Naan 7 Vayasilae
From Nam Naadu · 1969
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Nam Naadu1969
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Ahh elani elani | Ah, tender coconut, tender coconut |
| Elani elani elani | Tender coconut, tender coconut, tender coconut |
| Naan ezhu vayasilae | At seven years of age |
| Elani viththava | I was the girl who sold tender coconuts |
| Female | |
| Naan ezhu vayasilae | At seven years of age |
| Elani viththava | I was the girl who sold tender coconuts |
| Pathinezhu vayasilae | By seventeen years of age |
| Nelachi ninnava | I became well established |
| Female | |
| Ezhai panakaranukkum | For the poor man and the rich man |
| Verum velai vetti karanukkum | For the idle laborer |
| Indha oorukulla yaavarukkum | For everyone in this town |
| Vandha dhagatha theerthava | I quenched the thirst they arrived with |
| Vaadika pudichava | I gained regular customers |
| Female | |
| Elani elani.. | Tender coconut, tender coconut.. |
| Elani elani….. | Tender coconut, tender coconut….. |
| Female | |
| Naan ezhu vayasilae | At seven years of age |
| Elani viththava | I was the girl who sold tender coconuts |
| Pathinezhu vayasilae | By seventeen years of age |
| Nelachi ninnava | I became well established |
| Female | |
| {Thaengayilae paal irukkum | {There is coconut milk in the coconut |
| Adha vaaiyara kudicha | If you drink it to your heart's content |
| Soodu thanikkum} (2) | It cools down body heat} (2) |
| Female | |
| {Odu mattum thaan | {Only the hard shell |
| Mel irukkum | Is on the top |
| Adhu kai thozhil velaikku | It lends a helping hand |
| Kai kodukkum} (2) | To handicraft labor} (2) |
| Female | |
| Izhasaana thanni irukkum | If tender, there is coconut water inside |
| Muthipona enna irukkum | If mature, there is oil inside |
| Uppu karikkum makku payalae | Does it taste salty, you foolish boy? |
| Sappunnu irukkum | It tastes blandly sweet! |
| Female | |
| Naan ezhu vayasilae | At seven years of age |
| Elani viththava | I was the girl who sold tender coconuts |
| Pathinezhu vayasilae | By seventeen years of age |
| Nelachi ninnava | I became well established |
| Female | |
| Elaniyilae paladhirukku | There are many kinds of tender coconuts |
| Adhu irukkura edatha poruthirukku | It depends on where it comes from |
| Idhu thaane pudhu sarakku | This right here is fresh goods |
| Ingu mathadhellam kada sarakku | Everything else here is shop leftovers |
| Female | |
| Veyil neram vilai yerum | During hot weather, the price rises |
| Vilai yera rusi yerum | As the price rises, the taste enriches |
| Seevi kudicha ulla mayakam | If trimmed and drunk, the dizziness inside |
| Mella kuriayum | Will slowly disappear |
| Elani elani.. | Tender coconut, tender coconut.. |
| Elani elani…….. | Tender coconut, tender coconut…….. |
| Female | |
| Naan ezhu vayasilae | At seven years of age |
| Elani viththava | I was the girl who sold tender coconuts |
| Pathinezhu vayasilae | By seventeen years of age |
| Nelachi ninnava | I became well established |
| Female | |
| {Thennamaramum | {A coconut tree |
| Ponnu pola thaan | Is just like a young woman |
| Suvai tharuvathil | In giving sweet delight |
| Irandum onnu pola thaan} (2) | Both are just the same} (2) |
| Female | |
| {Thennapalayum | {The coconut flower sheath |
| Ponnu pola thaan | Is also like a woman |
| Adhu vedicha siripadhu | When it bursts open into a smile |
| Enna pola thaan} (2) | It is just like me} (2) |
| Female | |
| Nallathukku thaan | Only for a good cause |
| Ponnu sirippa | A woman will smile |
| Pallu elichaa onnu kuduppa | If you show respect, she gives you something good |
| Thappu kanakku poda nenacha | If you try to misbehave or miscalculate |
| Kannam sevakkum | Your cheek will turn red from a slap |
| Elani elani.. | Tender coconut, tender coconut.. |
| Elani elani…….. | Tender coconut, tender coconut…….. |
| Female | |
| {Naan ezhu vayasilae | {At seven years of age |
| Elani viththava | I was the girl who sold tender coconuts |
| Pathinezhu vayasilae | By seventeen years of age |
| Nelachi ninnava} (2) | I became well established} (2) |
| Female | |
| Elani elani.. | Tender coconut, tender coconut.. |
| Elani elani…elani…. | Tender coconut, tender coconut… tender coconut…. |
ஆ இளநி இளநி
இளநி இளநி இளநி நான்
ஏழு வயசிலே இளநி வித்தவ
Ah, tender coconut, tender coconut
Tender coconut, tender coconut, tender coconut
At seven years of age
I was the girl who sold tender coconuts
நான் ஏழு வயசிலே
இளநி வித்தவ பதினேழு
வயசிலே நெலச்சி நின்னவ
At seven years of age
I was the girl who sold tender coconuts
By seventeen years of age
I became well established
ஏழை பணக்காரனுக்கும்
வெறும் வேலை வெட்டி காரனுக்கும்
இந்த ஊருக்குள்ள யாவருக்கும்
வந்த தாகத்தை தீர்த்தவ
வாடிக்க புடிச்சவ
For the poor man and the rich man
For the idle laborer
For everyone in this town
I quenched the thirst they arrived with
I gained regular customers
இளநி இளநி
இளநி இளநி
Tender coconut, tender coconut..
