Oonaan Vandhu
From Ram Lakshman · 1981
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Oonaan vanthu maattikiduchchu | The garden lizard came and got trapped! |
| Naanthaan oththa kanni pottu pidippaen | I am the one who will catch it using a single-loop snare! |
| Thalaivarae…..antha pakkam intha pakkam | Boss... that side, this side, |
| Entha pakkam ponaalum | Whichever side you go, |
| Suththi suththu veli pakkam | All around the outer perimeter of the fence, |
| Vanthuthaanae aagonum | You inevitably have to end up right here! |
| Male | |
| Oonaan vanthu…..haei haei | The garden lizard came... hey hey! |
| Oonaan vanthu….haahaa | The garden lizard came... haha! |
| Oonaan vanthu maattikiduchchu…haei | The garden lizard came and got trapped... hey! |
| Male | |
| Naanaa vanthu maattikiduvaen | Would I come and get trapped on my own? |
| Onnaththaan nandu pudi pottu pudippen | I will catch you in a crab-like tight grip! |
| Hehhae…..oththa kanni poda | Heh-heh... go ahead and set a single-loop snare! |
| Naanum onaana illae udumbu | I am not a garden lizard, I am a monitor lizard! |
| Ottikittaa vida maattaen | Once I latch on, I won't let go, |
| Jaakkiratha odambu | Watch out for your safety! |
| Male | |
| Naanaa vanthu…..haei haei…. | Would I come on my own... hey hey... |
| Naanaa vanthu…..haei | Would I come on my own... hey! |
| Naanaa vanthu maattikiduvaen | Would I come and get trapped on my own? |
| Male | |
| Naan kizhichcha kotta | The line that I have drawn, |
| Thaanda vida maattean | I will not let you cross! |
| Aana mattum paareandaa daei | Just try if you dare, hey man! |
| Kodu enna kodu koodu vittu koodu | What line? I can leap from body to body, |
| Thaavi thaavi povendaa haa…aa… | I will keep jumping and escaping away, ha... aa... |
| Male | |
| Adadaa enna thimiru…aa… | Ah, what arrogance... aa... |
| Irukku mookku kayiru | There is a nose-rope waiting for you! |
| Hehhae…..evandaa enna thoduvaan | Heh-heh... who would dare touch me? |
| Hae avanthaan odhapaduvaan | Hey, that guy will get kicked around! |
| Paei aattam podaathae vaalaatta koodaathu | Don't dance like a ghost, don't wag your tail! |
| Idhu varai poruththaen… | I have been patient until now... |
| Male | |
| Oonaan vanthu maattikiduchchu | The garden lizard came and got trapped! |
| Naanthaan oththa kanni pottu pidippaen…..haei | I am the one who will catch it using a single-loop snare... hey! |
| Male | |
| Naalu peru paaththaa peru kettu pogum | If people see this, your reputation will be ruined, |
| Veru idam vaayaendaa vaadaa vaadaa | Come to a different place, come on, come on! |
| Aada theriyaatti meadai enna pannum | If you don't know how to dance, why blame the stage? |
| Aala vittu poyaendaa kurr kurr kurr… | Just spare me and get lost, grrr grrr... |
| Male | |
| Varuvaen onna thodarnthu | I will keep following you, |
| Tharuven nalla virunthu | I will serve you a fine feast (lesson), |
| Thaniyaa ninnu edhirpaen | I will stand alone and confront you, |
| Mudivil unna jeippaen | In the end, I will conquer you! |
| Kaalangal nerangal kai koodi venthaachchu | The time and auspicious moment have finally aligned, |
| Kodi katti parappaen | I will hoist my flag high and reign supreme! |
| Male | |
| Oonaan vanthu maattikiduchchu | The garden lizard came and got trapped! |
| Naanthaan oththa kanni pottu pidippaen | I am the one who will catch it using a single-loop snare! |
| Haei haei haei | Hey hey hey! |
| Oththa kanni poda | Go ahead and set your single-loop snare, |
| Naanum onaana illae udumbu | I am not a garden lizard, but a monitor lizard! |
| Ottikittaa vida maattaen | Once I stick to something, I never let go, |
| Jaakkiratha odambu | Watch out for your safety! |
| Male | |
| Oonaan vanthu…..haei haei | The garden lizard came... hey hey |
| Oonaan vanthu….haahaei | The garden lizard came... ha-hey |
| Oonaan vanthu maattikiduchchu…haei | The garden lizard came and got trapped... hey! |
ஓணான் வந்து மாட்டிக்கிடுச்சு
நான்தான் ஒத்தக் கண்ணி போட்டுப் புடிப்பேன்
தலைவரே......அந்தப் பக்கம் இந்தப் பக்கம்
எந்தப் பக்கம் போனாலும்
சுத்திச் சுத்தி வேலிப் பக்கம்
வந்துதானே ஆகோணும்..
The garden lizard came and got trapped!
I am the one who will catch it using a single-loop snare!
Boss... that side, this side,
Whichever side you go,
All around the outer perimeter of the fence,
You inevitably have to end up right here!
ஓணான் வந்து....ஹேய் ஹேய்....
