Kadhai Solla Poren
From Pooveli · 1998
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Bharathwaj, Charlie, Manorama, Chorus
- Music director
- Bharathwaj
- Details
- Pooveli1998
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Mooku sevanthavalae..a.e…ae…. | Oh red-nosed girl... |
| Mun kosavum vechavalae | Oh girl who wears front pleats on her saree! |
| Theiyilaiya killi putta | If tea leaves are plucked, |
| Thirumbavum thulir vidumae | They sprout back again. |
| Aavi killi ponavalae | Oh girl who plucked my spirit away, |
| Aduthu eppo uyir varumo | When will life return to me next? |
| Male | |
| Kadhai solla poren | I am going to tell a story, |
| Vidu kadhai solla poren | I am going to pose a riddle. |
| Kadhai solla poren | I am going to tell a story, |
| Vidu kadhai solla poren | I am going to pose a riddle. |
| En vidu kadhaikku vidaiya sonna | If you tell the answer to my riddle, |
| Soth ezhuthi thaaren | I will write off my property to you. |
| Chorus | |
| Sollunga mappilai sollunga | Tell us, groom, tell us, |
| Unga vidu kathiyai sollunga | Tell us your riddle! |
| Chorus | |
| Sollunga mappilai sollunga | Tell us, groom, tell us, |
| Unga vidu kathiyai sollunga | Tell us your riddle! |
| Chorus | |
| Muthu muthaa vidaiyai sonna | If you give answers bright as pearls, |
| Rokkam allí kodunga | Hand out cash generously! |
| Illa thappu thappaai badhila sonna | But if you answer wrong, |
| Sambalathil pidinga | Deduct it from the salary! |
| Male | |
| Kekka oru kadhillai | I have no ear to hear, |
| Pakka oru kannillai | I have no eye to see, |
| Pesa oru vaayillai enakku | I have no mouth to speak... |
| Enna thedi vandha | Yet if you seek me, |
| Needhi undu unakku | You shall get justice! |
| Naan yaaru… naan yaaru | Who am I... who am I? |
| Chorus | |
| Tharaasu a tharaasu | A weighing balance, a scale! |
| Male | |
| Ahaa sabash | Aha, well done! |
| Chorus | |
| Kadhai solla porom | We are going to tell a story, |
| Vidu kadhai solla porom | We are going to pose a riddle. |
| Kadhai solla porom | We are going to tell a story, |
| Vidu kadhai solla porom | We are going to pose a riddle. |
| En vidu kadhaikku vidaiya sonna | If you tell the answer to my riddle, |
| Soth ezhuthi thaarom | We will write off our property to you. |
| Male | |
| Sollunga sollunga sollunga | Tell us, tell us, tell us, |
| Unga vidu kadhaiyai sollunga | Tell us your riddle! |
| Male | |
| Sollunga sollunga sollunga | Tell us, tell us, tell us, |
| Unga vidu kadhaiyai sollunga | Tell us your riddle! |
| Chorus | |
| Paruppu kolambu manapathen | Why does the lentil curry smell good? |
| Male :Nei ootri irupangappa | Male: They must have poured ghee into it, buddy! |
| Chorus :Padai veeran saavathen | Chorus: Why does a soldier die? |
| Male :Oosi pona paruppu kolamba thinniruppano | Male: Did he eat spoiled lentil curry? |
| Female | |
| Enga thirupi sollunga | Come on, say it again! |
| Chorus | |
| Paruppu kolambu manapathen | Why does the lentil curry smell good? |
| Padai veeran saavathen | Why does a soldier die? |
| Female | |
| Perungayathaal | Because of Asafoetida (Perungayam)! |
| Perun kaayathaal | Because of a Great Wound (Perun kaayam)! |
