Oorukkulla
From Enga Ooru Mappillai · 1989
- Lyricist
- Piraisoodan
- Singers
- S. P. Sailaja, Chorus
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Enga Ooru Mappillai1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Oorukkulla vandha | A scarecrow came into the village, |
| Oru sola kolla bomma | A scarecrow indeed, |
| Maaru thatti kaattum | Thumping its chest to show off, |
| Oru vakkanaiyum pesum | And speaking with clever pretension. |
| Maaman pera kelungadiyo | Ask for my uncle's name, girls! |
| Arali maala katti podungadiyo | Weave a garland of poisonous oleander flowers and put it on him, girls! |
| Mookku kayiru maattungadiyo | Put a nose-rope on him like an ox, girls! |
| Adhil maatti idha vaattungadiyo | Trap him in it and roast him, girls! |
| Chorus | |
| Oorukkulla vandha | A scarecrow came into the village, |
| Oru sola kolla bomma | A scarecrow indeed, |
| Maaru thatti kaattum | Thumping its chest to show off, |
| Oru vakkanaiyum pesum | And speaking with clever pretension. |
| Maaman pera kelungadiyo | Ask for my uncle's name, girls! |
| Arali maala katti podungadiyo | Weave a garland of poisonous oleander flowers and put it on him, girls! |
| Mookku kayiru maattungadiyo | Put a nose-rope on him like an ox, girls! |
| Adhil maatti idha vaattungadiyo | Trap him in it and roast him, girls! |
| Chorus | |
| Oorukkulla vandha | A scarecrow came into the village, |
| Oru sola kolla bomma | A scarecrow indeed, |
| Maaru thatti kaattum | Thumping its chest to show off, |
| Oru vakkanaiyum pesum..hoii | And speaking with clever pretension.. hoii! |
| Female | |
| Hoi hoi hoi | Hoi hoi hoi! |
| Female | |
| Vaanam yeri vaigundam kaattum | He climbs high and boasts as if showing heaven, |
| Chorus :Vaanara raasaavae | Oh king of monkeys! |
| Female :Koora yeri kozhiyum pudichu | Climbing the roof and catching chickens, |
| Chorus :Kaattu laesaavae | Show it easily! |
| Female :Aalaana aasa machaan | My uncle who grew up with big desires, |
| Ippa yaar yaaro meesa vechaan | Now anyone and everyone sports a mustache. |
| Azhu moonji aana machaan | My uncle who used to be a crybaby, |
| Ippa yedha paathu meesa vechaan | Seeing what did he grow a mustache now? |
| Female | |
| Saela thaan | Only after seeing a saree! |
| Chorus :Indhaa | Here, take it! |
| Female :Un meesaiya | Your mustache, |
| Chorus :Kondaa | Give it back! |
| Female :Moolaiyil kundhu machaanae | Sit in the corner, dear uncle! |
| Female | |
| Kombu illaa | Like a hornless... |
| Chorus :Kaala | ...bull, |
| Female :Adhu mutta varum | It comes charging to gore... |
| Chorus :Aala | ...a person, |
| Female :Pombalaiya paathaa | But when it sees a woman, |
| Adhu odum | It turns and runs away! |
| Kummi kotti aadu | Clap your hands and dance the Kummi folk dance, |
| Oru kolava pottu paadu | Utter a joyful ululation and sing, |
| Oru dham irundhaa serndhu paaraiyaa..hoi | If you have the stamina and courage, come test us together.. hoi! |
| Chorus | |
| Oorukkulla vandha | A scarecrow came into the village, |
| Oru sola kolla bomma | A scarecrow indeed, |
| Maaru thatti kaattum | Thumping its chest to show off, |
| Oru vakkanaiyum pesum | And speaking with clever pretension. |
| Female | |
| Maaman pera kelungadiyo | Ask for my uncle's name, girls! |
| Arali maala katti podungadiyo | Weave a garland of poisonous oleander flowers and put it on him, girls! |
| Mookku kayiru maattungadiyo..yo yo yo | Put a nose-rope on him like an ox, girls.. yo yo yo! |
| Adhil maatti idha vaattungadiyo | Trap him in it and roast him, girls! |
| Chorus | |
| Oorukkulla vandha | A scarecrow came into the village, |
