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Karpoora Mullai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Karpoora Mullai Ondru

From Karpoora Mullai · 1991

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singers
K. S. Chithra, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Karpoora Mullai
Movie release year
1991
Lyrics added on
30 May 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Yaaaahhhh……
Karpoora mullai ondru
Kaattaatru vellam endru
Kelambida thaan
Dhoolu kelappida thaan
Kettukka paattu saththam
Sivakaasi vaettu saththam
Dhenam dhenam thaan
Enga sudhandhiram thaan
Karpoora…
Karpoora mullai ondru
Kaattaatru vellam endru
Kelambida thaan
Dhoolu kelappida thaan
Kettukka paattu saththam
Sivakaasi vaettu saththam
Dhenam dhenam thaan
Enga sudhandhiram thaan
Katti poda naanga
Oru petti paambum alla
Ottu poovum noolum
Verum pattikkaadum alla
Ellai kodu pottu
Adhai illai endru solla
Andha kaala seedhai
Adhu indha paavai alla
Nalliravil
Jaangu chakkara
Jaangu chakkara chachchaa
Indha velli radham
Jaangu chakkara
Jaangu chakkara chachchaa
Nalliravil
Aadi nadappadhum
Paadi nadapadhum jolly
Indha velli radham
Veedhi valam vara
Yedhu idharkkoru vaeli
Hoi
Karpoora… haei haei
…………………………….
Engae poga vendum
Nadhi yaarai ketka vendum
Ishtam pola odum
Thadai pottu paaru thaandum
Eppo paada vendum
Kuyil yaarai ketka vendum
Ennam pola paadum
Adhil inbam kodi thondrum
Palliyilae
Jaangu chakkara
Jaangu chakkara chachchaa
Oru raa kuruvi
Jaangu chakkara
Jaangu chakkara chachchaa
Palliyilae
Paadam padichadhu
Boru adichadhu podi
Oru raa kuruvi
Koottam nadathida
Koovi azhaithadhu vaadi
Haei
Karpoora mullai ondru
Kaattaatru vellam endru
Kelambida thaan
Dhoolu kelappida thaan
Kettukka paattu saththam
Sivakaasi vaettu saththam
Dhenam dhenam thaan
Enga sudhandhiram thaan
Karpoora…
Karpoora mullai ondru
Kaattaatru vellam endru
Kelambida thaan
Dhoolu kelappida thaan
Kettukka paattu saththam
Sivakaasi vaettu saththam
Dhenam dhenam thaan
Enga sudhandhiram thaan
Yaaahhh...
A camphor jasmine,
like a wild rushing flood,
has set out
to kick up a storm!
Listen to the sound of music,
like the blast of Sivakasi firecrackers!
Every single day,
it is our freedom!
Karpoora...
A camphor jasmine,
like a wild rushing flood,
has set out
to kick up a storm!
Listen to the sound of music,
like the blast of Sivakasi firecrackers!
Every single day,
it is our freedom!
To be trapped and kept inside,
we are no caged snakes in a box!
With glued flowers and simple thread,
we aren't just naive village girls!
Drawing a line of limits
and never daring to cross it—
that was the Sita of the old days,
this girl isn't like that!
In the middle of the night,
Jaangu chakkara,
Jaangu chakkara sachcha!
This silver chariot,
Jaangu chakkara,
Jaangu chakkara sachcha!
In the middle of the night,
dancing on our way
and singing along is so much fun!
When this silver chariot
parades through the streets,
what fence can ever stop it?
Hoy!
Karpoora... hey hey!
...
Where it ought to flow,
whom does a river have to ask?
It rushes wherever it pleases;
try putting up a barrier, it will leap over!
When it ought to sing,
whom does a cuckoo have to ask?
It sings just as its heart desires,
bringing endless joy with it!
Back in school,
Jaangu chakkara,
Jaangu chakkara sachcha!
A night bird,
Jaangu chakkara,
Jaangu chakkara sachcha!
Back in school,
studying our lessons
got so boring, forget it!
A night bird
called for a get-together
and cried out, "Come on, girl!"
Hey!
A camphor jasmine,
like a wild rushing flood,
has set out
to kick up a storm!
Listen to the sound of music,
like the blast of Sivakasi firecrackers!
Every single day,
it is our freedom!
Karpoora...
A camphor jasmine,
like a wild rushing flood,
has set out
to kick up a storm!
Listen to the sound of music,
like the blast of Sivakasi firecrackers!
Every single day,
it is our freedom!
Chorus
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Chorus
Female
Chorus
Female
Chorus
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Chorus
Chorus
Female
Chorus
Female
Chorus
Female
Chorus
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Karpoora Mullai Ondru' is an exuberant song expressing youth, female empowerment, and unrestrained freedom. The song compares young women to wild mountain streams and free-spirited cuckoos that refuse to be constrained by traditional boundaries or social restrictions. Rejecting historical expectations of submissive womanhood, the lyrics celebrate modern independence, fun, and breaking away from dull routines. The lively rhythms and metaphors of Sivakasi firecrackers emphasize high energy, celebration, and joy in living life on one's own terms.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamaani)

“Kaattaatru vellam endru”

Comparing the young woman to a wild river flood ('Kaattaatru vellam endru') to show untamed energy.

Alliteration (Monai)

“Karpoora mullai ondru / Kaattaatru vellam endru / Kelambida thaan”

Repetition of the 'K' sound in 'Karpoora', 'Kaattaatru', and 'Kelambida'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Indha velli radham”

Describing young women's procession as a 'silver chariot' ('velli radham').

Rhetorical Question

“Nadhi yaarai ketka vendum”

Asking who a river or cuckoo needs to ask before flowing or singing, emphasizing inherent autonomy.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Karpoora Mullai' (1991) is a modern social drama directed by Fazil, starring Amala, Srividya, and Raja. The music was composed by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja, who also penned the lyrics for this energetic track, highlighting themes of female autonomy and youthfulness.

Keep listening

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