Jumbalakka Jumbalakka
From En Swasa Kaatre · 1999
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Rafee
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- En Swasa Kaatre1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Aii aii aii aiii aaeeeeeeee | Aii aii aii aiii aaeeeeeeee |
| Lelo lelo lelo lelolai | Lelo lelo lelo lelolai |
| Claps :………………………………….. | [Clapping rhythm sound] |
| Chorus | |
| {Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa | {Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa Jumbala jumbaalae} (x4) |
| Jumbala jumbaalae} (4) | {Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (x2) |
| {Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (2) | The small hand of the clock is the girlfriend |
| Male | |
| Chinnamullu kaadhaliyalloo | The big hand of the clock is the boyfriend |
| Periyamullu kaadhalanalloo | As both hands rotate around the dial |
| Rendu mullum suthara suththil | Love happens right here! |
| Kaadhalingu nadakkudhalloo | {The small hand is heavy and deep |
| Male | |
| {Chinnamullu azhuthamaanadhu | It moves very slowly |
| Medhuvaai pogum | The big hand chases and catches up |
| Periyamullu thurathi pidikkumae | That is its speed!} (x2) |
| Adhudhaan vegam} (2) | During a lover's tiff, the small hand may run away |
| Male | |
| Oodalil chinna mul odalaam | Yet at every hour, they meet and unite |
| Ovvoru maniyilum koodalaam | {Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa Jumbala jumbaalae} (x4) |
| Chorus | |
| {Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa | {Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (x2) |
| Jumbala jumbaalae} (4) | [Instrumental Interlude] |
| {Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (2) | Do not lock up your loving heart in short-tempered anger, my precious pearl |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………………… | I touched you thinking you were a sweet apple, but you became a prickly pineapple, girl! |
| Male | |
| Munkobathil kaadhal nenjai | Say 'yes' if you mean yes |
| Moodaadhae muthu kannae | Tell me in a single word |
| Apple endru thottu paarthaal | Say 'no' if you mean no |
| Pineapple aanaai pennae | Tell me one of the two clearly! |
| Male | |
| Undu naa undu nu | My love |
| Oththa chollil sollunga | Is knocking at the door, do not block it |
| Illa naa illa nu | Do not suffer later |
| Rendil onnu sollunga | Shedding tears of regret |
| Male | |
| En kaadhal | Holding love inside your heart, why display this mild anger in your eyes? |
| Kadhavai thattum | For a woman wandering around searching for the shores of a man's heart, |
| Thadukkaadhae | What IPC (Indian Penal Code) legal section applies? |
| Pinnaalil kanneer ootri | {Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa Jumbala jumbaalae} (x4) |
| Thavikkaadhae | {Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (x2) |
| Male | |
| Nenjodu oru kaadhal vaithu | [Instrumental Interlude] |
| Kannodu siru kobam enna | What is the point of endlessly talking? One must move forward without talking |
| Aan idhayathin karaithedi | Love should blossom naturally on its own, just like clouds form in the sky |
| Alaigindra pennukku | Always with a woman, |
| E.P.Co section enna | Draw a boundary and stand |
| Chorus | |
| {Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa | Even if you say 'I love you', |
| Jumbala jumbaalae} (4) | Maintain a respectful distance and say it! |
| {Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (2) | Speak gently; womanhood will not despise you |
| Chorus | |
| …………………………………. | If she sees a man who dominates and talks over her, she won't like it |
| Male | |
| Pesi pesi artham enna | A woman's heart is like a bamboo forest; just drop a lighted matchstick into it |
