Roobanottil
From Anbe Anbe · 2003
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Kay Kay, Anuradha Sriram
- Music director
- Bharathwaj
- Details
- Anbe Anbe2003
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Hey… ey…heyyyyy | Hey... ey... heyyyyy |
| Mayilae… kuyilae… | Oh peacock... Oh cuckoo... |
| Chorus :……………………….. | Chorus vocalizing... |
| Chorus | |
| ………………………….. | Vocalizing... |
| Male | |
| Rooba nottil selai katti | Draped in a saree made of currency notes, |
| Sillara pol sirikkum pullae | Oh girl who laughs like jingling loose coins! |
| Male | |
| Hey rooba nottil selai katti | Hey, draped in a saree made of currency notes, |
| Sillara pol sirikkum pullae | Oh girl who laughs like jingling loose coins! |
| Sela panaththa selavu seiya | To spend the wealth of this saree, |
| Seekkiramaaga vaadi ulla | Come inside quickly, girl! |
| Female | |
| Oorusanamum thoongavilla | The townspeople haven't slept yet, |
| Paththu manikku mela vaaren | I will come after ten o'clock. |
| Saeva kozhi koovum podhu | When the rooster crows, |
| Sela thaedi alaiyaporen | I will be wandering in search of your saree. |
| Male | |
| Udhattu chaayam | The lip color, |
| Ippo velukka poren | I am going to wipe away now. |
| Female :Pudavai pola | Female: Like a saree, |
| Unna chumakka poren | I am going to carry you. |
| Male | |
| Oru vaththi | Like a match stick, |
| Pettikulla vaazhum | Living inside a matchbox, |
| Thithikkindra theeppandham | A sweet torch of fire, |
| Naamdhaanae | Are we not? |
| Female | |
| Aakkaporutha maamanukku | For my uncle who waited while the food cooked, |
| Aara porukka theriyaadhaiyaa | Doesn't he have the patience to let it cool? |
| Alli thinga avasarapatta | If you are in a rush to scoop and eat it, |
| Arugil vandhu anaichchukkoyaa | Come close and embrace me! |
| Chorus | |
| Sai saiyaa | Sai saiyaa |
| Female | |
| Kokka polae kokka polae | Like a crane, like a crane, |
| Kaathirukkum machaanae | My cousin who is waiting! |
| Meena pola naan vandhu | I will come like a fish, |
| Kokka koththi povenae | And peck away at the crane! |
| Male | |
| Pachai kiliyaai pachai kiliyaai | Like a green parrot, like a green parrot, |
| Parandhu naanum thirinchenae | I used to fly around free. |
| Unnai vandhu paarthadhumae | As soon as I saw you, |
| Josiya kiliyaai thavichenae | I squirmed like a caged fortune-telling parrot! |
| Female | |
| Paadhi raathiriyil | In the middle of the night, |
| Endhan padukkayil nuzhainchavanae | Oh one who entered into my bed! |
| Male :Oh rendu idhazhkalinaal | Male: Oh, with two lips, |
| Ennai oodhi anaichavalae | You who blew out my flame and embraced me! |
| Female | |
| Ada saathi vachcha | Ah, the locked, |
| Pootta ippo saavi pottu | Lock, now applying the key, |
| Thurakkapora | You are about to open! |
| Koottaanchoru samachi ippo | Having cooked mixed-pot rice, |
| Saapidalaama…..aaa… | Can we eat it now? |
| Male | |
| Hey rooba nottil selai katti | Hey, draped in a saree made of currency notes, |
| Sillara pol sirikkum pullae | Oh girl who laughs like jingling loose coins! |
| Sela panaththa selavu seiya | To spend the wealth of this saree, |
| Seekkiramaaga vaadi ulla | Come inside quickly, girl! |
| Female | |
| Oorusanamum thoongavilla | The townspeople haven't slept yet, |
| Paththu manikku mela vaaren | I will come after ten o'clock. |
| Saeva kozhi koovum podhu | When the rooster crows, |
| Sela thaedi alaiyaporen ..aaan | I will be wandering in search of your saree... |
| Chorus | |
| Sai saiyaa | Sai saiyaa |
| Male | |
