Columbus Columbus
From Jeans · 1998
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- A. R. Rahman
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Jeans1998
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| { Columbus columbus | { Columbus Columbus, |
| Vitaachu leaveu kondaada | We got leave to celebrate, |
| Kandupidithu konda oru theevu } (2) mamae | An island that was discovered } (2) uncle |
| Male | |
| { Leaveu leaveu leaveu | { Leave, leave, leave, |
| Vendum puthiya theevu theevu } (2) | We need a new island, island } (2) |
| Male | |
| Columbus columbus | Columbus Columbus, |
| Vitaachu leaveu kondaada | We got leave to celebrate, |
| Kandupidithu konda oru theevu | An island that was discovered |
| Male | |
| Columbus columbus | Columbus Columbus, |
| Vitaachu leaveu mamae kondaada | We got leave to celebrate, uncle, |
| Kandupidithu konda oru theevu | An island that was discovered |
| Male | |
| { Leaveu leaveu leaveu | { Leave, leave, leave, |
| Vendum puthiya theevu theevu } (2) | We need a new island, island } (2) |
| Male | |
| Sani nyayiru | Saturday and Sunday, |
| Kaadhil sonnathu ennathu oh hoo | What did they whisper in the ear? Oh hoo, |
| Machine ellam manithargalaaga solluthu | They tell all machines to turn back into humans |
| Male | |
| Kollum raanuvam | A deadly army, |
| Anu aayutham pasi pattini | Nuclear weapons, hunger, and poverty, |
| Kari politics pollution ethum | Dirty politics, pollution—none of these, |
| Pugunthuvidatha theevu | An island into which these haven't entered, |
| Vendum tharuvaya columbus | Is needed; will you give it to us, Columbus? |
| Male | |
| Vaaram ainthu naal | Five days a week, |
| Viyarvaiyil uzhaika vaaram | To work hard in sweat; two days a week, |
| Iru naal iyarkaiyai rasika | To enjoy nature |
| Male | |
| Veesum kaatrai maari | Become like the blowing wind, |
| Malargalai kollaiyadi | Loot the flowers, |
| Manasukul vellaiyadi | Be pure at heart, |
| Male | |
| Meendum pillaiyavom | Let us become children again |
| Alaiyodu aadi paravaiyin siragu | Dance with the waves; if a bird's wing, |
| Vaadagaiku kidaithaal udalukul | Is available for rent, inside the body, |
| Poruthi paranthuvidu | Attach it and fly away! |
| Male | |
| Paravaigal etharkum | Birds do not have, |
| Passport illai kandangalai | Any passport; across continents, |
| Thaandi kadanthuvidu | Cross over and fly! |
| Male | |
| Indru oivuthaanae velai | Today, rest itself is the job, |
| Aanaal ointhu povathillai | But we won't get tired |
| Ingu nirvaana meengal polae | Here, like naked fish, |
| Neenthalaam columbus | We can swim, Columbus! |
| Male | |
| Ailasa ailasa | Ailasa ailasa, |
| Ailasa ailasa ailasa ailasa | Ailasa ailasa ailasa ailasa, |
| Male | |
| Yae yae ailasa yae yae ailasa | Yae yae ailasa yae yae ailasa, |
| Yae yae ailasa yae yae ailasa | Yae yae ailasa yae yae ailasa, |
| Yae yae ailasa yae yae ailasa | Yae yae ailasa yae yae ailasa, |
| Yae yae ailasa yae yae ailasa mamae | Yae yae ailasa yae yae ailasa uncle, |
| Male | |
| Irattai kaal pookal | Two-legged flowers, |
