Olai Olai Olai
From Maayi · 2000
- Lyricist
- Ilayakamban
- Singers
- Swarnalatha, Arun Mozhi
- Music director
- S. A. Rajkumar
- Details
- Maayi2000
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Olai olai olai | Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf |
| Olai kudisaiyil | In the palm-leaf hut |
| Oosi oosi oosi | Needle, needle, needle |
| Oosi munaiyila | On the tip of the needle |
| Chorus | |
| Olai olai olai | Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf |
| Olai kudisaiyil | In the palm-leaf hut |
| Oosi oosi oosi | Needle, needle, needle |
| Oosi munaiyila | On the tip of the needle |
| Female | |
| Olai olai olai | Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf |
| Olai kudisaiyil | In the palm-leaf hut |
| Ottagam vanthiruchhcaa | Has a camel arrived? |
| Chorus :Ada ottagam vanthiruchchaa | Chorus: Oh, has a camel arrived? |
| Female | |
| Oosi oosi oosi | Needle, needle, needle |
| Oosi munaiyila | On the tip of the needle |
| Kappalum vanthiruchaa | Has a ship arrived too? |
| Chorus :Ada kappalum vanthiruchhcaa | Chorus: Oh, has a ship arrived too? |
| Female | |
| Meesai irukkuthu mama | You have a mustache, uncle |
| Yaen aasai irukkaathaa | Why wouldn't you have desire? |
| Pooththu kidakkuthu rosaa | A rose lies in full bloom |
| Yaen vaasam adikkaathaa | Why wouldn't it spread its fragrance? |
| Female | |
| Paththikkiruchchu | It caught fire! |
| Yaei paththikkiruchchu | Hey, it caught fire! |
| Un pattu sattaiyila | On your silk shirt |
| Nenju thoranthu oththikiduchchu | Opening the heart, it hugged tight! |
| Chorus | |
| Olai olai olai | Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf |
| Female :Yaei | Female: Hey! |
| Chorus :Olai kudisaiyil | Chorus: In the palm-leaf hut |
| Female :Haan | Female: Haan! |
| Chorus :Oosi oosi oosi | Chorus: Needle, needle, needle |
| Female :Haan | Female: Haan! |
| Chorus :Oosi munaiyila | Chorus: On the tip of the needle |
| Female | |
| Olai olai olai | Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf |
| Olai kudisaiyil | In the palm-leaf hut |
| Ottagam vanthiruchchaa | Has a camel arrived? |
| Female | |
| Oosi oosi oosi | Needle, needle, needle |
| Oosi munaiyila | On the tip of the needle |
| Kappalum vanthiruchaa | Has a ship arrived too? |
| Female | |
| Palliyarai pola irukkaen | I am here like a bedchamber |
| Paadam padichikkuyaa | Learn your lesson, dear |
| Panthi vachchi kaaththu kidakkaen | I sit waiting with a feast served |
| Pasi edukkaiyaa | Aren't you getting hungry? |
| Male | |
| Kundumalli poova veesi | Tossing a jasmine flower |
| Malaiya saaikkiriyaa | Are you trying to make the mountain lean? |
| Kosuvaththil ulaga thalli | Pushing the world into your saree pleats |
| Maraikka paakkuriyaa | Are you trying to hide it? |
| Female | |
| Oththu uzhaikkuraen naanthaan | I am the one cooperating hard |
| Ada oththukka vendum neethaan | Oh, you are the one who should agree |
| Kanakka mudikkum varaikkum | Until we settle the account |
| Nee kattikkum vetti naanthaan | I am the dhoti you wrap around |
| Female | |
| Kattilmael | On the bed |
| Oththaiyilae saagathaiyaa | Dying all alone, my dear |
| Kaasikku ponaalum | Even if you go to Kasi |
| Vidamaataenyaa | I won't let you go, my dear |
| Female | |
| En iduppa minnalum | My waist is flashing like lightning |
| Idam pudikkuthu eduththukkaiyaa | Take the place that it captures |
| Female | |
| Paththikkiruchchu | It caught fire! |
| Yaei paththikkiruchchu | Hey, it caught fire! |
| Un pattu sattaiyila | On your silk shirt |