| Aathangaraiyil aathangaraiyil | On the riverbank, on the riverbank, |
| Kaaththu irukkum kaadhaliyae | Oh lover waiting patiently! |
| Alaiya pola naan vandhu | Coming like a wave, |
| Kolusa thirudi povenae | I will steal away your anklet! |
| Female | |
| Paaya virichu paaya virichu | Spreading out the mat, spreading out the mat, |
| Padukka pogum maamanae | Oh uncle going to sleep! |
| Kangalmoodi thooginaal | If you close your eyes and sleep, |
| Kanavu thirudi povenae | I will steal your dreams! |
| Male | |
| Kaiyaal nee thottaal | If you touch me with your hand, |
| Endhan kangal paththikkudhae | My eyes catch fire! |
| Female :Hoo vilakku anaichadhumae | Female: Oh, as soon as the lamp is turned off, |
| Undhan vaervai thithikkuthae | Your sweat tastes sweet! |
| Male | |
| Indha hongi nirkkum | This towering, |
| Moongil marathai ottai pottu | Bamboo tree, poking a hole in it, |
| Oodhum kuyilae | Oh cuckoo blowing through it like a flute! |
| Kaanum indha ettu thisaiyilum | In all eight directions visible, |
| Kaadhal oasai.. | There is the sound of love.. |
| Male | |
| Hey rooba nottil selai katti | Hey, draped in a saree made of currency notes, |
| Sillara pol sirikkum pullae | Oh girl who laughs like jingling loose coins! |
| Sela panaththa selavu seiya | To spend the wealth of this saree, |
| Seekkiramaaga vaadi ulla | Come inside quickly, girl! |
| Female | |
| Oorusanamum thoongavilla | The townspeople haven't slept yet, |
| Paththu manikku mela vaaren | I will come after ten o'clock. |
| Saeva kozhi koovum podhu | When the rooster crows, |
| Sela thaedi alaiyaporen | I will be wandering in search of your saree. |
| Male | |
| Udhattu chaayam | The lip color, |
| Ippo velukka poren | I am going to wipe away now. |
| Female :Haahhaan | Female: Haahhaan |
| Pudavai pola | Like a saree, |
| Unna chumakka poren | I am going to carry you. |
| Male | |
| Oru vaththi | Like a match stick, |
| Pettikulla vaazhum | Living inside a matchbox, |
| Thithikkindra theeppandham | A sweet torch of fire, |
| Naamdhaanae | Are we not? |
| Female | |
| Aakkaporutha maamanukku | For my uncle who waited while the food cooked, |
| Aara porukka theriyaadhaiyaa | Doesn't he have the patience to let it cool? |
| Alli thinga avasarapatta | If you are in a rush to scoop and eat it, |
| Arugil vandhu anaichchukkoyaa | Come close and embrace me! |
ஹேய்....ஏய்...ஹேய்
மயிலே...குயிலே...
Hey... ey... heyyyyy
Oh peacock... Oh cuckoo...
Chorus vocalizing...
........................
Vocalizing...
.................................
Draped in a saree made of currency notes,
Oh girl who laughs like jingling loose coins!
ரூபா நோட்டில் சேலை கட்டி
சில்லறை போல சிரிக்கும் புள்ளே
Hey, draped in a saree made of currency notes,
Oh girl who laughs like jingling loose coins!
To spend the wealth of this saree,
Come inside quickly, girl!
ஹோ ரூபா நோட்டில் சேலை கட்டி
சில்லறை போல் சிரிக்கும் புள்ளே
சேல பணத்த செலவு செய்ய
சீக்கிரமாக வாடி உள்ள
The townspeople haven't slept yet,
I will come after ten o'clock.
When the rooster crows,
I will be wandering in search of your saree.
ஊருசனமும் தூங்கவில்ல
பத்து மணிக்கு மேல வாரேன்
சேவ கோழி கூவும் போது
சேல தேடி அலைய போறேன்
The lip color,
I am going to wipe away now.
Female: Like a saree,
I am going to carry you.
உதட்டு சாயம்
இப்ப வெளுக்க போறேன்
புடவை போல
உன்ன சுமக்க போறேன்
Like a match stick,
Living inside a matchbox,
A sweet torch of fire,
Are we not?
ஒரு வத்தி
பெட்டிக்குள்ள வாழும்
தித்திக்கின்ற தீப்பந்தம்
நாம்தானே
For my uncle who waited while the food cooked,
Doesn't he have the patience to let it cool?
