Selai Onnu Suthi
From Pudhiya Poovithu · 1986
- Lyricist
- N. Vendhan
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Shailaja
- Music director
- Kannan Latha
- Details
- Pudhiya Poovithu1986
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Saelai onnu suthivitta | Even if an oil press is draped in a saree, |
| Sekka paarthu kooda kannadippae | You would wink at that oil press! |
| Oora maeyum pokka neeyum | Your habit of wandering around the town, |
| Vittu vidanum ippa vittu vidanum | You must drop it, you must drop it right now. |
| Vittu vidanum ippa vittu vidanum | You must drop it, you must drop it right now. |
| Male | |
| Ooril ulla pombalainga | All the women in this town, |
| En tholil yeri thulluthunga | Are jumping onto my shoulders! |
| Odamba nalla naanum ippo | So now I am taking good care of my body, |
| Thaethikiduren saththu yethikkiduren | I am strengthening myself and boosting my nutrients. |
| Thaethikiduren saththu yethikkiduren | I am strengthening myself and boosting my nutrients. |
| Male | |
| Ponna kanda odambae pookkudhadi | Seeing a woman, my whole body blossoms! |
| Female :Aamaam neeyum azhagu manmadhan thaan | Female: Oh yes, as if you are a handsome Cupid! |
| Male :Aathu thanni adiye alli kudippen | Male: Hey girl, I will scoop up and drink river water. |
| Female :Jakkirathai saethula maatikiduvae | Female: Be careful, you will get stuck in the mud. |
| Female | |
| {Ada vayasana aambala | {Oh, an aging man... |
| Male :Vara vara aasaikkoodum | Male: As time passes, my desires grow... |
| Female :Sollaadhae veliyile | Female: Don't blabber that outside! |
| Male :Molla molla thanni oorum} (2) | Male: Slowly, my mouth waters...} (2) |
| Female | |
| Maanam kappal yerum munnae | Before your honor goes down the drain, |
| Maathikidanum sonnaa yethukkidanum | You must change; if I tell you, accept it. |
| Maathikidanum sonnaa yethukkidanum | You must change; if I tell you, accept it. |
| Female | |
| Saelai onnu suthivitta | Even if an oil press is draped in a saree, |
| Sekka paarthu kooda kannadippae | You would wink at that oil press! |
| Male :Odamba nalla naanum ippo | Male: So now I am taking good care of my body, |
| Thaethikiduren saththu yethikkiduren | I am strengthening myself and boosting my nutrients. |
| Thaethikiduren saththu yethikkiduren | I am strengthening myself and boosting my nutrients. |
| Female :Haan | Female: Haan! |
| Male | |
| Konjam iru veliyae poyi varen | Hold on a bit, I'll go outside and come back. |
| Female :Senji vecha soru aari pogum | Female: The cooked rice will turn cold. |
| Male :Vuttu soru naakku aluthiduchae | Male: My tongue got tired of home-cooked rice! |
| Female :Haa hotel soru | Female: Ha, hotel food, |
| Thinnu koluthuduchu | Has made you overly arrogant and fat! |
| Male | |
| {Adi ennadi pombala | {Male: Hey woman, listen... |
| Female :Vandhu kundhi sotha thinnu | Female: Come sit down and eat your food! |
| Male :Ada sonnaakka keludi | Male: Hey, listen to what I say! |
| Female :Paaya pottu yedho pannu} (2) | Female: Spread the mat and do something...} (2) |
| Female | |
| Oodha kaathu veesum neram | When the chilly wind blows, |
| Kitta varanum kulira thatti vidanum | You must come close and ward off the cold. |
| Male :Haan… | Male: Haan… |
| Female :Kitta varanum kulira thatti vidanum | Female: You must come close and ward off the cold. |
| Female | |
| Saelai onnu suthivitta | Even if an oil press is draped in a saree, |
| Sekka paarthu kooda kannadippae | You would wink at that oil press! |
| Oora maeyum pokka neeyum | Your habit of wandering around the town, |
| Vittu vidanum ippa vittu vidanum | You must drop it, you must drop it right now. |
| Vittu vidanum ippa vittu vidanum | You must drop it, you must drop it right now. |
| Male | |
| Ooril ulla pombalainga | All the women in this town, |
| En tholil yeri thulluthunga | Are jumping onto my shoulders! |
| Odamba nalla naanum ippo | So now I am taking good care of my body, |
| Thaethikiduren saththu yethikkiduren | I am strengthening myself and boosting my nutrients. |
| Thaethikiduren saththu yethikkiduren | I am strengthening myself and boosting my nutrients. |
சேலை ஒண்ணு சுத்திவிட்டா
செக்க பார்த்து கூட கண்ணடிப்பே
ஊர மேயும் போக்க நீயும்
விட்டு விடணும் இப்ப விட்டு விடணும்
விட்டு விடணும் இப்ப விட்டு விடணும்
Even if an oil press is draped in a saree,
You would wink at that oil press!
