Orey Kelvi
From Panithirai · 1961
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- P. Susheela, P. B. Sreenivas
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Panithirai1961
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Orae kelvi | Only one question |
| Female | |
| Mhum | Mmm |
| Male | |
| Orae kelvi orae kelvi | Only one question, only one question |
| Endhan nenjilae | In my heart |
| Orae kelvi orae kelvi endhan nenjilae | Only one question, only one question in my heart |
| Female | |
| Orae badhil | Only one answer |
| Male | |
| Aahaa | Aha! |
| Female | |
| Orae badhil orae badhil | Only one answer, only one answer |
| Endhan nenjilae | In my heart |
| Orae badhil orae badhil endhan nenjilae | Only one answer, only one answer in my heart |
| Male | |
| Orae kelvi orae kelvi | Only one question, only one question |
| Endhan nenjilae | In my heart |
| Female | |
| Orae badhil orae badhil | Only one answer, only one answer |
| Endhan nenjilae | In my heart |
| Male | |
| Mazhalai polae thamizhil pesi | Speaking Tamil like a innocent child |
| Mayanga vaithaayae | You made me fall under your spell |
| Naan mayangum podhu kurumbu pesi | When I fell under your spell, speaking mischievously |
| Sirikka vaithaayae | You made me smile |
| Male | |
| Mazhalai polae thamizhil pesi | Speaking Tamil like a innocent child |
| Mayanga vaithaayae | You made me fall under your spell |
| Naan mayangum podhu kurumbu pesi | When I fell under your spell, speaking mischievously |
| Sirikka vaithaayae | You made me smile |
| Female | |
| Sirikkum podhu sirippadhu thaan | Smiling back when someone smiles |
| Aasai allavaa | Isn't that desire? |
| Kaigal anaikkum podhu anaippadhu thaan | Embracing back when arms reach out |
| Kaadhal allavaa | Isn't that love? |
| Female | |
| Sirikkum podhu sirippadhu thaan | Smiling back when someone smiles |
| Aasai allavaa | Isn't that desire? |
| Kaigal anaikkum podhu anaippadhu thaan | Embracing back when arms reach out |
| Kaadhal allavaa | Isn't that love? |
| Male | |
| Kannai paritthu kollavaa | Shall I steal your eyes away? |
| Female :Yen eduthu chellavaa | Female: Why, shall I carry them off? |
| Male | |
| Kannai paritthu kollavaa | Shall I steal your eyes away? |
| Female :Yen eduthu chellavaa | Female: Why, shall I carry them off? |
| Female | |
| Orae kelvi | Only one question |
| Orae kelvi orae kelvi endhan nenjilae | Only one question, only one question in my heart |
| Male | |
| Orae badhil orae badhil | Only one answer, only one answer |
| Endhan nenjilae | In my heart |
| Male | |
| Kuzhi vizhundha kannathai | Your dimpled cheek |
| En idhazhil moodavaa | Shall I cover it with my lips? |
| Unnai kuzhandhaiyaakki madiyil vaithu | Holding you in my lap like a child |
| Paattu paadavaa | Shall I sing a lullaby? |
| Male | |
| Kuzhi vizhundha kannathai | Your dimpled cheek |
| En idhazhil moodavaa | Shall I cover it with my lips? |
| Unnai kuzhandhaiyaakki madiyil vaithu | Holding you in my lap like a child |
| Paattu paadavaa | Shall I sing a lullaby? |
| Female | |
| Maarbinilum tholinilum | Upon your chest and shoulders |
| Tthulli aadavaa | Shall I dance with joy? |
| Andha mayakkathilae siridhu neram | In that trance, for a little while |
| Kannai moodavaa | Shall I close my eyes? |
| Female | |
