Malayala Karaiyoram
From Rajadhi Raja · 1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Silu siluvena kulir adikudhu adikudhu | A gentle chill blows softly and continuously |
| Siru arumbugal malar vedikudhu vedikudhu | Tiny buds burst open into blossoms blooming |
| Vanam vittu vanam vandhu marangothi paravaigal | Woodpeckers fly from one forest to another |
| Manam vittu sirikindrathae…. | And laugh freely with all their heart... |
| Male | |
| {Malayaala karayoram tamizh paadum kuruvi | A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala |
| Alaiyaadai kalayaamal thalaiyaattum aruvi} (2) | A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress |
| Male | |
| Malamudiyinil pani vadiyudhu vadiyudhu | A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala |
| Man manakudhamma | A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress |
| Kalai alaghinil manam karaiyudhu karaiyudhu | Dew trickles down continuously from the mountain top |
| Kan mayangudhamma | Oh, the fragrance of the soil fills the air |
| Male | |
| Malayaala karayoram tamizh paadum kuruvi | The heart melts away in the beauty of morning light |
| Alaiyaadai kalayaamal thalaiyaattum aruvi | Oh, my eyes are dazed in enchantment |
| Male | |
| Heyy…..eehhh..eehhh | A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala |
| Ooo..bum bim bam bam | A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress |
| Neeril mella siru nethili thulla | Hey... eehh... eehh |
| Nerodai thaayai pola vaari vaari alla | Ooo... bum bim bam bam |
| Male | |
| Neela vanam adhil athanai megham | Small anchovies gently leap in the water |
| Neerkondu kaatril yeri neenda dhooram pogum | Gathering abundance like a mother stream embracing |
| Male | |
| Katoram moongil pookal vaasam veesa | So many clouds floating in the blue sky |
| Kaadhodu yedho solli jaadai pesa | Carrying water, riding the wind, traveling long distances |
| Male | |
| :Thaekum paakum koodatho | Bamboo flowers on the forest edge scatter fragrance |
| Thozhai thottu aadadho | Whispering something into the ear, gesturing softly |
| Paarkka paarka aanandham | Won't the teak and betel trees join together? |
| Pogapoga vaaradho | Won't they touch shoulders and dance? |
| Yen manam thulluthu than vazhi selluthu | It is joy as far as the eye can see |
| Vanna vanna kolam | As time passes, won't it keep coming? |
| Male | |
| Malayaala karayoram tamizh paadum kuruvi | My heart leaps and travels on its own path |
| Alaiyaadai kalayaamal thalaiyaattum aruvi | Creating colorful patterns of emotion |
| Male | |
| Malamudiyinil pani vadiyudhu vadiyudhu | A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala |
| Man manakudhamma | A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress |
| Kalai alaghinil manam karaiyudhu karaiyudhu | Dew trickles down continuously from the mountain top |
| Kan mayangudhamma | Oh, the fragrance of the soil fills the air |
| Male | |
| Malayaala karayoram tamizh paadum kuruvi | The heart melts away in the beauty of morning light |
| Alaiyaadai kalayaamal thalaiyaattum aruvi | Oh, my eyes are dazed in enchantment |
| Chorus | |
| ………………………………………… | A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala |
| Male | |
| Thooral undu mazhai saaralum undu | A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress |
| Ponmaalai veyil kooda eeramavadhu undu | [Musical Interlude] |
| Thotamundu kili kootamum undu | There is drizzle and there are gentle rain sprays |
| Killaikum namai pola kaadhal vaazhkai undu | Even the golden evening sunshine gets damp |
| Male | |
| Naan andha killai pola vazha vendum | There are gardens and flocks of parrots too |
| Vaanathil vattamittu paada vendum | Even parrots have a life filled with love like us |
| Yennam yennum chittu thaan rekkai katti kollaatha | I wish to live like that parrot |