If you are in a rush to scoop and eat it,
Come close and embrace me!
ஆக்கபொறுத்த மாமனுக்கு
ஆற பொறுக்க தெரியாதையா
அள்ளி திங்க அவசரபட்டா
அருகில் வந்து அணைச்சுக்கோய்யா
Sai saiyaa
சை சையா
Like a crane, like a crane,
My cousin who is waiting!
I will come like a fish,
And peck away at the crane!
கொக்க போல கொக்க போல
காத்திருக்கும் மச்சானே
மீன போல நான் வந்து
கொக்க கொத்தி போவனே
Like a green parrot, like a green parrot,
I used to fly around free.
As soon as I saw you,
I squirmed like a caged fortune-telling parrot!
பச்சை கிளியாய் பச்சை கிளியாய்
பறந்து நானும் திரிஞ்சேனே
உன்னை வந்து பார்த்ததுமே
ஜோசிய கிளியாய் தவிச்சேனே
In the middle of the night,
Oh one who entered into my bed!
Male: Oh, with two lips,
You who blew out my flame and embraced me!
பாதி ராத்திரியில்
எந்தன் படுக்கையில் நுழைஞ்சவனே
ஓ ரெண்டு இதழ்களினால்
என்னை ஊதி அணைச்சவளே
Ah, the locked,
Lock, now applying the key,
You are about to open!
Having cooked mixed-pot rice,
Can we eat it now?
அட சாத்தி வச்ச
பூட்ட இப்ப சாவி போட்டு
துறக்கபோறேன்
கூட்டாஞ்சோறு சமச்சி இப்போ
சாப்பிடலாமா....ஆ...
Hey, draped in a saree made of currency notes,
Oh girl who laughs like jingling loose coins!
To spend the wealth of this saree,
Come inside quickly, girl!
ரூபா நோட்டில் சேலை கட்டி
சில்லறை போல சிரிக்கும் புள்ளே
சேல பணத்த செலவு செய்ய
சீக்கிரமாக வாடி உள்ள
The townspeople haven't slept yet,
I will come after ten o'clock.
When the rooster crows,
I will be wandering in search of your saree...
ஊருசனமும் தூங்கவில்ல
பத்து மணிக்கு மேல வாரேன்
சேவ கோழி கூவும் பொது
சேல தேடி அலைய போறேன்...ஆன்
Sai saiyaa
சை சையா
On the riverbank, on the riverbank,
Oh lover waiting patiently!
Coming like a wave,
I will steal away your anklet!
ஆத்தங்கரையில் ஆத்தங்கரையில்
காத்து இருக்கும் காதலியே
அலைய போல நான் வந்து
கொலுச திருடி போவேனே
Spreading out the mat, spreading out the mat,
Oh uncle going to sleep!
If you close your eyes and sleep,
I will steal your dreams!
பாய விரிச்சு பாய விரிச்சு
படுக்க போகும் மாமனே
கண்கள் மூடி தூங்கினால்
கனவு திருடி போவேனே
If you touch me with your hand,
My eyes catch fire!
Female: Oh, as soon as the lamp is turned off,
Your sweat tastes sweet!
கையால் நீ தொட்டால்
எந்தன் கண்கள் பத்திகுதே
ஹோ விளக்கு அனைச்சதுமே
உந்தன் வேர்வை தித்திக்குதே
This towering,
Bamboo tree, poking a hole in it,
Oh cuckoo blowing through it like a flute!
In all eight directions visible,
There is the sound of love..
இந்த ஓங்கி நிற்கும்
மூங்கில் மரத்தை ஓட்டை போட்டு
ஊதும் குயிலே
காணும் இந்த எட்டு திசையிலும்
காதல் ஓசை
Hey, draped in a saree made of currency notes,
Oh girl who laughs like jingling loose coins!
To spend the wealth of this saree,
Come inside quickly, girl!
ரூபா நோட்டில் சேலை கட்டி
சில்லறை போல சிரிக்கும் புள்ளே
சேல பணத்த செலவு செய்ய
சீக்கிரமாக வாடி உள்ள
The townspeople haven't slept yet,
I will come after ten o'clock.
When the rooster crows,
I will be wandering in search of your saree.