| Maarbinilum tholinilum | Upon your chest and shoulders |
| Tthulli aadavaa | Shall I dance with joy? |
| Andha mayakkathilae siridhu neram | In that trance, for a little while |
| Kannai moodavaa | Shall I close my eyes? |
| Male | |
| Kaiyil alli anaikkavaa | Shall I scoop you into my arms and embrace you? |
| Female :Kadhai solli mudikkavaa | Female: Shall I finish telling the story? |
| Male | |
| Naan serthu anaikkavaa | Shall I hold you close? |
| Female :Mugam paarthu sirikkavaa | Female: Shall I look at your face and smile? |
| Male | |
| Kaiyil alli anaikkavaa | Shall I scoop you into my arms and embrace you? |
| Female :Kadhai solli mudikkavaa | Female: Shall I finish telling the story? |
| Male | |
| Naan serthu anaikkavaa | Shall I hold you close? |
| Female :Mugam paarthu sirikkavaa | Female: Shall I look at your face and smile? |
| Male | |
| Orae kelvi | Only one question |
| Orae kelvi orae kelvi | Only one question, only one question |
| Endhan nenjilae | In my heart |
| Female | |
| Orae badhil orae badhil | Only one answer, only one answer |
| Endhan nenjilae | In my heart |
| Male | |
| Orae kelvi orae kelvi | Only one question, only one question |
| Endhan nenjilae | In my heart |
| Female | |
| Orae badhil orae badhil | Only one answer, only one answer |
| Endhan nenjilae | In my heart |
ஒரே கேள்வி
Only one question
ம்ஹும்
Mmm
ஒரே கேள்வி ஒரே கேள்வி
எந்தன் நெஞ்சிலே
ஒரே பதில் ஒரே பதில்
எந்தன் நெஞ்சிலே
Only one question, only one question
In my heart
Only one question, only one question in my heart
ஒரே பதில்
Only one answer
ஆஹா
Aha!
ஒரே கேள்வி ஒரே கேள்வி
எந்தன் நெஞ்சிலே
Only one answer, only one answer
In my heart
Only one answer, only one answer in my heart
ஒரே கேள்வி ஒரே கேள்வி
எந்தன் நெஞ்சிலே
Only one question, only one question
In my heart
மழலைப் போலத் தமிழில் பேசி
மயங்க வைத்தாயே
நான் மயங்கும் போது குறும்பு பேசி
சிரிக்க வைத்தாயே
Only one answer, only one answer
In my heart
சிரிக்கும் போது சிரிப்பதுதான்
ஆசை அல்லவா
கைகள் அணைக்கும் போது
அணைப்பதுதான் காதல் அல்லவா
Speaking Tamil like a innocent child
You made me fall under your spell
When I fell under your spell, speaking mischievously
You made me smile
சிரிக்கும் போது சிரிப்பதுதான்
ஆசை அல்லவா
கைகள் அணைக்கும் போது
அணைப்பதுதான் காதல் அல்லவா
Speaking Tamil like a innocent child
You made me fall under your spell
When I fell under your spell, speaking mischievously
You made me smile
கண்ணைப் பறித்துக் கொள்ளவா
ஏன் எடுத்துச் செல்லவா
Smiling back when someone smiles
Isn't that desire?
Embracing back when arms reach out
Isn't that love?
கண்ணைப் பறித்துக் கொள்ளவா
ஏன் எடுத்துச் செல்லவா
Smiling back when someone smiles
Isn't that desire?
Embracing back when arms reach out
Isn't that love?
ஒரே கேள்வி ஒரே கேள்வி
எந்தன் நெஞ்சிலே
Shall I steal your eyes away?
Female: Why, shall I carry them off?
ஒரே கேள்வி ஒரே கேள்வி
எந்தன் நெஞ்சிலே
Shall I steal your eyes away?
Female: Why, shall I carry them off?
குழி விழுந்த கன்னத்தை
என் இதழில் மூடவா
உன்னைக் குழந்தையாக்கி மடியில்
வைத்துப் பாட்டு பாடவா
Only one question
Only one question, only one question in my heart
குழி விழுந்த கன்னத்தை
என் இதழில் மூடவா
உன்னைக் குழந்தையாக்கி மடியில்
வைத்துப் பாட்டு பாடவா
Only one answer, only one answer
In my heart
மார்பினிலும் தோளினிலும்
துள்ளி ஆடவா
அந்த மயக்கத்திலே சிறிது நேரம்
கண்ணை மூடவா
Your dimpled cheek
Shall I cover it with my lips?