| Oru sola kolla bomma | A scarecrow indeed, |
| Maaru thatti kaattum | Thumping its chest to show off, |
| Oru vakkanaiyum pesum..hoiii | And speaking with clever pretension.. hoiii! |
| Female | |
| Adadada hoi | Adadada hoi! |
| Female | |
| Paarva paaru | Look at his gaze, |
| Raajaavin paarva | A king's royal gaze, |
| Chorus :Aandha verandodum | An owl flies across the veranda! |
| Female :Ada vaathiyaaru | Hey teacher, |
| Aathoram paaru | Look by the riverbank, |
| Chorus :Kulichu porandaalum | Even if he bathes and rolls in water, |
| Female | |
| Yeriyaadha thee vatti thaan | He is just an unlit torch stick! |
| Ivar sariyaana mambatti thaan | He is a proper garden hoe, |
| Puriyaadha pul vetti thaan | An incomprehensible grass cutter, |
| Onnum ezhudhaadha saakkatti thaan | A piece of blank chalk that writes nothing! |
| Female | |
| Aalu thaan | He is the kind of man who... |
| Chorus :Vandhaa | ...when he arrives, |
| Female :Arae raama | Oh Lord Rama! |
| Chorus :Govindhaa | Govindhaa! |
| Female :Pandhiyilae mundhaadhae | Do not push forward in the feast line, |
| Neeyae | You yourself! |
| Female | |
| Veedhiyil | On the street, |
| Chorus :Vandhaa | ...when you come, |
| Female :Onakkerukkam poo | A bouquet of poisonous Crown flowers for you, |
| Chorus :Chendaa | A bouquet! |
| Female :Paadhiyil thirumbaadhae | Do not turn back halfway, |
| Neeyae | You yourself! |
| Kummi kotti aadu | Clap your hands and dance the Kummi folk dance, |
| Oru kolava pottu paadu | Utter a joyful ululation and sing, |
| Oru dham irundhaa serndhu paaraiyaa..hoi | If you have the stamina and courage, come test us together.. hoi! |
| Chorus | |
| Oorukkulla vandha | A scarecrow came into the village, |
| Oru sola kolla bomma | A scarecrow indeed, |
| Maaru thatti kaattum | Thumping its chest to show off, |
| Oru vakkanaiyum pesum | And speaking with clever pretension. |
| Maaman pera kelungadiyo | Ask for my uncle's name, girls! |
| Arali maala katti podungadiyo | Weave a garland of poisonous oleander flowers and put it on him, girls! |
| Mookku kayiru maattungadiyo..yo yo yo | Put a nose-rope on him like an ox, girls.. yo yo yo! |
| Adhil maatti idha vaattungadiyo | Trap him in it and roast him, girls! |
| Chorus | |
| Thandhananaa thandhananaa naa | Thandhananaa thandhananaa naa |
| Thanaa thandhananaa thandhananaa naa hoi | Thanaa thandhananaa thandhananaa naa hoi |
ஊருக்குள்ள வந்த
ஒரு சோளக் கொல்ல பொம்ம
மாரு தட்டிக் காட்டும்
ஒரு வக்கணையும் பேசும்
A scarecrow came into the village,
A scarecrow indeed,
Thumping its chest to show off,
And speaking with clever pretension.
Ask for my uncle's name, girls!
Weave a garland of poisonous oleander flowers and put it on him, girls!
Put a nose-rope on him like an ox, girls!
Trap him in it and roast him, girls!
மாமன் பேரக் கேளுங்கடியோ
அரளி மால கட்டிப் போடுங்கடியோ
மூக்குக் கயிறு மாட்டுங்கடியோ...
அதில் மாட்டி இத வாட்டுங்கடியோ.....
A scarecrow came into the village,
A scarecrow indeed,
Thumping its chest to show off,
And speaking with clever pretension.
Ask for my uncle's name, girls!
Weave a garland of poisonous oleander flowers and put it on him, girls!
Put a nose-rope on him like an ox, girls!
Trap him in it and roast him, girls!
ஊருக்குள்ள வந்த
ஒரு சோளக் கொல்ல பொம்ம
மாரு தட்டிக் காட்டும்
ஒரு வக்கணையும் பேசும்
A scarecrow came into the village,
A scarecrow indeed,
Thumping its chest to show off,
And speaking with clever pretension.. hoii!
மாமன் பேரக் கேளுங்கடியோ
அரளி மால கட்டிப் போடுங்கடியோ
மூக்குக் கயிறு மாட்டுங்கடியோ
அதில் மாட்டி இத வாட்டுங்கடியோ
Hoi hoi hoi!
ஊருக்குள்ள வந்த
ஒரு சோளக் கொல்ல பொம்ம
மாரு தட்டிக் காட்டும்
ஒரு வக்கணையும் பேசும்
ஹோய்ய்ய்.......
