Keerai Keerai Keerai
From Neram Nalla Irukku · 1987
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Neram Nalla Irukku1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Keerai keerai keerai keerai | Greens, greens, greens, greens |
| Keerai vaangalaiyoo keerai keerai | Won't you buy greens? Greens, greens |
| Female | |
| Keerai keerai keerai keerai | Greens, greens, greens, greens |
| Arai keerai sirukeerai | Arai spinach, Amaranth |
| Mulaikeerai pulikeerai | Sprouted greens, tamarind greens |
| Killadha killukkeerai | Unplucked tender greens |
| Naan killadha killukkeerai | I am an unplucked tender green |
| Female | |
| Keerai keerai keerai keerai | Greens, greens, greens, greens |
| Arai keerai sirukeerai | Arai spinach, Amaranth |
| Mulaikeerai pulikeerai | Sprouted greens, tamarind greens |
| Killadha killukkeerai | Unplucked tender greens |
| Naan killadha killukkeerai | I am an unplucked tender green |
| Female | |
| Idha ketkaama kaiya vecha | If you touch this without asking |
| Yaaraacham kanna vecha | If anyone casts an evil eye |
| Engitta nee vaangi thinga pora | You will end up receiving something from me |
| Odha engitta nee vaangi thinga pora | You will end up receiving kicks from me |
| Female | |
| Keerai keerai keerai keerai | Greens, greens, greens, greens |
| Arai keerai sirukeerai | Arai spinach, Amaranth |
| Mulaikeerai pulikeerai | Sprouted greens, tamarind greens |
| Killadha killukkeerai | Unplucked tender greens |
| Naan killadha killukkeerai | I am an unplucked tender green |
| Female | |
| Koodakulla vechirukken | I have kept inside the basket |
| Naan kooru katti keeraigal | Greens that I have bundled into portions |
| Vaadum munnae moodi vechen | I covered them up before they withered |
| Rombha vaatugira veyililae | In this intense scorching heat |
| Female | |
| Indha keeraiyai kadanji thinna | If you mash and consume these greens |
| Noyi nodinga illa kannaa | There will be no diseases or ailments, my dear |
| Vaangunga samaichu thinnunga | Buy them, cook them, and eat them |
| Idha vippadhu samanju ponnunga | The ones selling this are mature young women |
| Female | |
| Keerai kai vali kaal vali | Greens cure hand pain and leg pain |
| Mel vali keezh vali theerkum | Upper body pain and lower body pain |
| Keerai…idhu ezhainga thinnura | Greens... this is consumed by the poor |
| Mooligai marundhu aagum | It acts as a herbal medicine |
| Female | |
| Keerai keerai keerai keerai | Greens, greens, greens, greens |
| Arai keerai sirukeerai | Arai spinach, Amaranth |
| Mulaikeerai pulikeerai | Sprouted greens, tamarind greens |
| Killadha killukkeerai | Unplucked tender greens |
| Naan killadha killukkeerai | I am an unplucked tender green |
| Female | |
| Ullirukku vaazhathandu | There is banana stem inside |
| Micham ulladhippo rendae rendu | There are only two left now |
| Keralathu kappakezhangu | Kerala tapioca roots |
| Idha vega vechu thinnu muzhunga | Boil them, eat them, and swallow |
| Female | |
| Naan vaadipatti sandhaiyilae | At the Vadipatti village market |
| Vaangi vandha pacha mocha | Fresh green beans that I purchased |
| Serthu vechu aakki thinnunga | Add them together, cook, and eat |
| Idha thinnuputtaa maeni ponnunga | If you eat this, women's complexion turns golden |
| Female | |
| Kaasu en kaiyil vechittu | Place money in my hand first |
| Koodaiya nee thottu pesu | And then touch the basket and talk |
| Ada thoosu un ullathilumilla | Ah, there is no speck of dust in your mind |
| Odambilumilla maasu | Nor is there any defect in your body |
| Female | |
| Keerai keerai keerai keerai | Greens, greens, greens, greens |
| Arai keerai sirukeerai | Arai spinach, Amaranth |
| Mulaikeerai pulikeerai | Sprouted greens, tamarind greens |
| Killadha killukkeerai | Unplucked tender greens |
| Naan killadha killukkeerai | I am an unplucked tender green |
| Female | |
| Idhai ketkaama kaiya vechaa | If you touch this without asking |
| Yaarachum kanna vechaa | If anyone casts an evil eye |
| Enkitta nee vaangi thinga pora | You will end up receiving something from me |
| Odha engitta nee vaangi thinga pora | You will end up receiving kicks from me |
| Female | |
| Keerai keerai keerai keerai | Greens, greens, greens, greens |
| Arai keerai sirukeerai | Arai spinach, Amaranth |
| Mulaikeerai pulikeerai | Sprouted greens, tamarind greens |
| Killadha killukkeerai | Unplucked tender greens |
| Naan killadha killukkeerai | I am an unplucked tender green |
கீரை கீரை கீரை கீரை
கீரை வாங்கலையோ கீரை கீரை....
