Paalu Paalu
From Thaaikulame Thaaikulame · 1995
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Uppukaettaa paruppu thaaraan | If I ask for salt, he gives lentils |
| Paruppukaetta seruppa thaaraan | If I ask for lentils, he gives a shoe |
| Seruppa kaetta seepa thaaraan | If I ask for a shoe, he gives a comb |
| Seepa kaetta soapah thaaraan | If I ask for a comb, he gives a sofa |
| Male | |
| Ilikiraan mulikiraan | He grins and blinks stupidly |
| Hindhiyila alakkuraan | He blabbers in Hindi |
| Enakkenna puriyudhu | What do I understand? |
| Unakkenna theriyudhu | What do you know? |
| Male | |
| Sharaabhi gulabi jawani deewani | Drunkard, rose-like, youthful, crazy |
| Meen pudichaa yettula nickum | If caught, a fish stands on eight |
| Naan vilundhen kaal thadukki | I fell down tripping my legs |
| Male | |
| Paalu paalu gopalu | Milk, milk, Gopalu |
| Paathuputten daa gopalu | I saw you, Gopalu |
| Aalu aalu ammaalu | Person, person, Ammaalu |
| Yaarumillada nammalu | We have nobody of our own |
| Male | |
| Achaangiraan bachaangiraan | He says Achha (good) and Baccha (child) |
| Aavoongiraan jaavoongiraan | He says Aao (come) and Jao (go) |
| Aadu maadu kozhi kuruvi | Goats, cattle, chickens, and birds |
| Pesadhingae hindhithaan | Even they do not speak Hindi |
| Male | |
| Naan vaaai thirakkum mundhithaan | Before I open my mouth |
| En pozhappu sindhithaan | My livelihood is ruined and spilled |
| Naan injithinna manghithaan | I am like a monkey that ate ginger |
| Male | |
| Paalu paalu gopalu | Milk, milk, Gopalu |
| Paathuputten daa gopalu | I saw you, Gopalu |
| Aalu aalu ammaalu | Person, person, Ammaalu |
| Yaarumillada nammalu | We have nobody of our own |
| Male | |
| Ennoda pecha kudukka | To converse and exchange words with me |
| Engha irukaan tamizh aalu | Where is a Tamil person? |
| Illaama nepalathil | Without anyone in Nepal |
| Eppadi iruppen thani aalu | How will I survive as a lonely man? |
| Male | |
| Kanna nee kannula kattu | Oh Lord, show me before my eyes |
| endhamizh pesum oru aalu | A person who speaks my Tamil language |
| Kattayam pazhanikku vandhu | I will surely come to Palani |
| Saathiduvenae vadivelu | And offer a spear to Lord Vadivelu |
| Male | |
| Thaengapaalu idiyappam than | Coconut milk and string hoppers |
| Nepalathilae kedaikakdhu | Are not available in Nepal |
| Sukka rotti bhel poorithaan | Dry roti and bhel puri |
| Thinna enakku saerikkadhu | My stomach cannot digest if I eat them |
| Male | |
| Sappu kotti naan suttu thingira | Smacking my lips, fire-roasted |
| Uppukandam tahan ingae yaedhu | Where can I find salted dried meat here? |
| Male | |
| Paalu paalu gopalu | Milk, milk, Gopalu |
| Paathuputten daa gopalu | I saw you, Gopalu |
| Aalu aalu ammaalu | Person, person, Ammaalu |
| Yaarumillada nammalu | We have nobody of our own |
| Male | |
| Nepaalu singangalukku | For the lions of Nepal |
| Peru padaicha koorgathaan | The famous Gorkhas |
| Namoorula kgateukku gate | In our town, at every gate |
| Nikkarathunu shokka than | They stand watch stylishly |
| Male | |
| Angae naantamizhula sonna | If I speak in Tamil there |
| Arinjikkuvaanae naekka than | He would understand cleverly |
| Ingae naan paecsura pechu | But the speech I talk here |
| Ennugiraanae weakka thaan | He deems as weak |
| Male | |
| Hindhiyila padicha imayamalai mael | On the Himalayas that learned Hindi |
| Cheran avndhu kodi nattan | King Cheran came and planted his flag |
| Ingiyirukkum kallai eduthu | Taking stones from there |
| Kannagikaakka silai vechaan | He built a statue for Kannagi |
| Male | |