Tender coconut, tender coconut…..
நான் ஏழு வயசிலே
இளநி வித்தவ பதினேழு
வயசிலே நெலச்சி நின்னவ
At seven years of age
I was the girl who sold tender coconuts
By seventeen years of age
I became well established
{ தேங்காயிலே
பால் இருக்கும் அத
வாயார குடிச்சா சூடு
தணிக்கும் } (2)
{There is coconut milk in the coconut
If you drink it to your heart's content
It cools down body heat} (2)
{ ஓடு மட்டும்
தான் மேல் இருக்கும்
அது கை தொழில்
வேலைக்கு கை
கொடுக்கும் } (2)
{Only the hard shell
Is on the top
It lends a helping hand
To handicraft labor} (2)
இளசான தண்ணி
இருக்கும் முத்தி போனா
என்ன இருக்கும் உப்பு
கரிக்கும் மக்கு பயலே
சப்புன்னு இருக்கும்
If tender, there is coconut water inside
If mature, there is oil inside
Does it taste salty, you foolish boy?
It tastes blandly sweet!
நான் ஏழு வயசிலே
இளநி வித்தவ பதினேழு
வயசிலே நெலச்சி நின்னவ
At seven years of age
I was the girl who sold tender coconuts
By seventeen years of age
I became well established
இளனியிலே
பலதிருக்கு அது இருக்குற
இடத்த பொறுத்திருக்கு இது
தானே புது சரக்கு இங்கு
மத்ததெல்லாம் கட சரக்கு
There are many kinds of tender coconuts
It depends on where it comes from
This right here is fresh goods
Everything else here is shop leftovers
வெயில் நேரம்
விலை ஏறும் விலை ஏற
ருசி ஏறும் சீவி குடிச்சா
உள்ள மயக்கம் மெல்ல
குறையும் இளநி இளநி
இளநி இளநி
During hot weather, the price rises
As the price rises, the taste enriches
If trimmed and drunk, the dizziness inside
Will slowly disappear
Tender coconut, tender coconut..
Tender coconut, tender coconut……..
நான் ஏழு வயசிலே
இளநி வித்தவ பதினேழு
வயசிலே நெலச்சி நின்னவ
At seven years of age
I was the girl who sold tender coconuts
By seventeen years of age
I became well established
{ தென்ன மரமும்
பொண்ணு போல தான்
சுவை தருவதில் இரண்டும்
ஒன்னு போல தான் } (2)
{A coconut tree
Is just like a young woman
In giving sweet delight
Both are just the same} (2)
{ தென்ன பாலையும்
பொண்ணு போல தான் அது
வெடிச்சா சிரிப்பது என்ன
போல தான் } (2)
{The coconut flower sheath
Is also like a woman
When it bursts open into a smile
It is just like me} (2)
நல்லதுக்கு தான்
பொண்ணு சிரிப்பா பல்லு
இளிச்சா ஒன்னு குடுப்பா
தப்பு கணக்கு போட நெனச்சா
கன்னம் சிவக்கும்
Only for a good cause
A woman will smile
If you show respect, she gives you something good
If you try to misbehave or miscalculate
Your cheek will turn red from a slap
Tender coconut, tender coconut..
Tender coconut, tender coconut……..
இளநி இளநி
இளநி இளநி
{At seven years of age
I was the girl who sold tender coconuts
By seventeen years of age
I became well established} (2)
{ நான் ஏழு வயசிலே
இளநி வித்தவ பதினேழு
வயசிலே நெலச்சி
நின்னவ } (2)
Tender coconut, tender coconut..
Tender coconut, tender coconut… tender coconut….