Greens, greens, greens, greens
Won't you buy greens? Greens, greens
கீரை கீரை கீரை கீரை
அரைக்கீரை சிறுக்கீரை
முளைக்கீரை புளிக்கீரை
கிள்ளாத கிள்ளுக்கீரை
நான் கிள்ளாத கிள்ளுக்கீரை
Greens, greens, greens, greens
Arai spinach, Amaranth
Sprouted greens, tamarind greens
Unplucked tender greens
I am an unplucked tender green
கீரை கீரை கீரை கீரை
அரைக்கீரை சிறுக்கீரை
முளைக்கீரை புளிக்கீரை
கிள்ளாத கிள்ளுக்கீரை
நான் கிள்ளாத கிள்ளுக்கீரை
Greens, greens, greens, greens
Arai spinach, Amaranth
Sprouted greens, tamarind greens
Unplucked tender greens
I am an unplucked tender green
இதை கேட்காம கைய வச்சா
யாராச்சும் கண்ண வச்சா
எங்கிட்ட நீ வாங்கித் திங்க போற
ஓத எங்கிட்ட நீ வாங்கித் திங்க போற
If you touch this without asking
If anyone casts an evil eye
You will end up receiving something from me
You will end up receiving kicks from me
கீரை கீரை கீரை கீரை
அரைக்கீரை சிறுக்கீரை
முளைக்கீரை புளிக்கீரை
கிள்ளாத கிள்ளுக்கீரை
நான் கிள்ளாத கிள்ளுக்கீரை
Greens, greens, greens, greens
Arai spinach, Amaranth
Sprouted greens, tamarind greens
Unplucked tender greens
I am an unplucked tender green
கூடக்குள்ள வச்சிருக்கேன் நான்
கூறு கட்டி கீரைகள
வாடும் முன்னே மூடி வச்சேன்
ரொம்ப வாட்டுகிற வெய்யிலிலே
I have kept inside the basket
Greens that I have bundled into portions
I covered them up before they withered
In this intense scorching heat
இந்த கீரையை கடைஞ்சு தின்னா
நோய் நொடிங்க இல்ல கண்ணா
வாங்குங்க சமைச்சு தின்னுங்க
இத விப்பது சமஞ்ச பொண்ணுங்க
If you mash and consume these greens
There will be no diseases or ailments, my dear
Buy them, cook them, and eat them
The ones selling this are mature young women
கீரை...கை வலி கால் வலி
மேல் வலி கீழ் வலி தீர்க்கும்
கீரை.....இது ஏழைங்க தின்னுற
மூலிகை மருந்து ஆகும்
Greens cure hand pain and leg pain
Upper body pain and lower body pain
Greens... this is consumed by the poor
It acts as a herbal medicine
கீரை கீரை கீரை கீரை
அரைக்கீரை சிறுக்கீரை
முளைக்கீரை புளிக்கீரை
கிள்ளாத கிள்ளுக்கீரை
நான் கிள்ளாத கிள்ளுக்கீரை
Greens, greens, greens, greens
Arai spinach, Amaranth
Sprouted greens, tamarind greens
Unplucked tender greens
I am an unplucked tender green
உள்ளிருக்கு வாழத்தண்டு
மிச்சம் உள்ளதிப்போ ரெண்டே ரெண்டு
கேரளத்து கப்பக்கெழங்கு
இத வேக வச்சு தின்னு முழுங்கு
There is banana stem inside
There are only two left now
Kerala tapioca roots
Boil them, eat them, and swallow
நான் வாடிப்பட்டு சந்தையிலே
வாங்கி வந்த பச்ச மொச்ச
சேர்த்து வச்சு ஆக்கி தின்னுங்க
இத தின்னுப்புட்டா மேனி பொன்னுங்க
At the Vadipatti village market
Fresh green beans that I purchased
Add them together, cook, and eat
If you eat this, women's complexion turns golden
காசு...என் கையில வச்சுட்டு
கூடய நீ தொட்டு பேசு
அட தூசு என் உள்ளத்திலுமில்ல
ஒடம்பிலுமில்ல மாசு...
Place money in my hand first
And then touch the basket and talk
Ah, there is no speck of dust in your mind
Nor is there any defect in your body
கீரை கீரை கீரை கீரை
அரைக்கீரை சிறுக்கீரை
முளைக்கீரை புளிக்கீரை
