Dont Worry Be Happy
From Nimirndhu Nil · 2014
- Lyricist
- Gaana Bala
- Singer
- Gaana Bala
- Music director
- G. V. Prakash Kumar
- Details
- Nimirndhu Nil2014
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vazhkka oru veri pidicha | Life is like a rabid |
| Kazhudha machi | donkey, my friend. |
| Male :Yendaa | Male: Why, man? |
| Male :Munnadi pona kadikudhu | Male: If you go in front, it bites; |
| Pinnadi pona udhaikudhu cha.. | if you go behind, it kicks! Ah... |
| Male | |
| Dont worry be happy… | Don't worry, be happy... |
| Male :Idho vantaaruppa dolakku | Male: Look, here comes Mr. Dholak! |
| Male | |
| Kozhi sandaikkellaam | Even if for a simple rooster fight |
| Courtu-kuthaan ponaalum | you have to go all the way to court, |
| Kolandha porandha pinnae | even if after a child is born |
| Konjam azhagu koranjaalum | a woman's beauty fades a little, |
| Aadi maasam manaivi | even if during the month of Aadi your wife |
| Amma veetuku ponaalum | goes away to her mother's house, |
| Adutha maasam unnaku | even if in the following month |
| Panjaayatha vachaalum | they convene a village council meeting against you, |
| Male | |
| Dont worry dont worry | Don't worry, don't worry, |
| Be happy | Be happy. |
| Dont worry dont worry be happy | Don't worry, don't worry, be happy. |
| Male | |
| Adagu vacha porulu | Even if mortgaged items |
| Yelathula ponaalum | are auctioned off, |
| Adhuku nee sariyillanu | even if saying you are good for nothing |
| Yelanamaa sonnaalum | they speak of you with disrespect, |
| Koratta vittadhuku | even if for snoring loudly in sleep |
| Divorce thaan ketaalum | she demands a divorce, |
| Kozhambula uppu illanu | even if saying there is no salt in the curry |
| Purusan unna thittunaalum | your husband scolds you, |
| Male | |
| Kissu adicha poonu | even if the girl you kissed |
| Vera paiyan kooda ponaalum | walks away with another guy, |
| Pissu adicha unna pudichu | even if for urinating in public they catch you |
| Petti case-u pottaalum | and file a petty police case against you, |
| Male | |
| Pathaam class-u nallaa padichi | even if after studying hard for 10th grade |
| Faila thaanae aanaalum | you still end up failing, |
| Power star-u vandhu kooda | even if when Power Star himself arrives |
| Current-u cut aanaalum | the electricity gets cut off, |
| Male | |
| Dont worry dont worry | Don't worry, don't worry, |
| Be happy | Be happy. |
| Dont worry dont worry be happy | Don't worry, don't worry, be happy. |
| Male | |
| Veettoda maapulanu | Even if calling you a dependent resident son-in-law |
| Kevalamaa sonnaalum | they mock you meanly, |
| Veppaati pecha ketu | even if listening to his mistress's words |
| Purusan unna adichaalum | your husband hits you, |
| Aathula pora thanniya | even if the water flowing in the river |
| Yaarum mondu kudichaalum | is scooped up and drunk by anyone, |
| Veetula moonu vela | even if sitting three meals a day at home |
| Thandasoru thinnaalum | you eat food earned by others, |
| Male | |
| Onnumilla matter-uku | even if over a trivial non-issue |
| Ooru serndhu adichaalum | the whole village joins together to beat you, |
| Chumma suthuna paavathuku | even if for the crime of simply wandering around uselessly |
| Thaali katta sonnaalum | they force you to tie the wedding knot, |
| Male | |
| Thaali kattum nerathula | even if right at the moment of tying the sacred thread |
| Ponnu kaanaa ponaalum | the bride suddenly goes missing, |
| Pension vaangura aunty unna | even if a pension-earning old aunty |
| Tension-u thaan pannaalum | causes you immense stress, |
| Male | |
| Dont worry dont worry | Don't worry, don't worry, |
| Be happy | Be happy. |
| Dont worry dont worry be happy | Don't worry, don't worry, be happy. |
| Male | |
| Kozhi sandaikkellaam | Even if for a simple rooster fight |
| Courtu-kuthaan ponaalum | you have to go all the way to court, |
| Kolandha porandha pinnae | even if after a child is born |
| Konjam azhagu koranjaalum | a woman's beauty fades a little, |
| Aadi maasam manaivi | even if during the month of Aadi your wife |
| Amma veetuku ponaalum | goes away to her mother's house, |
| Adutha maasam unnaku | even if in the following month |
| Panjaayatha vachaalum | they convene a village council meeting against you, |
| Male | |
| Dont worry dont worry | Don't worry, don't worry, |
| Be happy | Be happy. |
| Dont worry dont worry be happy | Don't worry, don't worry, be happy. |
வாழ்க்க ஒரு வெறி பிடிச்ச
கழுத மச்சி
ஏன்டா
முன்னாடி போன கடிக்குது
பின்னாடி போன உதைக்குது ச்சே...