| Konjam paaru indrenum | Look a bit, at least today |
| Avasaramaga loveraaga maaru | Hurriedly turn into a lover |
| Male | |
| Alainuraiyai alli aval | Gathering ocean foam, for her |
| Aadaiyai seiyalaagatha | Can't we make a dress? |
| Vinmeengalai killi adhil | Plucking stars, on it |
| Kokki vaikalaagatha | Can't we attach hooks? |
| Male | |
| Weekendil kaadhali | A lover on the weekend, |
| Okkenna kaadhali timepassing | If she says ok, lover, timepassing |
| Kaadhala piriyumvarai kaadhali | Love until we part, lover |
| Vaaram irunaal vaazhiyavae columbus | May the two days a week live long, Columbus! |
| Male | |
| Columbus columbus | Columbus Columbus, |
| Vitaachu leaveu kondaada | We got leave to celebrate, |
| Kandupidithu konda oru theevu columbus | An island that was discovered, Columbus |
| Male | |
| Leaveu leaveu leaveu | Leave, leave, leave, |
| Vendum puthiya theevu theevu columbus | We need a new island, island, Columbus |
| Male | |
| Leaveu leaveu leaveu | Leave, leave, leave, |
| Vendum puthiya theevu theevu | We need a new island, island, |
| Male | |
| Columbus | Columbus |
{ கொலம்பஸ்
கொலம்பஸ் விட்டாச்சு
லீவு கொண்டாட கண்டுபிடித்துக்
கொண்டா ஒரு தீவு } (2) மாமே
{ Columbus Columbus,
We got leave to celebrate,
An island that was discovered } (2) uncle
{ லீவு லீவு லீவு
வேண்டும் புதிய தீவு தீவு } (2)
{ Leave, leave, leave,
We need a new island, island } (2)
கொலம்பஸ்
கொலம்பஸ் விட்டாச்சு
லீவு கொண்டாட கண்டுபிடித்துக்
கொண்டா ஒரு தீவு
Columbus Columbus,
We got leave to celebrate,
An island that was discovered
கொலம்பஸ்
கொலம்பஸ் விட்டாச்சு
லீவு மாமே கொண்டாட
கண்டுபிடித்துக் கொண்டா
ஒரு தீவு
Columbus Columbus,
We got leave to celebrate, uncle,
An island that was discovered
{ லீவு லீவு லீவு
வேண்டும் புதிய தீவு தீவு } (2)
{ Leave, leave, leave,
We need a new island, island } (2)
சனி ஞாயிறு
காதில் சொன்னது
என்னது ஓ ஹோ
மிஷின் எல்லாம்
மனிதர்களாகச் சொல்லுது
Saturday and Sunday,
What did they whisper in the ear? Oh hoo,
They tell all machines to turn back into humans
கொல்லும் ராணுவம்
அணு ஆயுதம் பசி பட்டினி கரி
பாலிடிக்ஸ் பொலியூஷன் எதும்
புகுந்துவிடாத தீவு வேண்டும்
தருவாயா கொலம்பஸ்
A deadly army,
Nuclear weapons, hunger, and poverty,
Dirty politics, pollution—none of these,
An island into which these haven't entered,
Is needed; will you give it to us, Columbus?
வாரம் ஐந்து நாள்
வியர்வையில் உழைக்க
வாரம் இரு நாள் இயற்கையை
ரசிக்க
Five days a week,
To work hard in sweat; two days a week,
To enjoy nature
வீசும் காற்றாய்
மாறி மலர்களைக்
கொள்ளையடி மனசுக்குள்
வெள்ளையடி
Become like the blowing wind,
Loot the flowers,
Be pure at heart,
மீண்டும் பிள்ளையாவோம்
அலையோடு ஆடி பறவையின் சிறகு
வாடகைக்குக் கிடைத்தால் உடலுக்குள்
பொருத்திப் பறந்துவிடு
Let us become children again
Dance with the waves; if a bird's wing,
Is available for rent, inside the body,
Attach it and fly away!
பறவைகள் எதற்கும்
பாஸ்போர்ட் இல்லை
கண்டங்களைத் தாண்டி
கடந்துவிடு
Birds do not have,
Any passport; across continents,
Cross over and fly!
இன்று ஓய்வு
தானே வேலை ஆனால்
ஓய்ந்து போவதில்லை
இங்கு நிர்வாண மீன்கள்
போலே நீந்தலாம் கொலம்பஸ்
Today, rest itself is the job,
But we won't get tired
Here, like naked fish,
We can swim, Columbus!
