Romeo Aatam Potal
From Mr. Romeo · 1996
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Hariharan, Udit Narayan
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Mr. Romeo1996
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ullallae ullae ullae | Ullallae ullae ullae |
| Ullae ullae ull allae | Ullae ullae ull allae |
| Ullallae ullae ullae | Ullallae ullae ullae |
| Ullae laelae ull allae | Ullae laelae ull allae |
| Male | |
| Romeo aattam pottaal | When Romeo starts to dance |
| Suthum boomi suththaadhae | The spinning earth stops spinning |
| Ayyaho kundu sattiyil | Alas, inside a small vessel |
| Kudhirai otta koodaadhae | One should not try to ride a horse |
| Male | |
| Ullaeloo ullaelaelaloo | Ullaeloo ullaelaelaloo |
| Ezhaiyai thookki eriyaadhae | Do not toss aside a poor person |
| Ezhumbugal illaamal | This body was brought into this world |
| Vaangi vandha dhegam idhu | As if born without any bones |
| Rubber pola sonnabadi | Look how it bounces as commanded |
| Thulludhu paar | Just like rubber |
| Male | |
| Romeo aattam pottaal | When Romeo starts to dance |
| Suthum boomi suththaadhae | The spinning earth stops spinning |
| Ayyaho kundu sattiyil | Alas, inside a small vessel |
| Kudhirai otta koodaadhae | One should not try to ride a horse |
| Male | |
| Ezhaiyai thookki eriyaadhae | Do not toss aside a poor person |
| Ezhaiyai thookki eriyaadhae | Do not toss aside a poor person |
| Male | |
| Nilavae nilavae | Oh moon, oh moon |
| Nilavae nilavae | Oh moon, oh moon |
| Adadaa jadhi | Aha, a noble thoroughbred |
| kudhirai idhu | horse this is |
| Ennai thaan thedi | It comes searching |
| Thirigiradhu | specifically for me |
| Male | |
| Kaluthin melae | Above the neck |
| Nilakkal kanden | I saw precious stones |
| Kaluthin kelae | Below the neck |
| Puraakkal kanden | I saw gentle doves |
| Male | |
| Oru kannil paarthaalae | If she looks at me with just one eye |
| Oru vaaram elamaatten | I won't wake up for a whole week |
| Iru kannil paarthaalo | If she looks at me with both eyes |
| Enna aagum sollamaatten | I won't tell what will happen to me |
| Male | |
| Indha roattu thamarai | This roadside lotus |
| Enna vilaiyoo | What might her price be? |
| Ival kannil midhappadhu | Floating inside her eyes |
| Enna kalaiyoo | What kind of art is that? |
| Male | |
| Sirikkum podhu | When she smiled |
| Silirthu konden | I felt a shiver of joy |
| Ival sindhiya sirippai | The smile she showered |
| Madiyil yendhi konden | I caught and held in my lap |
| Male | |
| Ullallae ullae ullae | Ullallae ullae ullae |
| Ullae ullae ull allae | Ullae ullae ull allae |
| Ullallae ullae ullae | Ullallae ullae ullae |
| Ullae laelae ull allae | Ullae laelae ull allae |
| Male | |
| Romeo aattam pottaal | When Romeo starts to dance |
| Suthum boomi suththaadhae | The spinning earth stops spinning |
| Ayyaho kundu sattiyil | Alas, inside a small vessel |
| Kudhirai otta koodaadhae | One should not try to ride a horse |
| Male | |
| Ezhaiyai thookki eriyaadhae | Do not toss aside a poor person |
| Ezhauyai thookki eriyaadhae | Do not toss aside a poor person |
| Male | |
| Ullallae lae ullalae lae lae | Ullallae lae ullalae lae lae |
| Ullallae lae ullalae lae lae | Ullallae lae ullalae lae lae |
| Male | |
| Enaku Raja machcham | I possess a royal sign |
| Irukku | of good fortune |
| Inimel yogam uchcham irukku | From now on, my luck reaches its peak |
| Kaattilae yeri | I will climb onto the forest trees |
| Ulaavum varuven | And roam around freely |
| Kai kaalai neetti | I will stretch my arms and legs |
