtshipDesire
Manasa Killi1999
Manam Virumbuthe UnnaiCourtshipDesire
Machaan Machaan2008
Silambattam (Film 2008)Romantic UnionAttraction
Oruvan Oruthi Thunai1973
Veettukku Vandha MarumagalRomantic UnionBeauty
Poothathu Poonthoppu1992
Thanga ManasukkaranDesirePlayful Romance
From the same album
More songs from Chembaruthi
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.