| Nenja thoranthu oththikiduchchu | Opening the heart, it hugged tight! |
| Male | |
| Olai olai olai | Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf |
| Olai kudisaiyil | In the palm-leaf hut |
| Ottagam vanthirummaa | A camel will surely arrive, lady |
| Female :Aamaa | Female: Yes! |
| Male | |
| Oosi oosi oosi | Needle, needle, needle |
| Oosi munaiyila | On the tip of the needle |
| Kappalum vanthirumaa oi | Will a ship also arrive, hey? |
| Female | |
| Vetkkam vittu vidiya vidiya | Casting away shame, until dawn breaks |
| Vivaram sollattumaa | Shall I explain the details? |
| Veththalai pol unnaakkula | Like betel leaves inside your mouth |
| Sevanthukirattumaa | Shall I turn red and redden you? |
| Male | |
| Ekkuthappu ninaipellaam | Will your mischievous thoughts |
| Enkittae nadakkumaa | Work out with me? |
| Yaendiyammaa karumbikitta | Oh woman, near a blacksmith |
| Irumbu urugumaa | Does iron melt easily? |
| Female | |
| Alli edukkanum mama | You should scoop me up, uncle |
| Ulla analadikkuthu aamaa | Heat is blazing inside, yes |
| Avarakodi pola mama | Like a broad bean vine, uncle |
| Enna vettiyil suththanum aamaa | You should wrap me around your waist cloth, yes |
| Male | |
| Senthaenae enmelathaan | Sweet red honey, upon me |
| Sinthaathammaa | Do not spill, lady |
| Selaikkul adangidaatha | Unable to be contained within a saree |
| Puyal naanammaa | I am a storm, lady |
| Male | |
| On oosi pattaasula | From your needle cracker |
| Usantha vaanam udanthidumaa | Will the high sky shatter? |
| Chorus | |
| Paththikkiruchchu | It caught fire! |
| Aiyyo paththikkiruchchu | Oh my, it caught fire! |
| Un pattu sattaiyila | On your silk shirt |
| Nenja thoranthu oththikiduchchu | Opening the heart, it hugged tight! |
| Female | |
| Olai olai olai | Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf |
| Olai kudisaiyil | In the palm-leaf hut |
| Ottagam vanthiruchchaa | Has a camel arrived? |
| Chorus :Ada ottagam vanthiruchchaa | Chorus: Oh, has a camel arrived? |
| Female | |
| Oosi oosi oosi | Needle, needle, needle |
| Oosi munaiyila | On the tip of the needle |
| Kappalum vanthiruchaa | Has a ship arrived too? |
| Chorus :Ada kappalum vanthiruchaa | Chorus: Oh, has a ship arrived too? |
| Male | |
| Manmath kadalil vizhuga | To fall into the ocean of love |
| Naan indhiran illaiyammaa | I am not Lord Indra, my lady |
| Female :Haan haan | Female: Haan haan |
| Male :Manthiram pottu mayakka | To cast a spell and charm you |
| Naan chandhiran illaiyammaa | I am not the moon, my lady |
| Female :Yaei | Female: Hey! |
| Male | |
| Paththikkirumaa | Will it catch fire? |
| Yaei paththikkirumaa | Hey, will it catch fire? |
| Intha pachcha thannithaan | Even in this plain water |
| Theeppori vizhunthu paththikirumaa | Will a spark fall and catch fire? |
| Chorus | |
| Olai olai olai | Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf |
| Olai kudisaiyil | In the palm-leaf hut |
| Oosi oosi oosi | Needle, needle, needle |
| Oosi munaiyila | On the tip of the needle |
ஓலை ஓலை ஓலை
ஓலை குடிசையில்
ஊசி ஊசி ஊசி
ஊசி முனையில
Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf
In the palm-leaf hut
Needle, needle, needle
On the tip of the needle
ஓலை ஓலை ஓலை
ஓலை குடிசையில்
ஊசி ஊசி ஊசி
ஊசி முனையில
Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf
In the palm-leaf hut
Needle, needle, needle
On the tip of the needle
ஓலை ஓலை ஓலை
ஓலை குடிசையில்
ஒட்டகம் வந்திருச்சா
குழு :
அட ஒட்டகம் வந்திருச்சா
Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf
In the palm-leaf hut
Has a camel arrived?