Life is like a rabid
donkey, my friend.
Male: Why, man?
Male: If you go in front, it bites;
if you go behind, it kicks! Ah...
டோன்ட் வொர்ரி பீ ஹேப்பி
இதோ வண்டாரருப்பா டோலக்கு
Don't worry, be happy...
Male: Look, here comes Mr. Dholak!
கோழி சண்டைக்கெல்லாம்
கோர்ட்டுக்கு தான் போனாலும்
கொழந்தை பொறந்த பின்னே
கொஞ்ச அழகு கொறைஞ்சாலும்
ஆடி மாசம் மனைவி
அம்மா வீட்டுக்கு போனாலும்
அடுத்த மாசம் உனக்கு
பஞ்சாயத்த வச்சாலும்
Even if for a simple rooster fight
you have to go all the way to court,
even if after a child is born
a woman's beauty fades a little,
even if during the month of Aadi your wife
goes away to her mother's house,
even if in the following month
they convene a village council meeting against you,
டோன்ட் வொர்ரி
டோன்ட் வொர்ரி பீ ஹேப்பி
டோன்ட் வொர்ரி
டோன்ட் வொர்ரி பீ ஹேப்பி
Don't worry, don't worry,
Be happy.
Don't worry, don't worry, be happy.
விசில் :
.......................
Even if mortgaged items
are auctioned off,
even if saying you are good for nothing
they speak of you with disrespect,
even if for snoring loudly in sleep
she demands a divorce,
even if saying there is no salt in the curry
your husband scolds you,
அடகு வச்ச பொருள்
ஏலத்துல போனாலும்
அதுக்கு நீ சரியில்லன்னு
ஏளனமா சொன்னாலும்
கொறட்ட விட்டதுக்கு
டைவ்ஸ் தான் கேட்டாலும்
கொழம்புல உப்பில்லன்னு
புருஷன் உன்ன திட்டுனாலும்
கிஸ்ஸு அடிச்ச பொண்ணு
வேற பையன் கூட போனாலும்
மிஸ்ஸு அடிச்ச உன்ன புடிச்சு
பெட்டி கேசு போட்டாலும்
பத்தான்கிளாசு பரிட்சை எழுதி
பெயிலா தானே ஆனாலும்
பவர் ஸ்டாரு வந்து கூட
கரண்ட்டு கட்டு ஆனாலும்
even if the girl you kissed
walks away with another guy,
even if for urinating in public they catch you
and file a petty police case against you,
டோன்ட் வொர்ரி
டோன்ட் வொர்ரி பீ ஹேப்பி
டோன்ட் வொர்ரி
டோன்ட் வொர்ரி பீ ஹேப்பி
even if after studying hard for 10th grade
you still end up failing,
even if when Power Star himself arrives
the electricity gets cut off,
விசில் :
.......................