| Pesaamal munneranum | Rest your head at her feet, |
| Kaadhal ellaam megam pola | Look up at her face, |
| Thannalae undaaganum | And beg for the alms of her love! |
| Male | |
| Eppodhum pennodu | {Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa Jumbala jumbaalae} (x4) |
| Ellai katti nillunga | {Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (x2) |
| I love you sonnaalum | The small hand of the clock is the girlfriend |
| Thalli ninnu sollunga | The big hand of the clock is the boyfriend |
| Male | |
| Mellappesu penmai unnai | As both hands rotate around the dial |
| Verukkaathu | Love happens right here! |
| Thattip pesum aanaik kandaal | {The small hand is heavy and deep |
| Pidikkaadhu | It moves very slowly |
| Male | |
| Pennullam oru moongil kaadu | The big hand chases and catches up |
| Theekkuchchi ondrai pottuppaaru | That is its speed!} (x2) |
| Aval paadhaththil thalaivaithu | During a lover's tiff, the small hand may run away |
| Annaandhu mugam paarthu | Yet at every hour, they meet and unite |
| Love pichai kettuppaaru | Aii aii aii aiii aaeeeeeeee |
| Chorus | |
| {Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa | Chorus: {Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa Jumbala jumbaalae} (x4) |
| Jumbala jumbaalae} (4) | {Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (x2) |
| {Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (2) | Chorus: Aii aii aii aiii aaeeeeeeee |
| Male | |
| Chinnamullu kaadhaliyalloo | Lelo lelo lelo lelolai |
| Periyamullu kaadhalanalloo | |
| Rendu mullum suthara suththil | |
| Kaadhalingu nadakkudhalloo | |
| Male | |
| {Chinnamullu azhuthamaanadhu | |
| Medhuvaai pogum | |
| Periyamullu thurathi pidikkumae | |
| Adhudhaan vegam} (2) | |
| Male | |
| Oodalil chinna mul odalaam | |
| Ovvoru maniyilum koodalaam | |
| Chorus | |
| 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 | |
...........................
Aii aii aii aiii aaeeeeeeee
Lelo lelo lelo lelolai
[Clapping rhythm sound]
{ ஜும்பலக்கா
ஜும்பலக்கா ஜும்பல
ஜும்பாலே } (4)
{ ஜும்பாலே ஜும்பாலே
ஜும்பாலே } (2)
{Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa Jumbala jumbaalae} (x4)
{Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (x2)
The small hand of the clock is the girlfriend
சின்னமுள்ளு
காதலியல்லோ பெரிய
முள்ளு காதலனல்லோ
ரெண்டு முள்ளும் சுத்தற
சுத்தில் காதலிங்கு
நடக்குதல்லோ
The big hand of the clock is the boyfriend
As both hands rotate around the dial
Love happens right here!
{The small hand is heavy and deep
{ சின்னமுள்ளு
அழுத்தமானது மெதுவாய்
போகும் பெரியமுள்ளு
துரத்திப் பிடிக்குமே
அதுதான் வேகம் } (2)
It moves very slowly
The big hand chases and catches up
That is its speed!} (x2)
During a lover's tiff, the small hand may run away
ஊடலில் சின்ன
முள் ஓடலாம் ஒவ்வொரு
மணியிலும் கூடலாம்
Yet at every hour, they meet and unite
{Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa Jumbala jumbaalae} (x4)
{ ஜும்பலக்கா
ஜும்பலக்கா ஜும்பல
ஜும்பாலே } (4)
{ ஜும்பாலே ஜும்பாலே
ஜும்பாலே } (2)
{Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (x2)
[Instrumental Interlude]
Do not lock up your loving heart in short-tempered anger, my precious pearl
.........................
I touched you thinking you were a sweet apple, but you became a prickly pineapple, girl!
முன்கோபத்தில்
காதல் நெஞ்சை மூடாதே
முத்துக் கண்ணே ஆப்பிள்
என்று தொட்டுப் பார்த்தால்
பைனாப்பில் ஆனாய்
பெண்ணே
Say 'yes' if you mean yes
Tell me in a single word
Say 'no' if you mean no
Tell me one of the two clearly!
உண்டுன்னா
உண்டுன்னு ஒத்த
சொல்லில் சொல்லுங்க
இல்லன்னா இல்லன்னு
ரெண்டில் ஒன்னு சொல்லுங்க
My love
Is knocking at the door, do not block it
Do not suffer later
Shedding tears of regret
என் காதல் கதவை
தட்டும் தடுக்காதே
பின்னாளில் கண்ணீர்
ஊற்றி தவிக்காதே
Holding love inside your heart, why display this mild anger in your eyes?
