Mella Oornthu Oornthu
From Nandalala · 2009
- Lyricist
- Na. Muthu Kumar
- Singer
- Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Nandalala2009
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Mella oorndhu oorndhu ooru engum | Crawling slowly, slowly across the entire town |
| Thaeru pogum naeram | It is the time when the chariot moves |
| Oorum therilae ye…yaaru povadhu | Who is riding in the town's chariot? |
| Male | |
| Mella oonjal aadi kulungi kulungi | Swinging gently, shaking and shivering |
| Asainju pogum kaalam | Time sways and moves forward |
| Pinju manadhudan hoi pillaigal pogudhu | Children move along with innocent tender hearts |
| Male | |
| Vinnin meengal saerndhu | The stars in the sky join together |
| Poga aasai kolludhae | Desiring to go along |
| Indha koottil andha meenum saeraadhoo | Won't that fish also join this nest? |
| Male | |
| Mella oorndhu oorndhu ooru engum | Crawling slowly, slowly across the entire town |
| Thaeru pogum naeram | It is the time when the chariot moves |
| Oorum therilae ye…yaaru povadhu | Who is riding in the town's chariot? |
| Male | |
| Vaanam rombha pazhaiyadhu megam pudhiyadhu | The sky is very old, but the cloud is brand new |
| Thullidum nilavumae endru pirandhu vandhadhu | The playful moon was born just today |
| Paadhai rombha neendathu payanam siriyadhu | The path is very long, but the journey is short |
| Yaathirai oyaadhadhu nee sellum mudivai poruthathu | The pilgrimage never stops; it depends on the destination you choose |
| Male | |
| Mudhal murai pogum payanathil inbam | The joy experienced in traveling for the very first time |
| Marubadi endrum thirumbhi varaadhu | Will never return ever again |
| Dhooram kattum vilakkoli kaatti pogum namm vazhi | The lamp post seen in the distance guides our path |
| Naalai kaalai pozhudhu kattum namakkum nall vazhi……… | Tomorrow's morning dawn will show us a good path... |
| Male | |
| Mella oorndhu oorndhu ooru engum | Crawling slowly, slowly across the entire town |
| Thaeru pogum naeram | It is the time when the chariot moves |
| Oorum therilae ye…yaaru povadhu | Who is riding in the town's chariot? |
| Male | |
| Vinnin meengal saerndhu | The stars in the sky join together |
| Poga aasai kolludhae | Desiring to go along |
| Indha koottil andha meenum saeraadhoo | Won't that fish also join this nest? |
| Male | |
| Mella oorndhu oorndhu ooru engum | Crawling slowly, slowly across the entire town |
| Thaeru pogum naeram | It is the time when the chariot moves |
| Oorum therilae ye…yaaru povadhu | Who is riding in the town's chariot? |
| Male | |
| Naalu kaalu aamai thaan nagarndhu pogudhae | A four-legged turtle crawls along |
| Dhooram thaandaamalae thuvandu nindru thoongudhae | Without covering much distance, it droops down and falls asleep |
| Naalu adikku ooradi nindru poguthae | For every four steps, it pauses for one step |
| Maedugal kandaal idhu pinnookki urundu oodudhae | When it sees steep climbs, it rolls backwards and runs |
| Male | |
| Dabadaba osai thaalngal podum | It keeps beat with a 'daba-daba' rhythmic noise |
| Kubukubu endru pugaivittu paadum | It sings while spewing smoke with a 'kubu-kubu' sound |
| Paatti kadhaiyai polavae parakkum maayakambalam | Just like the flying magic carpet in grandmother's stories |
| Thedi pidithu eduthu vaa nee parandhu pogalaam…… | Find it, grab it, bring it along so we can fly away... |
| Male | |
| Mella oorndhu oorndhu ooru engum | Crawling slowly, slowly across the entire town |
| Thaeru pogum naeram | It is the time when the chariot moves |
| Oorum therilae ye…yaaru povadhu | Who is riding in the town's chariot? |
| Male | |
| Vinnin meengal saerndhu | The stars in the sky join together |
| Poga aasai kolludhae | Desiring to go along |
| Indha koottil andha meenum saeraadhoo | Won't that fish also join this nest? |
| Male | |
| Mella oorndhu oorndhu ooru engum | Crawling slowly, slowly across the entire town |
| Thaeru pogum naeram | It is the time when the chariot moves |
| Oorum therilae ye…yaaru povadhu | Who is riding in the town's chariot? |
| Male | |
| Mella oonjal aadi kulungi kulungi | Swinging gently, shaking and shivering |
| Asainju pogum kaalam | Time sways and moves forward |
| Pinju manadhudan hoi pillaigal pogudhu | Children move along with innocent tender hearts |
மெல்ல ஊர்ந்து ஊர்ந்து ஊரு எங்கும்
தேரு போகும் நேரம்
ஊறும் தேரிலே ஏ.....யாரு போவது
Crawling slowly, slowly across the entire town
It is the time when the chariot moves
Who is riding in the town's chariot?