கிள்ளாத கிள்ளுக்கீரை
நான் கிள்ளாத கிள்ளுக்கீரை
Greens, greens, greens, greens
Arai spinach, Amaranth
Sprouted greens, tamarind greens
Unplucked tender greens
I am an unplucked tender green
இதை கேட்காம கைய வச்சா
யாராச்சும் கண்ண வச்சா
எங்கிட்ட நீ வாங்கித் திங்க போற
ஓத எங்கிட்ட நீ வாங்கித் திங்க போற
If you touch this without asking
If anyone casts an evil eye
You will end up receiving something from me
You will end up receiving kicks from me
கீரை கீரை கீரை கீரை
அரைக்கீரை சிறுக்கீரை
முளைக்கீரை புளிக்கீரை
கிள்ளாத கிள்ளுக்கீரை
நான் கிள்ளாத கிள்ளுக்கீரை
Greens, greens, greens, greens
Arai spinach, Amaranth
Sprouted greens, tamarind greens
Unplucked tender greens
I am an unplucked tender green
Keerai keerai keerai keerai
Greens, greens, greens, greens
Keerai vaangalaiyoo keerai keerai
Won't you buy greens? Greens, greens
Keerai keerai keerai keerai
Greens, greens, greens, greens
Arai keerai sirukeerai
Arai spinach, Amaranth
Mulaikeerai pulikeerai
Sprouted greens, tamarind greens
Killadha killukkeerai
Unplucked tender greens
Naan killadha killukkeerai
I am an unplucked tender green
Keerai keerai keerai keerai
Greens, greens, greens, greens
Arai keerai sirukeerai
Arai spinach, Amaranth
Mulaikeerai pulikeerai
Sprouted greens, tamarind greens
Killadha killukkeerai
Unplucked tender greens
Naan killadha killukkeerai
I am an unplucked tender green
Idha ketkaama kaiya vecha
If you touch this without asking
Yaaraacham kanna vecha
If anyone casts an evil eye
Engitta nee vaangi thinga pora
You will end up receiving something from me
Odha engitta nee vaangi thinga pora
You will end up receiving kicks from me
Keerai keerai keerai keerai
Greens, greens, greens, greens
Arai keerai sirukeerai
Arai spinach, Amaranth
Mulaikeerai pulikeerai
Sprouted greens, tamarind greens
Killadha killukkeerai
Unplucked tender greens
Naan killadha killukkeerai
I am an unplucked tender green
Koodakulla vechirukken
I have kept inside the basket
Naan kooru katti keeraigal
Greens that I have bundled into portions
Vaadum munnae moodi vechen
I covered them up before they withered
Rombha vaatugira veyililae
In this intense scorching heat
Indha keeraiyai kadanji thinna
If you mash and consume these greens
Noyi nodinga illa kannaa
There will be no diseases or ailments, my dear
Vaangunga samaichu thinnunga
Buy them, cook them, and eat them
Idha vippadhu samanju ponnunga
The ones selling this are mature young women
Keerai kai vali kaal vali
Greens cure hand pain and leg pain
Mel vali keezh vali theerkum
Upper body pain and lower body pain
Keerai…idhu ezhainga thinnura
Greens... this is consumed by the poor
Mooligai marundhu aagum
It acts as a herbal medicine
Keerai keerai keerai keerai
Greens, greens, greens, greens
Arai keerai sirukeerai
Arai spinach, Amaranth
Mulaikeerai pulikeerai
Sprouted greens, tamarind greens
Killadha killukkeerai
Unplucked tender greens
Naan killadha killukkeerai