Don't worry, don't worry,
Be happy.
Don't worry, don't worry, be happy.
வீட்டோட மாப்பிள்ளைன்னு
கேவலமா சொன்னாலும்
வெப்பாட்டி பேச்சை கேட்டு
புருஷன் உன்ன அடிச்சாலும்
ஆத்துல போற தண்ணிய யாரு
மொண்டு குடிச்சாலும்
வீட்டுல மூணு வேளை
தண்டசோறு துன்னாலும்
ஒன்னுமில்லா மேட்டருக்கு
ஊரு சேர்ந்து அடிச்சாலும்
சும்மா சுத்துன பாவத்துக்கு
தாலி கட்ட சொன்னாலும்
தாலி கட்டும் நேரத்துல
பொண்ணு காணாம் போனாலும்
பென்ஷன் வாங்குற ஆண்ட்டி உன்ன
டென்ஷன் தான் பண்ணாலும்
Even if calling you a dependent resident son-in-law
they mock you meanly,
even if listening to his mistress's words
your husband hits you,
even if the water flowing in the river
is scooped up and drunk by anyone,
even if sitting three meals a day at home
you eat food earned by others,
டோன்ட் வொர்ரி
டோன்ட் வொர்ரி பீ ஹேப்பி
டோன்ட் வொர்ரி
டோன்ட் வொர்ரி பீ ஹேப்பி
even if over a trivial non-issue
the whole village joins together to beat you,
even if for the crime of simply wandering around uselessly
they force you to tie the wedding knot,
கோழி சண்டைக்கெல்லாம்
கோர்ட்டுக்கு தான் போனாலும்
கொழந்தை பொறந்த பின்னே
கொஞ்ச அழகு கொறைஞ்சாலும்
ஆடி மாசம் மனைவி
அம்மா வீட்டுக்கு போனாலும்
அடுத்த மாசம் உனக்கு
பஞ்சாயத்த வச்சாலும்
even if right at the moment of tying the sacred thread
the bride suddenly goes missing,
even if a pension-earning old aunty
causes you immense stress,
டோன்ட் வொர்ரி
டோன்ட் வொர்ரி பீ ஹேப்பி
டோன்ட் வொர்ரி
டோன்ட் வொர்ரி பீ ஹேப்பி
Don't worry, don't worry,
Be happy.
Don't worry, don't worry, be happy.
விசில் :
.......................
Even if for a simple rooster fight
you have to go all the way to court,
even if after a child is born
a woman's beauty fades a little,
even if during the month of Aadi your wife
goes away to her mother's house,
even if in the following month
they convene a village council meeting against you,
Don't worry, don't worry,
Be happy.
Don't worry, don't worry, be happy.
Vazhkka oru veri pidicha
Life is like a rabid
Kazhudha machi
donkey, my friend.
Male :Yendaa
Male: Why, man?
Male :Munnadi pona kadikudhu
Male: If you go in front, it bites;
Pinnadi pona udhaikudhu cha..
if you go behind, it kicks! Ah...
Dont worry be happy…
Don't worry, be happy...
Male :Idho vantaaruppa dolakku
Male: Look, here comes Mr. Dholak!
Kozhi sandaikkellaam
Even if for a simple rooster fight
Courtu-kuthaan ponaalum
you have to go all the way to court,
Kolandha porandha pinnae
even if after a child is born
Konjam azhagu koranjaalum
a woman's beauty fades a little,
Aadi maasam manaivi
even if during the month of Aadi your wife
Amma veetuku ponaalum
goes away to her mother's house,
Adutha maasam unnaku
even if in the following month
Panjaayatha vachaalum
they convene a village council meeting against you,
Dont worry dont worry
Don't worry, don't worry,
Be happy
Be happy.
Dont worry dont worry be happy
Don't worry, don't worry, be happy.
