Nalla Kariyam
From Ponnunjal · 1973
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Ponnunjal1973
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Hooo hoo hoo oo oo oo hoo ooo | (Vocalizing) |
| Female :Hooo hoo hoo oo oo oo hoo ooo | (Female vocalizing) |
| Female | |
| Nalla kaariyam seekkiram nadakkanum | The auspicious event should happen soon, |
| Konjam sollungalaen | Please tell him a little, |
| Thulli varum muthu killaigalae | O leaping pearl-like parrots! |
| Female | |
| Nalla kaariyam seekkiram nadakkanum | The auspicious event should happen soon, |
| Konjam sollungalaen | Please tell him a little, |
| Thulli varum muthu killaigalae | O leaping pearl-like parrots! |
| Female | |
| Pachai vanna vettrilai pol | Like a green betel leaf, |
| Parandhodum podhu | When it flies away, |
| Paakku vandhu vettrilaiyil | Why doesn't the betel nut come to the betel leaf |
| Sonnaal enna thoodhu | And convey the message? |
| Sonnaal enna thoodhu | And convey the message? |
| Female | |
| Nalla kaariyam seekkiram nadakkanum | The auspicious event should happen soon, |
| Konjam sollungalaen | Please tell him a little, |
| Thulli varum muthu killaigalae | O leaping pearl-like parrots! |
| Muthu killaigalae… muthu killaigalae | Pearl parrots... pearl parrots... |
| Muthu killaigalae… muthu killaigalae | Pearl parrots... pearl parrots... |
| Male | |
| Hoo hooo hooo .. hooo oo oo | (Humming) |
| Male | |
| {Vellam odattum pennidam koorattum | Let the flood flow and inform the maiden, |
| Ullam vaeli kattai thaandi vandhu poovaagattum | Let the heart leap past the fence and bloom into a flower. |
| Andha megangal paadum raagangal | Those melodies sung by the clouds, |
| Vanna pen paarkka poi varum thoodhaagattum} (2) | Let them become a messenger visiting the colorful maiden. |
| Male | |
| Manjalukku naathu vachaa | If turmeric saplings are planted, |
| Manakkaadho ingae | Won't they spread their fragrance here? |
| Maunathilae saedhi sonnaa | If news is conveyed in silence, |
| Puriyaadho angae | Won't it be understood over there? |
| Male | |
| Nalla kaariyam seekkiram nadakkanum | The auspicious event should happen soon, |
| Konjam sollungalaen | Please tell him a little, |
| Thulli varum muthu killaigalae | O leaping pearl-like parrots! |
| Muthu killaigalae… muthu killaigalae | Pearl parrots... pearl parrots... |
| Muthu killaigalae… muthu killaigalae | Pearl parrots... pearl parrots... |
| Female | |
| Haaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…. | (Vocalizing) |
| Haa…..aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa..aa… | (Vocalizing) |
| Female | |
| Thanga meengalae thaamarai poovilae | O golden fish in the lotus flower, |
| Pongum thaen undu enbadhai neer ariveergaloo | Do you know that overflowing honey exists? |
| Andha pon vandu indha poo kandu | Seeing this flower, that golden beetle, |
| Inba thaenunnum naal paarkka viduveergaloo | Will you grant the day when it tastes sweet honey? |
| Pandhiyilae kaathirukku pasiyodu sondham | Relatives are waiting hungrily at the feast, |
| Pakkathilae nee irundhu parimaaru konjam | Stay nearby and serve the meal a little. |
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ ஊ ஊ ஊ ஹோஓஒ
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ ஊ ஊ ஊ ஹோஓஒ
(Vocalizing)
(Female vocalizing)
நல்ல காரியம் சீக்கிரம் நடக்கணும்
கொஞ்சம் சொல்லுங்களேன்
துள்ளி வரும் முத்து கிள்ளைகளே
The auspicious event should happen soon,
Please tell him a little,
O leaping pearl-like parrots!
நல்ல காரியம் சீக்கிரம் நடக்கணும்
கொஞ்சம் சொல்லுங்களேன்
துள்ளி வரும் முத்து கிள்ளைகளே
The auspicious event should happen soon,
Please tell him a little,
O leaping pearl-like parrots!
