Chalakku Chalakku
From Chembaruthi · 1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Chalakku chalakku chela | The rustling saree |
| Atha kattikitaalae | She draped it around herself |
| Oru kalakku kalakkum aala | A stunningly charming person |
| Vanthu ottikitaalae | Came and stuck close to her |
| Sandhana petti sakara katti | A box of sandalwood, a block of sugar |
| Vaangikka neeyum vattiku vatti | Take it yourself, with interest upon interest |
| Female | |
| Ada chalakku chalakku chela | Hey, the rustling saree |
| Atha kattikitaalae | She draped it around herself |
| Oru kalakku kalakkum aala | A stunningly charming person |
| Vanthu ottikitaalae | Came and stuck close to her |
| Sandhana petti sakara katti | A box of sandalwood, a block of sugar |
| Vaangikka neeyum vattiku vatti | Take it yourself, with interest upon interest |
| Male | |
| Ada chalakku chalakku chela | Hey, the rustling saree |
| Atha kattikitaalae | She draped it around herself |
| Female :Oru kalakku kalakkum aala | Female: A stunningly charming person |
| Vanthu ottikitaalae… | Came and stuck close to her... |
| Male | |
| Vaazndhalum un kooda | Even if I live, with you |
| Naan vaazhavenum | I must live |
| Illaama vaaznthenna laabam | What is the point of living without you? |
| Female :Un kaiyil poo maala | Female: A flower garland from your hands |
| Naan vaanga venum | I must receive |
| Vangaama theerathu thaabam | My longing will not end without receiving it |
| Male | |
| Kuthalam thevai illa | No need for Courtallam falls |
| Nee siricha saaral varum | If you smile, a drizzle falls |
| Female :Then kaasi thevai illa | Female: No need for Tenkasi |
| Nee irundha thooral varum | If you are here, a light shower comes |
| Male | |
| Vanna vanna chembaruthi | Colorful hibiscus |
| Enna cherum | Will join me |
| Female :Neeyum thoda sollamalae | Female: When you touch without even speaking |
| Thaenum oorum | Honey wells up |
| Male :Valai osai alai osai | Male: Sound of bangles, sound of waves |
| Adhil nitham nitham paatu chatham | In that, every single day there is the sound of music |
| Female | |
| Chalakku chalakku chela | The rustling saree |
| Atha kattikitaalae | She draped it around herself |
| Oru kalakku kalakkum aala | A stunningly charming person |
| Vanthu ottikitaalae | Came and stuck close to her |
| Male | |
| Hoi sandhana petti sakara katti | Hey, box of sandalwood, block of sugar |
| Vaangikka neeyum vattiku vatti | Take it yourself, with interest upon interest |
| Female | |
| Ada chalakku chalakku chela | Hey, the rustling saree |
| Atha kattikitaalae | She draped it around herself |
| Male :Oru kalakku kalakkum aala | Male: A stunningly charming person |
| Vanthu ottikitaalae | Came and stuck close to her |
| Female | |
| Poo maala podama | Without exchanging flower garlands |
| Paai poda venaam | No need to lay out a mat |
| Ennaala agaathu aamaaa | I cannot do it, yes |
| Male :Illaenu sollaama | Male: Without saying no |
| Neeyaaga vaama | Come on your own |
| Maateenu sollaama thaama | Give it without refusing |
| Female | |
| Pollatha ennamellam | All wicked thoughts |
| Nenjukulla pothi vaiyi | Keep them buried in your heart |
| Male :Ipothu vetkam enna | Male: Why be shy now? |
| Konja neram othi vaiyi | Set it aside for a little while |
| Female | |
| Konjam poru kaadhil vizhum | Wait a little, you will hear |
| Ketti melam | The festive wedding drums |
| Male :Melam vanthaal kettukalaam | Male: Once the drums arrive, we can hear |
| Kattil thaalam | The rhythm of the bed |
| Female | |
| Oru naalu thiru naalu | One fine day, a holy day |
| Apo nitham nitham paatu chatham | Then every single day there will be the sound of song |
| Male | |
| Chalakku chalakku chela | The rustling saree |
| Atha kattikitaalae | She draped it around herself |
| Oru kalakku kalakkum aala | A stunningly charming person |
| Vanthu ottikitaalae | Came and stuck close to her |
| Female | |
| Sandhana petti sakara katti | A box of sandalwood, a block of sugar |
| Vaangikka neeyum vattiku vatti | Take it yourself, with interest upon interest |
| Male | |
| Ada chalakku chalakku chela | Hey, the rustling saree |
| Atha kattikitaalae | She draped it around herself |
| Female :Oru kalakku kalakkum aala | Female: A stunningly charming person |
| Vanthu ottikitaalae | Came and stuck close to her |
சளக்கு சளக்கு சேல
அத கட்டிக்கிட்டாலே
ஒரு கலக்கு கலக்கும் ஆள
வந்து ஒட்டிக்கிட்டாலே
சந்தன பெட்டி ஒரு சக்கர கட்டி
வாங்கிக்க நீயும் வட்டிக்கு வட்டி
The rustling saree
She draped it around herself
A stunningly charming person
Came and stuck close to her
A box of sandalwood, a block of sugar
Take it yourself, with interest upon interest
சளக்கு சளக்கு சேல
அத கட்டிக்கிட்டாலே
ஒரு கலக்கு கலக்கும் ஆள
வந்து ஒட்டிக்கிட்டாலே
சந்தன பெட்டி சக்கர கட்டி
வாங்கிக்க நீயும் வட்டிக்கு வட்டி
Hey, the rustling saree
She draped it around herself
A stunningly charming person
Came and stuck close to her
A box of sandalwood, a block of sugar
Take it yourself, with interest upon interest
அட சளக்கு சளக்கு சேல
அத கட்டிக்கிட்டாலே
ஒரு கலக்கு கலக்கும் ஆள
வந்து ஒட்டிக்கிட்டாலே
Hey, the rustling saree
She draped it around herself
Female: A stunningly charming person
Came and stuck close to her...
