Kalla Manna
From Kanavu Variyam · 2017
- Lyricist
- Arun Chidambaram
- Singers
- Mithuna, Sai Rishi, Sai Lakshmi
- Music director
- Shyam Benjamin
- Details
- Kanavu Variyam2017
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kalla manna kalla manna aadalaam | Let us play Stone and Soil! |
| Naadu pudikka naadu pudikka odalaam | Let us run to conquer territory! |
| Tyre vandi otiyae | By rolling a tire wheel, |
| Veedu poiyi seralaam | We can reach home. |
| Chorus | |
| Kichu kichu thaambaalam | Kichu kichu thaambaalam (rhyming game phrase), |
| Kiya kiya thaambaalam | Kiya kiya thaambaalam (rhyming game phrase), |
| Male | |
| Pachchai kudhirai thaandum podhum | While playing leapfrog (Pachchai Kudhirai), |
| Kunibavan dhaanae | The friend who bends down |
| Enga ooru mempaalam | Is our village's flyover bridge! |
| Chorus | |
| Kalla manna kalla manna | Stone and soil, stone and soil, |
| Naadu pudikka naadu pudikka | To conquer territory, to conquer territory, |
| Female | |
| Vilaiyaatukku panjam | Is there any shortage of games |
| Gramaathula suththmaa | In our village at all? |
| Chorus :Illai…. | Chorus: No... |
| Female | |
| Velai vaasi kavalai | Worry about the cost of living, |
| Engallukku ennaikkumae | For us, ever, |
| Chorus :Illai….. | Chorus: No... |
| Male | |
| Mannu dhaanae | Mud itself is, |
| Chorus :Soru… | Chorus: Rice... |
| Elai dhaanae | Leaves themselves are, |
| Chorus :Keerai… | Chorus: Greens/Spinach... |
| Female | |
| Kallu dhaanae | Stones themselves are, |
| Chorus :Poriyal… | Chorus: Vegetable stir-fry... |
| Ada eppadi enga | Ah, look at how our |
| Samaiyal | Cooking is! |
| Chorus | |
| Naanga manala kumichaa | If we heap up sand, |
| Veedu dhaan | It becomes a house! |
| Touseraa pudichaa | If we hold onto someone's shorts, |
| Rayilu dhaan | It becomes a train! |
| Burrrunnu ottuvom | We drive making 'Burrr' sound, |
| Bike-u dhaan | It becomes a motorcycle! |
| Sarrrunnu adipom | We stop suddenly with 'Sarrr', |
| Break dhaan… | It is the brake! |
| Chorus | |
| Horn adichu vara maatiyaa (Dialogue) | Won't you move aside when I honk the horn? (Dialogue) |
| Heyyyyy… | Heyyyyy... |
| Female | |
| Maiyai kondae | Using black eye-liner/ink, |
| Meesai theetalaam | We can draw a mustache! |
| Male :Kuchi kooda | Male: Even a small stick |
| Thuppaakiyaai aagalaam | Can become a toy gun! |
| Female | |
| Kidaippadhil inbam kaanavae | To find happiness in whatever we get, |
| Male :Ada engakitta yosanai ketkalaam | Male: Ah, you can ask us for ideas! |
| Chorus | |
| Amma kuththu aanandham | Playful nudging brings joy, |
| Enga soththu sandhosham | Our real wealth is happiness! |
| Enga thevai romba sirisu dhaan | Our actual needs are very small, |
| Aanaa karpanaiyo romba perusu dhaan | But our imagination is super grand! |
| Chorus | |
| Athili buththili maha suha | Athili buththili maha suha (traditional nursery rhyme words), |
| Paal parangi raatmaa pootmaa | Paal parangi raatmaa pootmaa (traditional nursery rhyme words), |
| Chee sal | Chee sal, |
| Female | |
| Naam ochiyaan | We are the champions, |
| Dhinam paadiyae | Singing every day! |
| Ada nila poochi | Hey ladybug / firefly, |