| Nilavai thoduven | And touch the moon |
| Male | |
| Yaaraiyum thoosai pola | Do not view anyone as trivial |
| Dhutcham endru ennaadhae | like mere dust |
| Thirugani illai endraal | Without a tiny screw |
| Railae illai maravaadhae | There is no train, do not forget |
| Ohoo ooo ohoo ooo | Ohoo ooo ohoo ooo |
| Male | |
| Ennai roattil | Throwing me out on the street |
| Erindhadhu unadhu vidhi | was your choice of fate |
| Naan saalai | Being born as street people |
| Manidharin piravi vidhi | is our human destiny |
| Male | |
| Pirakkum munnae | Even before being born |
| Vizhithu konden | I woke up to awareness |
| Annai karuvinil | The moment I rolled in my mother's womb |
| Purandadhum nadam | I began my dance |
| Thodangi vitten | When Romeo starts to dance |
| Male | |
| Romeo aattam pottaal | The spinning earth stops spinning |
| Suthum boomi suththaadhae | Alas, inside a small vessel |
| Ayyaho kundu sattiyil | One should not try to ride a horse |
| Kudhirai otta koodaadhae | When Romeo starts to dance |
| Male | |
| Romeo aattam pottaal | The spinning earth stops spinning |
| Suthum boomi suththaadhae | Alas, inside a small vessel |
| Ayyaho kundu sattiyil | One should not try to ride a horse |
| Kudhirai otta koodaadhae | Do not toss aside a poor person |
| Male | |
| Ezhaiyai thookki eriyaadhae | This body was brought into this world |
| Ezhumbugal illaamal | As if born without any bones |
| Vaangi vandha dhegam idhu | Look how it bounces as commanded |
| Rubber pola sonnabadi | Just like rubber |
| Thulludhu paar | When Romeo starts to dance |
| Male | |
| Romeo aattam pottaal | The spinning earth stops spinning |
| Suthum boomi suththaadhae | Alas, inside a small vessel |
| Ayyaho kundu sattiyil | One should not try to ride a horse |
| Kudhirai otta koodaadhae | Do not toss aside a poor person |
| Male | |
| Ezhaiyai thookki eriyaadhae | Do not toss aside a poor person |
| Ezhaiyai thookki eriyaadhae | |
உள்ளல்லே உள்ளே உள்ளே
உள்ளே உள்ளே உல் அல்லே
உள்ளல்லே உள்ளே உள்ளே
உள்ளே உள்ளே உல் அல்லே
Ullallae ullae ullae
Ullae ullae ull allae
Ullallae ullae ullae
Ullae laelae ull allae
ஆண்
: ரோமியோ ஆட்டம் போட்டால்
சுத்தும் பூமி சுத்தாதே
அய்யகோ குண்டு சட்டியில்
குதிரை ஓட்ட கூடாதே
When Romeo starts to dance
The spinning earth stops spinning
Alas, inside a small vessel
One should not try to ride a horse
உள்லேலூ உள்லேலேலலூ
ஏழையை தூக்கி எறியாதே
எலும்புகள் இல்லாமல்
வாங்கி வந்த தேகம் இது
ரப்பர் போல சொன்னபடி
துள்ளுது பார்
Ullaeloo ullaelaelaloo
Do not toss aside a poor person
This body was brought into this world
As if born without any bones
Look how it bounces as commanded
Just like rubber
ரோமியோ ஆட்டம் போட்டால்
சுத்தும் பூமி சுத்தாதே
அய்யகோ குண்டு சட்டியில்
குதிரை ஓட்ட கூடாதே
When Romeo starts to dance
The spinning earth stops spinning
Alas, inside a small vessel
One should not try to ride a horse
ஏழையை தூக்கி எறியாதே
ஏழையை தூக்கி எறியாதே
Do not toss aside a poor person
Do not toss aside a poor person
நிலவே நிலவே
நிலவே நிலவே
அடடா ஜாதி
குதிரை இது
என்னை தான் தேடி
திரிகிறது
Oh moon, oh moon
Oh moon, oh moon
Aha, a noble thoroughbred
horse this is
It comes searching
specifically for me
கழுத்தின் மேலே
நிலாக்கள் கண்டேன்
கழுத்தின் கீழே
புறாக்கள் கண்டேன்
Above the neck
I saw precious stones
Below the neck
I saw gentle doves
ஒரு கண்ணில் பார்த்தாலே
ஒரு வாரம் எழமாட்டேன்
இரு கண்ணில் பார்த்தாலோ
என்ன ஆகும் சொல்லமாட்டேன்
If she looks at me with just one eye
I won't wake up for a whole week
If she looks at me with both eyes
I won't tell what will happen to me
இந்த ரோட்டு தாமரை
என்ன விலையோ
இவள் கண்ணில் மிதப்பது
என்ன கலையோ
This roadside lotus
What might her price be?