ஊருசனமும் தூங்கவில்ல
பத்து மணிக்கு மேல வாரேன்
சேவ கோழி கூவும் பொது
சேல தேடி அலைய போறேன்
The lip color,
I am going to wipe away now.
Female: Haahhaan
Like a saree,
I am going to carry you.
உதட்டு சாயம்
இப்ப வெளுக்க போறேன்
புடவை போல
உன்ன சுமக்க போறேன்
Like a match stick,
Living inside a matchbox,
A sweet torch of fire,
Are we not?
ஒரு வத்தி
பெட்டிக்குள்ள வாழும்
தித்திக்கின்ற தீப்பந்தம்
நாம்தானே
For my uncle who waited while the food cooked,
Doesn't he have the patience to let it cool?
If you are in a rush to scoop and eat it,
Come close and embrace me!
ஆக்கபொறுத்த மாமனுக்கு
ஆற பொறுக்க தெரியாதையா
அள்ளி திங்க அவசரபட்டா
அருகில் வந்து அணைச்சுக்கோய்யா
Hey… ey…heyyyyy
Hey... ey... heyyyyy
Mayilae… kuyilae…
Oh peacock... Oh cuckoo...
Chorus :………………………..
Chorus vocalizing...
…………………………..
Vocalizing...
Rooba nottil selai katti
Draped in a saree made of currency notes,
Sillara pol sirikkum pullae
Oh girl who laughs like jingling loose coins!
Hey rooba nottil selai katti
Hey, draped in a saree made of currency notes,
Sillara pol sirikkum pullae
Oh girl who laughs like jingling loose coins!
Sela panaththa selavu seiya
To spend the wealth of this saree,
Seekkiramaaga vaadi ulla
Come inside quickly, girl!
Oorusanamum thoongavilla
The townspeople haven't slept yet,
Paththu manikku mela vaaren
I will come after ten o'clock.
Saeva kozhi koovum podhu
When the rooster crows,
Sela thaedi alaiyaporen
I will be wandering in search of your saree.
Udhattu chaayam
The lip color,
Ippo velukka poren
I am going to wipe away now.
Female :Pudavai pola
Female: Like a saree,
Unna chumakka poren
I am going to carry you.
Oru vaththi
Like a match stick,
Pettikulla vaazhum
Living inside a matchbox,
Thithikkindra theeppandham
A sweet torch of fire,
Naamdhaanae
Are we not?
Aakkaporutha maamanukku
For my uncle who waited while the food cooked,
Aara porukka theriyaadhaiyaa
Doesn't he have the patience to let it cool?
Alli thinga avasarapatta
If you are in a rush to scoop and eat it,
Arugil vandhu anaichchukkoyaa
Come close and embrace me!
Sai saiyaa
Sai saiyaa
Kokka polae kokka polae
Like a crane, like a crane,
Kaathirukkum machaanae
My cousin who is waiting!
Meena pola naan vandhu
I will come like a fish,
Kokka koththi povenae
And peck away at the crane!
Pachai kiliyaai pachai kiliyaai
Like a green parrot, like a green parrot,
Parandhu naanum thirinchenae
I used to fly around free.
Unnai vandhu paarthadhumae
As soon as I saw you,
Josiya kiliyaai thavichenae
I squirmed like a caged fortune-telling parrot!
Paadhi raathiriyil
In the middle of the night,
Endhan padukkayil nuzhainchavanae
Oh one who entered into my bed!
Male :Oh rendu idhazhkalinaal
Male: Oh, with two lips,
Ennai oodhi anaichavalae
You who blew out my flame and embraced me!
Ada saathi vachcha
Ah, the locked,
Pootta ippo saavi pottu
Lock, now applying the key,
Thurakkapora
You are about to open!
Koottaanchoru samachi ippo
Having cooked mixed-pot rice,
Saapidalaama…..aaa…
Can we eat it now?
Hey rooba nottil selai katti
Hey, draped in a saree made of currency notes,
Sillara pol sirikkum pullae
Oh girl who laughs like jingling loose coins!
Sela panaththa selavu seiya
To spend the wealth of this saree,
Seekkiramaaga vaadi ulla
Come inside quickly, girl!
Oorusanamum thoongavilla
The townspeople haven't slept yet,
Paththu manikku mela vaaren
I will come after ten o'clock.