வாழ்ந்தாலும் உன் கூட
நான் வாழ வேனும்
இல்லாம வாழ்ந்தென்ன லாபம்
உன் கையில் பூ மாலை
நான் வாங்க வேணும்
வாங்காம தீராது தாகம்
Even if I live, with you
I must live
What is the point of living without you?
Female: A flower garland from your hands
I must receive
My longing will not end without receiving it
குத்தாலம் தேவை இல்ல
நீ சிரிச்ச சாரல் வரும்
தென்காசி தேவை இல்ல
நீ இருந்த தூரல் வரும்
No need for Courtallam falls
If you smile, a drizzle falls
Female: No need for Tenkasi
If you are here, a light shower comes
வண்ண வண்ண
செம்பருத்தி
என்ன சேரும்
நீயும் தொட சொல்லாமலே
தேனும் ஊரும்
வலை ஓசை அலை ஓசை
அதில் நித்தம் நித்தம்
பாட்டு சத்தம்
Colorful hibiscus
Will join me
Female: When you touch without even speaking
Honey wells up
Male: Sound of bangles, sound of waves
In that, every single day there is the sound of music
சளக்கு சளக்கு சேல
அத கட்டிக்கிட்டாலே
ஒரு கலக்கு கலக்கும் ஆள
வந்து ஒட்டிக்கிட்டாலே
The rustling saree
She draped it around herself
A stunningly charming person
Came and stuck close to her
ஓய் சந்தன பெட்டி
சக்கர கட்டி
வாங்கிக்க நீயும் வட்டிக்கு வட்டி
Hey, box of sandalwood, block of sugar
Take it yourself, with interest upon interest
அட சளக்கு சளக்கு சேல
அத கட்டிக்கிட்டாலே
ஒரு கலக்கு கலக்கும் ஆள
வந்து ஒட்டிக்கிட்டாலே
Hey, the rustling saree
She draped it around herself
Male: A stunningly charming person
Came and stuck close to her
பூ மாலை போடாம
பாய் போட வேணாம்
என்னால ஆகாது ஆமா
இல்லேனு சொல்லாம
நீயாக வாம
மாட்டேனு சொல்லாம தாம
Without exchanging flower garlands
No need to lay out a mat
I cannot do it, yes
Male: Without saying no
Come on your own
Give it without refusing
பொல்லாத எண்ணமெல்லாம்
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ள பொத்தி வெய்
இப்போது வெட்கம் என்ன
கொஞ்ச நேரம் ஓதி வைய்
All wicked thoughts
Keep them buried in your heart
Male: Why be shy now?