Holding you in my lap like a child
Shall I sing a lullaby?
மார்பினிலும் தோளினிலும்
துள்ளி ஆடவா
அந்த மயக்கத்திலே சிறிது நேரம்
கண்ணை மூடவா
Your dimpled cheek
Shall I cover it with my lips?
Holding you in my lap like a child
Shall I sing a lullaby?
கையில் அள்ளி அணைக்கவா
கதை சொல்லி முடிக்கவா
Upon your chest and shoulders
Shall I dance with joy?
In that trance, for a little while
Shall I close my eyes?
நான் சேர்த்து அணைக்கவா
முகம் பார்த்து சிரிக்கவா
Upon your chest and shoulders
Shall I dance with joy?
In that trance, for a little while
Shall I close my eyes?
கையில் அள்ளி அணைக்கவா
கதை சொல்லி முடிக்கவா
Shall I scoop you into my arms and embrace you?
Female: Shall I finish telling the story?
நான் சேர்த்து அணைக்கவா
முகம் பார்த்து சிரிக்கவா
Shall I hold you close?
Female: Shall I look at your face and smile?
ஒரே கேள்வி
ஒரே கேள்வி ஒரே கேள்வி
எந்தன் நெஞ்சிலே
Shall I scoop you into my arms and embrace you?
Female: Shall I finish telling the story?
ஒரே பதில் ஒரே பதில்
எந்தன் நெஞ்சிலே
Shall I hold you close?
Female: Shall I look at your face and smile?
ஒரே கேள்வி ஒரே கேள்வி
எந்தன் நெஞ்சிலே
Only one question
Only one question, only one question
In my heart
ஒரே பதில் ஒரே பதில்
எந்தன் நெஞ்சிலே
Only one answer, only one answer
In my heart
Only one question, only one question
In my heart
Only one answer, only one answer
In my heart
Orae kelvi
Only one question
Mhum
Mmm
Orae kelvi orae kelvi
Only one question, only one question
Endhan nenjilae
In my heart
Orae kelvi orae kelvi endhan nenjilae
Only one question, only one question in my heart
Orae badhil
Only one answer
Aahaa
Aha!
Orae badhil orae badhil
Only one answer, only one answer
Endhan nenjilae
In my heart
Orae badhil orae badhil endhan nenjilae
Only one answer, only one answer in my heart
Orae kelvi orae kelvi
Only one question, only one question
Endhan nenjilae
In my heart
Orae badhil orae badhil
Only one answer, only one answer
Endhan nenjilae
In my heart
Mazhalai polae thamizhil pesi
Speaking Tamil like a innocent child
Mayanga vaithaayae
You made me fall under your spell
Naan mayangum podhu kurumbu pesi
When I fell under your spell, speaking mischievously
Sirikka vaithaayae
You made me smile
Mazhalai polae thamizhil pesi
Speaking Tamil like a innocent child
Mayanga vaithaayae
You made me fall under your spell
Naan mayangum podhu kurumbu pesi
When I fell under your spell, speaking mischievously
Sirikka vaithaayae
You made me smile
Sirikkum podhu sirippadhu thaan
Smiling back when someone smiles
Aasai allavaa
Isn't that desire?
Kaigal anaikkum podhu anaippadhu thaan
Embracing back when arms reach out
Kaadhal allavaa
Isn't that love?
Sirikkum podhu sirippadhu thaan
Smiling back when someone smiles
Aasai allavaa
Isn't that desire?
Kaigal anaikkum podhu anaippadhu thaan
Embracing back when arms reach out
Kaadhal allavaa
Isn't that love?
Kannai paritthu kollavaa
Shall I steal your eyes away?
Female :Yen eduthu chellavaa
Female: Why, shall I carry them off?
Kannai paritthu kollavaa
Shall I steal your eyes away?