Saeva kozhi koovum podhu
When the rooster crows,
Sela thaedi alaiyaporen ..aaan
I will be wandering in search of your saree...
Sai saiyaa
Sai saiyaa
Aathangaraiyil aathangaraiyil
On the riverbank, on the riverbank,
Kaaththu irukkum kaadhaliyae
Oh lover waiting patiently!
Alaiya pola naan vandhu
Coming like a wave,
Kolusa thirudi povenae
I will steal away your anklet!
Paaya virichu paaya virichu
Spreading out the mat, spreading out the mat,
Padukka pogum maamanae
Oh uncle going to sleep!
Kangalmoodi thooginaal
If you close your eyes and sleep,
Kanavu thirudi povenae
I will steal your dreams!
Kaiyaal nee thottaal
If you touch me with your hand,
Endhan kangal paththikkudhae
My eyes catch fire!
Female :Hoo vilakku anaichadhumae
Female: Oh, as soon as the lamp is turned off,
Undhan vaervai thithikkuthae
Your sweat tastes sweet!
Indha hongi nirkkum
This towering,
Moongil marathai ottai pottu
Bamboo tree, poking a hole in it,
Oodhum kuyilae
Oh cuckoo blowing through it like a flute!
Kaanum indha ettu thisaiyilum
In all eight directions visible,
Kaadhal oasai..
There is the sound of love..
Hey rooba nottil selai katti
Hey, draped in a saree made of currency notes,
Sillara pol sirikkum pullae
Oh girl who laughs like jingling loose coins!
Sela panaththa selavu seiya
To spend the wealth of this saree,
Seekkiramaaga vaadi ulla
Come inside quickly, girl!
Oorusanamum thoongavilla
The townspeople haven't slept yet,
Paththu manikku mela vaaren
I will come after ten o'clock.
Saeva kozhi koovum podhu
When the rooster crows,
Sela thaedi alaiyaporen
I will be wandering in search of your saree.
Udhattu chaayam
The lip color,
Ippo velukka poren
I am going to wipe away now.
Female :Haahhaan
Female: Haahhaan
Pudavai pola
Like a saree,
Unna chumakka poren
I am going to carry you.
Oru vaththi
Like a match stick,
Pettikulla vaazhum
Living inside a matchbox,
Thithikkindra theeppandham
A sweet torch of fire,
Naamdhaanae
Are we not?
Aakkaporutha maamanukku
For my uncle who waited while the food cooked,
Aara porukka theriyaadhaiyaa
Doesn't he have the patience to let it cool?
Alli thinga avasarapatta
If you are in a rush to scoop and eat it,
Arugil vandhu anaichchukkoyaa
Come close and embrace me!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Rooba Nottil' is a vibrant folk-pop duet from the movie Anbe Anbe (2003). The male protagonist affectionately teases his beloved, comparing her laughter to the sound of jingling coins and her saree to valuable bank notes, while coaxing her to join him in intimate solitude after nightfall. The female protagonist responds with equal fervor and wit, teasing his impatience using traditional Tamil proverbs and metaphors about cooking and waiting. Throughout the track, veteran lyricist Vaali uses rich rural imagery—comparing the couple to cranes and fish, parrots, river waves, and matchsticks in a box. The song encapsulates playful romantic banter, mutual attraction, and the anticipation of intimacy in a lighthearted, earthy folk style.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamai (Simile)
“Sillara pol sirikkum pullae”
Compares the heroine's crisp, light-hearted laughter to the jingle of loose change/coins.
Metaphor & Imagery
“Thithikkindra theeppandham”
Uses the metaphor of a matchstick inside a box catching fire to describe latent passion and desire.
Role Reversal Simile
“Meena pola naan vandhu Kokka koththi povenae”
Playfully subverts nature imagery where the heroine acts as the fish pecking at the waiting crane.
Ethirai (Rhyme) & Folk Idiom
“Aakkaporutha maamanukku Aara porukka theriyaadhaiyaa”
Employs traditional Tamil culinary idioms ('Aakkaporutha... Aara porukka...') to poetically describe impatience in love.
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Trivia
'Rooba Nottil' was composed by D. Imman for the 2003 romantic film 'Anbe Anbe', starring Shaam and Sharmilee. The lyrics were penned by legendary lyricist Vaali, who was renowned for effortlessly mixing traditional rural metaphors with modern catchy colloquialisms.
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