ஐலசா ஐலசா
ஐலசா ஐலசா ஐலசா
ஐலசா
Ailasa ailasa,
Ailasa ailasa ailasa ailasa,
ஏ ஏ ஐலசா
ஏ ஏ ஐலசா ஏ ஏ ஐலசா
ஏ ஏ ஐலசா ஏ ஏ ஐலசா
ஏ ஏ ஐலசா ஏ ஏ ஐலசா
ஏ ஏ ஐலசா மாமே
Yae yae ailasa yae yae ailasa,
Yae yae ailasa yae yae ailasa,
Yae yae ailasa yae yae ailasa,
Yae yae ailasa yae yae ailasa uncle,
இரட்டைக்கால் பூக்கள்
கொஞ்சம் பாரு இன்றேனும்
அவசரமாக லவ்வராக மாறு
Two-legged flowers,
Look a bit, at least today
Hurriedly turn into a lover
அலை நுரையை
அள்ளி அவள் ஆடையைச்
செய்யலாகாதா விண்மீன்களைக்
கிள்ளி அதில் கொக்கி வைக்கலாகாதா
Gathering ocean foam, for her
Can't we make a dress?
Plucking stars, on it
Can't we attach hooks?
வீக்கென்டில்
காதலி ஓக்கேன்னா காதலி
டைம்பாசிங் காதலா
பிரியும்வரை காதலி வாரம்
இரு நாள் வாழியவே கொலம்பஸ்
A lover on the weekend,
If she says ok, lover, timepassing
Love until we part, lover
May the two days a week live long, Columbus!
கொலம்பஸ்
கொலம்பஸ் விட்டாச்சு
லீவு கொண்டாட
கண்டுபிடித்துக் கொண்டா
ஒரு தீவு கொலம்பஸ்
Columbus Columbus,
We got leave to celebrate,
An island that was discovered, Columbus
லீவு லீவு லீவு
வேண்டும் புதிய தீவு தீவு
கொலம்பஸ்
Leave, leave, leave,
We need a new island, island, Columbus
லீவு லீவு லீவு
வேண்டும் புதிய தீவு தீவு
Leave, leave, leave,
We need a new island, island,
கொலம்பஸ்
Columbus
{ Columbus columbus
{ Columbus Columbus,
Vitaachu leaveu kondaada
We got leave to celebrate,
Kandupidithu konda oru theevu } (2) mamae
An island that was discovered } (2) uncle
{ Leaveu leaveu leaveu
{ Leave, leave, leave,
Vendum puthiya theevu theevu } (2)
We need a new island, island } (2)
Columbus columbus
Columbus Columbus,
Vitaachu leaveu kondaada
We got leave to celebrate,
Kandupidithu konda oru theevu
An island that was discovered
Columbus columbus
Columbus Columbus,
Vitaachu leaveu mamae kondaada
We got leave to celebrate, uncle,
Kandupidithu konda oru theevu
An island that was discovered
{ Leaveu leaveu leaveu
{ Leave, leave, leave,
Vendum puthiya theevu theevu } (2)
We need a new island, island } (2)
Sani nyayiru
Saturday and Sunday,
Kaadhil sonnathu ennathu oh hoo
What did they whisper in the ear? Oh hoo,
Machine ellam manithargalaaga solluthu
They tell all machines to turn back into humans
Kollum raanuvam
A deadly army,
Anu aayutham pasi pattini
Nuclear weapons, hunger, and poverty,
Kari politics pollution ethum
Dirty politics, pollution—none of these,
Pugunthuvidatha theevu
An island into which these haven't entered,
Vendum tharuvaya columbus
Is needed; will you give it to us, Columbus?
Vaaram ainthu naal
Five days a week,
Viyarvaiyil uzhaika vaaram
To work hard in sweat; two days a week,
Iru naal iyarkaiyai rasika
To enjoy nature
Veesum kaatrai maari
Become like the blowing wind,
Malargalai kollaiyadi
Loot the flowers,
Manasukul vellaiyadi
Be pure at heart,
Meendum pillaiyavom
Let us become children again
Alaiyodu aadi paravaiyin siragu
Dance with the waves; if a bird's wing,
Vaadagaiku kidaithaal udalukul
Is available for rent, inside the body,
Poruthi paranthuvidu
Attach it and fly away!