| Vaa aadalaam | Come, let's play! |
| Female | |
| Thaithakaadhai yai | Rhythmically dancing 'Thaithakaadhai', |
| Ada nondiyae | Hey, hopping on one leg, |
| Vaa uppu vaikka | Come, to play the salt-seller game, |
| Naamum pogalaam | Let us also go! |
| Chorus | |
| Killu… | Pinching... |
| Male :Mookku killi killalam | Male: We can playfully pinch noses! |
| Chorus :Nee thallu… | Chorus: You push... |
| Male :Kallan yaaru thedalaam | Male: Let's find out who the thief is! |
| Chorus :Paaru… | Chorus: Look... |
| Vannaam podhi odalaam | The washerman carrying a heavy bundle runs! |
| Chorus :Nee aeru… | Chorus: You climb... |
| Kaakka kunju aagalaam | We can pretend to be a crow chick! |
| Female | |
| Paththu viral serndhaa | When ten fingers join together, |
| Peeppee dhaan | It forms a musical pipe! |
| Chorus :Kaali lottaa engallukku | Chorus: An empty tumbler for us |
| Kaappi dhaan | Is coffee! |
| Male | |
| Vervai vaasam | The aroma of sweat |
| Sokku dhaan | Is sheer style and charm! |
| Chorus :Dhinam aadinaa illai | Chorus: If played daily, there is no |
| Seekku dhaan | Illness at all! |
| Chorus | |
| Girra…girra | Girra... girra (Spinning around), |
| Domma..domma | Domma.. domma (Drum sound), |
| Avva..avva | Avva.. avva (Playful chants), |
| Fu fu fu…uffuuu | Fu fu fu... uffuuu (Blowing air), |
| Chorus | |
| Pappu saadham | Lentil rice, |
| Kaiyil kadaiyalaam | Can be mashed with hands! |
| Nandu oora | As crabs crawl, |
| Kichchu kichchu moottalaam | We can tickle each other! |
| Chorus | |
| Kalla piraandhu | Flying kites, |
| Varudhu adikkalaam | Can be cut down in competition! |
| Sirchchu sirchchu | Laughing and laughing, |
| Meendum aadalaam | Let us play again! |
| Chorus | |
| Kichu kichu thaambaalam | Kichu kichu thaambaalam, |
| Kiya kiya thaambaalam | Kiya kiya thaambaalam, |
| Male | |
| Pachchai kudhirai thaandum podhum | While playing leapfrog, |
| Kunibavan dhaanae | The friend who bends down |
| Enga ooru mempaalam | Is our village flyover bridge! |
| Chorus | |
| Kichu kichu thaambaalam | Kichu kichu thaambaalam, |
| Kiya kiya thaambaalam | Kiya kiya thaambaalam, |
| Chorus | |
| Pachchai kudhirai thaandum podhum | While playing leapfrog, |
| Kunibavan dhaanae | The friend who bends down |
| Enga ooru mempaalam | Is our village flyover bridge! |
| Uffuuu | Uffuuu |
கல்லா மண்ணா
கல்லா மண்ணா ஆடலாம்
நாடு புடிக்க நாடு புடிக்க
ஓடலாம் டயர் வண்டி
ஓட்டியே வீடு போயி
சேரலாம்
Let us play Stone and Soil!
Let us run to conquer territory!
By rolling a tire wheel,
We can reach home.
கிச்சு கிச்சு தாம்பாளம்
கியா கியா தாம்பாளம்
Kichu kichu thaambaalam (rhyming game phrase),
Kiya kiya thaambaalam (rhyming game phrase),
பச்சை குதிரை
தாண்டும் போதும் குனிபவன்
தானே எங்க ஊரு மாம்பழம்
While playing leapfrog (Pachchai Kudhirai),
The friend who bends down
Is our village's flyover bridge!
கல்லா மண்ணா
கல்லா மண்ணா நாடு
புடிக்க நாடு புடிக்க
Stone and soil, stone and soil,
To conquer territory, to conquer territory,
விளையாட்டுக்கு
பஞ்சம் கிராமத்துல சுத்தமா
குழு :
இல்லை
Is there any shortage of games
In our village at all?
Chorus: No...
விலை வாசி
கவலை எங்களுக்கு
என்னைக்குமே
குழு :
இல்லை
Worry about the cost of living,
For us, ever,
Chorus: No...
