Chicken Kari
From Selva · 1996
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Vijay, Sirpy, Swarnalatha
- Music director
- Sirpy
- Details
- Selva1996
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Hae chicken kari chicken kari chicken kari | Hey chicken curry, chicken curry, chicken curry |
| Idhu koththagiri kozhi kari chicken kari | This is Kotagiri chicken curry, chicken curry |
| Male | |
| Hoi chicken kari chicken kari chicken kari | Hoi chicken curry, chicken curry, chicken curry |
| Idhu koththagiri kozhi kari chicken kari | This is Kotagiri chicken curry, chicken curry |
| Male | |
| Muttan kari mauttan kari mattan kari | Mutton curry, mutton curry, mutton curry |
| Idhu ooty mala aattu kari mattan kari | This is Ooty mountain goat curry, mutton curry |
| Female | |
| Ingu ellaa pakkamum Ac | Here, everywhere feels like air conditioning |
| Kulir vanthidum kaikalai veesi | The chilly breeze arrives waving its hands |
| Malar onnaa konjuthu pesi | Flowers whisper affectionately together |
| Alli karpoora vaasaththa poosi | Smeared with the fragrance of camphor |
| Male | |
| Rendu kannaalathaan sinthaamani | With both eyes looking like Chinthamani |
| Sonna oru suraangani | Who sang the famous Surangani song |
| Male | |
| Chicken kari | Chicken curry |
| Chorus :Chicken kari chicken kari | Chorus: Chicken curry, chicken curry |
| Idhu koththagiri kozhi kari chicken kari | This is Kotagiri chicken curry, chicken curry |
| Male | |
| Haei sikkunnu pudichchaa | Hey, if embraced tightly |
| Kannu sokkanum nice ah | The eyes should get nicely mesmerized |
| Female | |
| Oru beauty ippidi | When a beauty like this |
| Otti vanthathum loottu pannuriyae | Comes sticking close, you start teasing and having fun! |
| Male | |
| Adadaa mottonnu vedichchi | Oh my, a flower bud has bloomed |
| Pakkam nikkuthu size ah | Standing close and looking great in size |
| Female | |
| Enna blouse potta | Wearing a blouse like that |
| Plums pola neeyum ennuriyae | You count me like sweet plums |
| Male | |
| Paaththu konjidaththaan | Just to look and express affection |
| Party vanthiduchchaa | Has the party arrived? |
| Female | |
| Party vanthavudan | As soon as the party arrived |
| Paattum vanthiduchchaa | Has the song arrived too? |
| Male | |
| Nee aanaiyittaa | If you command |
| Naan padippaen pailaathaan | I will sing in the Baila style |
| Female | |
| Hae chicken kari | Hey chicken curry |
| Hae hae chicken kari | Hey hey chicken curry |
| Chicken kari chicken kari | Chicken curry, chicken curry |
| Idhu koththagiri kozhi kari chicken kari | This is Kotagiri chicken curry, chicken curry |
| Chorus | |
| Chicken kari | Chicken curry |
| Chicken kari chicken kari | Chicken curry, chicken curry |
| Idhu koththagiri kozhi kari chicken kari | This is Kotagiri chicken curry, chicken curry |
| Chorus | |
| Adi ennadi laila | Hey Laila, what is this |
| Indru iththanai style – ah | So much style today? |
| Female | |
| Kadhal paattu vachchu | By playing a love song |
| En route-til vanthu nee vaettu vaikkiriyaa | Are you laying a trap on my path? |
| Chorus | |