Chorus: Oh, has a camel arrived?
ஊசி ஊசி ஊசி
ஊசி முனையில
கப்பலும் வந்திருச்சா
குழு :
அட கப்பலும் வந்திருச்சா
Needle, needle, needle
On the tip of the needle
Has a ship arrived too?
Chorus: Oh, has a ship arrived too?
மீசை இருக்குது மாமா
ஏன் ஆசை இருக்காதா
பூத்து கிடக்குது ரோசா
ஏன் வாசம் அடிக்காதா
You have a mustache, uncle
Why wouldn't you have desire?
A rose lies in full bloom
Why wouldn't it spread its fragrance?
பத்திக்கிருச்சு
ஏய் பத்திக்கிருச்சு
உன் பட்டுச் சட்டையில
நெஞ்ச தொறந்து ஒத்திகிடுச்சு
It caught fire!
Hey, it caught fire!
On your silk shirt
Opening the heart, it hugged tight!
ஓலை ஓலை ஓலை
ஏய்
குழு :
ஓலை குடிசையில்
ஹான்
குழு :
ஊசி ஊசி ஊசி
ஹான்
குழு :
ஊசி முனையில
Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf
Female: Hey!
Chorus: In the palm-leaf hut
Female: Haan!
Chorus: Needle, needle, needle
Female: Haan!
Chorus: On the tip of the needle
ஓலை ஓலை ஓலை
ஓலை குடிசையில்
ஒட்டகம் வந்திருச்சா
Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf
In the palm-leaf hut
Has a camel arrived?
ஊசி ஊசி ஊசி
ஊசி முனையில
கப்பலும் வந்திருச்சா
Needle, needle, needle
On the tip of the needle
Has a ship arrived too?
பள்ளியறை போல இருக்கேன்
பாடம் படிசிக்குயா
பந்தி வச்சி காத்து கிடக்கேன்
பசி எடுக்கலையா
I am here like a bedchamber
Learn your lesson, dear
I sit waiting with a feast served
Aren't you getting hungry?
குண்டுமல்லி பூவ வீசி
மலைய சாய்க்கிரியா
கொசுவத்தில் உலக தள்ளி
மறைக்க பாக்குறியா
Tossing a jasmine flower
Are you trying to make the mountain lean?
Pushing the world into your saree pleats
Are you trying to hide it?
ஒத்து உழைக்குறேன் நான் தான்
அட ஒத்துக்க வேண்டும் நீ தான்
கணக்க முடிக்கும் வரைக்கும்
நீ கட்டிக்கும் வேட்டி நான்தான்
I am the one cooperating hard
Oh, you are the one who should agree
Until we settle the account
I am the dhoti you wrap around
கட்டில் மேல்
ஒத்தையிலே சாகதையா
காசிக்கு போனாலும்
விடமாட்டேன்யா
On the bed
Dying all alone, my dear
Even if you go to Kasi
I won't let you go, my dear
என் இடுப்ப மின்னலும்
இடம் புடிக்குது எடுத்துக்கையா
My waist is flashing like lightning
Take the place that it captures
பத்திக்கிருச்சு
ஏய் பத்திக்கிருச்சு
உன் பட்டுச் சட்டையில
நெஞ்ச தொறந்து ஒத்திகிடுச்சு
It caught fire!
