Ooraar Urangaiyile
From Naalu Veli Nilam · 1959
- Lyricist
- Lyricist Not Known
- Singers
- Thiruchi Loganathan, L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Naalu Veli Nilam1959
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ooraar urangaiyile | When the villagers are sleeping, |
| Uttraarum thoongaiyile | When relatives are fast asleep, |
| Ooraar urangaiyile | When the villagers are sleeping, |
| Uttraarum thoongaiyile | When relatives are fast asleep, |
| Nalla paambhu vedamkondu | Taking the guise of a good cobra, |
| Naan varuven saamthilae | I will come in the quiet of midnight. |
| Nalla paambhu vedamkondu | Taking the guise of a good cobra, |
| Naan varuven saamthilae | I will come in the quiet of midnight. |
| Ooraar urangaiyile | When the villagers are sleeping, |
| Uttraarum thoongaiyile | When relatives are fast asleep, |
| Female | |
| Nalla paambhu vedamkondu | If you come taking the guise of a cobra, |
| Nadu saamam vandhaaiyaanal | In the middle of the night... |
| Nalla paambhu vedamkondu | If you come taking the guise of a cobra, |
| Nadu saamam vandhaaiyaanal | In the middle of the night... |
| Oor kuruvi vedam kondu | Taking the guise of a local sparrow, |
| Uyarathil paranthiduven | I will fly up into the high sky. |
| Oor kuruvi vedam kondu | Taking the guise of a local sparrow, |
| Uyarathil paranthiduven | I will fly up into the high sky. |
| Nalla paambhu vedamkondu | If you come taking the guise of a cobra, |
| Nadu saamam vandhaaiyaanal | In the middle of the night... |
| Male | |
| Oor kuruvi vedam kondu | If you become a sparrow, |
| Uyarathil paranthaai aanal | And fly up into the high sky... |
| Oor kuruvi vedam kondu | If you become a sparrow, |
| Uyarathil paranthaai aanal | And fly up into the high sky... |
| Semparundhu vedam kondu | Taking the guise of a red kite eagle, |
| Senthukaai thookiduven | I will swoop down and carry you off! |
| Semparundhu vedam kondu | Taking the guise of a red kite eagle, |
| Senthukaai thookiduven | I will swoop down and carry you off! |
| Female | |
| Semparunthu vedam kondu | If you take the guise of a red kite eagle, |
| Senthukaai thooka vandhaal | And come down to carry me off... |
| Semparunthu vedam kondu | If you take the guise of a red kite eagle, |
| Senthukaai thooka vandhaal | And come down to carry me off... |
| Boomiyai keeri allo | Piercing right through the earth, |
| Pullai mulaithiduven | I will sprout out as a blade of grass! |
| Boomiyai keeri allo | Piercing right through the earth, |
| Pullai mulaithiduven | I will sprout out as a blade of grass! |
| Male | |
| Boomiyai keeri allo | If you pierce through the earth, |
| Pullai mulaithaiyanaal | And sprout out as grass... |
| Boomiyai keeri allo | If you pierce through the earth, |
| Pullai mulaithaiyanaal | And sprout out as grass... |
| Kaaraampasu vedam kondu | Taking the guise of a black cow, |
| Kadithiduven antha pullai | I will graze and bite that grass! |
| Kaaraampasu vedam kondu | Taking the guise of a black cow, |
| Kadithiduven antha pullai | I will graze and bite that grass! |
| Female | |
| Kaaraampasu nee aanal | If you become a black cow, |
| Kazhuthu mani naan aaven | I will become the bell around your neck. |
| Kaaraampasu nee aanal | If you become a black cow, |
| Kazhuthu mani naan aaven | I will become the bell around your neck. |