Floating inside her eyes
What kind of art is that?
சிரிக்கும் போது
சிலிர்த்து கொண்டேன்
இவள் சிந்திய சிரிப்பை
மடியில் ஏந்தி கொண்டேன்
When she smiled
I felt a shiver of joy
The smile she showered
I caught and held in my lap
உள்ளல்லே உள்ளே உள்ளே
உள்ளே உள்ளே உல் அல்லே
உள்ளல்லே உள்ளே உள்ளே
உள்ளே உள்ளே உல் அல்லே
Ullallae ullae ullae
Ullae ullae ull allae
Ullallae ullae ullae
Ullae laelae ull allae
ரோமியோ ஆட்டம் போட்டால்
சுத்தும் பூமி சுத்தாதே
அய்யகோ குண்டு சட்டியில்
குதிரை ஓட்ட கூடாதே
When Romeo starts to dance
The spinning earth stops spinning
Alas, inside a small vessel
One should not try to ride a horse
ஏழையை தூக்கி எறியாதே
ஏழையை தூக்கி எறியாதே
Do not toss aside a poor person
Do not toss aside a poor person
உள்ளல்லே லே உள்ளளே லே லே
உள்ளல்லே லே உள்ளளே லே லே
Ullallae lae ullalae lae lae
Ullallae lae ullalae lae lae
எனக்கு ராஜ மச்சம்
இருக்கு
இனிமேல் யோகம் உச்சம் இருக்கு
காற்றிலே ஏறி
உலாவும் வருவேன்
கை காலை நீட்டி
நிலாவை தொடுவேன்
I possess a royal sign
of good fortune
From now on, my luck reaches its peak
I will climb onto the forest trees
And roam around freely
I will stretch my arms and legs
And touch the moon
யாரையும் தூசி போலே
துச்சம் என்று எண்ணாதே
திருகாணி இல்லை என்றால்
ரயிலே இல்லை மறவாதே
ஓஹு ஓஒ ஓஹு ஓஒ
Do not view anyone as trivial
like mere dust
Without a tiny screw
There is no train, do not forget
Ohoo ooo ohoo ooo
என்னை ரோட்டில்
எரிந்தது உனது விதி
நான் சாலை
மனிதனின் பிறவி விதி
Throwing me out on the street
was your choice of fate
Being born as street people
is our human destiny
பிறக்கும் முன்னே
விழித்து கொண்டேன்
அன்னை கருவினில்
புரண்டதும் நடனம்
தொடங்கி விட்டேன்
Even before being born
I woke up to awareness
The moment I rolled in my mother's womb
I began my dance
When Romeo starts to dance
ரோமியோ ஆட்டம் போட்டால்
சுத்தும் பூமி சுத்தாதே
அய்யகோ குண்டு சட்டியில்
குதிரை ஓட்ட கூடாதே
The spinning earth stops spinning
Alas, inside a small vessel
One should not try to ride a horse
When Romeo starts to dance
ரோமியோ ஆட்டம் போட்டால்
சுத்தும் பூமி சுத்தாதே
அய்யகோ குண்டு சட்டியில்
குதிரை ஓட்ட கூடாதே
The spinning earth stops spinning
Alas, inside a small vessel
One should not try to ride a horse
Do not toss aside a poor person
ஏழையை தூக்கி எறியாதே
எலும்புகள் இல்லாமல்
வாங்கி வந்த தேகம் இது
ரப்பர் போல சொன்னபடி