He climbs high and boasts as if showing heaven,
Oh king of monkeys!
Climbing the roof and catching chickens,
Show it easily!
My uncle who grew up with big desires,
Now anyone and everyone sports a mustache.
My uncle who used to be a crybaby,
Seeing what did he grow a mustache now?
ஹோய் ஹோய்
Only after seeing a saree!
Here, take it!
Your mustache,
Give it back!
Sit in the corner, dear uncle!
வானம் ஏறி வைகுண்டம் காட்டும்
குழு :
வானர ராசாவே...
கூர ஏறி கோழியும் புடிச்சு
குழு :
காட்டு லேசாவே
Like a hornless...
...bull,
It comes charging to gore...
...a person,
But when it sees a woman,
It turns and runs away!
Clap your hands and dance the Kummi folk dance,
Utter a joyful ululation and sing,
If you have the stamina and courage, come test us together.. hoi!
ஆளான ஆச மச்சான்
இப்ப யார் யாரோ மீச வெச்சான்
அழுமூஞ்சி ஆன மச்சான்
இப்ப எதப் பாத்து மீச வெச்சான்
A scarecrow came into the village,
A scarecrow indeed,
Thumping its chest to show off,
And speaking with clever pretension.
சேலதான்
குழு :
இந்தா..
உன் மீசைய..
குழு :
கொண்டா...
Ask for my uncle's name, girls!
Weave a garland of poisonous oleander flowers and put it on him, girls!
Put a nose-rope on him like an ox, girls.. yo yo yo!
Trap him in it and roast him, girls!
மூலையில் குந்து மச்சானே...
கொம்பு இல்லா
குழு :
காள..
அது முட்ட வரும்
குழு :
ஆள
பொம்பளைய பாத்தா
அது ஓடும்
A scarecrow came into the village,
A scarecrow indeed,
Thumping its chest to show off,
And speaking with clever pretension.. hoiii!
கும்மி கொட்டி ஆடு
ஒரு கொலவ போட்டு பாடு
ஒரு தம் இருந்தா சேந்து பாரையா...
Adadada hoi!
ஊருக்குள்ள வந்த
ஒரு சோளக் கொல்ல பொம்ம
மாரு தட்டிக் காட்டும்
ஒரு வக்கணையும் பேசும்
Look at his gaze,
A king's royal gaze,
An owl flies across the veranda!
Hey teacher,
Look by the riverbank,
Even if he bathes and rolls in water,
மாமன் பேரக் கேளுங்கடியோ
அரளி மால கட்டிப் போடுங்கடியோ
மூக்குக் கயிறு மாட்டுங்கடியோ யோ யோ...
அதில் மாட்டி இத வாட்டுங்கடியோ
He is just an unlit torch stick!
He is a proper garden hoe,
An incomprehensible grass cutter,
A piece of blank chalk that writes nothing!
ஊருக்குள்ள வந்த
ஒரு சோளக் கொல்ல பொம்ம
மாரு தட்டிக் காட்டும்
ஒரு வக்கணையும் பேசும்
ஹோய்ய்...
He is the kind of man who...
...when he arrives,
Oh Lord Rama!
Govindhaa!
Do not push forward in the feast line,
You yourself!
அடடா ஹோய்......
On the street,
...when you come,
A bouquet of poisonous Crown flowers for you,
A bouquet!
Do not turn back halfway,
You yourself!
Clap your hands and dance the Kummi folk dance,
Utter a joyful ululation and sing,
If you have the stamina and courage, come test us together.. hoi!
பார்வ பாரு ராஜாவின் பார்வ
குழு :
ஆந்தை வெரண்டோடும்
அட வாத்தியாரு ஆத்தோரம் பாரு
குழு :
குளிச்சு பொறண்டாலும்
A scarecrow came into the village,
A scarecrow indeed,
Thumping its chest to show off,
And speaking with clever pretension.
Ask for my uncle's name, girls!
Weave a garland of poisonous oleander flowers and put it on him, girls!
Put a nose-rope on him like an ox, girls.. yo yo yo!
Trap him in it and roast him, girls!
எரியாத தீவட்டிதான்
இவர் சரியான மம்பட்டிதான்
புரியாத புல் வெட்டிதான்
ஒண்ணும் எழுதாத சாக்கட்டிதான்
Thandhananaa thandhananaa naa
Thanaa thandhananaa thandhananaa naa hoi
ஆளுதான்...
குழு :
வந்தா..
அரே ராமா
குழு :
கோவிந்தா
பந்தியில் முந்தாதே நீயே
வீதியில்
குழு :
வந்தா...