| Endha naalilum endha naatilum | On any day, in any land |
| Vettri kaanuvaan pachai tamizhan | A true Tamilian will triumph and conquer |
| Male | |
| Paalu paalu gopalu | Milk, milk, Gopalu |
| Paathuputten daa gopalu | I saw you, Gopalu |
| Aalu aalu ammaalu | Person, person, Ammaalu |
| Yaarumillada nammalu | We have nobody of our own |
| Male | |
| Achaangiraan bachaangiraan | He says Achha and Baccha |
| Aavoongiraan jaavoongiraan | He says Aao and Jao |
| Aadu maadu kozhi kuruvi | Goats, cattle, chickens, and birds |
| Pesadhingae hindhithaan | Even they do not speak Hindi |
| Male | |
| Naan vaaai thirakkum mundhithaan | Before I open my mouth |
| En pozhappu sindhithaan | My livelihood is ruined and spilled |
| Naan injithinna manghithaan | I am like a monkey that ate ginger |
| Male | |
| Paalu paalu gopalu | Milk, milk, Gopalu |
| Paathuputten daa gopalu | I saw you, Gopalu |
| Aalu aalu ammaalu | Person, person, Ammaalu |
| Yaarumillada nammalu | We have nobody of our own |
உப்பக் கேட்டா பருப்ப தாரான்
பருப்பக் கேட்டா செருப்ப தாரான்
செருப்பக் கேட்டா சீப்ப தாரான்
சீப்பக் கேட்டா சோப்ப தாரான்
If I ask for salt, he gives lentils
If I ask for lentils, he gives a shoe
If I ask for a shoe, he gives a comb
If I ask for a comb, he gives a sofa
இளிக்கிறான் முழிக்கிறான்
இந்தியில அளக்குறான்
எனக்கென்ன புரியுது
உனக்கென்ன தெரியுது
He grins and blinks stupidly
He blabbers in Hindi
What do I understand?
What do you know?
ஷராபி குலாபி ஜவானி திவானி
மீன் பிடிச்சா ஏட்டல நிக்கும்
நான் விழுந்தேன் கால் தடுக்கி
Drunkard, rose-like, youthful, crazy
If caught, a fish stands on eight
I fell down tripping my legs
பாலு பாலு நேபாலு
பாத்துப்புட்டேன் டா கோபாலு
ஆளு ஆளு அம்மாளு
யாருமில்லேடா நம்மாளு
Milk, milk, Gopalu
I saw you, Gopalu
Person, person, Ammaalu
We have nobody of our own
அச்சாங்கிறான் பச்சாங்கிறான்
ஆவோங்கிறான் ஜாவோங்கிறான்
ஆடு மாடு கோழி குருவி
பேசுதிங்கே ஹிந்திதான்
He says Achha (good) and Baccha (child)
He says Aao (come) and Jao (go)
Goats, cattle, chickens, and birds
Even they do not speak Hindi
நான் வாய் திறக்கும் முந்திதான்
என் பொழப்பு சந்திதான்
நான் இஞ்சி தின்ன மங்கிதான்
Before I open my mouth
My livelihood is ruined and spilled
I am like a monkey that ate ginger
பாலு பாலு நேபாலு
பாத்துப்புட்டேன் டா கோபாலு
ஆளு ஆளு அம்மாளு
யாருமில்லேடா நம்மாளு
Milk, milk, Gopalu
I saw you, Gopalu
Person, person, Ammaalu
We have nobody of our own
முனங்கல் :
................
To converse and exchange words with me
Where is a Tamil person?
Without anyone in Nepal
How will I survive as a lonely man?
என்னோட பேச்சு குடுக்க
எங்க இருக்கான் தமிழ் ஆளு
இல்லாம நேபாளத்தில்
எப்படி இருப்பேன் தனி ஆளு
Oh Lord, show me before my eyes
A person who speaks my Tamil language
I will surely come to Palani
And offer a spear to Lord Vadivelu
முனங்கல் :
.......................
Coconut milk and string hoppers
Are not available in Nepal
Dry roti and bhel puri
My stomach cannot digest if I eat them
கண்ணா நீ கண்ணுல காட்டு
செந்தமிழ் பேசும் ஒரு ஆளு
கட்டாயம் பழனிக்கு வந்து
சாத்திடுவேனே வடிவேலு
Smacking my lips, fire-roasted
Where can I find salted dried meat here?
தேங்காப்பாலு இடியாப்பம் தான்
நேபாளத்துல கிடைக்காது
சுக்கா ரொட்டி பேல் பூரிதான்
தின்னா எனக்கு செரிக்காது
Milk, milk, Gopalu
I saw you, Gopalu
Person, person, Ammaalu
We have nobody of our own
சப்புக் கொட்டி நான் சுட்டு திங்கிற
உப்புக்கண்டம் தான் இங்கே ஏது
For the lions of Nepal
The famous Gorkhas
In our town, at every gate
They stand watch stylishly
பாலு பாலு நேபாலு
பாத்துப்புட்டேன் டா கோபாலு
ஆளு ஆளு அம்மாளு
யாருமில்லேடா நம்மாளு
If I speak in Tamil there
He would understand cleverly
But the speech I talk here
He deems as weak
முனங்கல் : .