| Female | |
| Kadhai solla poren | I am going to tell a story, |
| Vidu kadhai solla poren | I am going to pose a riddle. |
| Male :Neeyuma | Male: You too? |
| Female :En vidu kadhaikku vidaiya sonna | Female: If you answer my riddle, |
| Soth ezhuthi thaaren | I will write off my property to you. |
| Male | |
| Sollunga patti sollunga | Tell us, grandma, tell us, |
| Unga vidu kadhayai sollunga | Tell us your riddle! |
| Male | |
| Sollunga patti sollunga | Tell us, grandma, tell us, |
| Unga vidu kadhayai sollunga | Tell us your riddle! |
| Female | |
| Erukka ilai pazhupathen | Why does the crown flower leaf turn yellow? |
| Male :Kizhinchathu po | Male: It is torn, go away! |
| Female :Eruma kannu azhuvathen | Female: Why does the buffalo calf cry? |
| Male :Erukaa ilai eduthu | Male: Take the crown flower leaf, |
| Eruma kannuku potta thinuttu podhu | Feed it to the buffalo calf, it will eat and go! |
| Mela sollu | Tell us more! |
| Female | |
| Erukka ilai pazhupathen | Why does the crown flower leaf turn yellow? |
| Eruma kannu azhuvathen | Why does the buffalo calf cry? |
| Female | |
| Paal vathiponaal | Because milk dried up! |
| Paal vathiponaal | Because milk dried up! |
| Male | |
| Mappilai ayusu poora | So that the groom stays up |
| Muzhichittu nikkara maari onnu | Wide awake for his entire lifetime, |
| Eduthu vidunga paakkalam | Throw a riddle at us, let us see! |
| Male | |
| Unakkul irukku enakkul irukku | It is inside you, it is inside me, |
| Uyirum illai | But it has no life. |
| Chorus :Hmm hmmm | Chorus: Mmm mmm... |
| Male :Kaiyil sikkathu kannil theriyathu | Male: Can't be caught in hand, can't be seen with eyes, |
| Kaatrum illai | Yet it is not wind. |
| Female :Hoo hoo | Female: Hoo hoo... |
| Male | |
| Unarchi irunthaalum uruvam irukkathu | Though it has feelings, it has no form, |
| Kadavulum illai | Yet it is not God. |
| Chorus :Ho hooo | Chorus: Ho hooo... |
| Male :Idhu illatha dhesam edhuvum kidaiyathu | Male: There is no country without it, |
| Vanamum illa | Yet it is not the sky. |
| Adhu enna…adhu enna | What is it... what is it? |
| Male | |
| Adhaan adhaanya kaadhal | That... that is Love! |
மூக்கு செவந்தவளே...ஏ.....ஏ.....
முன் கொசுவம் வச்சவளே
தேயிலைய கிள்ளி புட்டா
திரும்பவும் துளிர் விடுமே
ஆவி கிள்ளி போனவளே
அடுத்து எப்போ உயிர் வருமோ
Oh red-nosed girl...
Oh girl who wears front pleats on her saree!
If tea leaves are plucked,
They sprout back again.
Oh girl who plucked my spirit away,
When will life return to me next?
கதை சொல்ல போறேன்
விடுகதை சொல்ல போறேன்
கதை சொல்ல போறேன்
விடுகதை சொல்ல போறேன்
என் விடுகதைக்கு விடைய சொன்னா
சொத்த எழுதி தாறேன்
I am going to tell a story,
I am going to pose a riddle.
I am going to tell a story,
I am going to pose a riddle.
If you tell the answer to my riddle,
I will write off my property to you.
சொல்லுங்க மாப்பிள்ளை சொல்லுங்க
உங்க விடுகதையை சொல்லுங்க
Tell us, groom, tell us,
Tell us your riddle!
சொல்லுங்க மாப்பிள்ளை சொல்லுங்க
உங்க விடுகதையை சொல்லுங்க
Tell us, groom, tell us,
Tell us your riddle!
முத்து முத்தா விடையை சொன்னா
ரொக்கம் அள்ளி கொடுங்க
இல்ல தப்பு தப்பாய் பதில சொன்னா
சம்பளத்தில் பிடிங்க
If you give answers bright as pearls,
Hand out cash generously!
