Keera Vangalaiyo Keera
From Unnai Naan Vazhthugiren · 1989
- Lyricist
- Kumaraguru
- Singer
- R. S. Swarnalatha
- Music director
- Vijay – Chithar
- Details
- Unnai Naan Vazhthugiren1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Keera vaangalaiyoo keerai | Won't you buy greens, greens? |
| Idhu ponnaaganni keera | This is Dwarf Copperleaf greens (Ponnanganni). |
| Poochiyillaa keera | Insect-free, clean greens. |
| Pudhusaa vandha keera | Freshly arrived greens. |
| Idhu keezhakara keera | This is Keezhakara greens. |
| Female | |
| Thandukeera agathikeera | Amaranth stem greens and Hummingbird tree greens. |
| Thottu paarthu porengura | You just touch and feel them, then walk away. |
| Sonna konjam kelunga suthaamana keeranga | Listen to what I say, these are clean and fresh greens. |
| Kittae vandhu paarunga solluradha kelunga | Come closer and take a look, listen to what I tell you. |
| Female | |
| Arakkeera venumunnaa ambathu kaasunga | If you want Araikkeerai, it costs fifty paise. |
| Sirukkeera ellaam ingae sillara thaanunga | Sirukkeerai here costs just small change. |
| Arakkeera venumunnaa ambathu kaasunga | If you want Araikkeerai, it costs fifty paise. |
| Sirukkeera ellaam ingae sillara thaanunga | Sirukkeerai here costs just small change. |
| Female | |
| Thandukeera agathikeera | Amaranth stem greens and Hummingbird tree greens. |
| Thottu paarthu porengura | You just touch and feel them, then walk away. |
| Sonna konjam kelunga suthaamana keeranga | Listen to what I say, these are clean and fresh greens. |
| Ada kittae vandhu paarunga solluradha kelunga | Ah, come closer and take a look, listen to what I tell you. |
| Female | |
| Ethanaiyoo vagai vagaiyaai | So many different varieties, |
| Irukkudhunga keeranga | There are leafy greens available. |
| Enna keera venumunnu | Whichever greens you wish to buy, |
| Eduthu konjam paarunga | Take a handful and check them out. |
| Ada ethanaiyoo vagai vagaiyaai | Ah, so many different varieties, |
| Irukkudhunga keeranga | There are leafy greens available. |
| Enna keera venumunnu | Whichever greens you wish to buy, |
| Eduthu konjam paarunga | Take a handful and check them out. |
| Female | |
| Mozhakkeera muzhusukkum | For a whole bunch of Mulai Keerai, |
| Moonu rooba thaanunga | It is only three rupees. |
| Pathu kaasu thandhaakka oru pidi thaanga | If you give ten paise, I will give you a small handful. |
| Ada mozhakkeera muzhusukkum | Ah, for a whole bunch of Mulai Keerai, |
| Moonu rooba thaanunga | It is only three rupees. |
| Pathu kaasu thandhaakka oru pidi thaanga | If you give ten paise, I will give you a small handful. |
| Female | |
| Thandukeera agathikeera | Amaranth stem greens and Hummingbird tree greens. |
| Thottu paarthu porengura | You just touch and feel them, then walk away. |
| Sonna konjam kelunga suthaamana keeranga | Listen to what I say, these are clean and fresh greens. |
| Ada kittae vandhu paarunga solluradha kelunga | Ah, come closer and take a look, listen to what I tell you. |
| Female | |
| Pallu pona paattikkuthaan | For the toothless old grandmother, |
| Padhamaana keeranga | These greens are tender and perfect. |
| Bokka vaayi thaatha kooda | Even the toothless grandfather, |
| Paathu thinnum keeranga | Can easily savor and eat these greens. |
| Female | |