.................
On the Himalayas that learned Hindi
King Cheran came and planted his flag
Taking stones from there
He built a statue for Kannagi
நேபாளு சிங்கங்களுன்னு
பேரு படைச்ச கூர்க்கா தான்
நம்மூருல கேட்டுக்கு கேட்டு
நிக்கறதுண்டு ஷோக்கா தான்
On any day, in any land
A true Tamilian will triumph and conquer
முனங்கல் :
..................
Milk, milk, Gopalu
I saw you, Gopalu
Person, person, Ammaalu
We have nobody of our own
அங்கே நான் தமிழுல சொன்னா
அறிஞ்சிக்குவானே நேக்கா தான்
இங்கே நான் பேசுற பேச்ச
எண்ணுகிறானே வீக்கா தான்
He says Achha and Baccha
He says Aao and Jao
Goats, cattle, chickens, and birds
Even they do not speak Hindi
இந்தியில் படிச்சா இமயமலை மேல்
சேரன் வந்து கொடி நட்டான்
இங்கயிருக்கும் கல்லை எடுத்து
கண்ணகிக்காக சிலை வச்சான்
Before I open my mouth
My livelihood is ruined and spilled
I am like a monkey that ate ginger
எந்த நாளிலும் எந்த நாட்டிலும்
வெற்றிக் காணுவான் பச்சைத் தமிழன்
Milk, milk, Gopalu
I saw you, Gopalu
Person, person, Ammaalu
We have nobody of our own
பாலு பாலு நேபாலு
பாத்துப்புட்டேன் டா கோபாலு
ஆளு ஆளு அம்மாளு
யாருமில்லேடா நம்மாளு
அச்சாங்கிறான் பச்சாங்கிறான்
ஆவோங்கிறான் ஜாவோங்கிறான்
ஆடு மாடு கோழி குருவி
பேசுதிங்கே ஹிந்திடா
நான் வாய் திறக்கும் முந்திதான்
என் பொழப்பு சந்திதான்
நான் இஞ்சி தின்ன மங்கிதான்
பாலு பாலு நேபாலு
பாத்துப்புட்டேன் டா கோபாலு
ஆளு ஆளு அம்மாளு
யாருமில்லேடா நம்மாளு
Uppukaettaa paruppu thaaraan
If I ask for salt, he gives lentils
Paruppukaetta seruppa thaaraan
If I ask for lentils, he gives a shoe
Seruppa kaetta seepa thaaraan
If I ask for a shoe, he gives a comb
Seepa kaetta soapah thaaraan
If I ask for a comb, he gives a sofa
Ilikiraan mulikiraan
He grins and blinks stupidly
Hindhiyila alakkuraan
He blabbers in Hindi
Enakkenna puriyudhu
What do I understand?
Unakkenna theriyudhu
What do you know?
Sharaabhi gulabi jawani deewani
Drunkard, rose-like, youthful, crazy
Meen pudichaa yettula nickum
If caught, a fish stands on eight
Naan vilundhen kaal thadukki
I fell down tripping my legs
Paalu paalu gopalu
Milk, milk, Gopalu
Paathuputten daa gopalu
I saw you, Gopalu
Aalu aalu ammaalu
Person, person, Ammaalu
Yaarumillada nammalu
We have nobody of our own
Achaangiraan bachaangiraan
He says Achha (good) and Baccha (child)
Aavoongiraan jaavoongiraan
He says Aao (come) and Jao (go)
Aadu maadu kozhi kuruvi
Goats, cattle, chickens, and birds
Pesadhingae hindhithaan
Even they do not speak Hindi
Naan vaaai thirakkum mundhithaan
Before I open my mouth
En pozhappu sindhithaan
My livelihood is ruined and spilled
Naan injithinna manghithaan
I am like a monkey that ate ginger
Paalu paalu gopalu
Milk, milk, Gopalu
Paathuputten daa gopalu
I saw you, Gopalu
Aalu aalu ammaalu
Person, person, Ammaalu
Yaarumillada nammalu
We have nobody of our own
Ennoda pecha kudukka
To converse and exchange words with me
Engha irukaan tamizh aalu
Where is a Tamil person?