| Yettu thikkum thottu than yetti paaindhu selladha | Circling in the sky and singing freely |
| Yen manam thulluthu than vazhi selluthu | Doesn't the little bird called thought tie wings to itself? |
| Vanna vanna kolam | Doesn't it touch all eight directions and leap forward? |
| Male | |
| Hey..malayaala karayoram tamizh paadum kuruvi | My heart leaps and travels on its own path |
| Alaiyaadai kalayaamal thalaiyaattum aruvi | Creating colorful patterns of emotion |
| Malayaala karayoram tamizh paadum kuruvi | Hey.. A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala |
| Alaiyaadai kalayaamal thalaiyaattum aruvi | A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress |
| Male | |
| Malamudiyinil pani vadiyudhu vadiyudhu | A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala |
| Man manakudhamma | A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress |
| Kalai alaghinil manam karaiyudhu karaiyudhu | Dew trickles down continuously from the mountain top |
| Kan mayangudhamma | Oh, the fragrance of the soil fills the air |
| Male | |
| {Malayaala karayoram tamizh paadum kuruvi | The heart melts away in the beauty of morning light |
| Alaiyaadai kalayaamal thalaiyaattum aruvi} (2) | Oh, my eyes are dazed in enchantment |
சிலு சிலுவென
குளிர் அடிக்குது அடிக்குது
சிறு அரும்புகள் மலர்
வெடிக்குது வெடிக்குது
வனம் விட்டு வனம் வந்து
மரங்கொத்தி பறவைகள்
மனம் விட்டு சிரிக்கின்றதே
A gentle chill blows softly and continuously
Tiny buds burst open into blossoms blooming
Woodpeckers fly from one forest to another
And laugh freely with all their heart...
{ மலையாள
கரையோரம் தமிழ்
பாடும் குருவி
அலையாடை கலையாமல்
தலையாட்டும் அருவி } (2)
A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala
A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress
மலமுடியினில்
பனி வடியுது வடியுது
மண் மணக்குதம்மா
காலை அழகினில் மனம்
கரையுது கரையுது
கண் மயங்குதம்மா
A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala
A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress
Dew trickles down continuously from the mountain top
Oh, the fragrance of the soil fills the air
மலையாள
கரையோரம் தமிழ்
பாடும் குருவி
அலையாடை கலையாமல்
தலையாட்டும் அருவி
The heart melts away in the beauty of morning light
Oh, my eyes are dazed in enchantment
ஹே.................
ஓஓ பம் பிம் பாம் பாம்
நீரில் மெல்ல சிறு நெத்திலி
துள்ள நீரோடை தாயை போல
வாரி வாரி அல்ல
A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala
A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress
Hey... eehh... eehh
Ooo... bum bim bam bam
நீல வானம்
அதில் அத்தனை மேகம்
நீர்கொண்டு காற்றிலேறி
நீண்ட தூரம் போகும்
Small anchovies gently leap in the water
Gathering abundance like a mother stream embracing
காதோரம் மூங்கில்
பூக்கள் வாசம் வீச காதோடு
ஏதோ சொல்லி ஜாடை பேச
So many clouds floating in the blue sky
Carrying water, riding the wind, traveling long distances
தேக்கும் பாக்கும்
கூடாதோ தோளை தொட்டு
ஆடாதோ பார்க்க பார்க்க
ஆனந்தம் போகப்போக
வாராதோ என் மனம் துள்ளுது
தன் வழி செல்லுது வண்ண
வண்ண கோலம்
Bamboo flowers on the forest edge scatter fragrance
Whispering something into the ear, gesturing softly
Won't the teak and betel trees join together?
Won't they touch shoulders and dance?
It is joy as far as the eye can see
As time passes, won't it keep coming?
மலையாள
கரையோரம் தமிழ்
பாடும் குருவி
அலையாடை கலையாமல்
தலையாட்டும் அருவி
My heart leaps and travels on its own path
Creating colorful patterns of emotion
மலமுடியினில்
பனி வடியுது வடியுது
மண் மணக்குதம்மா
காலை அழகினில் மனம்
கரையுது கரையுது
கண் மயங்குதம்மா
A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala
A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress
Dew trickles down continuously from the mountain top
Oh, the fragrance of the soil fills the air
மலையாள
கரையோரம் தமிழ்
பாடும் குருவி
அலையாடை கலையாமல்
தலையாட்டும் அருவி
The heart melts away in the beauty of morning light
Oh, my eyes are dazed in enchantment
.......................