But if you answer wrong,
Deduct it from the salary!
கேக்க ஒரு காதில்லை
பாக்க ஒரு கண்ணில்லை
பேச ஒரு வாயில்லை எனக்கு
என்ன தேடி வந்தா
நீதி உண்டு உனக்கு
நான் யாரு....நான் யாரு
I have no ear to hear,
I have no eye to see,
I have no mouth to speak...
Yet if you seek me,
You shall get justice!
Who am I... who am I?
தராசு அ தாரசு
A weighing balance, a scale!
ஆஹா சபாஷ்
Aha, well done!
கதை சொல்ல போறோம்
விடுகதை சொல்ல போறோம்
கதை சொல்ல போறோம்
விடுகதை சொல்ல போறோம்
என் விடுகதைக்கு விடைய சொன்னா
சொத்த எழுதி தாறோம்
We are going to tell a story,
We are going to pose a riddle.
We are going to tell a story,
We are going to pose a riddle.
If you tell the answer to my riddle,
We will write off our property to you.
சொல்லுங்க சொல்லுங்க சொல்லுங்க
உங்க விடுகதையை சொல்லுங்க
Tell us, tell us, tell us,
Tell us your riddle!
சொல்லுங்க சொல்லுங்க சொல்லுங்க
உங்க விடுகதையை சொல்லுங்க
Tell us, tell us, tell us,
Tell us your riddle!
பருப்பு கொழம்பு மணப்பதேன்
நெய் ஊற்றி இருபாங்கப்பா
குழு :
படை வீரன் சாவதேன்
ஊசி போன பருப்பு கொழம்பு
தின்னிருப்பானோ
Why does the lentil curry smell good?
Male: They must have poured ghee into it, buddy!
Chorus: Why does a soldier die?
Male: Did he eat spoiled lentil curry?
எங்க திருப்பி சொல்லுங்க
Come on, say it again!
பருப்பு கொழம்பு மணப்பதேன்
படை வீரன் சாவதேன்
Why does the lentil curry smell good?
Why does a soldier die?
பெருங்காயத்தால்
பெருங் காயத்தால்
Because of Asafoetida (Perungayam)!
Because of a Great Wound (Perun kaayam)!
கதை சொல்ல போறேன்
விடுகதை சொல்ல போறேன்
நீயுமா
என் விடுகதைக்கு விடைய சொன்னா
சொத்த எழுதி தாறேன்
I am going to tell a story,
I am going to pose a riddle.
Male: You too?
Female: If you answer my riddle,
I will write off my property to you.
சொல்லுங்க பாட்டி சொல்லுங்க
உங்க விடுகதைய சொல்லுங்க
Tell us, grandma, tell us,
Tell us your riddle!
சொல்லுங்க பாட்டி சொல்லுங்க
உங்க விடுகதைய சொல்லுங்க
Tell us, grandma, tell us,
Tell us your riddle!
எருக்க இலை பழுப்பதேன்
கிழிஞ்சது போ
எருமை கண்ணு அழுவதேன்
எருக்க இல்லை எடுத்து
எருமை கண்ணுக்கு போட்ட தின்னுட்டு போது
மேல சொல்லு
Why does the crown flower leaf turn yellow?
Male: It is torn, go away!
Female: Why does the buffalo calf cry?
Male: Take the crown flower leaf,
Feed it to the buffalo calf, it will eat and go!
Tell us more!
எருக்க இலை பழுப்பதேன்
எருமை கண்ணு அழுவதேன்
Why does the crown flower leaf turn yellow?
Why does the buffalo calf cry?
பால் வத்திபோனால்
பால் வத்திபோனால்
Because milk dried up!
Because milk dried up!
மாப்பிள்ளை ஆயுசு பூரா
முழிச்சுட்டு நிக்கிற மாதிரி ஒன்னு
எடுத்து விடுங்க பாக்கலாம்
So that the groom stays up
Wide awake for his entire lifetime,
Throw a riddle at us, let us see!