Illaama nepalathil
Without anyone in Nepal
Eppadi iruppen thani aalu
How will I survive as a lonely man?
Kanna nee kannula kattu
Oh Lord, show me before my eyes
endhamizh pesum oru aalu
A person who speaks my Tamil language
Kattayam pazhanikku vandhu
I will surely come to Palani
Saathiduvenae vadivelu
And offer a spear to Lord Vadivelu
Thaengapaalu idiyappam than
Coconut milk and string hoppers
Nepalathilae kedaikakdhu
Are not available in Nepal
Sukka rotti bhel poorithaan
Dry roti and bhel puri
Thinna enakku saerikkadhu
My stomach cannot digest if I eat them
Sappu kotti naan suttu thingira
Smacking my lips, fire-roasted
Uppukandam tahan ingae yaedhu
Where can I find salted dried meat here?
Paalu paalu gopalu
Milk, milk, Gopalu
Paathuputten daa gopalu
I saw you, Gopalu
Aalu aalu ammaalu
Person, person, Ammaalu
Yaarumillada nammalu
We have nobody of our own
Nepaalu singangalukku
For the lions of Nepal
Peru padaicha koorgathaan
The famous Gorkhas
Namoorula kgateukku gate
In our town, at every gate
Nikkarathunu shokka than
They stand watch stylishly
Angae naantamizhula sonna
If I speak in Tamil there
Arinjikkuvaanae naekka than
He would understand cleverly
Ingae naan paecsura pechu
But the speech I talk here
Ennugiraanae weakka thaan
He deems as weak
Hindhiyila padicha imayamalai mael
On the Himalayas that learned Hindi
Cheran avndhu kodi nattan
King Cheran came and planted his flag
Ingiyirukkum kallai eduthu
Taking stones from there
Kannagikaakka silai vechaan
He built a statue for Kannagi
Endha naalilum endha naatilum
On any day, in any land
Vettri kaanuvaan pachai tamizhan
A true Tamilian will triumph and conquer
Paalu paalu gopalu
Milk, milk, Gopalu
Paathuputten daa gopalu
I saw you, Gopalu
Aalu aalu ammaalu
Person, person, Ammaalu
Yaarumillada nammalu
We have nobody of our own
Achaangiraan bachaangiraan
He says Achha and Baccha
Aavoongiraan jaavoongiraan
He says Aao and Jao
Aadu maadu kozhi kuruvi
Goats, cattle, chickens, and birds
Pesadhingae hindhithaan
Even they do not speak Hindi
Naan vaaai thirakkum mundhithaan
Before I open my mouth
En pozhappu sindhithaan
My livelihood is ruined and spilled
Naan injithinna manghithaan
I am like a monkey that ate ginger
Paalu paalu gopalu
Milk, milk, Gopalu
Paathuputten daa gopalu
I saw you, Gopalu
Aalu aalu ammaalu
Person, person, Ammaalu
Yaarumillada nammalu
We have nobody of our own
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song is a humorous, narrative track sung by actor-comedian Vadivelu from the 1995 film Thaaikulame Thaaikulame. The protagonist finds himself stranded in Nepal, struggling with the language barrier as he does not understand Hindi. His basic requests for everyday items lead to absurd, mistaken responses from locals. He longs for familiar Tamil companionship and comfort foods like string hoppers with coconut milk, complaining about his inability to digest northern foods like dry roti and bhel puri. Despite the lighthearted tone, the song proudly evokes Tamil pride, referencing the ancient Chera king who conquered up to the Himalayas and erected a statue for Kannagi, concluding that a true Tamilian will triumph wherever he goes.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Emonai / Anaphora
“Uppukaettaa paruppu thaaraan / Paruppukaetta seruppa thaaraan”
Sequential lines start with linked rhyming words creating a domino-like phonetic effect.
Uvamai (Simile)
“Naan injithinna manghithaan”
Compares the protagonist's state of utter confusion and distress in a foreign land to the traditional Tamil idiom of a monkey that ate ginger.
Historical Allusion
“Hindhiyila padicha imayamalai mael / Cheran avndhu kodi nattan”
References Cheran Senguttuvan from the epic Silappatikaram, who marched to the Himalayas to bring back stone for goddess Kannagi's shrine.
Did you know?
Trivia
Sung by Vadivelu himself, this track features Deva's iconic 'Gaana' touch combined with hilarious folk-slang. Vadivelu's energetic vocal performance and expressive comic timing made the song a popular hit during the 1990s.
Keep listening
More from Thaaikulame Thaaikulame
Thaaikulame Thaaikulame
Thaaikulame Thaaikulame
Thaaikulame Thaaikulame