A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala
தூறல் உண்டு
மலை சாரலும் உண்டு
பொன்மாலை வெயில்
கூட ஈரமாவதுண்டு
தோட்டமுண்டு கிளி
கூட்டமும் உண்டு
கிள்ளைக்கும் நம்மை
போல காதல் வாழ்க்கை
உண்டு
A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress
[Musical Interlude]
There is drizzle and there are gentle rain sprays
Even the golden evening sunshine gets damp
நான் அந்த கிள்ளை
போல வாழ வேண்டும்
வானத்தில் வட்டமிட்டு
பாட வேண்டும் எண்ணம்
என்னும் சிட்டு தான் ரெக்கை
கட்டி கொள்ளாதா எட்டு திக்கும்
தொட்டு தான் எட்டி பாய்ந்து
செல்லாதா என் மனம் துள்ளுது
தன் வழி செல்லுது வண்ண
வண்ண கோலம்
There are gardens and flocks of parrots too
Even parrots have a life filled with love like us
I wish to live like that parrot
Circling in the sky and singing freely
Doesn't the little bird called thought tie wings to itself?
Doesn't it touch all eight directions and leap forward?
ஹே மலையாள
கரையோரம் தமிழ்
பாடும் குருவி
அலையாடை கலையாமல்
தலையாட்டும் அருவி
மலையாள கரையோரம் தமிழ்
பாடும் குருவி அலையாடை
கலையாமல் தலையாட்டும்
அருவி
My heart leaps and travels on its own path
Creating colorful patterns of emotion
Hey.. A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala
A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress
மலமுடியினில்
பனி வடியுது வடியுது
மண் மணக்குதம்மா
காலை அழகினில் மனம்
கரையுது கரையுது
கண் மயங்குதம்மா
A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala
A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress
Dew trickles down continuously from the mountain top
Oh, the fragrance of the soil fills the air
{ மலையாள
கரையோரம் தமிழ்
பாடும் குருவி
அலையாடை கலையாமல்
தலையாட்டும் அருவி } (2)
The heart melts away in the beauty of morning light
Oh, my eyes are dazed in enchantment
Silu siluvena kulir adikudhu adikudhu
A gentle chill blows softly and continuously
Siru arumbugal malar vedikudhu vedikudhu
Tiny buds burst open into blossoms blooming
Vanam vittu vanam vandhu marangothi paravaigal
Woodpeckers fly from one forest to another
Manam vittu sirikindrathae….
And laugh freely with all their heart...
{Malayaala karayoram tamizh paadum kuruvi
A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala
Alaiyaadai kalayaamal thalaiyaattum aruvi} (2)
A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress
Malamudiyinil pani vadiyudhu vadiyudhu
A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala
Man manakudhamma
A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress
Kalai alaghinil manam karaiyudhu karaiyudhu
Dew trickles down continuously from the mountain top
Kan mayangudhamma
Oh, the fragrance of the soil fills the air
Malayaala karayoram tamizh paadum kuruvi
The heart melts away in the beauty of morning light
Alaiyaadai kalayaamal thalaiyaattum aruvi
Oh, my eyes are dazed in enchantment
Heyy…..eehhh..eehhh
A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala
Ooo..bum bim bam bam
A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress
Neeril mella siru nethili thulla
Hey... eehh... eehh
Nerodai thaayai pola vaari vaari alla
Ooo... bum bim bam bam
Neela vanam adhil athanai megham
Small anchovies gently leap in the water
Neerkondu kaatril yeri neenda dhooram pogum
Gathering abundance like a mother stream embracing
Katoram moongil pookal vaasam veesa
So many clouds floating in the blue sky
Kaadhodu yedho solli jaadai pesa
Carrying water, riding the wind, traveling long distances
:Thaekum paakum koodatho
Bamboo flowers on the forest edge scatter fragrance
Thozhai thottu aadadho
Whispering something into the ear, gesturing softly
Paarkka paarka aanandham
Won't the teak and betel trees join together?