மெல்ல ஊஞ்சலாடி குலுங்கி குலுங்கி
அசைஞ்சு போகும் கோலம்
பிஞ்சு மனதுடன் ஹோய் பிள்ளைகள் போகுது
Swinging gently, shaking and shivering
Time sways and moves forward
Children move along with innocent tender hearts
விண்ணின் மீன்கள் சேர்ந்து
போக ஆசை கொள்ளுதே
இந்த கூட்டில் அந்த மீனும் சேராதோ
The stars in the sky join together
Desiring to go along
Won't that fish also join this nest?
மெல்ல ஊர்ந்து ஊர்ந்து ஊரு எங்கும்
தேரு போகும் நேரம்
ஊறும் தேரிலே ஏ.....யாரு போவது
Crawling slowly, slowly across the entire town
It is the time when the chariot moves
Who is riding in the town's chariot?
வானம் ரொம்ப பழையது மேகம் புதியது
துள்ளிடும் நிலாவுமே என்று பிறந்து வந்தது
பாதை ரொம்ப நீண்டது பயணம் சிறியது
யாத்திரை ஓயாதது நீ செல்லும் முடிவைப் பொறுத்தது
The sky is very old, but the cloud is brand new
The playful moon was born just today
The path is very long, but the journey is short
The pilgrimage never stops; it depends on the destination you choose
முதல்முறை போகும் பயணத்தில் இன்பம்
மறுபடி என்றும் திரும்பி வராது
தூரம் காட்டும் விளக்கொளி காட்டிப் போகும் நம் வழி
நாளை காலைப் பொழுது காட்டும் நமக்கும் நல்வழி.........
The joy experienced in traveling for the very first time
Will never return ever again
The lamp post seen in the distance guides our path
Tomorrow's morning dawn will show us a good path...
மெல்ல ஊர்ந்து ஊர்ந்து ஊரு எங்கும்
தேரு போகும் நேரம்
ஊறும் தேரிலே ஏ.....யாரு போவது
Crawling slowly, slowly across the entire town
It is the time when the chariot moves
Who is riding in the town's chariot?
விண்ணின் மீன்கள் சேர்ந்து
போக ஆசை கொள்ளுதே
இந்த கூட்டில் அந்த மீனும் சேராதோ
The stars in the sky join together
Desiring to go along
Won't that fish also join this nest?
மெல்ல ஊர்ந்து ஊர்ந்து ஊரு எங்கும்
தேரு போகும் நேரம்
ஊறும் தேரிலே ஏ.....யாரு போவது
Crawling slowly, slowly across the entire town
It is the time when the chariot moves
Who is riding in the town's chariot?