I am an unplucked tender green
Ullirukku vaazhathandu
There is banana stem inside
Micham ulladhippo rendae rendu
There are only two left now
Keralathu kappakezhangu
Kerala tapioca roots
Idha vega vechu thinnu muzhunga
Boil them, eat them, and swallow
Naan vaadipatti sandhaiyilae
At the Vadipatti village market
Vaangi vandha pacha mocha
Fresh green beans that I purchased
Serthu vechu aakki thinnunga
Add them together, cook, and eat
Idha thinnuputtaa maeni ponnunga
If you eat this, women's complexion turns golden
Kaasu en kaiyil vechittu
Place money in my hand first
Koodaiya nee thottu pesu
And then touch the basket and talk
Ada thoosu un ullathilumilla
Ah, there is no speck of dust in your mind
Odambilumilla maasu
Nor is there any defect in your body
Keerai keerai keerai keerai
Greens, greens, greens, greens
Arai keerai sirukeerai
Arai spinach, Amaranth
Mulaikeerai pulikeerai
Sprouted greens, tamarind greens
Killadha killukkeerai
Unplucked tender greens
Naan killadha killukkeerai
I am an unplucked tender green
Idhai ketkaama kaiya vechaa
If you touch this without asking
Yaarachum kanna vechaa
If anyone casts an evil eye
Enkitta nee vaangi thinga pora
You will end up receiving something from me
Odha engitta nee vaangi thinga pora
You will end up receiving kicks from me
Keerai keerai keerai keerai
Greens, greens, greens, greens
Arai keerai sirukeerai
Arai spinach, Amaranth
Mulaikeerai pulikeerai
Sprouted greens, tamarind greens
Killadha killukkeerai
Unplucked tender greens
Naan killadha killukkeerai
I am an unplucked tender green
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Keerai Keerai' is a lively, rhythmic street-vendor song sung by a young woman selling fresh leafy greens and vegetables. She calls out to passersby listing various varieties of greens—such as Arai keerai, Sirukeerai, and Mulaikeerai—praising their health benefits and herbal medicinal properties that cure all kinds of bodily aches and illnesses.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Arai keerai sirukeerai / Mulaikeerai pulikeerai”
Rhyming of the second letter 'raa' across consecutive lines (Arai / Siru / Mulai / Puli).
Metaphor & Double Entendre
“Naan killadha killukkeerai”
The singer uses 'Killadha killukkeerai' (unplucked tender green) as a metaphor for herself, playfully asserting her modesty and self-respect while warning off harassers.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Keerai kai vali kaal vali / Mel vali keezh vali theerkum”
Matching ending words 'vali' creating a rhythmic musical flow.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by veteran maestro M. S. Vishwanathan with lyrics by Gangai Amaran, this track features playful vocals by S. Janaki. It showcases a typical folk vendor song genre (Santhai Pattu) popular in modern Tamil cinema.
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