Adagu vacha porulu
Even if mortgaged items
Yelathula ponaalum
are auctioned off,
Adhuku nee sariyillanu
even if saying you are good for nothing
Yelanamaa sonnaalum
they speak of you with disrespect,
Koratta vittadhuku
even if for snoring loudly in sleep
Divorce thaan ketaalum
she demands a divorce,
Kozhambula uppu illanu
even if saying there is no salt in the curry
Purusan unna thittunaalum
your husband scolds you,
Kissu adicha poonu
even if the girl you kissed
Vera paiyan kooda ponaalum
walks away with another guy,
Pissu adicha unna pudichu
even if for urinating in public they catch you
Petti case-u pottaalum
and file a petty police case against you,
Pathaam class-u nallaa padichi
even if after studying hard for 10th grade
Faila thaanae aanaalum
you still end up failing,
Power star-u vandhu kooda
even if when Power Star himself arrives
Current-u cut aanaalum
the electricity gets cut off,
Dont worry dont worry
Don't worry, don't worry,
Be happy
Be happy.
Dont worry dont worry be happy
Don't worry, don't worry, be happy.
Veettoda maapulanu
Even if calling you a dependent resident son-in-law
Kevalamaa sonnaalum
they mock you meanly,
Veppaati pecha ketu
even if listening to his mistress's words
Purusan unna adichaalum
your husband hits you,
Aathula pora thanniya
even if the water flowing in the river
Yaarum mondu kudichaalum
is scooped up and drunk by anyone,
Veetula moonu vela
even if sitting three meals a day at home
Thandasoru thinnaalum
you eat food earned by others,
Onnumilla matter-uku
even if over a trivial non-issue
Ooru serndhu adichaalum
the whole village joins together to beat you,
Chumma suthuna paavathuku
even if for the crime of simply wandering around uselessly
Thaali katta sonnaalum
they force you to tie the wedding knot,
Thaali kattum nerathula
even if right at the moment of tying the sacred thread
Ponnu kaanaa ponaalum
the bride suddenly goes missing,
Pension vaangura aunty unna
even if a pension-earning old aunty
Tension-u thaan pannaalum
causes you immense stress,
Dont worry dont worry
Don't worry, don't worry,
Be happy
Be happy.
Dont worry dont worry be happy
Don't worry, don't worry, be happy.
Kozhi sandaikkellaam
Even if for a simple rooster fight
Courtu-kuthaan ponaalum
you have to go all the way to court,
Kolandha porandha pinnae
even if after a child is born
Konjam azhagu koranjaalum
a woman's beauty fades a little,
Aadi maasam manaivi
even if during the month of Aadi your wife
Amma veetuku ponaalum
goes away to her mother's house,
Adutha maasam unnaku
even if in the following month
Panjaayatha vachaalum
they convene a village council meeting against you,
Dont worry dont worry
Don't worry, don't worry,
Be happy
Be happy.
Dont worry dont worry be happy
Don't worry, don't worry, be happy.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This track, titled 'Don't Worry Be Happy' from the movie Nimirndhu Nil (2014), is a quintessential Chennai Gaana song penned and sung by Gaana Bala with music by G. V. Prakash Kumar. Written in a lighthearted, humorous, and philosophical style, the song uses everyday street humor and absurd social situations to preach resilience and maintaining a cheerful attitude despite life's unexpected hurdles.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Vazhkka oru veri pidicha Kazhudha machi”
Compares life to a mad donkey that bites if approached from the front and kicks if approached from behind.
Ethukai (Second-letter rhyming in Tamil poetry)
“Kissu adicha poonu Vera paiyan kooda ponaalum / Pissu adicha unna pudichu Petti case-u pottaalum”
Rhyming of the second letter 'ssu' across consecutive lines (Kissu / Pissu).
Refrain / Chorus
“Dont worry dont worry be happy”
Repetition of the cheerful advice in English across all stanzas.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written and rendered by popular Tamil folk-gaana singer Gaana Bala, the song features ironic pop-culture references typical of 2010s Tamil comedy tracks, including a humorously timed reference to actor 'Power Star' Srinivasan.
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