| Ada pallu pona paattikkuthaan | Ah, for the toothless old grandmother, |
| Padhamaana keeranga | These greens are tender and perfect. |
| Bokka vaayi thaatha kooda | Even the toothless grandfather, |
| Paathu thinnum keeranga | Can easily savor and eat these greens. |
| Female | |
| Keeraiyinna keerainga | If you want real greens, these are the ones! |
| Ellathukkum jorunga | They are great for everybody's health. |
| Kaasai ingae koduthuputtu | Pay the money right here, |
| Kothu kothaa allunga | And gather them in bountiful bunches! |
| Keeraiyinna keerainga | If you want real greens, these are the ones! |
| Ellathukkum jorunga | They are great for everybody's health. |
| Kaasai ingae koduthuputtu | Pay the money right here, |
| Kothu kothaa allunga | And gather them in bountiful bunches! |
| Female | |
| Thandukeera agathikeera | Amaranth stem greens and Hummingbird tree greens. |
| Thottu paarthu porengura | You just touch and feel them, then walk away. |
| Sonna konjam kelunga suthaamana keeranga | Listen to what I say, these are clean and fresh greens. |
| Ada kittae vandhu paarunga solluradha kelunga | Ah, come closer and take a look, listen to what I tell you. |
| Lalalalala lalalla lalala…(2) | Lalalalala lalalla lalala…(2) |
கீர வாங்கலையோ கீரை
இது பொன்னாங்கண்ணி கீர
பூச்சியில்லா கீர
புதுசா வந்தக் கீர
இது கீழக்கர கீரை
Won't you buy greens, greens?
This is Dwarf Copperleaf greens (Ponnanganni).
Insect-free, clean greens.
Freshly arrived greens.
This is Keezhakara greens.
தண்டுக்கீர அகத்திக்கீர
தொட்டுப் பாத்து போறேங்கீர
சொன்னாக் கொஞ்சம் கேளுங்க
சுத்தமான கீரைங்க
கிட்டே வந்து பாருங்க
சொல்லுறத கேளுங்க
Amaranth stem greens and Hummingbird tree greens.
You just touch and feel them, then walk away.
Listen to what I say, these are clean and fresh greens.
Come closer and take a look, listen to what I tell you.
அரக்கீர வேணுமின்னா அம்பது காசுங்க
சிறுக்கீர எல்லாம் இங்கே சில்லற தானுங்க
அரக்கீர வேணுமின்னா அம்பது காசுங்க
சிறுக்கீர எல்லாம் இங்கே சில்லற தானுங்க
If you want Araikkeerai, it costs fifty paise.
Sirukkeerai here costs just small change.
If you want Araikkeerai, it costs fifty paise.
Sirukkeerai here costs just small change.
தண்டுக்கீர அகத்திக்கீர
தொட்டுப் பாத்து போறேங்கீர
சொன்னாக் கொஞ்சம் கேளுங்க
சுத்தமான கீரைங்க
அட கிட்டே வந்து பாருங்க
சொல்லுறத கேளுங்க
Amaranth stem greens and Hummingbird tree greens.
You just touch and feel them, then walk away.
Listen to what I say, these are clean and fresh greens.
Ah, come closer and take a look, listen to what I tell you.
எத்தனையோ வகை வகையாய்
இருக்குதுங்க கீரங்க
என்னா கீர வேணுமின்னு
எடுத்து கொஞ்சம் பாருங்க
அட எத்தனையோ வகை வகையாய்
இருக்குதுங்க கீரங்க
என்னா கீர வேணுமின்னு
எடுத்து கொஞ்சம் பாருங்க
So many different varieties,
There are leafy greens available.
Whichever greens you wish to buy,
Take a handful and check them out.
Ah, so many different varieties,
There are leafy greens available.
Whichever greens you wish to buy,
Take a handful and check them out.
மொளக்கீர முழுசுக்கும் மூணு ரூபா தானுங்க
பத்துக் காசு தந்தாக்க ஒரு பிடி தாங்க
அட மொளக்கீர முழுசுக்கும் மூணு ரூபா தானுங்க
பத்துக் காசு தந்தாக்க ஒரு பிடி தாங்க
For a whole bunch of Mulai Keerai,
It is only three rupees.
If you give ten paise, I will give you a small handful.
Ah, for a whole bunch of Mulai Keerai,
It is only three rupees.
If you give ten paise, I will give you a small handful.