இளநி இளநி
இளநி இளநி இளநி
Ahh elani elani
Ah, tender coconut, tender coconut
Elani elani elani
Tender coconut, tender coconut, tender coconut
Naan ezhu vayasilae
At seven years of age
Elani viththava
I was the girl who sold tender coconuts
Naan ezhu vayasilae
At seven years of age
Elani viththava
I was the girl who sold tender coconuts
Pathinezhu vayasilae
By seventeen years of age
Nelachi ninnava
I became well established
Ezhai panakaranukkum
For the poor man and the rich man
Verum velai vetti karanukkum
For the idle laborer
Indha oorukulla yaavarukkum
For everyone in this town
Vandha dhagatha theerthava
I quenched the thirst they arrived with
Vaadika pudichava
I gained regular customers
Elani elani..
Tender coconut, tender coconut..
Elani elani…..
Tender coconut, tender coconut…..
Naan ezhu vayasilae
At seven years of age
Elani viththava
I was the girl who sold tender coconuts
Pathinezhu vayasilae
By seventeen years of age
Nelachi ninnava
I became well established
{Thaengayilae paal irukkum
{There is coconut milk in the coconut
Adha vaaiyara kudicha
If you drink it to your heart's content
Soodu thanikkum} (2)
It cools down body heat} (2)
{Odu mattum thaan
{Only the hard shell
Mel irukkum
Is on the top
Adhu kai thozhil velaikku
It lends a helping hand
Kai kodukkum} (2)
To handicraft labor} (2)
Izhasaana thanni irukkum
If tender, there is coconut water inside
Muthipona enna irukkum
If mature, there is oil inside
Uppu karikkum makku payalae
Does it taste salty, you foolish boy?
Sappunnu irukkum
It tastes blandly sweet!
Naan ezhu vayasilae
At seven years of age
Elani viththava
I was the girl who sold tender coconuts
Pathinezhu vayasilae
By seventeen years of age
Nelachi ninnava
I became well established
Elaniyilae paladhirukku
There are many kinds of tender coconuts
Adhu irukkura edatha poruthirukku
It depends on where it comes from
Idhu thaane pudhu sarakku
This right here is fresh goods
Ingu mathadhellam kada sarakku
Everything else here is shop leftovers
Veyil neram vilai yerum
During hot weather, the price rises
Vilai yera rusi yerum
As the price rises, the taste enriches
Seevi kudicha ulla mayakam
If trimmed and drunk, the dizziness inside
Mella kuriayum
Will slowly disappear
Elani elani..
Tender coconut, tender coconut..
Elani elani……..
Tender coconut, tender coconut……..
Naan ezhu vayasilae
At seven years of age
Elani viththava
I was the girl who sold tender coconuts
Pathinezhu vayasilae
By seventeen years of age
Nelachi ninnava
I became well established
{Thennamaramum
{A coconut tree
Ponnu pola thaan
Is just like a young woman
Suvai tharuvathil
In giving sweet delight
Irandum onnu pola thaan} (2)
Both are just the same} (2)
{Thennapalayum
{The coconut flower sheath
Ponnu pola thaan
Is also like a woman
Adhu vedicha siripadhu
When it bursts open into a smile
Enna pola thaan} (2)
It is just like me} (2)
Nallathukku thaan
Only for a good cause
Ponnu sirippa
A woman will smile
Pallu elichaa onnu kuduppa
If you show respect, she gives you something good
Thappu kanakku poda nenacha
If you try to misbehave or miscalculate
Kannam sevakkum
Your cheek will turn red from a slap
Elani elani..
Tender coconut, tender coconut..
Elani elani……..
Tender coconut, tender coconut……..
{Naan ezhu vayasilae
{At seven years of age
Elani viththava
I was the girl who sold tender coconuts
Pathinezhu vayasilae
By seventeen years of age
Nelachi ninnava} (2)
I became well established} (2)
Elani elani..
Tender coconut, tender coconut..
Elani elani…elani….
Tender coconut, tender coconut… tender coconut….
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This lively folk-style song features a young female street vendor selling tender coconuts who reflects on her journey starting at seven years old and becoming an established independent businesswoman by seventeen. She serves people from all walks of life, from rich patrons to daily laborers, quenching their physical thirst while defending her dignity as a self-made woman.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamai)
“Thennamaramum Ponnu pola thaan”
Compares the coconut tree and its flowering sheath to a woman in terms of sweetness, blooming smile, and grace.
Assonance / Monai
“Naan ezhu vayasilae / Pathinezhu vayasilae”
Rhythmic repetition of similar initial vowel sounds in 'Ezhu' and 'Pathinezhu'.
Allegory / Double Entendre
“Odu mattum thaan Mel irukkum”
Lyricist Vaali cleverly uses coconut traits (outer hard shell, inner sweetness, cooling nature) as an allegory for female dignity and resilience.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song 'Elani Elani' is from the 1969 hit political drama movie 'Nam Naadu' starring M. G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa. The song was sung by legendary playback singer L. R. Eswari, composed by M. S. Viswanathan, and penned by Vaali.
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