மண்ணு தானே
குழு :
சோறு
இலை தானே
குழு :
கீரை
Mud itself is,
Chorus: Rice...
Leaves themselves are,
Chorus: Greens/Spinach...
கல்லு தானே
குழு :
பொரியல்
அட எப்படி எங்க சமையல்
Stones themselves are,
Chorus: Vegetable stir-fry...
Ah, look at how our
Cooking is!
நாங்க மணலை
குமிச்சா வீடு தான் டவுசரை
புடிச்சா ரயிலு தான் புர்ருன்னு
ஓட்டுவோம் பைக் தான் சர்ர்ன்னு
அடிப்போம் பிரேக் தான்
If we heap up sand,
It becomes a house!
If we hold onto someone's shorts,
It becomes a train!
We drive making 'Burrr' sound,
It becomes a motorcycle!
We stop suddenly with 'Sarrr',
It is the brake!
ஹார்ன் அடிச்சு
வர மாட்டியா ஹே
Won't you move aside when I honk the horn? (Dialogue)
Heyyyyy...
மையை கொண்டே
மீசை தீட்டலாம்
குச்சி கூட
துப்பாக்கியாய் ஆகலாம்
Using black eye-liner/ink,
We can draw a mustache!
Male: Even a small stick
Can become a toy gun!
கிடைப்பதில்
இன்பம் காணவே
அட எங்ககிட்ட
யோசனை கேட்கலாம்
To find happiness in whatever we get,
Male: Ah, you can ask us for ideas!
அம்மா குத்து ஆனந்தம்
எங்க சொத்து சந்தோசம் எங்க
தேவை ரொம்ப சிறிசு தான்
ஆனா கற்பனையோ ரொம்ப
பெருசு தான்
Playful nudging brings joy,
Our real wealth is happiness!
Our actual needs are very small,
But our imagination is super grand!
அதிலி புத்திலி மகா
சுகா பால் பரங்கி ராட்மா
பூட்மா சீ சால்
Athili buththili maha suha (traditional nursery rhyme words),
Paal parangi raatmaa pootmaa (traditional nursery rhyme words),
Chee sal,
நாம் ஓசியான்
தினம் பாடியே அட நிலா
போச்சி வா ஆடலாம்
We are the champions,
Singing every day!
Hey ladybug / firefly,
Come, let's play!
தைத்தகாதை
யை அட நொண்டியே
வா உப்பு வைக்க நாமும்
போகலாம்
Rhythmically dancing 'Thaithakaadhai',
Hey, hopping on one leg,
Come, to play the salt-seller game,
Let us also go!
கிள்ளு
மூக்கு
கிளி கிள்ளலாம்
குழு :
நீ தள்ளு
கள்ளன்
யாரு தேடலாம்
குழு :
பாரு
வண்ணம் பொத்தி
ஓடலாம்
குழு :
நீ ஏறு காக்கா
குஞ்சு ஆகலாம்
Pinching...
Male: We can playfully pinch noses!
Chorus: You push...
Male: Let's find out who the thief is!
Chorus: Look...
The washerman carrying a heavy bundle runs!
Chorus: You climb...
We can pretend to be a crow chick!
பத்து விரல்
சேர்ந்தா பீப்பீ தான்
குழு :
காலி லோட்டா
எங்களுக்கு காபி தான்
When ten fingers join together,
It forms a musical pipe!
Chorus: An empty tumbler for us
Is coffee!
வேர்வை
வாசம் சொக்கு தான்
குழு :
தினம் ஆடினா
இல்லை சீக்கு தான்
The aroma of sweat
Is sheer style and charm!
Chorus: If played daily, there is no
Illness at all!
கிரா கிரா டொம்மா
டொம்மா அவ்வா அவ்வா
பியூ பியூ பியூ பியூ
Girra... girra (Spinning around),
Domma.. domma (Drum sound),
Avva.. avva (Playful chants),
Fu fu fu... uffuuu (Blowing air),
பப்பு சாதம் கையில்
கடையலாம் நண்டு ஊற
கிச்சு கிச்சு மூட்டலாம்
Lentil rice,
Can be mashed with hands!