தண்டுக்கீர அகத்திக்கீர
தொட்டுப் பாத்து போறேங்கீர
சொன்னாக் கொஞ்சம் கேளுங்க
சுத்தமான கீரைங்க
அட கிட்டே வந்து பாருங்க
சொல்லுறத கேளுங்க
Amaranth stem greens and Hummingbird tree greens.
You just touch and feel them, then walk away.
Listen to what I say, these are clean and fresh greens.
Ah, come closer and take a look, listen to what I tell you.
பல்லு போன பாட்டிக்குத்தான்
பதமான கீரங்க
பொக்க வாயி தாத்தா கூட
பாத்து தின்னும் கீரங்க
அட பல்லு போன பாட்டிக்குத்தான்
பதமான கீரங்க
பொக்க வாயி தாத்தா கூட
பாத்து தின்னும் கீரங்க
For the toothless old grandmother,
These greens are tender and perfect.
Even the toothless grandfather,
Can easily savor and eat these greens.
கீரையின்னா கீரைங்க
எல்லாத்துக்கும் ஜோருங்க
காசை இங்கே கொடுத்துப்புட்டு
கொத்து கொத்தா அள்ளுங்க
கீரையின்னா கீரைங்க
எல்லாத்துக்கும் ஜோருங்க
காசை இங்கே கொடுத்துப்புட்டு
கொத்து கொத்தா அள்ளுங்க
Ah, for the toothless old grandmother,
These greens are tender and perfect.
Even the toothless grandfather,
Can easily savor and eat these greens.
அட தண்டுக்கீர அகத்திக்கீர
தொட்டுப் பாத்து போறேங்கீர
சொன்னாக் கொஞ்சம் கேளுங்க
சுத்தமான கீரைங்க
அட கிட்டே வந்து பாருங்க
சொல்லுறத கேளுங்க
லலலலலா லலல்லா லாலலாலாலா....(2)
If you want real greens, these are the ones!
They are great for everybody's health.
Pay the money right here,
And gather them in bountiful bunches!
If you want real greens, these are the ones!
They are great for everybody's health.
Pay the money right here,
And gather them in bountiful bunches!
Amaranth stem greens and Hummingbird tree greens.
You just touch and feel them, then walk away.
Listen to what I say, these are clean and fresh greens.
Ah, come closer and take a look, listen to what I tell you.
Lalalalala lalalla lalala…(2)
Keera vaangalaiyoo keerai
Won't you buy greens, greens?
Idhu ponnaaganni keera
This is Dwarf Copperleaf greens (Ponnanganni).
Poochiyillaa keera
Insect-free, clean greens.
Pudhusaa vandha keera
Freshly arrived greens.
Idhu keezhakara keera
This is Keezhakara greens.
Thandukeera agathikeera
Amaranth stem greens and Hummingbird tree greens.
Thottu paarthu porengura
You just touch and feel them, then walk away.
Sonna konjam kelunga suthaamana keeranga
Listen to what I say, these are clean and fresh greens.
Kittae vandhu paarunga solluradha kelunga
Come closer and take a look, listen to what I tell you.
Arakkeera venumunnaa ambathu kaasunga
If you want Araikkeerai, it costs fifty paise.
Sirukkeera ellaam ingae sillara thaanunga
Sirukkeerai here costs just small change.
Arakkeera venumunnaa ambathu kaasunga
If you want Araikkeerai, it costs fifty paise.
Sirukkeera ellaam ingae sillara thaanunga
Sirukkeerai here costs just small change.
Thandukeera agathikeera
Amaranth stem greens and Hummingbird tree greens.
Thottu paarthu porengura
You just touch and feel them, then walk away.
Sonna konjam kelunga suthaamana keeranga
Listen to what I say, these are clean and fresh greens.
Ada kittae vandhu paarunga solluradha kelunga
Ah, come closer and take a look, listen to what I tell you.
Ethanaiyoo vagai vagaiyaai
So many different varieties,
Irukkudhunga keeranga
There are leafy greens available.
Enna keera venumunnu
Whichever greens you wish to buy,
Eduthu konjam paarunga
Take a handful and check them out.