நாலு காலு ஆமைதான் நகர்ந்து போகுதே
தூரம் தாண்டாமலே துவண்டு நின்று தூங்குதே
நாலு அடிக்கு ஓரடி நின்று போகுதே
மேடுகள் கண்டால் இது பின்னோக்கி உருண்டு ஓடுதே
A four-legged turtle crawls along
Without covering much distance, it droops down and falls asleep
For every four steps, it pauses for one step
When it sees steep climbs, it rolls backwards and runs
டபடப ஓசை தாளங்கள் போடும்
குபுகுபு என்று புகைவிட்டு பாடும்
பாட்டிக் கதையைப் போலவே பறக்கும் மாயக்கம்பளம்
தேடிப் பிடித்து எடுத்து வா நீ பறந்து போகலாம்........
It keeps beat with a 'daba-daba' rhythmic noise
It sings while spewing smoke with a 'kubu-kubu' sound
Just like the flying magic carpet in grandmother's stories
Find it, grab it, bring it along so we can fly away...
மெல்ல ஊர்ந்து ஊர்ந்து ஊரு எங்கும்
தேரு போகும் நேரம்
ஊறும் தேரிலே ஏ.....யாரு போவது
Crawling slowly, slowly across the entire town
It is the time when the chariot moves
Who is riding in the town's chariot?
விண்ணின் மீன்கள் சேர்ந்து
போக ஆசை கொள்ளுதே
இந்த கூட்டில் அந்த மீனும் சேராதோ
The stars in the sky join together
Desiring to go along
Won't that fish also join this nest?
மெல்ல ஊர்ந்து ஊர்ந்து ஊரு எங்கும்
தேரு போகும் நேரம்
ஊறும் தேரிலே ஏ.....யாரு போவது
Crawling slowly, slowly across the entire town
It is the time when the chariot moves
Who is riding in the town's chariot?
மெல்ல ஊஞ்சலாடி குலுங்கி குலுங்கி
அசைஞ்சு போகும் கோலம்
பிஞ்சு மனதுடன் ஹோய் பிள்ளைகள் போகுது
Swinging gently, shaking and shivering
Time sways and moves forward
Children move along with innocent tender hearts
Mella oorndhu oorndhu ooru engum
Crawling slowly, slowly across the entire town
Thaeru pogum naeram
It is the time when the chariot moves
Oorum therilae ye…yaaru povadhu
Who is riding in the town's chariot?
Mella oonjal aadi kulungi kulungi
Swinging gently, shaking and shivering
Asainju pogum kaalam
Time sways and moves forward
Pinju manadhudan hoi pillaigal pogudhu
Children move along with innocent tender hearts
Vinnin meengal saerndhu
The stars in the sky join together
Poga aasai kolludhae
Desiring to go along
Indha koottil andha meenum saeraadhoo
Won't that fish also join this nest?
Mella oorndhu oorndhu ooru engum
Crawling slowly, slowly across the entire town
Thaeru pogum naeram
It is the time when the chariot moves
Oorum therilae ye…yaaru povadhu
Who is riding in the town's chariot?
Vaanam rombha pazhaiyadhu megam pudhiyadhu
The sky is very old, but the cloud is brand new
Thullidum nilavumae endru pirandhu vandhadhu
The playful moon was born just today
Paadhai rombha neendathu payanam siriyadhu
The path is very long, but the journey is short
Yaathirai oyaadhadhu nee sellum mudivai poruthathu
The pilgrimage never stops; it depends on the destination you choose
Mudhal murai pogum payanathil inbam
The joy experienced in traveling for the very first time
Marubadi endrum thirumbhi varaadhu
Will never return ever again
Dhooram kattum vilakkoli kaatti pogum namm vazhi
The lamp post seen in the distance guides our path
Naalai kaalai pozhudhu kattum namakkum nall vazhi………
Tomorrow's morning dawn will show us a good path...