| Aala marathadiyil | Beneath the banyan tree, |
| Arali chediyaaven | I will become an oleander plant. |
| Aala marathadiyil | Beneath the banyan tree, |
| Arali chediyaaven | I will become an oleander plant. |
| Male | |
| Aala maram uranga | As the banyan tree sleeps, |
| Adi marathil vanduranga | To lie down and sleep at its base, |
| Un madiyil naan uranga | And sleep peacefully on your lap, |
| Enna varam petraendi…. | Oh my dear, what a blessing I have received! |
| Aala maram uranga | As the banyan tree sleeps, |
| Adi marathil vanduranga | To lie down and sleep at its base, |
| Female | |
| Atthi maramum aaven | I will become a fig tree too, |
| Nathanaiyum pinjaaven | And the tiny tender fig fruit. |
| Nathi varum machaanukku | For my sweetheart who comes like a flowing river, |
| Muthucharam naan aaven | I will become a garland of pearls. |
| Atthi maramum aaven | I will become a fig tree too, |
| Nathanaiyum pinjaaven | And the tiny tender fig fruit. |
| Male | |
| {Ahhhhh | {Ahhhhh, |
| Female | |
| Ohhhhh} (2) | Ohhhhh} (2) |
ஊரார் உறங்கையிலே
உற்றாரும் தூங்கையிலே
ஊரார் உறங்கையிலே
உற்றாரும் தூங்கையிலே
நல்ல பாம்பு வேடம்கொண்டு
நான் வருவேன் சாமத்திலே
நல்ல பாம்பு வேடம்கொண்டு
நான் வருவேன் சாமத்திலே
When the villagers are sleeping,
When relatives are fast asleep,
When the villagers are sleeping,
When relatives are fast asleep,
Taking the guise of a good cobra,
I will come in the quiet of midnight.
Taking the guise of a good cobra,
I will come in the quiet of midnight.
When the villagers are sleeping,
When relatives are fast asleep,
ஊரார் உறங்கையிலே
உற்றாரும் தூங்கையிலே
If you come taking the guise of a cobra,
In the middle of the night...
If you come taking the guise of a cobra,
In the middle of the night...
Taking the guise of a local sparrow,
I will fly up into the high sky.
Taking the guise of a local sparrow,
I will fly up into the high sky.
If you come taking the guise of a cobra,
In the middle of the night...
நல்ல பாம்பு வேடம்கொண்டு
நடு சாமம் வந்தாயனால்
நல்ல பாம்பு வேடம்கொண்டு
நடு சாமம் வந்தாயனால்
ஊர் குருவி வேடம் கொண்டு
உயரத்தில் பறந்திடுவேன்
ஊர் குருவி வேடம் கொண்டு
உயரத்தில் பறந்திடுவேன்
நல்ல பாம்பு வேடம்கொண்டு
நடு சாமம் வந்தாயனால்
If you become a sparrow,
And fly up into the high sky...
If you become a sparrow,
And fly up into the high sky...
Taking the guise of a red kite eagle,
I will swoop down and carry you off!
Taking the guise of a red kite eagle,
I will swoop down and carry you off!
ஊர் குருவி வேடம் கொண்டு
உயரத்தில் பறந்தாய் ஆனால்
ஊர் குருவி வேடம் கொண்டு
உயரத்தில் பறந்தாய் ஆனல்
செம்பருந்து வேடம் கொண்டு
செந்தூக்காய் தூக்கிடுவேன்
செம்பருந்து வேடம் கொண்டு
செந்தூக்காய் தூக்கிடுவேன்
If you take the guise of a red kite eagle,
And come down to carry me off...
If you take the guise of a red kite eagle,
And come down to carry me off...
Piercing right through the earth,
I will sprout out as a blade of grass!
Piercing right through the earth,
I will sprout out as a blade of grass!
செம்பருந்து வேடம் கொண்டு
செந்தூக்காய் தூக்க வந்தாள்
செம்பருந்து வேடம் கொண்டு
செந்தூக்காய் தூக்க வந்தாள்
பூமியை கீரி அல்ல
புல்லாய் முளைத்திடுவேன்
பூமியை கீரி அல்ல
புல்லாய் முளைத்திடுவேன்
If you pierce through the earth,
And sprout out as grass...
If you pierce through the earth,
And sprout out as grass...
Taking the guise of a black cow,
I will graze and bite that grass!
Taking the guise of a black cow,
I will graze and bite that grass!