As crabs crawl,
We can tickle each other!
கள்ள பிராந்து வருது
அடிக்கலாம் சிரிச்சு சிரிச்சு
மீண்டும் ஆடலாம்
Flying kites,
Can be cut down in competition!
Laughing and laughing,
Let us play again!
கிச்சு கிச்சு தாம்பாளம்
கியா கியா தாம்பாளம்
Kichu kichu thaambaalam,
Kiya kiya thaambaalam,
பச்சை குதிரை
தாண்டும் போதும்
குனிபவன் தானே
எங்க ஊரு மாம்பழம்
While playing leapfrog,
The friend who bends down
Is our village flyover bridge!
கிச்சு கிச்சு தாம்பாளம்
கியா கியா தாம்பாளம்
Kichu kichu thaambaalam,
Kiya kiya thaambaalam,
பச்சை குதிரை
தாண்டும் போதும்
குனிபவன் தானே
எங்க ஊரு மாம்பழம்
While playing leapfrog,
The friend who bends down
Is our village flyover bridge!
Uffuuu
Kalla manna kalla manna aadalaam
Let us play Stone and Soil!
Naadu pudikka naadu pudikka odalaam
Let us run to conquer territory!
Tyre vandi otiyae
By rolling a tire wheel,
Veedu poiyi seralaam
We can reach home.
Kichu kichu thaambaalam
Kichu kichu thaambaalam (rhyming game phrase),
Kiya kiya thaambaalam
Kiya kiya thaambaalam (rhyming game phrase),
Pachchai kudhirai thaandum podhum
While playing leapfrog (Pachchai Kudhirai),
Kunibavan dhaanae
The friend who bends down
Enga ooru mempaalam
Is our village's flyover bridge!
Kalla manna kalla manna
Stone and soil, stone and soil,
Naadu pudikka naadu pudikka
To conquer territory, to conquer territory,
Vilaiyaatukku panjam
Is there any shortage of games
Gramaathula suththmaa
In our village at all?
Chorus :Illai….
Chorus: No...
Velai vaasi kavalai
Worry about the cost of living,
Engallukku ennaikkumae
For us, ever,
Chorus :Illai…..
Chorus: No...
Mannu dhaanae
Mud itself is,
Chorus :Soru…
Chorus: Rice...
Elai dhaanae
Leaves themselves are,
Chorus :Keerai…
Chorus: Greens/Spinach...
Kallu dhaanae
Stones themselves are,
Chorus :Poriyal…
Chorus: Vegetable stir-fry...
Ada eppadi enga
Ah, look at how our
Samaiyal
Cooking is!
Naanga manala kumichaa
If we heap up sand,
Veedu dhaan
It becomes a house!
Touseraa pudichaa
If we hold onto someone's shorts,
Rayilu dhaan
It becomes a train!
Burrrunnu ottuvom
We drive making 'Burrr' sound,
Bike-u dhaan
It becomes a motorcycle!
Sarrrunnu adipom
We stop suddenly with 'Sarrr',
Break dhaan…
It is the brake!
Horn adichu vara maatiyaa (Dialogue)
Won't you move aside when I honk the horn? (Dialogue)
Heyyyyy…
Heyyyyy...
Maiyai kondae
Using black eye-liner/ink,
Meesai theetalaam
We can draw a mustache!
Male :Kuchi kooda
Male: Even a small stick
Thuppaakiyaai aagalaam
Can become a toy gun!
Kidaippadhil inbam kaanavae
To find happiness in whatever we get,
Male :Ada engakitta yosanai ketkalaam
Male: Ah, you can ask us for ideas!
Amma kuththu aanandham
Playful nudging brings joy,
Enga soththu sandhosham
Our real wealth is happiness!
Enga thevai romba sirisu dhaan
Our actual needs are very small,
Aanaa karpanaiyo romba perusu dhaan
But our imagination is super grand!
Athili buththili maha suha
Athili buththili maha suha (traditional nursery rhyme words),
Paal parangi raatmaa pootmaa
Paal parangi raatmaa pootmaa (traditional nursery rhyme words),
Chee sal
Chee sal,
Naam ochiyaan
We are the champions,
Dhinam paadiyae
Singing every day!