Mella oorndhu oorndhu ooru engum
Crawling slowly, slowly across the entire town
Thaeru pogum naeram
It is the time when the chariot moves
Oorum therilae ye…yaaru povadhu
Who is riding in the town's chariot?
Vinnin meengal saerndhu
The stars in the sky join together
Poga aasai kolludhae
Desiring to go along
Indha koottil andha meenum saeraadhoo
Won't that fish also join this nest?
Mella oorndhu oorndhu ooru engum
Crawling slowly, slowly across the entire town
Thaeru pogum naeram
It is the time when the chariot moves
Oorum therilae ye…yaaru povadhu
Who is riding in the town's chariot?
Naalu kaalu aamai thaan nagarndhu pogudhae
A four-legged turtle crawls along
Dhooram thaandaamalae thuvandu nindru thoongudhae
Without covering much distance, it droops down and falls asleep
Naalu adikku ooradi nindru poguthae
For every four steps, it pauses for one step
Maedugal kandaal idhu pinnookki urundu oodudhae
When it sees steep climbs, it rolls backwards and runs
Dabadaba osai thaalngal podum
It keeps beat with a 'daba-daba' rhythmic noise
Kubukubu endru pugaivittu paadum
It sings while spewing smoke with a 'kubu-kubu' sound
Paatti kadhaiyai polavae parakkum maayakambalam
Just like the flying magic carpet in grandmother's stories
Thedi pidithu eduthu vaa nee parandhu pogalaam……
Find it, grab it, bring it along so we can fly away...
Mella oorndhu oorndhu ooru engum
Crawling slowly, slowly across the entire town
Thaeru pogum naeram
It is the time when the chariot moves
Oorum therilae ye…yaaru povadhu
Who is riding in the town's chariot?
Vinnin meengal saerndhu
The stars in the sky join together
Poga aasai kolludhae
Desiring to go along
Indha koottil andha meenum saeraadhoo
Won't that fish also join this nest?
Mella oorndhu oorndhu ooru engum
Crawling slowly, slowly across the entire town
Thaeru pogum naeram
It is the time when the chariot moves
Oorum therilae ye…yaaru povadhu
Who is riding in the town's chariot?
Mella oonjal aadi kulungi kulungi
Swinging gently, shaking and shivering
Asainju pogum kaalam
Time sways and moves forward
Pinju manadhudan hoi pillaigal pogudhu
Children move along with innocent tender hearts
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from 'Nandalala' is a poignant, reflective journey song that encapsulates childhood innocence, exploration, and the philosophical passage of time. Through childlike imagery—comparing old trucks or vehicles to slow-moving turtles and magic carpets—the song portrays the simple joy of traveling through life with an unburdened, pure heart.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Mella oorndhu oorndhu ooru engum”
The words 'oorndhu oorndhu' and 'kulungi kulungi' are repeated consecutively to highlight the slow, gentle rhythm of motion.
Ethirai / Contrast (Antithesis)
“Vaanam rombha pazhaiyadhu megam pudhiyadhu”
Contrasts the ancient sky ('pazhaiyadhu') with the new cloud ('pudhiyadhu') and the long path ('neendathu') with the short trip ('siriyadhu') to evoke philosophical depth.
Onomatopoeia (Irattai Kilavi)
“Dabadaba osai thaalngal podum”
Uses sound-imitative words like 'Dabadaba' and 'Kubukubu' to mimic the mechanical sound and smoke output of an old vehicle.
Metaphor & Imagery
“Naalu kaalu aamai thaan nagarndhu pogudhae”
Compares an old motor vehicle to a 'four-legged turtle' and a 'magic carpet' from a grandmother's tale.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Nandalala', directed by Mysskin, was heavily inspired by Takeshi Kitano's acclaimed Japanese film 'Kikujiro'. The soundtrack composed by Ilayaraja was widely praised, with this particular track capturing the melancholic yet hopeful spirit of the duo's road journey across Tamil Nadu.
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