Pogapoga vaaradho
Won't they touch shoulders and dance?
Yen manam thulluthu than vazhi selluthu
It is joy as far as the eye can see
Vanna vanna kolam
As time passes, won't it keep coming?
Malayaala karayoram tamizh paadum kuruvi
My heart leaps and travels on its own path
Alaiyaadai kalayaamal thalaiyaattum aruvi
Creating colorful patterns of emotion
Malamudiyinil pani vadiyudhu vadiyudhu
A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala
Man manakudhamma
A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress
Kalai alaghinil manam karaiyudhu karaiyudhu
Dew trickles down continuously from the mountain top
Kan mayangudhamma
Oh, the fragrance of the soil fills the air
Malayaala karayoram tamizh paadum kuruvi
The heart melts away in the beauty of morning light
Alaiyaadai kalayaamal thalaiyaattum aruvi
Oh, my eyes are dazed in enchantment
…………………………………………
A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala
Thooral undu mazhai saaralum undu
A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress
Ponmaalai veyil kooda eeramavadhu undu
[Musical Interlude]
Thotamundu kili kootamum undu
There is drizzle and there are gentle rain sprays
Killaikum namai pola kaadhal vaazhkai undu
Even the golden evening sunshine gets damp
Naan andha killai pola vazha vendum
There are gardens and flocks of parrots too
Vaanathil vattamittu paada vendum
Even parrots have a life filled with love like us
Yennam yennum chittu thaan rekkai katti kollaatha
I wish to live like that parrot
Yettu thikkum thottu than yetti paaindhu selladha
Circling in the sky and singing freely
Yen manam thulluthu than vazhi selluthu
Doesn't the little bird called thought tie wings to itself?
Vanna vanna kolam
Doesn't it touch all eight directions and leap forward?
Hey..malayaala karayoram tamizh paadum kuruvi
My heart leaps and travels on its own path
Alaiyaadai kalayaamal thalaiyaattum aruvi
Creating colorful patterns of emotion
Malayaala karayoram tamizh paadum kuruvi
Hey.. A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala
Alaiyaadai kalayaamal thalaiyaattum aruvi
A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress
Malamudiyinil pani vadiyudhu vadiyudhu
A bird singing Tamil on the shores of Kerala
Man manakudhamma
A waterfall nodding its head without ruffling its wave-like dress
Kalai alaghinil manam karaiyudhu karaiyudhu
Dew trickles down continuously from the mountain top
Kan mayangudhamma
Oh, the fragrance of the soil fills the air
{Malayaala karayoram tamizh paadum kuruvi
The heart melts away in the beauty of morning light
Alaiyaadai kalayaamal thalaiyaattum aruvi} (2)
Oh, my eyes are dazed in enchantment
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Malayala Karayoram' celebrates the lush, enchanting beauty of nature along the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. The lyrics vividly paint a picture of cool breezes, blooming flowers, cascading waterfalls, mist-capped mountains, and joyful wildlife. The protagonist expresses sheer bliss, feeling their heart melt and leap like a free-spirited bird soaring across the sky.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukkuthoodar (Reduplication / Anaphora)
“Silu siluvena kulir adikudhu adikudhu”
Repetition of words like 'adikudhu adikudhu' and 'vedikudhu vedikudhu' creates a rhythmic cadence emphasizing continuous natural action.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Yennam yennum chittu thaan rekkai katti kollaatha”
Comparing thoughts to a bird tying wings to itself ('Yennam yennum chittu thaan rekkai katti kollaatha').
Personification (Tharkiipetru Ani)
“Malayaala karayoram tamizh paadum kuruvi”
Attributing human qualities of singing Tamil to a bird on the Kerala shore and head-nodding to a waterfall.
Onomatopoeia (Esaichol)
“Silu siluvena kulir adikudhu adikudhu”
'Silu siluvena' visually and phonetically conveys the soothing sensation of a cool breeze.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by K. J. Yesudas for the 1989 film Rajadhi Raja starring Rajinikanth, this iconic track beautifully captures the cross-cultural aesthetic of the Tamil-Kerala border landscape.
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