Hey, it caught fire!
On your silk shirt
Opening the heart, it hugged tight!
ஓலை ஓலை ஓலை
ஓலை குடிசையில்
ஒட்டகம் வந்திருமா
ஆமா
Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf
In the palm-leaf hut
A camel will surely arrive, lady
Female: Yes!
ஊசி ஊசி ஊசி
ஊசி முனையில
கப்பலும் வந்திருமா ஓய்
Needle, needle, needle
On the tip of the needle
Will a ship also arrive, hey?
வெட்கம் விட்டு விடிய விடிய
விவரம் சொல்லட்டுமா
வெத்தலை போல் உன்னாக்குல
செவந்துகிரட்டுமா
Casting away shame, until dawn breaks
Shall I explain the details?
Like betel leaves inside your mouth
Shall I turn red and redden you?
எக்குதப்பு நினைப்பெல்லாம்
என்கிட்டே நடக்குமா
ஏன்டியம்மா கரும்புகிட்ட
இரும்பு உருகுமா
Will your mischievous thoughts
Work out with me?
Oh woman, near a blacksmith
Does iron melt easily?
அள்ளி எடுக்கனும் மாமா
உள்ள அனலடிகுது ஆமா
அவரகொடி போல் மாமா
என்ன வேட்டியில் சுத்தனும் ஆமா
You should scoop me up, uncle
Heat is blazing inside, yes
Like a broad bean vine, uncle
You should wrap me around your waist cloth, yes
செந்தேனே என்மேலதான்
சிந்தாதம்மா
சேலைக்குள் அடங்கிடாத
புயல் நானம்மா
Sweet red honey, upon me
Do not spill, lady
Unable to be contained within a saree
I am a storm, lady
ஒன் ஊசி பட்டாசுல
உசந்த வானம் உடந்திடுமா
From your needle cracker
Will the high sky shatter?
பத்திக்கிருச்சு
அய்யோ பத்திக்கிருச்சு
உன் பட்டுச் சட்டையில
நெஞ்ச தொறந்து ஒத்திகிடுச்சு
It caught fire!
Oh my, it caught fire!
On your silk shirt
Opening the heart, it hugged tight!
ஓலை ஓலை ஓலை
ஓலை குடிசையில்
ஒட்டகம் வந்திருச்சா
குழு :
அட ஒட்டகம் வந்திருச்சா
Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf
In the palm-leaf hut
Has a camel arrived?
Chorus: Oh, has a camel arrived?
ஊசி ஊசி ஊசி
ஊசி முனையில
கப்பலும் வந்திருச்சா
குழு :
அட கப்பலும் வந்திருச்சா
Needle, needle, needle
On the tip of the needle
Has a ship arrived too?
Chorus: Oh, has a ship arrived too?
மன்மத கடலில் விழுக
நான் இந்திரன் இல்லையம்மா
ஹான் ஹான்
மந்திரம் போட்டு மயக்க
நான் சந்திரன் இல்லையம்மா
ஏய்
To fall into the ocean of love
I am not Lord Indra, my lady
Female: Haan haan
To cast a spell and charm you
I am not the moon, my lady
Female: Hey!
பத்திகிருமா
ஏய் பத்திகிருமா
இந்த பச்ச தண்ணதான்
தீப்பொறி விழுந்து பத்திகிருமா
Will it catch fire?
Hey, will it catch fire?
Even in this plain water
Will a spark fall and catch fire?