Set it aside for a little while
கொஞ்சம் பொறு
காதில் விழும்
கெட்டி மேளம்
மேளம் வந்தால்
கேட்டுக்கலாம் கட்டில் தாளம்
Wait a little, you will hear
The festive wedding drums
Male: Once the drums arrive, we can hear
The rhythm of the bed
ஒரு நாலு திரு நாலு
அப்போ நித்தம் நித்தம்
பாட்டு சத்தம்
One fine day, a holy day
Then every single day there will be the sound of song
சளக்கு சளக்கு சேல
அத கட்டிக்கிட்டாலே
ஒரு கலக்கு கலக்கும் ஆள
வந்து ஒட்டிக்கிட்டாலே
The rustling saree
She draped it around herself
A stunningly charming person
Came and stuck close to her
சந்தன பெட்டி சக்கர கட்டி
வாங்கிக்க நீயும் வட்டிக்கு வட்டி
A box of sandalwood, a block of sugar
Take it yourself, with interest upon interest
அட சளக்கு சளக்கு சேல
அத கட்டிக்கிட்டாலே
ஒரு கலக்கு கலக்கும் ஆள
வந்து ஒட்டிக்கிட்டாலே
Hey, the rustling saree
She draped it around herself
Female: A stunningly charming person
Came and stuck close to her
Chalakku chalakku chela
The rustling saree
Atha kattikitaalae
She draped it around herself
Oru kalakku kalakkum aala
A stunningly charming person
Vanthu ottikitaalae
Came and stuck close to her
Sandhana petti sakara katti
A box of sandalwood, a block of sugar
Vaangikka neeyum vattiku vatti
Take it yourself, with interest upon interest
Ada chalakku chalakku chela
Hey, the rustling saree
Atha kattikitaalae
She draped it around herself
Oru kalakku kalakkum aala
A stunningly charming person
Vanthu ottikitaalae
Came and stuck close to her
Sandhana petti sakara katti
A box of sandalwood, a block of sugar
Vaangikka neeyum vattiku vatti
Take it yourself, with interest upon interest
Ada chalakku chalakku chela
Hey, the rustling saree
Atha kattikitaalae
She draped it around herself
Female :Oru kalakku kalakkum aala
Female: A stunningly charming person
Vanthu ottikitaalae…
Came and stuck close to her...
Vaazndhalum un kooda
Even if I live, with you
Naan vaazhavenum
I must live
Illaama vaaznthenna laabam
What is the point of living without you?
Female :Un kaiyil poo maala
Female: A flower garland from your hands
Naan vaanga venum
I must receive
Vangaama theerathu thaabam
My longing will not end without receiving it
Kuthalam thevai illa
No need for Courtallam falls
Nee siricha saaral varum
If you smile, a drizzle falls
Female :Then kaasi thevai illa
Female: No need for Tenkasi
Nee irundha thooral varum
If you are here, a light shower comes
Vanna vanna chembaruthi
Colorful hibiscus
Enna cherum
Will join me
Female :Neeyum thoda sollamalae
Female: When you touch without even speaking
Thaenum oorum
Honey wells up
Male :Valai osai alai osai
Male: Sound of bangles, sound of waves
Adhil nitham nitham paatu chatham
In that, every single day there is the sound of music
Chalakku chalakku chela
The rustling saree
Atha kattikitaalae
She draped it around herself
Oru kalakku kalakkum aala
A stunningly charming person
Vanthu ottikitaalae
Came and stuck close to her
Hoi sandhana petti sakara katti
Hey, box of sandalwood, block of sugar
Vaangikka neeyum vattiku vatti
Take it yourself, with interest upon interest
Ada chalakku chalakku chela
Hey, the rustling saree
Atha kattikitaalae
She draped it around herself
Male :Oru kalakku kalakkum aala
Male: A stunningly charming person
Vanthu ottikitaalae
Came and stuck close to her
Poo maala podama
Without exchanging flower garlands
Paai poda venaam
No need to lay out a mat
Ennaala agaathu aamaaa
I cannot do it, yes
Male :Illaenu sollaama
Male: Without saying no
Neeyaaga vaama
Come on your own
Maateenu sollaama thaama
Give it without refusing
Pollatha ennamellam
All wicked thoughts
Nenjukulla pothi vaiyi
Keep them buried in your heart
Male :Ipothu vetkam enna
Male: Why be shy now?
Konja neram othi vaiyi
Set it aside for a little while
Konjam poru kaadhil vizhum
Wait a little, you will hear
Ketti melam
The festive wedding drums
Male :Melam vanthaal kettukalaam
Male: Once the drums arrive, we can hear
Kattil thaalam
The rhythm of the bed
Oru naalu thiru naalu
One fine day, a holy day
Apo nitham nitham paatu chatham
Then every single day there will be the sound of song
Chalakku chalakku chela
The rustling saree
Atha kattikitaalae
She draped it around herself
Oru kalakku kalakkum aala
A stunningly charming person
Vanthu ottikitaalae
Came and stuck close to her
Sandhana petti sakara katti
A box of sandalwood, a block of sugar
Vaangikka neeyum vattiku vatti
Take it yourself, with interest upon interest
Ada chalakku chalakku chela
Hey, the rustling saree
Atha kattikitaalae
She draped it around herself
Female :Oru kalakku kalakkum aala
Female: A stunningly charming person
Vanthu ottikitaalae
Came and stuck close to her
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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
More from Chembaruthi
Chembaruthi
Chembaruthi
Chembaruthi
Chembaruthi
Chembaruthi
Chembaruthi