உனக்குள் இருக்கு எனக்குள் இருக்கு
உயிரும் இல்லை
குழு :
ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்
கையில் சிக்காது கண்ணில் தெரியாது
காற்றும் இல்லை
ஹோ ஹோ
It is inside you, it is inside me,
But it has no life.
Chorus: Mmm mmm...
Male: Can't be caught in hand, can't be seen with eyes,
Yet it is not wind.
Female: Hoo hoo...
உணர்ச்சி இருந்தாலும் உருவம் இருக்காது
கடவளும் இல்லை
குழு :
ஹோ ஹோ
இது இல்லாத தேசம் எதுவும் கிடையாது
வானமும் இல்லை
அது என்ன .....அது என்ன
Though it has feelings, it has no form,
Yet it is not God.
Chorus: Ho hooo...
Male: There is no country without it,
Yet it is not the sky.
What is it... what is it?
அதான் அதான்யா காதல்
That... that is Love!
Mooku sevanthavalae..a.e…ae….
Oh red-nosed girl...
Mun kosavum vechavalae
Oh girl who wears front pleats on her saree!
Theiyilaiya killi putta
If tea leaves are plucked,
Thirumbavum thulir vidumae
They sprout back again.
Aavi killi ponavalae
Oh girl who plucked my spirit away,
Aduthu eppo uyir varumo
When will life return to me next?
Kadhai solla poren
I am going to tell a story,
Vidu kadhai solla poren
I am going to pose a riddle.
Kadhai solla poren
I am going to tell a story,
Vidu kadhai solla poren
I am going to pose a riddle.
En vidu kadhaikku vidaiya sonna
If you tell the answer to my riddle,
Soth ezhuthi thaaren
I will write off my property to you.
Sollunga mappilai sollunga
Tell us, groom, tell us,
Unga vidu kathiyai sollunga
Tell us your riddle!
Sollunga mappilai sollunga
Tell us, groom, tell us,
Unga vidu kathiyai sollunga
Tell us your riddle!
Muthu muthaa vidaiyai sonna
If you give answers bright as pearls,
Rokkam allí kodunga
Hand out cash generously!
Illa thappu thappaai badhila sonna
But if you answer wrong,
Sambalathil pidinga
Deduct it from the salary!
Kekka oru kadhillai
I have no ear to hear,
Pakka oru kannillai
I have no eye to see,
Pesa oru vaayillai enakku
I have no mouth to speak...
Enna thedi vandha
Yet if you seek me,
Needhi undu unakku
You shall get justice!
Naan yaaru… naan yaaru
Who am I... who am I?
Tharaasu a tharaasu
A weighing balance, a scale!
Ahaa sabash
Aha, well done!
Kadhai solla porom
We are going to tell a story,
Vidu kadhai solla porom
We are going to pose a riddle.
Kadhai solla porom
We are going to tell a story,
Vidu kadhai solla porom
We are going to pose a riddle.
En vidu kadhaikku vidaiya sonna
If you tell the answer to my riddle,
Soth ezhuthi thaarom
We will write off our property to you.
Sollunga sollunga sollunga
Tell us, tell us, tell us,
Unga vidu kadhaiyai sollunga
Tell us your riddle!
Sollunga sollunga sollunga
Tell us, tell us, tell us,
Unga vidu kadhaiyai sollunga
Tell us your riddle!
Paruppu kolambu manapathen
Why does the lentil curry smell good?
Male :Nei ootri irupangappa
Male: They must have poured ghee into it, buddy!
Chorus :Padai veeran saavathen
Chorus: Why does a soldier die?
Male :Oosi pona paruppu kolamba thinniruppano
Male: Did he eat spoiled lentil curry?
Enga thirupi sollunga
Come on, say it again!
Paruppu kolambu manapathen
Why does the lentil curry smell good?