Female :Yen eduthu chellavaa
Female: Why, shall I carry them off?
Orae kelvi
Only one question
Orae kelvi orae kelvi endhan nenjilae
Only one question, only one question in my heart
Orae badhil orae badhil
Only one answer, only one answer
Endhan nenjilae
In my heart
Kuzhi vizhundha kannathai
Your dimpled cheek
En idhazhil moodavaa
Shall I cover it with my lips?
Unnai kuzhandhaiyaakki madiyil vaithu
Holding you in my lap like a child
Paattu paadavaa
Shall I sing a lullaby?
Kuzhi vizhundha kannathai
Your dimpled cheek
En idhazhil moodavaa
Shall I cover it with my lips?
Unnai kuzhandhaiyaakki madiyil vaithu
Holding you in my lap like a child
Paattu paadavaa
Shall I sing a lullaby?
Maarbinilum tholinilum
Upon your chest and shoulders
Tthulli aadavaa
Shall I dance with joy?
Andha mayakkathilae siridhu neram
In that trance, for a little while
Kannai moodavaa
Shall I close my eyes?
Maarbinilum tholinilum
Upon your chest and shoulders
Tthulli aadavaa
Shall I dance with joy?
Andha mayakkathilae siridhu neram
In that trance, for a little while
Kannai moodavaa
Shall I close my eyes?
Kaiyil alli anaikkavaa
Shall I scoop you into my arms and embrace you?
Female :Kadhai solli mudikkavaa
Female: Shall I finish telling the story?
Naan serthu anaikkavaa
Shall I hold you close?
Female :Mugam paarthu sirikkavaa
Female: Shall I look at your face and smile?
Kaiyil alli anaikkavaa
Shall I scoop you into my arms and embrace you?
Female :Kadhai solli mudikkavaa
Female: Shall I finish telling the story?
Naan serthu anaikkavaa
Shall I hold you close?
Female :Mugam paarthu sirikkavaa
Female: Shall I look at your face and smile?
Orae kelvi
Only one question
Orae kelvi orae kelvi
Only one question, only one question
Endhan nenjilae
In my heart
Orae badhil orae badhil
Only one answer, only one answer
Endhan nenjilae
In my heart
Orae kelvi orae kelvi
Only one question, only one question
Endhan nenjilae
In my heart
Orae badhil orae badhil
Only one answer, only one answer
Endhan nenjilae
In my heart
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Orae Kelvi' is a romantic duet from the 1961 Tamil film 'Panithirai', featuring lyrics penned by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan. The song unfolds as a playful and tender dialogue between two lovers exchanging expressions of affection, desire, and emotional intimacy. The male lover speaks of a single question burning in his heart, which is matched by the female lover's single answer of love and devotion. Throughout the track, the lyrical imagery transitions between playful teasing—such as covering dimpled cheeks with kisses and cradling one another like a child—and deep romantic surrender. Kannadasan captures the innocent joy of romance by comparing gentle speech to the sweet babble of a child ('Mazhalai polae thamizhil pesi') and defining love as the natural reciprocity of smiles and embraces.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Mazhalai polae thamizhil pesi”
Compares the sweet, endearing speech of the beloved to the innocent babbling of a young child ('Mazhalai polae').
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Sirikkum podhu sirippadhu thaan / Kaigal anaikkum podhu anaippadhu thaan”
The second consonant sound 'ri' in 'Sirikkum' and 'i' in 'Kaigal' (or the matching rhythm across lines) establishes a melodic flow in the stanza.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Unnai kuzhandhaiyaakki madiyil vaithu”
Metaphorically treats the adult lover as a tender infant being cradled in a lap to sing a song.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Aasai allavaa / Kaadhal allavaa”
Both lines end with the rhyming question 'allavaa', creating a pleasing lyrical repetition.
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyrics for this track were penned by Kannadasan for the 1961 film 'Panithirai'. Kannadasan was renowned for infusing deep emotional resonant Tamil idioms into lighthearted romantic songs, such as comparing sweet speech to 'Mazhalai Thamizh'.
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