| Yaaradi keppaa nee paadura pailaa | Who would listen to the Baila song you sing? |
| Female | |
| Ivan meesa vachchatha paaththu nenjila | Seeing him sport a mustache, inside my heart |
| Aasa vechchava naan | I am the one who desired him |
| Naaththu nattava naan | I am the one who planted the saplings |
| Neera vittava naan | I am the one who watered them |
| Paaththu kannmuzhichchu | Watching over him with wide eyes |
| Thookkam kettava naan | I am the one who lost her sleep |
| Chorus | |
| Nee neththu vanthu | Will she let you, who came just yesterday |
| Kathiraruththaa viduvaalaa | Harvest the crops today? |
| Male | |
| Hae chicken kari | Hey chicken curry |
| Hae hoi chicken kari chicken kari chicken kari | Hey hoi chicken curry, chicken curry, chicken curry |
| Idhu koththagiri kozhi kari chicken kari | This is Kotagiri chicken curry, chicken curry |
| Chorus | |
| Idhu cylon engira theevu | This island called Ceylon |
| Thantha silukku chiththira poovu | Has gifted a silk-like sculpted flower |
| Ingu ulaa vanthathu paaru | Look at her taking a stroll here |
| Nenja ulukki nikkira thaeru | A chariot standing here, shaking the heart |
| Male | |
| Ingu vanthaal oru oiyyaarithaan | She who came here is a graceful woman |
| Singala naattu singaarithaan | A beauty from the Sinhalese land |
| Female | |
| Chicken kari yae yae….. | Chicken curry, yeah yeah... |
ஹே சிக்கன் கறி சிக்கன் கறி சிக்கன் கறி
இது கோத்தகிரி கோழி கறி சிக்கன் கறி
Hey chicken curry, chicken curry, chicken curry
This is Kotagiri chicken curry, chicken curry
ஹோய் சிக்கன் கறி சிக்கன் கறி சிக்கன் கறி
இது கோத்தகிரி கோழி கறி சிக்கன் கறி
Hoi chicken curry, chicken curry, chicken curry
This is Kotagiri chicken curry, chicken curry
மட்டன் கறி மட்டன் கறி மட்டன் கறி
இது ஊட்டி மல ஆட்டு கறி மட்டன் கறி
Mutton curry, mutton curry, mutton curry
This is Ooty mountain goat curry, mutton curry
இங்கு எல்லா பக்கமும் ஏசி
குளிர் வந்திடும் கைகளை வீசி
மலர் ஒண்ணா கொஞ்சுது பேசி
அள்ளி கற்பூர வாசத்த பூசி
Here, everywhere feels like air conditioning
The chilly breeze arrives waving its hands
Flowers whisper affectionately together
Smeared with the fragrance of camphor
ரெண்டு கண்ணாலதான் சிந்தாமணி
சொன்னா ஒரு சுராங்கனி
With both eyes looking like Chinthamani
Who sang the famous Surangani song
சிக்கன் கறி
குழு :
சிக்கன் கறி சிக்கன் கறி
இது கோத்தகிரி கோழி கறி சிக்கன் கறி
Chicken curry
Chorus: Chicken curry, chicken curry
This is Kotagiri chicken curry, chicken curry
ஹேய் சிக்குன்னு புடிச்சா
கண்ணு சொக்கனும் நைசா
Hey, if embraced tightly
The eyes should get nicely mesmerized
ஒரு பியூட்டி இப்பிடி
ஒட்டி வந்ததும் லூட்டி பண்ணுறியே
When a beauty like this
Comes sticking close, you start teasing and having fun!
அடடடா மொட்டொன்னு வெடிச்சி
பக்கம் நிக்குது சைசா
Oh my, a flower bud has bloomed
Standing close and looking great in size
என்ன பிளௌஸ் போட்ட
ப்ளம்ஸ் போல நீயும் எண்ணுறியே
Wearing a blouse like that
You count me like sweet plums
பாத்து கொஞ்சிடதான்
பார்ட்டி வந்திடுச்சா
Just to look and express affection
Has the party arrived?
பார்ட்டி வந்தவுடன்
பாட்டும் வந்திடுச்சா
As soon as the party arrived
Has the song arrived too?
