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En Swasa Kaatre album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Jumbalakka Jumbalakka

From En Swasa Kaatre · 1999

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Rafee
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Movie name
En Swasa Kaatre
Movie release year
1999
Lyrics added on
29 Jun 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aii aii aii aiii aaeeeeeeee
Lelo lelo lelo lelolai
Claps :…………………………………..
{Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa
Jumbala jumbaalae} (4)
{Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (2)
Chinnamullu kaadhaliyalloo
Periyamullu kaadhalanalloo
Rendu mullum suthara suththil
Kaadhalingu nadakkudhalloo
{Chinnamullu azhuthamaanadhu
Medhuvaai pogum
Periyamullu thurathi pidikkumae
Adhudhaan vegam} (2)
Oodalil chinna mul odalaam
Ovvoru maniyilum koodalaam
{Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa
Jumbala jumbaalae} (4)
{Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (2)
………………………………
Munkobathil kaadhal nenjai
Moodaadhae muthu kannae
Apple endru thottu paarthaal
Pineapple aanaai pennae
Undu naa undu nu
Oththa chollil sollunga
Illa naa illa nu
Rendil onnu sollunga
En kaadhal
Kadhavai thattum
Thadukkaadhae
Pinnaalil kanneer ootri
Thavikkaadhae
Nenjodu oru kaadhal vaithu
Kannodu siru kobam enna
Aan idhayathin karaithedi
Alaigindra pennukku
E.P.Co section enna
{Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa
Jumbala jumbaalae} (4)
{Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (2)
………………………………….
Pesi pesi artham enna
Pesaamal munneranum
Kaadhal ellaam megam pola
Thannalae undaaganum
Eppodhum pennodu
Ellai katti nillunga
I love you sonnaalum
Thalli ninnu sollunga
Mellappesu penmai unnai
Verukkaathu
Thattip pesum aanaik kandaal
Pidikkaadhu
Pennullam oru moongil kaadu
Theekkuchchi ondrai pottuppaaru
Aval paadhaththil thalaivaithu
Annaandhu mugam paarthu
Love pichai kettuppaaru
{Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa
Jumbala jumbaalae} (4)
{Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (2)
Chinnamullu kaadhaliyalloo
Periyamullu kaadhalanalloo
Rendu mullum suthara suththil
Kaadhalingu nadakkudhalloo
{Chinnamullu azhuthamaanadhu
Medhuvaai pogum
Periyamullu thurathi pidikkumae
Adhudhaan vegam} (2)
Oodalil chinna mul odalaam
Ovvoru maniyilum koodalaam
Aii aii aii aiii aaeeeeeeee
Chorus :{Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa
Jumbala jumbaalae} (4)
{Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (2)
Chorus :Aii aii aii aiii aaeeeeeeee
Lelo lelo lelo lelolai
Ay ay ay ayeee aaheeee
Lelo lelo lelo lelolai
(Clapping)
Jumbalakka jumbalakka
Jumbala jumbale
Jumbale jumbale jumbale
Isn't the short clock hand the girl in love?
Isn't the long clock hand the boy in love?
As both hands spin round and round,
love is happening right here!
The short hand is steady and firm,
it moves along slowly.
The long hand chases and catches up,
that is its fast pace!
In a lovers' quarrel, the short hand may run ahead,
yet every single hour, they reunite!
Jumbalakka jumbalakka
Jumbala jumbale
Jumbale jumbale jumbale
(Music)
In quick anger, your loving heart...
do not close it shut, my precious pearl!
Thinking you were an apple, I touched you,
but you turned out to be a thorny pineapple, girl!
If it is a yes, say yes,
say it clearly in one word!
If it is a no, say no,
choose one and tell me!
My love
is knocking at your door,
do not push it away!
Later in life, shedding tears,
do not suffer in regret!
Holding love close to your heart,
why show this little anger in your eyes?
Searching for the shores of a young man's heart,
for the girl who wanders about,
what section of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) applies?
Jumbalakka jumbalakka
Jumbala jumbale
Jumbale jumbale jumbale
(Music)
What is the point of talking on and on?
We should move forward without words.
Love is just like the clouds,
it should form all on its own.
Whenever you are around a woman,
draw a boundary and keep your distance.
Even if you say 'I love you',
stand at a distance and say it!
Speak gently, and womanhood
will never hate you.
If she sees a man talking rudely,
she will never like him.
A woman's heart is a bamboo forest,
try striking a matchstick and see!
Rest your head at her feet,
look up into her face,
and try begging for the alms of love!
Jumbalakka jumbalakka
Jumbala jumbale
Jumbale jumbale jumbale
Isn't the short clock hand the girl in love?
Isn't the long clock hand the boy in love?
As both hands spin round and round,
love is happening right here!
The short hand is steady and firm,
it moves along slowly.
The long hand chases and catches up,
that is its fast pace!
In a lovers' quarrel, the short hand may run ahead,
yet every single hour, they reunite!
Ay ay ay ayeee aaheeee
Chorus: Jumbalakka jumbalakka
Jumbala jumbale
Jumbale jumbale jumbale
Chorus: Ay ay ay ayeee aaheeee
Lelo lelo lelo lelolai
Chorus
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Jumbalakkaa' is a playful and upbeat romantic track that compares the dynamics between lovers to the hands of a clock. The female lover is depicted as the slow, steady hour hand (chinnamullu), while the male lover is the fast, pursuing minute hand (periyamullu). Despite minor feuds and speed differences, the two hands continuously meet at regular intervals, symbolizing how lovers inevitably reconcile.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Extended Metaphor (Uvamaani / Metaphor)

“Chinnamullu kaadhaliyalloo / Periyamullu kaadhalanalloo”

Compares the woman to the hour hand (chinnamullu) and the man to the minute hand (periyamullu) of a clock to describe the rhythm of romantic pursuit and union.

Simile (Upamai)

“Kaadhal ellaam megam pola / Thannalae undaaganum”

Compares the natural emergence of love to the spontaneous formation of clouds in the sky.

Metaphor (Uvameyam)

“Pennullam oru moongil kaadu / Theekkuchchi ondrai pottuppaaru”

Compares a woman's passionate heart to a dry bamboo forest that easily catches fire with a single spark.

Contrast / Antithesis (Muran)

“Apple endru thottu paarthaal / Pineapple aanaai pennae”

Contrasts an apple (sweet and soft) with a pineapple (thorny and sharp) to illustrate the sudden mood shifts of the heroine.

Rhyme / Alliteration (Monai / Ethirai)

“Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa / Jumbala jumbaalae”

Uses matching initial consonant sounds and rhythmic repetition ('Jumbalakkaa / Jumbala jumbaalae') to create energetic catchiness.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by A.R. Rahman for the 1999 film 'En Swasa Kaatre', 'Jumbalakkaa' became an iconic dance anthem in Tamil pop culture. The track features vocals by Rafi, Sujatha Mohan, and Vasundhara Das (her playback debut in Tamil cinema). Lyricist Vairamuthu used modern humorous conceits, such as referencing the Indian Penal Code (E.P.Co) and comparing lovers to clock hands.

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