ஒனக் எருக்கம் பூ...
குழு :
செண்டா
பாதியில் திரும்பாதே நீயே
கும்மி கொட்டி ஆடு ஒரு
கொலவ போட்டு பாடு
ஒரு தம் இருந்தா சேந்து பாரையா...ஹோய்
ஊருக்குள்ள வந்த
ஒரு சோளக் கொல்ல பொம்ம
மாரு தட்டிக் காட்டும்
ஒரு வக்கணையும் பேசும்
மாமன் பேரக் கேளுங்கடியோ
அரளி மால கட்டிப் போடுங்கடியோ
மூக்குக் கயிறு மாட்டுங்கடியோ
அதில் மாட்டி இத வாட்டுங்கடியோ
ஹோய்ய்ய்.......
தந்தனா தந்தனனா
தன தந்தனா தந்தனனா ஹோய்.....
Oorukkulla vandha
A scarecrow came into the village,
Oru sola kolla bomma
A scarecrow indeed,
Maaru thatti kaattum
Thumping its chest to show off,
Oru vakkanaiyum pesum
And speaking with clever pretension.
Maaman pera kelungadiyo
Ask for my uncle's name, girls!
Arali maala katti podungadiyo
Weave a garland of poisonous oleander flowers and put it on him, girls!
Mookku kayiru maattungadiyo
Put a nose-rope on him like an ox, girls!
Adhil maatti idha vaattungadiyo
Trap him in it and roast him, girls!
Oorukkulla vandha
A scarecrow came into the village,
Oru sola kolla bomma
A scarecrow indeed,
Maaru thatti kaattum
Thumping its chest to show off,
Oru vakkanaiyum pesum
And speaking with clever pretension.
Maaman pera kelungadiyo
Ask for my uncle's name, girls!
Arali maala katti podungadiyo
Weave a garland of poisonous oleander flowers and put it on him, girls!
Mookku kayiru maattungadiyo
Put a nose-rope on him like an ox, girls!
Adhil maatti idha vaattungadiyo
Trap him in it and roast him, girls!
Oorukkulla vandha
A scarecrow came into the village,
Oru sola kolla bomma
A scarecrow indeed,
Maaru thatti kaattum
Thumping its chest to show off,
Oru vakkanaiyum pesum..hoii
And speaking with clever pretension.. hoii!
Hoi hoi hoi
Hoi hoi hoi!
Vaanam yeri vaigundam kaattum
He climbs high and boasts as if showing heaven,
Chorus :Vaanara raasaavae
Oh king of monkeys!
Female :Koora yeri kozhiyum pudichu
Climbing the roof and catching chickens,
Chorus :Kaattu laesaavae
Show it easily!
Female :Aalaana aasa machaan
My uncle who grew up with big desires,
Ippa yaar yaaro meesa vechaan
Now anyone and everyone sports a mustache.
Azhu moonji aana machaan
My uncle who used to be a crybaby,
Ippa yedha paathu meesa vechaan
Seeing what did he grow a mustache now?
Saela thaan
Only after seeing a saree!
Chorus :Indhaa
Here, take it!
Female :Un meesaiya
Your mustache,
Chorus :Kondaa
Give it back!
Female :Moolaiyil kundhu machaanae
Sit in the corner, dear uncle!
Kombu illaa
Like a hornless...
Chorus :Kaala
...bull,
Female :Adhu mutta varum
It comes charging to gore...
Chorus :Aala
...a person,
Female :Pombalaiya paathaa
But when it sees a woman,
Adhu odum
It turns and runs away!
Kummi kotti aadu
Clap your hands and dance the Kummi folk dance,
Oru kolava pottu paadu
Utter a joyful ululation and sing,
Oru dham irundhaa serndhu paaraiyaa..hoi
If you have the stamina and courage, come test us together.. hoi!
Oorukkulla vandha
A scarecrow came into the village,
Oru sola kolla bomma
A scarecrow indeed,
Maaru thatti kaattum
Thumping its chest to show off,
Oru vakkanaiyum pesum
And speaking with clever pretension.
Maaman pera kelungadiyo
Ask for my uncle's name, girls!
Arali maala katti podungadiyo
Weave a garland of poisonous oleander flowers and put it on him, girls!
Mookku kayiru maattungadiyo..yo yo yo
Put a nose-rope on him like an ox, girls.. yo yo yo!
Adhil maatti idha vaattungadiyo
Trap him in it and roast him, girls!