நீ ஆணையிட்டா
நான் படிப்பேன் பைலாதான்
If you command
I will sing in the Baila style
ஹே சிக்கன் கறி
ஹே ஹே சிக்கன் கறி
சிக்கன் கறி சிக்கன் கறி
இது கோத்தகிரி கோழி கறி சிக்கன் கறி
Hey chicken curry
Hey hey chicken curry
Chicken curry, chicken curry
This is Kotagiri chicken curry, chicken curry
சிக்கன் கறி சிக்கன் கறி சிக்கன் கறி
இது கோத்தகிரி கோழி கறி சிக்கன் கறி
Chicken curry
Chicken curry, chicken curry
This is Kotagiri chicken curry, chicken curry
அடி என்னடி லைலா
இன்று இத்தனை ஸ்டைலா
Hey Laila, what is this
So much style today?
காதல் பாட்டு வச்சு
என் ரூட்டில் வந்து நீ வேட்டு வைக்கிறியா
By playing a love song
Are you laying a trap on my path?
யாரடி கேப்பா நீ பாடுற பைலா
Who would listen to the Baila song you sing?
இவன் மீச வச்சத பாத்து நெஞ்சில
ஆச வெச்சவ நான்
நாத்து நட்டவ நான்
நீர விட்டவ நான்
பாத்து கண்முழிச்சு
தூக்கம் கெட்டவ நான்
Seeing him sport a mustache, inside my heart
I am the one who desired him
I am the one who planted the saplings
I am the one who watered them
Watching over him with wide eyes
I am the one who lost her sleep
நீ நேத்து வந்து
கதிரறுத்தா விடுவாளா
Will she let you, who came just yesterday
Harvest the crops today?
ஹே சிக்கன் கறி
ஹே ஹோய் சிக்கன் கறி சிக்கன் கறி சிக்கன் கறி
இது கோத்தகிரி கோழி கறி சிக்கன் கறி
Hey chicken curry
Hey hoi chicken curry, chicken curry, chicken curry
This is Kotagiri chicken curry, chicken curry
இது சிலோன் என்கிற தீவு
தந்த சிலுக்கு சித்திர பூவு
இங்கு உலா வந்தது பாரு
நெஞ்ச உலுக்கி நிக்கிற தேரு
This island called Ceylon
Has gifted a silk-like sculpted flower
Look at her taking a stroll here
A chariot standing here, shaking the heart
இங்கு வந்தாள் ஒரு ஒய்யாரி தான்
சிங்கள நாட்டு சிங்காரி தான்
She who came here is a graceful woman
A beauty from the Sinhalese land
சிக்கன் கறி ஏ ஏ.....
Chicken curry, yeah yeah...
Hae chicken kari chicken kari chicken kari
Hey chicken curry, chicken curry, chicken curry
Idhu koththagiri kozhi kari chicken kari
This is Kotagiri chicken curry, chicken curry
Hoi chicken kari chicken kari chicken kari
Hoi chicken curry, chicken curry, chicken curry
Idhu koththagiri kozhi kari chicken kari
This is Kotagiri chicken curry, chicken curry
Muttan kari mauttan kari mattan kari
Mutton curry, mutton curry, mutton curry
Idhu ooty mala aattu kari mattan kari
This is Ooty mountain goat curry, mutton curry
Ingu ellaa pakkamum Ac
Here, everywhere feels like air conditioning
Kulir vanthidum kaikalai veesi
The chilly breeze arrives waving its hands
Malar onnaa konjuthu pesi
Flowers whisper affectionately together
Alli karpoora vaasaththa poosi
Smeared with the fragrance of camphor
Rendu kannaalathaan sinthaamani
With both eyes looking like Chinthamani
Sonna oru suraangani
Who sang the famous Surangani song
Chicken kari
Chicken curry
Chorus :Chicken kari chicken kari
Chorus: Chicken curry, chicken curry
Idhu koththagiri kozhi kari chicken kari
This is Kotagiri chicken curry, chicken curry
Haei sikkunnu pudichchaa
Hey, if embraced tightly
Kannu sokkanum nice ah
The eyes should get nicely mesmerized
Oru beauty ippidi
When a beauty like this
Otti vanthathum loottu pannuriyae
Comes sticking close, you start teasing and having fun!