Padai veeran saavathen
Why does a soldier die?
Perungayathaal
Because of Asafoetida (Perungayam)!
Perun kaayathaal
Because of a Great Wound (Perun kaayam)!
Kadhai solla poren
I am going to tell a story,
Vidu kadhai solla poren
I am going to pose a riddle.
Male :Neeyuma
Male: You too?
Female :En vidu kadhaikku vidaiya sonna
Female: If you answer my riddle,
Soth ezhuthi thaaren
I will write off my property to you.
Sollunga patti sollunga
Tell us, grandma, tell us,
Unga vidu kadhayai sollunga
Tell us your riddle!
Sollunga patti sollunga
Tell us, grandma, tell us,
Unga vidu kadhayai sollunga
Tell us your riddle!
Erukka ilai pazhupathen
Why does the crown flower leaf turn yellow?
Male :Kizhinchathu po
Male: It is torn, go away!
Female :Eruma kannu azhuvathen
Female: Why does the buffalo calf cry?
Male :Erukaa ilai eduthu
Male: Take the crown flower leaf,
Eruma kannuku potta thinuttu podhu
Feed it to the buffalo calf, it will eat and go!
Mela sollu
Tell us more!
Erukka ilai pazhupathen
Why does the crown flower leaf turn yellow?
Eruma kannu azhuvathen
Why does the buffalo calf cry?
Paal vathiponaal
Because milk dried up!
Paal vathiponaal
Because milk dried up!
Mappilai ayusu poora
So that the groom stays up
Muzhichittu nikkara maari onnu
Wide awake for his entire lifetime,
Eduthu vidunga paakkalam
Throw a riddle at us, let us see!
Unakkul irukku enakkul irukku
It is inside you, it is inside me,
Uyirum illai
But it has no life.
Chorus :Hmm hmmm
Chorus: Mmm mmm...
Male :Kaiyil sikkathu kannil theriyathu
Male: Can't be caught in hand, can't be seen with eyes,
Kaatrum illai
Yet it is not wind.
Female :Hoo hoo
Female: Hoo hoo...
Unarchi irunthaalum uruvam irukkathu
Though it has feelings, it has no form,
Kadavulum illai
Yet it is not God.
Chorus :Ho hooo
Chorus: Ho hooo...
Male :Idhu illatha dhesam edhuvum kidaiyathu
Male: There is no country without it,
Vanamum illa
Yet it is not the sky.
Adhu enna…adhu enna
What is it... what is it?
Adhaan adhaanya kaadhal
That... that is Love!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Mooku Sevanthavalae from the 1998 Tamil movie Pooveli (composed by Bharadwaj, written by Vairamuthu) is a joyful folk-style riddle song (Vidu Kadhai Paattu). Set in a festive family atmosphere, the characters challenge each other with humorous and clever riddles, playfully betting their property or salary on the answers.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Pun / Double Entendre (Cilēṭai)
“Perungayathaal / Perun kaayathaal”
Clever wordplay using 'Perungayam' (asafoetida spice, which makes curry aromatic) and 'Perun kaayam' (a severe physical wound, which causes a soldier's death).
Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kekka oru kadhillai / Pakka oru kannillai / Pesa oru vaayillai enakku”
Consonance on the second letter across lines (Kekka / Pakka / Pesa) establishing a rhythmic cadence typical of traditional riddles.
Personification & Metaphor
“Unakkul irukku enakkul irukku / Uyirum illai... Adhaan adhaanya kaadhal”
Love is framed as an omnipresent, formless entity living inside people without physical life or divine presence.
Did you know?
Trivia
This track from Pooveli features music composed by Bharadwaj and lyrics by Vairamuthu, directed by Vikraman. The song highlights traditional Tamil folk riddle games (Vidu Kadhai Paattu), often performed in celebratory and family settings.
Keep listening
More from Pooveli
Pooveli
Pooveli
Pooveli
Pooveli
Pooveli
Pooveli