Ada nila poochi
Hey ladybug / firefly,
Vaa aadalaam
Come, let's play!
Thaithakaadhai yai
Rhythmically dancing 'Thaithakaadhai',
Ada nondiyae
Hey, hopping on one leg,
Vaa uppu vaikka
Come, to play the salt-seller game,
Naamum pogalaam
Let us also go!
Killu…
Pinching...
Male :Mookku killi killalam
Male: We can playfully pinch noses!
Chorus :Nee thallu…
Chorus: You push...
Male :Kallan yaaru thedalaam
Male: Let's find out who the thief is!
Chorus :Paaru…
Chorus: Look...
Vannaam podhi odalaam
The washerman carrying a heavy bundle runs!
Chorus :Nee aeru…
Chorus: You climb...
Kaakka kunju aagalaam
We can pretend to be a crow chick!
Paththu viral serndhaa
When ten fingers join together,
Peeppee dhaan
It forms a musical pipe!
Chorus :Kaali lottaa engallukku
Chorus: An empty tumbler for us
Kaappi dhaan
Is coffee!
Vervai vaasam
The aroma of sweat
Sokku dhaan
Is sheer style and charm!
Chorus :Dhinam aadinaa illai
Chorus: If played daily, there is no
Seekku dhaan
Illness at all!
Girra…girra
Girra... girra (Spinning around),
Domma..domma
Domma.. domma (Drum sound),
Avva..avva
Avva.. avva (Playful chants),
Fu fu fu…uffuuu
Fu fu fu... uffuuu (Blowing air),
Pappu saadham
Lentil rice,
Kaiyil kadaiyalaam
Can be mashed with hands!
Nandu oora
As crabs crawl,
Kichchu kichchu moottalaam
We can tickle each other!
Kalla piraandhu
Flying kites,
Varudhu adikkalaam
Can be cut down in competition!
Sirchchu sirchchu
Laughing and laughing,
Meendum aadalaam
Let us play again!
Kichu kichu thaambaalam
Kichu kichu thaambaalam,
Kiya kiya thaambaalam
Kiya kiya thaambaalam,
Pachchai kudhirai thaandum podhum
While playing leapfrog,
Kunibavan dhaanae
The friend who bends down
Enga ooru mempaalam
Is our village flyover bridge!
Kichu kichu thaambaalam
Kichu kichu thaambaalam,
Kiya kiya thaambaalam
Kiya kiya thaambaalam,
Pachchai kudhirai thaandum podhum
While playing leapfrog,
Kunibavan dhaanae
The friend who bends down
Enga ooru mempaalam
Is our village flyover bridge!
Uffuuu
Uffuuu
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kalla Manna from Kanavu Variyam (2017) is a joyful celebration of rural Tamil childhood and traditional street games. The song highlights how children turn simple everyday objects into sources of endless entertainment—mud becomes cooked food, sticks turn into guns, and friends holding onto shorts form a moving train. Unburdened by modern luxury or economic anxieties, the kids rely on pure imagination, camaraderie, and physical activity to find ultimate happiness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Pachchai kudhirai thaandum podhum / Kunibavan dhaanae / Enga ooru mempaalam”
Comparing a friend bending down in the traditional leapfrog game (Pachchai Kudhirai) directly to a village flyover bridge ('enga ooru mempaalam').
Onomatopoeia (Oliyakkurippu)
“Burrrunnu ottuvom ... Sarrrunnu adipom”
Use of phonetic sounds mimicking vehicles and playful actions like 'Burrrunnu' for engine revs and 'Sarrrunnu' for braking.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Kalla manna kalla manna aadalaam / Naadu pudikka naadu pudikka odalaam”
Rhyming ends of lines in rhythmic, play-chant fashion ('aadalaam', 'odalaam', 'seralaam').
Did you know?
Trivia
Kanavu Variyam (2017), directed by and starring Arun Chidambaram, won multiple international awards, including at the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival. The song 'Kalla Manna' was specially composed to document and revive over 50 traditional village games of Tamil Nadu that are fast disappearing in the digital era.
Keep listening
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