Adadaa mottonnu vedichchi
Oh my, a flower bud has bloomed
Pakkam nikkuthu size ah
Standing close and looking great in size
Enna blouse potta
Wearing a blouse like that
Plums pola neeyum ennuriyae
You count me like sweet plums
Paaththu konjidaththaan
Just to look and express affection
Party vanthiduchchaa
Has the party arrived?
Party vanthavudan
As soon as the party arrived
Paattum vanthiduchchaa
Has the song arrived too?
Nee aanaiyittaa
If you command
Naan padippaen pailaathaan
I will sing in the Baila style
Hae chicken kari
Hey chicken curry
Hae hae chicken kari
Hey hey chicken curry
Chicken kari chicken kari
Chicken curry, chicken curry
Idhu koththagiri kozhi kari chicken kari
This is Kotagiri chicken curry, chicken curry
Chicken kari
Chicken curry
Chicken kari chicken kari
Chicken curry, chicken curry
Idhu koththagiri kozhi kari chicken kari
This is Kotagiri chicken curry, chicken curry
Adi ennadi laila
Hey Laila, what is this
Indru iththanai style – ah
So much style today?
Kadhal paattu vachchu
By playing a love song
En route-til vanthu nee vaettu vaikkiriyaa
Are you laying a trap on my path?
Yaaradi keppaa nee paadura pailaa
Who would listen to the Baila song you sing?
Ivan meesa vachchatha paaththu nenjila
Seeing him sport a mustache, inside my heart
Aasa vechchava naan
I am the one who desired him
Naaththu nattava naan
I am the one who planted the saplings
Neera vittava naan
I am the one who watered them
Paaththu kannmuzhichchu
Watching over him with wide eyes
Thookkam kettava naan
I am the one who lost her sleep
Nee neththu vanthu
Will she let you, who came just yesterday
Kathiraruththaa viduvaalaa
Harvest the crops today?
Hae chicken kari
Hey chicken curry
Hae hoi chicken kari chicken kari chicken kari
Hey hoi chicken curry, chicken curry, chicken curry
Idhu koththagiri kozhi kari chicken kari
This is Kotagiri chicken curry, chicken curry
Idhu cylon engira theevu
This island called Ceylon
Thantha silukku chiththira poovu
Has gifted a silk-like sculpted flower
Ingu ulaa vanthathu paaru
Look at her taking a stroll here
Nenja ulukki nikkira thaeru
A chariot standing here, shaking the heart
Ingu vanthaal oru oiyyaarithaan
She who came here is a graceful woman
Singala naattu singaarithaan
A beauty from the Sinhalese land
Chicken kari yae yae…..
Chicken curry, yeah yeah...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Chicken Kari is a fast-paced, festive dance number from the 1996 film Selva, composed by Sirpy and penned by lyricist Vaali. The song fuses playful Tamil romantic banter with Sri Lankan Baila rhythms, using culinary metaphors like Kotagiri chicken curry and Ooty mutton curry to playfully describe beauty and attraction in the cool climate of hill stations.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Food Metaphor (உவமை)
“Idhu koththagiri kozhi kari chicken kari”
Compares beauty and charm to rich regional culinary dishes like Kotagiri chicken curry and Ooty goat curry to express spice and flavor.
Anaphora / Repetitive Endings (இயைபுத் தொடை)
“Aasa vechchava naan / Naaththu nattava naan / Neera vittava naan”
Repetition of the line ending phrase 'va naan' across consecutive lines creates a strong rhythmic cadence.
Simile (உவமையணி)
“Plums pola neeyum ennuriyae”
Uses 'pola' (like) to compare counting feelings/items to fresh plums.
Alliteration (மோனை)
“Thantha silukku chiththira poovu”
Repetition of starting 'S' and 'Ch' sounds in 'silukku' and 'chiththira'.
Did you know?
Trivia
This energetic song was sung by actor Vijay himself alongside music composer Sirpy and singer Swarnalatha. It prominently incorporates traditional Sri Lankan 'Baila' rhythm patterns and explicitly references 'Surangani', a classic Baila song popular across South Asia.
Keep listening
More from Selva
Selva
Selva
Selva
Selva