பச்சைவண்ண வெற்றிலைப்போல்
பறந்தோடும் போது
பாக்கு வச்சு வெற்றிலையில்
சொன்னால் என்ன தூது
சொன்னால் என்ன தூது
Like a green betel leaf,
When it flies away,
Why doesn't the betel nut come to the betel leaf
And convey the message?
And convey the message?
நல்ல காரியம் சீக்கிரம் நடக்கணும்
கொஞ்சம் சொல்லுங்களேன்
துள்ளி வரும் முத்து கிள்ளைகளே
முத்து கிள்ளைகளே.......முத்து கிள்ளைகளே.....
முத்து கிள்ளைகளே.......முத்து கிள்ளைகளே......
The auspicious event should happen soon,
Please tell him a little,
O leaping pearl-like parrots!
Pearl parrots... pearl parrots...
Pearl parrots... pearl parrots...
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ.....ஹோ ஓ ஓ
(Humming)
{வெள்ளம் ஓடட்டும் பெண்ணிடம் கூறட்டும்
உள்ளம் வேலிக்கட்டை தாண்டி வந்து பூவாகட்டும்
அந்த மேகங்கள் பாடும் ராகங்கள்
வண்ணப் பெண் பார்க்க போய் வரும் தூதாகட்டும்} (2)
Let the flood flow and inform the maiden,
Let the heart leap past the fence and bloom into a flower.
Those melodies sung by the clouds,
Let them become a messenger visiting the colorful maiden.
மஞ்சளுக்கு நாத்து வச்சா
மணக்காதோ இங்கே
மௌனத்திலே சேதி சொன்னால்
புரியாதோ அங்கே
If turmeric saplings are planted,
Won't they spread their fragrance here?
If news is conveyed in silence,
Won't it be understood over there?
நல்ல காரியம் சீக்கிரம் நடக்கணும்
கொஞ்சம் சொல்லுங்களேன்
துள்ளி வரும் முத்து கிள்ளைகளே
முத்து கிள்ளைகளே.......முத்து கிள்ளைகளே.....
முத்து கிள்ளைகளே.......முத்து கிள்ளைகளே......
The auspicious event should happen soon,
Please tell him a little,
O leaping pearl-like parrots!
Pearl parrots... pearl parrots...
Pearl parrots... pearl parrots...
ஹா......ஆஅ......ஆஅ......ஆஅ.....
ஹா......ஆஅ......ஆஅ......ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆ...
(Vocalizing)
(Vocalizing)
தங்க மீன்களே தாமரைப் பூவிலே
பொங்கும் தேன் உண்டு என்பதை நீர் அறிவீர்களோ
அந்த பொன் வண்டு இந்த பூக்கண்டு
இன்ப தேன் உண்ணும் நாள் பார்க்க விடுவீர்களோ
பந்தியிலே காத்திருக்கு பசியோடு சொந்தம்
பக்கத்திலே நீ இருந்து பரிமாறு கொஞ்சம்
O golden fish in the lotus flower,
Do you know that overflowing honey exists?
Seeing this flower, that golden beetle,
Will you grant the day when it tastes sweet honey?
Relatives are waiting hungrily at the feast,
Stay nearby and serve the meal a little.
நல்ல காரியம் சீக்கிரம் நடக்கணும்
கொஞ்சம் சொல்லுங்களேன்
துள்ளி வரும் முத்து கிள்ளைகளே
முத்து கிள்ளைகளே.......முத்து கிள்ளைகளே.....
முத்து கிள்ளைகளே.......முத்து கிள்ளைகளே......
Hooo hoo hoo oo oo oo hoo ooo
(Vocalizing)
Female :Hooo hoo hoo oo oo oo hoo ooo
(Female vocalizing)
Nalla kaariyam seekkiram nadakkanum
The auspicious event should happen soon,
Konjam sollungalaen
Please tell him a little,
Thulli varum muthu killaigalae
O leaping pearl-like parrots!