துள்ளுது பார்
This body was brought into this world
As if born without any bones
Look how it bounces as commanded
Just like rubber
When Romeo starts to dance
ரோமியோ ஆட்டம் போட்டால்
சுத்தும் பூமி சுத்தாதே
அய்யகோ குண்டு சட்டியில்
குதிரை ஓட்ட கூடாதே
The spinning earth stops spinning
Alas, inside a small vessel
One should not try to ride a horse
Do not toss aside a poor person
ஏழையை தூக்கி எறியாதே
ஏழையை தூக்கி எறியாதே
Do not toss aside a poor person
Ullallae ullae ullae
Ullallae ullae ullae
Ullae ullae ull allae
Ullae ullae ull allae
Ullallae ullae ullae
Ullallae ullae ullae
Ullae laelae ull allae
Ullae laelae ull allae
Romeo aattam pottaal
When Romeo starts to dance
Suthum boomi suththaadhae
The spinning earth stops spinning
Ayyaho kundu sattiyil
Alas, inside a small vessel
Kudhirai otta koodaadhae
One should not try to ride a horse
Ullaeloo ullaelaelaloo
Ullaeloo ullaelaelaloo
Ezhaiyai thookki eriyaadhae
Do not toss aside a poor person
Ezhumbugal illaamal
This body was brought into this world
Vaangi vandha dhegam idhu
As if born without any bones
Rubber pola sonnabadi
Look how it bounces as commanded
Thulludhu paar
Just like rubber
Romeo aattam pottaal
When Romeo starts to dance
Suthum boomi suththaadhae
The spinning earth stops spinning
Ayyaho kundu sattiyil
Alas, inside a small vessel
Kudhirai otta koodaadhae
One should not try to ride a horse
Ezhaiyai thookki eriyaadhae
Do not toss aside a poor person
Ezhaiyai thookki eriyaadhae
Do not toss aside a poor person
Nilavae nilavae
Oh moon, oh moon
Nilavae nilavae
Oh moon, oh moon
Adadaa jadhi
Aha, a noble thoroughbred
kudhirai idhu
horse this is
Ennai thaan thedi
It comes searching
Thirigiradhu
specifically for me
Kaluthin melae
Above the neck
Nilakkal kanden
I saw precious stones
Kaluthin kelae
Below the neck
Puraakkal kanden
I saw gentle doves
Oru kannil paarthaalae
If she looks at me with just one eye
Oru vaaram elamaatten
I won't wake up for a whole week
Iru kannil paarthaalo
If she looks at me with both eyes
Enna aagum sollamaatten
I won't tell what will happen to me
Indha roattu thamarai
This roadside lotus
Enna vilaiyoo
What might her price be?
Ival kannil midhappadhu
Floating inside her eyes
Enna kalaiyoo
What kind of art is that?