ஓணான் வந்து....ஹாஹா
ஓணான் வந்து மாட்டிக்கிடுச்சு....ஹேய்
The garden lizard came... hey hey!
The garden lizard came... haha!
The garden lizard came and got trapped... hey!
நானா வந்து மாட்டிக்கிடுவேன்
ஒன்னத்தான் நண்டுப் புடி போட்டுப் புடிப்பேன்
ஹெஹ்ஹே......ஒத்தக் கண்ணி போட
நானும் ஓணான் இல்லே உடும்பு
ஒட்டிக்கிட்டா விட மாட்டேன்
ஜாக்கிரத ஒடம்பு.....
Would I come and get trapped on my own?
I will catch you in a crab-like tight grip!
Heh-heh... go ahead and set a single-loop snare!
I am not a garden lizard, I am a monitor lizard!
Once I latch on, I won't let go,
Watch out for your safety!
நானா வந்து......ஹேய் ஹேய்.....
நானா வந்து....ஹேய்.....
நானா வந்து மாட்டிக்கிடுவேன்
Would I come on my own... hey hey...
Would I come on my own... hey!
Would I come and get trapped on my own?
நான் கிழிச்சக் கோட்ட
தாண்ட விட மாட்டேன்
ஆன மட்டும் பாரேன்டா டேய்
கோடு என்ன கோடு கூடு விட்டுக் கூடு
தாவித் தாவிப் போவேன்டா ஹா ஆ.....
The line that I have drawn,
I will not let you cross!
Just try if you dare, hey man!
What line? I can leap from body to body,
I will keep jumping and escaping away, ha... aa...
அடடா என்ன திமிரு....ஆ....
இருக்கு மூக்குக் கயிறு
ஹெஹ்ஹே... எவன்டா என்ன தொடுவான்
ஹே அவன்தான் ஒதப்படுவான்
பேய் ஆட்டம் போடாதே வாலாட்டக் கூடாது
இது வரை பொறுத்தேன்...
Ah, what arrogance... aa...
There is a nose-rope waiting for you!
Heh-heh... who would dare touch me?
Hey, that guy will get kicked around!
Don't dance like a ghost, don't wag your tail!
I have been patient until now...
ஓணான் வந்து மாட்டிக்கிடுச்சு
நான்தான் ஒத்தக் கண்ணி போட்டுப் புடிப்பேன் ஹேய்
The garden lizard came and got trapped!
I am the one who will catch it using a single-loop snare... hey!
நாலு பேரு பாத்தா பேரு கெட்டுப் போகும்
வேறு இடம் வாயேன்டா வாடா வாடா.....
ஆடத் தெரியாட்டி மேடை என்ன பண்ணும்
ஆள விட்டுப் போயேன்டா குர் குர் குர்...
If people see this, your reputation will be ruined,
Come to a different place, come on, come on!
If you don't know how to dance, why blame the stage?
Just spare me and get lost, grrr grrr...
வருவேன் ஒன்னத் தொடர்ந்து
தருவேன் நல்ல விருந்து
தனியா நின்னு எதிர்ப்பேன்
முடிவில் உன்ன ஜெயிப்பேன்
காலங்கள் நேரங்கள் கை கூடி வந்தாச்சு
கொடி கட்டிப் பறப்பேன்...
I will keep following you,
I will serve you a fine feast (lesson),
I will stand alone and confront you,
In the end, I will conquer you!
The time and auspicious moment have finally aligned,
I will hoist my flag high and reign supreme!
ஓணான் வந்து மாட்டிக்கிடுச்சு
நான்தான் ஒத்தக் கண்ணி போட்டுப் புடிப்பேன்
ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய்
ஒத்தக் கண்ணி போட
நானும் ஓணான் இல்லே உடும்பு
ஒட்டிக்கிட்டா விட மாட்டேன்
ஜாக்கிரத ஒடம்பு.....
The garden lizard came and got trapped!
I am the one who will catch it using a single-loop snare!
Hey hey hey!
Go ahead and set your single-loop snare,
I am not a garden lizard, but a monitor lizard!
Once I stick to something, I never let go,
Watch out for your safety!
ஓணான் வந்து....ஹேய் ஹேய்....
ஓணான் வந்து....ஹெஹேய்
ஓணான் வந்து மாட்டிக்கிடுச்சு....ஹேய்
The garden lizard came... hey hey
The garden lizard came... ha-hey
The garden lizard came and got trapped... hey!
Oonaan vanthu maattikiduchchu
The garden lizard came and got trapped!
Naanthaan oththa kanni pottu pidippaen
I am the one who will catch it using a single-loop snare!
Thalaivarae…..antha pakkam intha pakkam
Boss... that side, this side,
Entha pakkam ponaalum
Whichever side you go,
Suththi suththu veli pakkam
All around the outer perimeter of the fence,
Vanthuthaanae aagonum
You inevitably have to end up right here!
Oonaan vanthu…..haei haei
The garden lizard came... hey hey!
Oonaan vanthu….haahaa
The garden lizard came... haha!
Oonaan vanthu maattikiduchchu…haei
The garden lizard came and got trapped... hey!