Nalla kaariyam seekkiram nadakkanum
The auspicious event should happen soon,
Konjam sollungalaen
Please tell him a little,
Thulli varum muthu killaigalae
O leaping pearl-like parrots!
Pachai vanna vettrilai pol
Like a green betel leaf,
Parandhodum podhu
When it flies away,
Paakku vandhu vettrilaiyil
Why doesn't the betel nut come to the betel leaf
Sonnaal enna thoodhu
And convey the message?
Sonnaal enna thoodhu
And convey the message?
Nalla kaariyam seekkiram nadakkanum
The auspicious event should happen soon,
Konjam sollungalaen
Please tell him a little,
Thulli varum muthu killaigalae
O leaping pearl-like parrots!
Muthu killaigalae… muthu killaigalae
Pearl parrots... pearl parrots...
Muthu killaigalae… muthu killaigalae
Pearl parrots... pearl parrots...
Hoo hooo hooo .. hooo oo oo
(Humming)
{Vellam odattum pennidam koorattum
Let the flood flow and inform the maiden,
Ullam vaeli kattai thaandi vandhu poovaagattum
Let the heart leap past the fence and bloom into a flower.
Andha megangal paadum raagangal
Those melodies sung by the clouds,
Vanna pen paarkka poi varum thoodhaagattum} (2)
Let them become a messenger visiting the colorful maiden.
Manjalukku naathu vachaa
If turmeric saplings are planted,
Manakkaadho ingae
Won't they spread their fragrance here?
Maunathilae saedhi sonnaa
If news is conveyed in silence,
Puriyaadho angae
Won't it be understood over there?
Nalla kaariyam seekkiram nadakkanum
The auspicious event should happen soon,
Konjam sollungalaen
Please tell him a little,
Thulli varum muthu killaigalae
O leaping pearl-like parrots!
Muthu killaigalae… muthu killaigalae
Pearl parrots... pearl parrots...
Muthu killaigalae… muthu killaigalae
Pearl parrots... pearl parrots...
Haaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….
(Vocalizing)
Haa…..aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa..aa…
(Vocalizing)
Thanga meengalae thaamarai poovilae
O golden fish in the lotus flower,
Pongum thaen undu enbadhai neer ariveergaloo
Do you know that overflowing honey exists?
Andha pon vandu indha poo kandu
Seeing this flower, that golden beetle,
Inba thaenunnum naal paarkka viduveergaloo
Will you grant the day when it tastes sweet honey?
Pandhiyilae kaathirukku pasiyodu sondham
Relatives are waiting hungrily at the feast,
Pakkathilae nee irundhu parimaaru konjam
Stay nearby and serve the meal a little.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic song from 'Ponnunjal' expresses the heroine's eager anticipation for her upcoming marriage. Addressing natural elements like parrots, clouds, lotus flowers, and beetles, she requests them to act as messengers (Thoodhu) to convey her deep love and desire for an early wedding to her beloved. Through rich metaphors of betel leaf and betel nut, turmeric, and honey-filled blossoms, lyricist Kannadasan vividly depicts traditional Tamil bridal shyness mixed with joyful longing for romance and marital union.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Thoodhu (Personification / Messenger Device)
“Thulli varum muthu killaigalae”
Addressing inanimate elements and birds like parrots ('muthu killaigalae') and clouds ('megangal') to carry romantic messages to the lover.
Upamai (Simile)
“Pachai vanna vettrilai pol”
Comparing the heroine's fluttering feelings and green attire to a green betel leaf ('Pachai vanna vettrilai pol').
Emon / Monai (Alliteration & Rhyme)
“Vellam odattum pennidam koorattum”
Harmonious initial letter rhyming in 'Vellam' and 'Ullam' across lines 20 and 21.
Uruvagam (Imagery & Metaphor)
“Thanga meengalae thaamarai poovilae”
Visual imagery of golden fish in a lotus pond, symbolizing romantic abundance and beauty.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Ponnunjal' (1973) stars Sivaji Ganesan and Usha Nandini. The soundtrack was composed by the legendary duo M. S. Viswanathan - T. K. Ramamoorthy (MSV), featuring lyrics by Kannadasan. This popular track 'Nalla Kaariyam' was sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.
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