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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oh Balu

From 100% Kadhal · 2018

Lyricist
Mohan Rajan
Singers
Sudharshan Ashok, Suchith Suresan
Music director
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Movie name
100% Kadhal
Movie release year
2018
Lyrics added on
24 Jun 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Para para-nu
Irukkura age-la
Padikanumnu
Evan kandupudichaan
Love plus love
Pannugira stage-la
Chaos theory
Evan padikka vachaan
Oh god…
Naanga paranthida nenachom
Too bad…
Oru rekka illaiyae
Oh god…
Idhu rainbow vayasu
Too bad…
Adha valachittiyae
Ellaam seriya seivaanae
Avan thaan balu oh balu…
Avan pola vera yaarumae illa kelu
Nee kelu…
Oscar adhathaan
Vangaalanu nenachom
Rahman mundhi adha
Vangittaarungo
First rank adhaiyaachum
Vangaalanu padichaa
Balu paiyan irukkiraan
Mudiyalango
Bathroom-il cinema
Paattukku thaan bathila
Formula-va paatta paadidadaa
Syllabus-a ellaam
Nee virumbi padikkum
Vannathirai puthagamaa padichidadaa
Ahaa…
Romba sariyaga sonnan
Balu…oh oh hoo balu…
Oho…oo ada avan pol inga
Yaaru…ada yaaru
Ellaam seriya seivaanae
Avan thaan balu oh balu…
Avan pola vera yaarumae illa kelu
Nee kelu…
Edison mattum
Porakkaama irundha
Bulb-a kandu pudichiruppom
Grahambel mattum illaama irundha
Telephone adha uruvaakki iruppom
Telephone mattum
Podhuminnu irundha
Cellphone kaiyil vandhirukkuma
Cycle-um bike-um life-innu irundha
Benz gethu kaattirukkuma
Ahaa…
Romba sariyaga sonnan
Balu…oh oh hoo balu…
Oho…oo ada avan pol inga
Yaaru…ada yaaru
Ellaam seriya seivaanae
Avan thaan balu oh balu…
Avan pola vera yaarumae illa kelu
Nee kelu…
At an age to fly free
and soar around,
who was it that decided
we had to study?
At a stage to fall
head over heels in love,
who made us study
chaos theory?
Oh God...
We wanted to fly,
Too bad...
we don't have wings!
Oh God...
This is our colorful rainbow age,
Too bad...
you went and bent it out of shape!
He does everything just right,
he is Balu, oh Balu...
There is no one else like him, listen!
You listen...
We thought of winning
the Oscar award,
but Rahman beat us to it
and took it first, boss!
If we study to at least
secure the first rank,
this guy Balu is right there,
we just can't beat him, boss!
In the bathroom, instead of
singing cinema songs,
sing formulas like songs, buddy!
Treat your entire syllabus
like your favorite
movie magazine and read it, buddy!
Aha...
He said it so well!
Balu... oh oh oo Balu...
Oho... oo, hey, who around here
is like him... hey, who?
He does everything just right,
he is Balu, oh Balu...
There is no one else like him, listen!
You listen...
If only Edison
had not been born,
we would have invented the lightbulb!
If only Graham Bell had not been around,
we would have created the telephone!
If we had thought
the telephone was enough,
would a mobile phone ever be in our hands?
If cycles and bikes were thought to be everything,
would a Benz ever show off its swag?
Aha...
He said it so well!
Balu... oh oh oo Balu...
Oho... oo, hey, who around here
is like him... hey, who?
He does everything just right,
he is Balu, oh Balu...
There is no one else like him, listen!
You listen...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This upbeat youth track captures the hilarious frustrations and academic pressures faced by college students. The lyrics contrast the natural desires of youth—romance, fun, and freedom—with demanding subjects like chaos theory. Amidst this, the character Balu shines as an effortless perfectionist who dominates academic ranks, inspiring equal parts awe and lighthearted jealousy among his peers. The song mixes youthful humor with clever arguments about human progress and learning, celebrating Balu's unique problem-solving perspective.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Vannathirai puthagamaa padichidadaa

Comparing standard textbooks to a colorful silver screen movie to make studying sound enjoyable.

Hyperbole / Irony

Edison mattum Porakkaama irundha Bulb-a kandu pudichiruppom

Exaggerated humorous claim that the students themselves would have invented the lightbulb had Edison not been born.

Iyaipu (Rhyming end words)

Avan thaan balu oh balu... / Avan pola vera yaarumae illa kelu

The usage of matching ending sounds ('balu' and 'kelu') creates a rhythmic end rhyme.

Did you know?

Trivia

100% Kadhal (2019) is the official Tamil remake of the blockbuster 2011 Telugu film '100% Love'. GV Prakash Kumar played the lead role of Balu and also composed the film's musical score, portraying a top-ranking college student obsessed with perfection.

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