Sirikkum podhu
When she smiled
Silirthu konden
I felt a shiver of joy
Ival sindhiya sirippai
The smile she showered
Madiyil yendhi konden
I caught and held in my lap
Ullallae ullae ullae
Ullallae ullae ullae
Ullae ullae ull allae
Ullae ullae ull allae
Ullallae ullae ullae
Ullallae ullae ullae
Ullae laelae ull allae
Ullae laelae ull allae
Romeo aattam pottaal
When Romeo starts to dance
Suthum boomi suththaadhae
The spinning earth stops spinning
Ayyaho kundu sattiyil
Alas, inside a small vessel
Kudhirai otta koodaadhae
One should not try to ride a horse
Ezhaiyai thookki eriyaadhae
Do not toss aside a poor person
Ezhauyai thookki eriyaadhae
Do not toss aside a poor person
Ullallae lae ullalae lae lae
Ullallae lae ullalae lae lae
Ullallae lae ullalae lae lae
Ullallae lae ullalae lae lae
Enaku Raja machcham
I possess a royal sign
Irukku
of good fortune
Inimel yogam uchcham irukku
From now on, my luck reaches its peak
Kaattilae yeri
I will climb onto the forest trees
Ulaavum varuven
And roam around freely
Kai kaalai neetti
I will stretch my arms and legs
Nilavai thoduven
And touch the moon
Yaaraiyum thoosai pola
Do not view anyone as trivial
Dhutcham endru ennaadhae
like mere dust
Thirugani illai endraal
Without a tiny screw
Railae illai maravaadhae
There is no train, do not forget
Ohoo ooo ohoo ooo
Ohoo ooo ohoo ooo
Ennai roattil
Throwing me out on the street
Erindhadhu unadhu vidhi
was your choice of fate
Naan saalai
Being born as street people
Manidharin piravi vidhi
is our human destiny
Pirakkum munnae
Even before being born
Vizhithu konden
I woke up to awareness
Annai karuvinil
The moment I rolled in my mother's womb
Purandadhum nadam
I began my dance
Thodangi vitten
When Romeo starts to dance
Romeo aattam pottaal
The spinning earth stops spinning
Suthum boomi suththaadhae
Alas, inside a small vessel
Ayyaho kundu sattiyil
One should not try to ride a horse
Kudhirai otta koodaadhae
When Romeo starts to dance
Romeo aattam pottaal
The spinning earth stops spinning
Suthum boomi suththaadhae
Alas, inside a small vessel
Ayyaho kundu sattiyil
One should not try to ride a horse
Kudhirai otta koodaadhae
Do not toss aside a poor person
Ezhaiyai thookki eriyaadhae
This body was brought into this world
Ezhumbugal illaamal
As if born without any bones
Vaangi vandha dhegam idhu
Look how it bounces as commanded
Rubber pola sonnabadi
Just like rubber
Thulludhu paar
When Romeo starts to dance
Romeo aattam pottaal
The spinning earth stops spinning
Suthum boomi suththaadhae
Alas, inside a small vessel
Ayyaho kundu sattiyil
One should not try to ride a horse
Kudhirai otta koodaadhae
Do not toss aside a poor person
Ezhaiyai thookki eriyaadhae
Do not toss aside a poor person
Ezhaiyai thookki eriyaadhae
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This high-energy dance track from 'Mr. Romeo' celebrates flexibility, resilience, and the joy of life despite social background. The protagonist compares his bone-less, rubber-like dancing body to an unstoppable force that commands attention, reminding society never to underestimate the poor or dismiss small contributions (using the metaphor of a tiny screw holding a massive train together). Along with playful romantic descriptions of beauty, the song highlights street life, optimism, and unyielding self-confidence.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Upamai (Simile)
“Rubber pola sonnabadi”
Compares the flexibility and bounce of the dancer's body to rubber ('Rubber pola sonnabadi').
Uruvagamb (Metaphor)
“Thirugani illai endraal”
Compares an essential small person/part to a crucial screw holding a train together ('Thirugani illai endraal railae illai').
Monnai (Alliteration)
“Ezhaiyai thookki eriyaadhae”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words in the line ('Ezhaiyai thookki eriyaadhae').
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)
“Suthum boomi suththaadhae”
Exaggerating that when Romeo dances, the spinning earth comes to a halt.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by A. R. Rahman for the 1996 film 'Mr. Romeo' starring Prabhu Deva, Shilpa Shetty, and Madhoo. Known for highlighting Prabhu Deva's signature extremely flexible 'boneless' street-dance style, the lyrics written by Vaali clever blend rhythmic folk gibberish with philosophical commentary on social equality.
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