Ada ethanaiyoo vagai vagaiyaai
Ah, so many different varieties,
Irukkudhunga keeranga
There are leafy greens available.
Enna keera venumunnu
Whichever greens you wish to buy,
Eduthu konjam paarunga
Take a handful and check them out.
Mozhakkeera muzhusukkum
For a whole bunch of Mulai Keerai,
Moonu rooba thaanunga
It is only three rupees.
Pathu kaasu thandhaakka oru pidi thaanga
If you give ten paise, I will give you a small handful.
Ada mozhakkeera muzhusukkum
Ah, for a whole bunch of Mulai Keerai,
Moonu rooba thaanunga
It is only three rupees.
Pathu kaasu thandhaakka oru pidi thaanga
If you give ten paise, I will give you a small handful.
Thandukeera agathikeera
Amaranth stem greens and Hummingbird tree greens.
Thottu paarthu porengura
You just touch and feel them, then walk away.
Sonna konjam kelunga suthaamana keeranga
Listen to what I say, these are clean and fresh greens.
Ada kittae vandhu paarunga solluradha kelunga
Ah, come closer and take a look, listen to what I tell you.
Pallu pona paattikkuthaan
For the toothless old grandmother,
Padhamaana keeranga
These greens are tender and perfect.
Bokka vaayi thaatha kooda
Even the toothless grandfather,
Paathu thinnum keeranga
Can easily savor and eat these greens.
Ada pallu pona paattikkuthaan
Ah, for the toothless old grandmother,
Padhamaana keeranga
These greens are tender and perfect.
Bokka vaayi thaatha kooda
Even the toothless grandfather,
Paathu thinnum keeranga
Can easily savor and eat these greens.
Keeraiyinna keerainga
If you want real greens, these are the ones!
Ellathukkum jorunga
They are great for everybody's health.
Kaasai ingae koduthuputtu
Pay the money right here,
Kothu kothaa allunga
And gather them in bountiful bunches!
Keeraiyinna keerainga
If you want real greens, these are the ones!
Ellathukkum jorunga
They are great for everybody's health.
Kaasai ingae koduthuputtu
Pay the money right here,
Kothu kothaa allunga
And gather them in bountiful bunches!
Thandukeera agathikeera
Amaranth stem greens and Hummingbird tree greens.
Thottu paarthu porengura
You just touch and feel them, then walk away.
Sonna konjam kelunga suthaamana keeranga
Listen to what I say, these are clean and fresh greens.
Ada kittae vandhu paarunga solluradha kelunga
Ah, come closer and take a look, listen to what I tell you.
Lalalalala lalalla lalala…(2)
Lalalalala lalalla lalala…(2)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a lively and rhythmic folk vendor song sung by a woman selling various edible leafy greens (keerai) in a rural or street marketplace. She calls out to potential customers, advertising various traditional varieties like Ponnanganni, Thandukeerai, Agathikeerai, Araikkeerai, Sirukkeerai, and Mulaikkeerai. She humorously complains about buyers touching the produce without purchasing, while enticingly describing their quality, tenderness, and affordability. She highlights how tender they are by noting that even toothless elderly grandparents can eat them without difficulty, making it a playful, slice-of-life street song.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monaich chol (Alliteration)
“Idhu keezhakara keera”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds across adjacent words, such as 'Keera' and 'Keezhakara'.
Edupuch chol / Folk Call Response
“Keera vaangalaiyoo keerai”
The traditional street vendor call format, inviting buyers using rhythmic market dialect ('vaangalaiyoo').
Rhyme (Esubu / Iyaibu)
“Arakkeera venumunnaa ambathu kaasunga / Sirukkeera ellaam ingae sillara thaanunga”
Ending lines with similar rhyming sounds ('kaasunga', 'thaanunga') creating a cheerful vendor cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
Singing vendor songs was a popular motif in mid-20th-century to late-80s Tamil cinema, often rendered with expressive folk cadence. Swarnalatha was frequently chosen for such high-pitched, expressive street-folk solos due to her bright, energetic vocal texture.
Keep listening
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