ஓலை ஓலை ஓலை
ஓலை குடிசையில்
ஊசி ஊசி ஊசி
ஊசி முனையில
Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf
In the palm-leaf hut
Needle, needle, needle
On the tip of the needle
ஓலை ஓலை ஓலை
ஓலை குடிசையில்
ஊசி ஊசி ஊசி
ஊசி முனையில
Olai olai olai
Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf
Olai kudisaiyil
In the palm-leaf hut
Oosi oosi oosi
Needle, needle, needle
Oosi munaiyila
On the tip of the needle
Olai olai olai
Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf
Olai kudisaiyil
In the palm-leaf hut
Oosi oosi oosi
Needle, needle, needle
Oosi munaiyila
On the tip of the needle
Olai olai olai
Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf
Olai kudisaiyil
In the palm-leaf hut
Ottagam vanthiruchhcaa
Has a camel arrived?
Chorus :Ada ottagam vanthiruchchaa
Chorus: Oh, has a camel arrived?
Oosi oosi oosi
Needle, needle, needle
Oosi munaiyila
On the tip of the needle
Kappalum vanthiruchaa
Has a ship arrived too?
Chorus :Ada kappalum vanthiruchhcaa
Chorus: Oh, has a ship arrived too?
Meesai irukkuthu mama
You have a mustache, uncle
Yaen aasai irukkaathaa
Why wouldn't you have desire?
Pooththu kidakkuthu rosaa
A rose lies in full bloom
Yaen vaasam adikkaathaa
Why wouldn't it spread its fragrance?
Paththikkiruchchu
It caught fire!
Yaei paththikkiruchchu
Hey, it caught fire!
Un pattu sattaiyila
On your silk shirt
Nenju thoranthu oththikiduchchu
Opening the heart, it hugged tight!
Olai olai olai
Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf
Female :Yaei
Female: Hey!
Chorus :Olai kudisaiyil
Chorus: In the palm-leaf hut
Female :Haan
Female: Haan!
Chorus :Oosi oosi oosi
Chorus: Needle, needle, needle
Female :Haan
Female: Haan!
Chorus :Oosi munaiyila
Chorus: On the tip of the needle
Olai olai olai
Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf
Olai kudisaiyil
In the palm-leaf hut
Ottagam vanthiruchchaa
Has a camel arrived?
Oosi oosi oosi
Needle, needle, needle
Oosi munaiyila
On the tip of the needle
Kappalum vanthiruchaa
Has a ship arrived too?
Palliyarai pola irukkaen
I am here like a bedchamber
Paadam padichikkuyaa
Learn your lesson, dear
Panthi vachchi kaaththu kidakkaen
I sit waiting with a feast served
Pasi edukkaiyaa
Aren't you getting hungry?
Kundumalli poova veesi
Tossing a jasmine flower
Malaiya saaikkiriyaa
Are you trying to make the mountain lean?
Kosuvaththil ulaga thalli
Pushing the world into your saree pleats
Maraikka paakkuriyaa
Are you trying to hide it?
Oththu uzhaikkuraen naanthaan
I am the one cooperating hard
Ada oththukka vendum neethaan
Oh, you are the one who should agree
Kanakka mudikkum varaikkum
Until we settle the account
Nee kattikkum vetti naanthaan
I am the dhoti you wrap around
Kattilmael
On the bed
Oththaiyilae saagathaiyaa
Dying all alone, my dear
Kaasikku ponaalum
Even if you go to Kasi
Vidamaataenyaa
I won't let you go, my dear
En iduppa minnalum
My waist is flashing like lightning
Idam pudikkuthu eduththukkaiyaa
Take the place that it captures
Paththikkiruchchu
It caught fire!
Yaei paththikkiruchchu
Hey, it caught fire!
Un pattu sattaiyila
On your silk shirt
Nenja thoranthu oththikiduchchu
Opening the heart, it hugged tight!
Olai olai olai
Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf
Olai kudisaiyil
In the palm-leaf hut
Ottagam vanthirummaa
A camel will surely arrive, lady
Female :Aamaa
Female: Yes!
Oosi oosi oosi
Needle, needle, needle
Oosi munaiyila
On the tip of the needle
Kappalum vanthirumaa oi
Will a ship also arrive, hey?