For a woman wandering around searching for the shores of a man's heart,
What IPC (Indian Penal Code) legal section applies?
{Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa Jumbala jumbaalae} (x4)
{Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (x2)
நெஞ்சோடு ஒரு
காதல் வைத்து
கண்ணோடு சிறு கோபம்
என்ன ஆண் இதயத்தின்
கரைதேடி அலைகின்ற
பெண்ணுக்கு ஈ.பீ.கோ
செக்ஷன் என்ன
[Instrumental Interlude]
What is the point of endlessly talking? One must move forward without talking
Love should blossom naturally on its own, just like clouds form in the sky
Always with a woman,
Draw a boundary and stand
{ ஜும்பலக்கா
ஜும்பலக்கா ஜும்பல
ஜும்பாலே } (4)
{ ஜும்பாலே ஜும்பாலே
ஜும்பாலே } (2)
Even if you say 'I love you',
Maintain a respectful distance and say it!
Speak gently; womanhood will not despise you
.........................
If she sees a man who dominates and talks over her, she won't like it
பேசி பேசி அர்த்தம்
என்ன பேசாமல் முன்னேறனும்
காதல் எல்லாம் மேகம் போல
தன்னாலே உண்டாகணும்
A woman's heart is like a bamboo forest; just drop a lighted matchstick into it
Rest your head at her feet,
Look up at her face,
And beg for the alms of her love!
எப்போதும் பெண்ணோடு
எல்லை கட்டி நில்லுங்க ஐ லவ் யூ
சொன்னாலும் தள்ளி நின்னு
சொல்லுங்க
{Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa Jumbala jumbaalae} (x4)
{Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (x2)
The small hand of the clock is the girlfriend
The big hand of the clock is the boyfriend
மெல்லப்பேசு
பெண்மை உன்னை
வெறுக்காது தட்டிப்
பேசும் ஆணைக்
கண்டால் பிடிக்காது
As both hands rotate around the dial
Love happens right here!
{The small hand is heavy and deep
It moves very slowly
பெண்ணுள்ளம்
ஒரு மூங்கில் காடு தீக்குச்சி
ஒன்றைப் போட்டுப்பாரு
அவள் பாதத்தில் தலை
வைத்து அண்ணாந்து
முகம் பார்த்து லவ்
பிச்சை கேட்டுப்பாரு
The big hand chases and catches up
That is its speed!} (x2)
During a lover's tiff, the small hand may run away
Yet at every hour, they meet and unite
Aii aii aii aiii aaeeeeeeee
{ ஜும்பலக்கா
ஜும்பலக்கா ஜும்பல
ஜும்பாலே } (4)
{ ஜும்பாலே ஜும்பாலே
ஜும்பாலே } (2)
Chorus: {Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa Jumbala jumbaalae} (x4)
{Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (x2)
Chorus: Aii aii aii aiii aaeeeeeeee
சின்னமுள்ளு
காதலியல்லோ பெரிய
முள்ளு காதலனல்லோ
ரெண்டு முள்ளும் சுத்தற
சுத்தில் காதலிங்கு
நடக்குதல்லோ
Lelo lelo lelo lelolai
{ சின்னமுள்ளு
அழுத்தமானது மெதுவாய்
போகும் பெரியமுள்ளு
துரத்திப் பிடிக்குமே
அதுதான் வேகம் } (2)
ஊடலில் சின்ன
முள் ஓடலாம் ஒவ்வொரு
மணியிலும் கூடலாம்
............................
குழு :
{ ஜும்பலக்கா
ஜும்பலக்கா ஜும்பல
ஜும்பாலே } (4)
{ ஜும்பாலே ஜும்பாலே
ஜும்பாலே } (2)
குழு :
............................
Aii aii aii aiii aaeeeeeeee
Aii aii aii aiii aaeeeeeeee
Lelo lelo lelo lelolai
Lelo lelo lelo lelolai
Claps :…………………………………..