பூமியை கீரி அல்லோ
புல்லாய் முளைத்தாயனால்
பூமியை கீரி அல்லோ
புல்லாய் முளைத்தாயனால்
காரம்பசு வேடம் கொண்டு
கடித்திடுவேன் அந்த புல்லை
காரம்பசு வேடம் கொண்டு
கடித்திடுவேன் அந்த புல்லை
If you become a black cow,
I will become the bell around your neck.
If you become a black cow,
I will become the bell around your neck.
Beneath the banyan tree,
I will become an oleander plant.
Beneath the banyan tree,
I will become an oleander plant.
காரம்பசு நீ ஆனால்
கழுத்து மணி நான் ஆவேன்
காரம்பசு நீ ஆனால்
கழுத்து மணி நான் ஆவேன்
ஆலா மரத்தடியில்
அரளி செடியாவேன்
ஆலா மரத்தடியில்
அரளி செடியாவன்
As the banyan tree sleeps,
To lie down and sleep at its base,
And sleep peacefully on your lap,
Oh my dear, what a blessing I have received!
As the banyan tree sleeps,
To lie down and sleep at its base,
ஆலா மரம் உறங்க
அடி மரத்தில் வண்டுறங்க
உன் மடியில் நான் உறங்க
என்ன வரம் பெற்றேன்டி….
ஆலா மரம் உறங்க
அடி மரத்தில் வண்டுறங்க
I will become a fig tree too,
And the tiny tender fig fruit.
For my sweetheart who comes like a flowing river,
I will become a garland of pearls.
I will become a fig tree too,
And the tiny tender fig fruit.
அத்தி மரமும் ஆவேன்
அத்தனையும் பிஞ்சாவேன்
நத்தி வரும் மச்சானுக்கு
முத்துச்சரம் நான் ஆவேன்
அத்தி மரமும் ஆவேன்
அத்தனையும் பிஞ்சாவேன்
{Ahhhhh,
{ஆஹ்ஹ்ஹ்ஹ்
ஓஹ்ஹ்ஹ்ஹ்} (2)
Ohhhhh} (2)
Ooraar urangaiyile
When the villagers are sleeping,
Uttraarum thoongaiyile
When relatives are fast asleep,
Ooraar urangaiyile
When the villagers are sleeping,
Uttraarum thoongaiyile
When relatives are fast asleep,
Nalla paambhu vedamkondu
Taking the guise of a good cobra,
Naan varuven saamthilae
I will come in the quiet of midnight.
Nalla paambhu vedamkondu
Taking the guise of a good cobra,
Naan varuven saamthilae
I will come in the quiet of midnight.
Ooraar urangaiyile
When the villagers are sleeping,
Uttraarum thoongaiyile
When relatives are fast asleep,
Nalla paambhu vedamkondu
If you come taking the guise of a cobra,
Nadu saamam vandhaaiyaanal
In the middle of the night...
Nalla paambhu vedamkondu
If you come taking the guise of a cobra,
Nadu saamam vandhaaiyaanal
In the middle of the night...
Oor kuruvi vedam kondu
Taking the guise of a local sparrow,
Uyarathil paranthiduven
I will fly up into the high sky.
Oor kuruvi vedam kondu
Taking the guise of a local sparrow,
Uyarathil paranthiduven
I will fly up into the high sky.
Nalla paambhu vedamkondu
If you come taking the guise of a cobra,
Nadu saamam vandhaaiyaanal
In the middle of the night...
Oor kuruvi vedam kondu
If you become a sparrow,
Uyarathil paranthaai aanal
And fly up into the high sky...
Oor kuruvi vedam kondu
If you become a sparrow,
Uyarathil paranthaai aanal
And fly up into the high sky...
Semparundhu vedam kondu
Taking the guise of a red kite eagle,
Senthukaai thookiduven
I will swoop down and carry you off!
Semparundhu vedam kondu
Taking the guise of a red kite eagle,
Senthukaai thookiduven
I will swoop down and carry you off!
Semparunthu vedam kondu
If you take the guise of a red kite eagle,
Senthukaai thooka vandhaal
And come down to carry me off...
Semparunthu vedam kondu
If you take the guise of a red kite eagle,
Senthukaai thooka vandhaal
And come down to carry me off...
Boomiyai keeri allo
Piercing right through the earth,
Pullai mulaithiduven
I will sprout out as a blade of grass!