Paravaigal etharkum
Birds do not have,
Passport illai kandangalai
Any passport; across continents,
Thaandi kadanthuvidu
Cross over and fly!
Indru oivuthaanae velai
Today, rest itself is the job,
Aanaal ointhu povathillai
But we won't get tired
Ingu nirvaana meengal polae
Here, like naked fish,
Neenthalaam columbus
We can swim, Columbus!
Ailasa ailasa
Ailasa ailasa,
Ailasa ailasa ailasa ailasa
Ailasa ailasa ailasa ailasa,
Yae yae ailasa yae yae ailasa
Yae yae ailasa yae yae ailasa,
Yae yae ailasa yae yae ailasa
Yae yae ailasa yae yae ailasa,
Yae yae ailasa yae yae ailasa
Yae yae ailasa yae yae ailasa,
Yae yae ailasa yae yae ailasa mamae
Yae yae ailasa yae yae ailasa uncle,
Irattai kaal pookal
Two-legged flowers,
Konjam paaru indrenum
Look a bit, at least today
Avasaramaga loveraaga maaru
Hurriedly turn into a lover
Alainuraiyai alli aval
Gathering ocean foam, for her
Aadaiyai seiyalaagatha
Can't we make a dress?
Vinmeengalai killi adhil
Plucking stars, on it
Kokki vaikalaagatha
Can't we attach hooks?
Weekendil kaadhali
A lover on the weekend,
Okkenna kaadhali timepassing
If she says ok, lover, timepassing
Kaadhala piriyumvarai kaadhali
Love until we part, lover
Vaaram irunaal vaazhiyavae columbus
May the two days a week live long, Columbus!
Columbus columbus
Columbus Columbus,
Vitaachu leaveu kondaada
We got leave to celebrate,
Kandupidithu konda oru theevu columbus
An island that was discovered, Columbus
Leaveu leaveu leaveu
Leave, leave, leave,
Vendum puthiya theevu theevu columbus
We need a new island, island, Columbus
Leaveu leaveu leaveu
Leave, leave, leave,
Vendum puthiya theevu theevu
We need a new island, island,
Columbus
Columbus
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Columbus Columbus' is a vibrant, youthful anthem from the 1998 Tamil movie 'Jeans', composed by A. R. Rahman and written by Vairamuthu. The song celebrates the arrival of the weekend and vacation, invoking the historic explorer Christopher Columbus to discover a brand-new, untainted island free from modern stresses like corporate drudgery, politics, pollution, and warfare. The lyrics express a desire to break away from machine-like daily routines and return to nature, innocence, and carefree fun. Using imaginative imagery—such as renting bird wings to fly without passports, tailoring dresses out of sea foam, and using stars as garment hooks—the song captures the spirit of late-90s youth seeking temporary escapism and weekend romance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (உருவகம்)
“Machine ellam manithargalaaga solluthu”
'Machine ellam manithargalaaga' metaphorically compares overworked human beings to machines coming back to life as humans on weekends. 'Irattai kaal pookal' compares young women to two-legged flowers.
Simile (உவமை)
“Ingu nirvaana meengal polae”
'Veesum kaatrai maari' (like the blowing wind) and 'nirvaana meengal polae' (like naked fish) compare human freedom directly to elements of nature.
Hyperbole & Surreal Imagery (உயர்நவிற்சி)
“Alainuraiyai alli aval aadaiyai seiyalaagatha”
Extravagant imagery of making a dress out of ocean foam and pinning stars onto it as buttons/hooks to woo a lover.
Rhyme & Alliteration (எதுகை / மோனை)
“Malargalai kollaiyadi / Manasukul vellaiyadi”
Rhyming of 'kollaiyadi' and 'vellaiyadi' with matching second letters (ll) creates a rhythmic, musical flow in Tamil poetic convention.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song was composed and sung by A. R. Rahman for S. Shankar's blockbuster film 'Jeans' (1998). Shot in Venice Beach and coastal Los Angeles, USA, featuring lead actor Prashanth, the song became an iconic youth weekend anthem in Tamil pop culture.
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