Naanaa vanthu maattikiduvaen
Would I come and get trapped on my own?
Onnaththaan nandu pudi pottu pudippen
I will catch you in a crab-like tight grip!
Hehhae…..oththa kanni poda
Heh-heh... go ahead and set a single-loop snare!
Naanum onaana illae udumbu
I am not a garden lizard, I am a monitor lizard!
Ottikittaa vida maattaen
Once I latch on, I won't let go,
Jaakkiratha odambu
Watch out for your safety!
Naanaa vanthu…..haei haei….
Would I come on my own... hey hey...
Naanaa vanthu…..haei
Would I come on my own... hey!
Naanaa vanthu maattikiduvaen
Would I come and get trapped on my own?
Naan kizhichcha kotta
The line that I have drawn,
Thaanda vida maattean
I will not let you cross!
Aana mattum paareandaa daei
Just try if you dare, hey man!
Kodu enna kodu koodu vittu koodu
What line? I can leap from body to body,
Thaavi thaavi povendaa haa…aa…
I will keep jumping and escaping away, ha... aa...
Adadaa enna thimiru…aa…
Ah, what arrogance... aa...
Irukku mookku kayiru
There is a nose-rope waiting for you!
Hehhae…..evandaa enna thoduvaan
Heh-heh... who would dare touch me?
Hae avanthaan odhapaduvaan
Hey, that guy will get kicked around!
Paei aattam podaathae vaalaatta koodaathu
Don't dance like a ghost, don't wag your tail!
Idhu varai poruththaen…
I have been patient until now...
Oonaan vanthu maattikiduchchu
The garden lizard came and got trapped!
Naanthaan oththa kanni pottu pidippaen…..haei
I am the one who will catch it using a single-loop snare... hey!
Naalu peru paaththaa peru kettu pogum
If people see this, your reputation will be ruined,
Veru idam vaayaendaa vaadaa vaadaa
Come to a different place, come on, come on!
Aada theriyaatti meadai enna pannum
If you don't know how to dance, why blame the stage?
Aala vittu poyaendaa kurr kurr kurr…
Just spare me and get lost, grrr grrr...
Varuvaen onna thodarnthu
I will keep following you,
Tharuven nalla virunthu
I will serve you a fine feast (lesson),
Thaniyaa ninnu edhirpaen
I will stand alone and confront you,
Mudivil unna jeippaen
In the end, I will conquer you!
Kaalangal nerangal kai koodi venthaachchu
The time and auspicious moment have finally aligned,
Kodi katti parappaen
I will hoist my flag high and reign supreme!
Oonaan vanthu maattikiduchchu
The garden lizard came and got trapped!
Naanthaan oththa kanni pottu pidippaen
I am the one who will catch it using a single-loop snare!
Haei haei haei
Hey hey hey!
Oththa kanni poda
Go ahead and set your single-loop snare,
Naanum onaana illae udumbu
I am not a garden lizard, but a monitor lizard!
Ottikittaa vida maattaen
Once I stick to something, I never let go,
Jaakkiratha odambu
Watch out for your safety!
Oonaan vanthu…..haei haei
The garden lizard came... hey hey
Oonaan vanthu….haahaei
The garden lizard came... ha-hey
Oonaan vanthu maattikiduchchu…haei
The garden lizard came and got trapped... hey!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful, high-energy duel song centers around a witty verbal and physical battle of wits between two dynamic characters. One protagonist taunts the other by comparing them to a garden lizard ('Oonaan') that has walked right into a trap ('oththa kanni'). In response, the opponent fiercely rejects the weak comparison, claiming to be a monitor lizard ('Udumbu') possessing an unbreakable grip ('nandu pudi') that never lets go once latched onto a target. Throughout the track, the dialogue escalates into a battle of bravado, brimming with local Tamil metaphors, threats of defeat, and clever wordplay. As both characters challenge each other's arrogance and capabilities, the song maintains a lighthearted yet competitive momentum, ultimately culminating in declarations of dominance and unmatched confidence.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (உவமை / உருவகம்)
“Naanum onaana illae udumbu”
The speaker contrasts the fragile garden lizard ('onaan') with the tenacious monitor lizard ('udumbu') to symbolize strength, tenacity, and an unyielding grip.
Idiom / Metaphor
“Onnaththaan nandu pudi pottu pudippen”
Uses the colloquial idiom 'nandu pudi' (crab grip) to express a firm, unbreakable hold on the adversary.
Ethugai (எதுகை - Second letter rhyming)
“Oonaan vanthu... / Naanthaan oththa...”
The second letters 'naa' (ண) in 'Oonaan' and 'nn' (ன்) in 'Naanthaan' rhyme, providing structural harmony.
Monai (மோனை - Alliteration of first letters)
“Kodu enna kodu koodu vittu koodu”
Repetition of the 'Ko/Koo' sound at the start of words within the line creates an rhythmic auditory effect.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Ram Lakshman' (1981) features a soundtrack composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by the celebrated poet Vaali. The movie stars Kamal Haasan and Sripriya in lead roles. Songs from this movie stand out for their blend of folk rhythm and youthful, banter-filled dialogue lines typical of 1980s Tamil cinema.
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