Boomiyai keeri allo
Piercing right through the earth,
Pullai mulaithiduven
I will sprout out as a blade of grass!
Boomiyai keeri allo
If you pierce through the earth,
Pullai mulaithaiyanaal
And sprout out as grass...
Boomiyai keeri allo
If you pierce through the earth,
Pullai mulaithaiyanaal
And sprout out as grass...
Kaaraampasu vedam kondu
Taking the guise of a black cow,
Kadithiduven antha pullai
I will graze and bite that grass!
Kaaraampasu vedam kondu
Taking the guise of a black cow,
Kadithiduven antha pullai
I will graze and bite that grass!
Kaaraampasu nee aanal
If you become a black cow,
Kazhuthu mani naan aaven
I will become the bell around your neck.
Kaaraampasu nee aanal
If you become a black cow,
Kazhuthu mani naan aaven
I will become the bell around your neck.
Aala marathadiyil
Beneath the banyan tree,
Arali chediyaaven
I will become an oleander plant.
Aala marathadiyil
Beneath the banyan tree,
Arali chediyaaven
I will become an oleander plant.
Aala maram uranga
As the banyan tree sleeps,
Adi marathil vanduranga
To lie down and sleep at its base,
Un madiyil naan uranga
And sleep peacefully on your lap,
Enna varam petraendi….
Oh my dear, what a blessing I have received!
Aala maram uranga
As the banyan tree sleeps,
Adi marathil vanduranga
To lie down and sleep at its base,
Atthi maramum aaven
I will become a fig tree too,
Nathanaiyum pinjaaven
And the tiny tender fig fruit.
Nathi varum machaanukku
For my sweetheart who comes like a flowing river,
Muthucharam naan aaven
I will become a garland of pearls.
Atthi maramum aaven
I will become a fig tree too,
Nathanaiyum pinjaaven
And the tiny tender fig fruit.
{Ahhhhh
{Ahhhhh,
Ohhhhh} (2)
Ohhhhh} (2)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic song is a vibrant Tamil folk-style duet framed as a romantic riddle game (vidukathai paattu) between two lovers. The male lover proposes sneaky ways to meet his sweetheart at night under various animal guises—starting as a cobra slithering in at midnight. The female lover playfully counters each move with her own shape-shifting escape plan—turning into a sparrow to fly high, sprouting as grass, or turning into an oleander plant. He counters each escape by becoming her predator or companion (an eagle, a grazing cow, or a neck bell). As the playful competition progresses, the tone shifts from elusive banter to tender intimacy. The lovers abandon their wild transformations to embrace closeness, comparing their bond to a neck bell on a cow, resting under a banyan tree, and a string of pearls adornment. The song beautifully captures the wit, imaginative folklore motifs, and deep devotion characteristic of traditional Tamil rural romance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Ooraar urangaiyile / Uttraarum thoongaiyile”
The second letter 'r' (or 'tr') sound creates a harmonious rhythmic flow between the lines.
Monai (First Letter Alliteration)
“Kaaraampasu vedam kondu / Kadithiduven antha pullai”
The initial sound 'Ka' is repeated in 'Kaaraampasu' and 'Kadithiduven', establishing initial alliteration.
Metaphor / Metamorphosis Motif (Uruvagamy)
“Nalla paambhu... / Oor kuruvi... / Semparundhu... / Kaaraampasu...”
The entire lyrics rely on a chain of playful metaphors where the lovers continuously transform into nature-inspired forms (Cobra, Sparrow, Eagle, Grass, Cow, Neck Bell) to outwit and complement one another.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Uyarathil paranthiduven / Senthukaai thookiduven / Pullai mulaithiduven”
Lines sequentially end with the matching verbal suffix '-iduven', creating a musical cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Naalu Veli Nilam' (1959) was produced by the prominent TKS Brothers theatre troupe (T. K. Shanmugam) and directed by Muktha V. Srinivasan. The song is a stellar example of K. V. Mahadevan's mastery in integrating authentic Tamil rural folk song structures ('vidukathai' duel style) into mainstream cinema soundtrack. It features an early career duet performance by legendary singers Thiruchi Loganathan and L. R. Eswari.
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