Oorukkulla vandha
A scarecrow came into the village,
Oru sola kolla bomma
A scarecrow indeed,
Maaru thatti kaattum
Thumping its chest to show off,
Oru vakkanaiyum pesum..hoiii
And speaking with clever pretension.. hoiii!
Adadada hoi
Adadada hoi!
Paarva paaru
Look at his gaze,
Raajaavin paarva
A king's royal gaze,
Chorus :Aandha verandodum
An owl flies across the veranda!
Female :Ada vaathiyaaru
Hey teacher,
Aathoram paaru
Look by the riverbank,
Chorus :Kulichu porandaalum
Even if he bathes and rolls in water,
Yeriyaadha thee vatti thaan
He is just an unlit torch stick!
Ivar sariyaana mambatti thaan
He is a proper garden hoe,
Puriyaadha pul vetti thaan
An incomprehensible grass cutter,
Onnum ezhudhaadha saakkatti thaan
A piece of blank chalk that writes nothing!
Aalu thaan
He is the kind of man who...
Chorus :Vandhaa
...when he arrives,
Female :Arae raama
Oh Lord Rama!
Chorus :Govindhaa
Govindhaa!
Female :Pandhiyilae mundhaadhae
Do not push forward in the feast line,
Neeyae
You yourself!
Veedhiyil
On the street,
Chorus :Vandhaa
...when you come,
Female :Onakkerukkam poo
A bouquet of poisonous Crown flowers for you,
Chorus :Chendaa
A bouquet!
Female :Paadhiyil thirumbaadhae
Do not turn back halfway,
Neeyae
You yourself!
Kummi kotti aadu
Clap your hands and dance the Kummi folk dance,
Oru kolava pottu paadu
Utter a joyful ululation and sing,
Oru dham irundhaa serndhu paaraiyaa..hoi
If you have the stamina and courage, come test us together.. hoi!
Oorukkulla vandha
A scarecrow came into the village,
Oru sola kolla bomma
A scarecrow indeed,
Maaru thatti kaattum
Thumping its chest to show off,
Oru vakkanaiyum pesum
And speaking with clever pretension.
Maaman pera kelungadiyo
Ask for my uncle's name, girls!
Arali maala katti podungadiyo
Weave a garland of poisonous oleander flowers and put it on him, girls!
Mookku kayiru maattungadiyo..yo yo yo
Put a nose-rope on him like an ox, girls.. yo yo yo!
Adhil maatti idha vaattungadiyo
Trap him in it and roast him, girls!
Thandhananaa thandhananaa naa
Thandhananaa thandhananaa naa
Thanaa thandhananaa thandhananaa naa hoi
Thanaa thandhananaa thandhananaa naa hoi
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful and spirited folk song is a banter-filled mock-teasing track where the female lead and her companions mock the hero's boastful nature, pretentiousness, and cowardice. They metaphorically compare him to a harmless scarecrow ('sola kolla bomma') that thumps its chest and puts on airs but runs away at the sight of a woman. Through lively village imagery, they poke fun at his attempts to act tough, comparison to a hornless bull, and his overall uselessness despite his grand claims. Set in a traditional rural setting, the song uses vibrant village performance art tropes like 'Kummi' (clapping folk dance) and 'Kulavai' (festive ululation). It serves as a humorous verbal duel where the village women join together to challenge and deflate the hero's ego, offering him mock garlands of poisonous flowers ('Arali', 'Erukkam') while celebrating their unity and wit.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Oru sola kolla bomma”
The hero is metaphorically referred to as a scarecrow ('sola kolla bomma') to highlight his empty boasts and lack of real substance.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“kelungadiyo / podungadiyo / maattungadiyo / vaattungadiyo”
The rhythmic repetition of the line-ending suffix 'adiyo' across multiple consecutive lines creates a playful musical cadence typical of folk Kummi songs.
Irony / Sarcasm
“Paarva paaru / Raajaavin paarva / Aandha verandodum”
The lyrics mockingly praise his royal gaze ('Raajaavin paarva') only to immediately compare it to an owl fleeing across a porch.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Ivar sariyaana mambatti thaan / Puriyaadha pul vetti thaan”
The second character of the key words 'mambatti' and 'pul vetti' creates a pleasing phonetic harmony.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is composed by maestro Ilaiyaraaja for the 1989 rural Tamil drama film 'Enga Ooru Mappillai', starring Ramarajan and Gautami. Lyricist Piraisoodan utilized authentic Tamil folk idioms, traditional insult humor ('Vaai Pechu'), and classic Kummi rhythmic structures to give the song its infectious village atmosphere.
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