[Clapping rhythm sound]
{Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa
{Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa Jumbala jumbaalae} (x4)
Jumbala jumbaalae} (4)
{Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (x2)
{Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (2)
The small hand of the clock is the girlfriend
Chinnamullu kaadhaliyalloo
The big hand of the clock is the boyfriend
Periyamullu kaadhalanalloo
As both hands rotate around the dial
Rendu mullum suthara suththil
Love happens right here!
Kaadhalingu nadakkudhalloo
{The small hand is heavy and deep
{Chinnamullu azhuthamaanadhu
It moves very slowly
Medhuvaai pogum
The big hand chases and catches up
Periyamullu thurathi pidikkumae
That is its speed!} (x2)
Adhudhaan vegam} (2)
During a lover's tiff, the small hand may run away
Oodalil chinna mul odalaam
Yet at every hour, they meet and unite
Ovvoru maniyilum koodalaam
{Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa Jumbala jumbaalae} (x4)
{Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa
{Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (x2)
Jumbala jumbaalae} (4)
[Instrumental Interlude]
{Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (2)
Do not lock up your loving heart in short-tempered anger, my precious pearl
………………………………
I touched you thinking you were a sweet apple, but you became a prickly pineapple, girl!
Munkobathil kaadhal nenjai
Say 'yes' if you mean yes
Moodaadhae muthu kannae
Tell me in a single word
Apple endru thottu paarthaal
Say 'no' if you mean no
Pineapple aanaai pennae
Tell me one of the two clearly!
Undu naa undu nu
My love
Oththa chollil sollunga
Is knocking at the door, do not block it
Illa naa illa nu
Do not suffer later
Rendil onnu sollunga
Shedding tears of regret
En kaadhal
Holding love inside your heart, why display this mild anger in your eyes?
Kadhavai thattum
For a woman wandering around searching for the shores of a man's heart,
Thadukkaadhae
What IPC (Indian Penal Code) legal section applies?
Pinnaalil kanneer ootri
{Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa Jumbala jumbaalae} (x4)
Thavikkaadhae
{Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (x2)
Nenjodu oru kaadhal vaithu
[Instrumental Interlude]
Kannodu siru kobam enna
What is the point of endlessly talking? One must move forward without talking
Aan idhayathin karaithedi
Love should blossom naturally on its own, just like clouds form in the sky
Alaigindra pennukku
Always with a woman,
E.P.Co section enna
Draw a boundary and stand
{Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa
Even if you say 'I love you',
Jumbala jumbaalae} (4)
Maintain a respectful distance and say it!
{Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (2)
Speak gently; womanhood will not despise you
………………………………….
If she sees a man who dominates and talks over her, she won't like it
Pesi pesi artham enna
A woman's heart is like a bamboo forest; just drop a lighted matchstick into it
Pesaamal munneranum
Rest your head at her feet,
Kaadhal ellaam megam pola
Look up at her face,
Thannalae undaaganum
And beg for the alms of her love!
Eppodhum pennodu
{Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa Jumbala jumbaalae} (x4)
Ellai katti nillunga
{Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (x2)
I love you sonnaalum
The small hand of the clock is the girlfriend
Thalli ninnu sollunga
The big hand of the clock is the boyfriend
Mellappesu penmai unnai
As both hands rotate around the dial
Verukkaathu
Love happens right here!
Thattip pesum aanaik kandaal
{The small hand is heavy and deep
Pidikkaadhu
It moves very slowly
Pennullam oru moongil kaadu
The big hand chases and catches up
Theekkuchchi ondrai pottuppaaru
That is its speed!} (x2)
Aval paadhaththil thalaivaithu
During a lover's tiff, the small hand may run away
Annaandhu mugam paarthu
Yet at every hour, they meet and unite
Love pichai kettuppaaru
Aii aii aii aiii aaeeeeeeee
{Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa
Chorus: {Jumbalakkaa jumbalakkaa Jumbala jumbaalae} (x4)
Jumbala jumbaalae} (4)
{Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (x2)
{Jumbaalae jumbaalae jumbaalae} (2)
Chorus: Aii aii aii aiii aaeeeeeeee
Chinnamullu kaadhaliyalloo
Lelo lelo lelo lelolai
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
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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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