Vetkkam vittu vidiya vidiya
Casting away shame, until dawn breaks
Vivaram sollattumaa
Shall I explain the details?
Veththalai pol unnaakkula
Like betel leaves inside your mouth
Sevanthukirattumaa
Shall I turn red and redden you?
Ekkuthappu ninaipellaam
Will your mischievous thoughts
Enkittae nadakkumaa
Work out with me?
Yaendiyammaa karumbikitta
Oh woman, near a blacksmith
Irumbu urugumaa
Does iron melt easily?
Alli edukkanum mama
You should scoop me up, uncle
Ulla analadikkuthu aamaa
Heat is blazing inside, yes
Avarakodi pola mama
Like a broad bean vine, uncle
Enna vettiyil suththanum aamaa
You should wrap me around your waist cloth, yes
Senthaenae enmelathaan
Sweet red honey, upon me
Sinthaathammaa
Do not spill, lady
Selaikkul adangidaatha
Unable to be contained within a saree
Puyal naanammaa
I am a storm, lady
On oosi pattaasula
From your needle cracker
Usantha vaanam udanthidumaa
Will the high sky shatter?
Paththikkiruchchu
It caught fire!
Aiyyo paththikkiruchchu
Oh my, it caught fire!
Un pattu sattaiyila
On your silk shirt
Nenja thoranthu oththikiduchchu
Opening the heart, it hugged tight!
Olai olai olai
Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf
Olai kudisaiyil
In the palm-leaf hut
Ottagam vanthiruchchaa
Has a camel arrived?
Chorus :Ada ottagam vanthiruchchaa
Chorus: Oh, has a camel arrived?
Oosi oosi oosi
Needle, needle, needle
Oosi munaiyila
On the tip of the needle
Kappalum vanthiruchaa
Has a ship arrived too?
Chorus :Ada kappalum vanthiruchaa
Chorus: Oh, has a ship arrived too?
Manmath kadalil vizhuga
To fall into the ocean of love
Naan indhiran illaiyammaa
I am not Lord Indra, my lady
Female :Haan haan
Female: Haan haan
Male :Manthiram pottu mayakka
To cast a spell and charm you
Naan chandhiran illaiyammaa
I am not the moon, my lady
Female :Yaei
Female: Hey!
Paththikkirumaa
Will it catch fire?
Yaei paththikkirumaa
Hey, will it catch fire?
Intha pachcha thannithaan
Even in this plain water
Theeppori vizhunthu paththikirumaa
Will a spark fall and catch fire?
Olai olai olai
Palm leaf, palm leaf, palm leaf
Olai kudisaiyil
In the palm-leaf hut
Oosi oosi oosi
Needle, needle, needle
Oosi munaiyila
On the tip of the needle
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Olai Olai is a lively, rhythmic folk duet from the movie Maayi (2000), composed by S. A. Rajkumar and written by Ilayakamban. The song features a playful flirtatious banter between the lead characters, filled with riddles, metaphors, and traditional Tamil folk sayings. The female singer entices her lover with affectionate taunts and expressions of romance, while the male singer responds with cheeky humility and cautious wit.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaaphora / Repetition (Mohnai)
“Olai olai olai / Olai kudisaiyil”
Repetition of initial words like Olai olai olai and Oosi oosi oosi creates a rhythmic folk cadence.
Rhyme (Edhukai)
“Meesai irukkuthu mama / Yaen aasai irukkaathaa”
Second-letter rhyming across lines enhancing musicality.
Metaphor
“Selaikkul adangidaatha puyal naanammaa”
Describing herself as an uncontainable storm draped inside a saree.
Did you know?
Trivia
The opening refrain plays on traditional Tamil riddle concepts—asking hyperbolically if impossible objects like camels or ships could fit inside a palm-leaf hut or on the tip of a needle.
Keep listening
More from Maayi
Maayi
Maayi