Your habit of wandering around the town,
You must drop it, you must drop it right now.
You must drop it, you must drop it right now.
ஊரில் உள்ள பொம்பளைங்க
என் தோளில் ஏறித் துள்ளுதுங்க
ஒடம்ப நல்லா நானும் இப்போ
தேத்திக்கிடுறேன் சத்து ஏத்திக்கிடுறேன்
தேத்திக்கிடுறேன் சத்து ஏத்திக்கிடுறேன்
All the women in this town,
Are jumping onto my shoulders!
So now I am taking good care of my body,
I am strengthening myself and boosting my nutrients.
I am strengthening myself and boosting my nutrients.
பொண்ணக் கண்டா ஒடம்பே பூக்குதடி
ஆமாம் நீயும் அழகு மன்மதன்தான்
ஆத்து தண்ணி அடியே அள்ளிக் குடிப்பேன்
ஜாக்கிரதை சேத்துல மாட்டிக்கிடுவே
Seeing a woman, my whole body blossoms!
Female: Oh yes, as if you are a handsome Cupid!
Male: Hey girl, I will scoop up and drink river water.
Female: Be careful, you will get stuck in the mud.
{அட வயசான ஆம்பள
வர வர ஆசைக் கூடும்
சொல்லாதே வெளியிலே
மொள்ள மொள்ள தண்ணி ஊறும்} (2)
{Oh, an aging man...
Male: As time passes, my desires grow...
Female: Don't blabber that outside!
Male: Slowly, my mouth waters...} (2)
மானம் கப்பல் ஏறும் முன்னே
மாத்திக்கிடணும் சொன்னா ஏத்துக்கிடணும்
மாத்திக்கிடணும் சொன்னா ஏத்துக்கிடணும்
Before your honor goes down the drain,
You must change; if I tell you, accept it.
You must change; if I tell you, accept it.
சேலை ஒண்ணு சுத்திவிட்டா
செக்க பார்த்து கூட கண்ணடிப்பே
ஒடம்ப நல்லா நானும் இப்போ
தேத்திக்கிடுறேன் சத்து ஏத்திக்கிடுறேன்
தேத்திக்கிடுறேன் சத்து ஏத்திக்கிடுறேன் பெண் :
ஹான்
Even if an oil press is draped in a saree,
You would wink at that oil press!
Male: So now I am taking good care of my body,
I am strengthening myself and boosting my nutrients.
I am strengthening myself and boosting my nutrients.
Female: Haan!
கொஞ்சம் இரு வெளியே போயி வரேன்
செஞ்சி வச்ச சோறு ஆறிப் போகும்
வூட்டு சோறு நாக்கு அலுத்துடுச்சே
ஆஹா ஹோட்டல் சோறு
தின்னு கொழுத்துடுச்சு
Hold on a bit, I'll go outside and come back.
Female: The cooked rice will turn cold.
Male: My tongue got tired of home-cooked rice!
Female: Ha, hotel food,
Has made you overly arrogant and fat!
{அடி என்னாடி பொம்பள
வந்து குந்தி சோத்த தின்னு
அட சொன்னாக்க கேளுடி
பாய போட்டு ஏதோ பண்ணு} (2)
{Male: Hey woman, listen...
Female: Come sit down and eat your food!
Male: Hey, listen to what I say!
Female: Spread the mat and do something...} (2)
ஊதக் காத்து வீசும் நேரம்
கிட்ட வரணும் குளிர தட்டி விடணும்
ஹான் பெண் :
கிட்ட வரணும் குளிர தட்டி விடணும்
When the chilly wind blows,
You must come close and ward off the cold.
Male: Haan…
Female: You must come close and ward off the cold.
சேலை ஒண்ணு சுத்திவிட்டா
செக்க பார்த்து கூட கண்ணடிப்பே
ஊர மேயும் போக்க நீயும் விட்டு விடணும்
விட்டு விடணும் இப்ப விட்டு விடணும்
விட்டு விடணும் இப்ப விட்டு விடணும்
Even if an oil press is draped in a saree,
You would wink at that oil press!
Your habit of wandering around the town,
You must drop it, you must drop it right now.
You must drop it, you must drop it right now.
ஊரில் உள்ள பொம்பளைங்க
என் தோளில் ஏறித் துள்ளுதுங்க
ஒடம்ப நல்லா நானும் இப்போ
தேத்திக்கிடுறேன் சத்து ஏத்திக்கிடுறேன்
தேத்திக்கிடுறேன் சத்து ஏத்திக்கிடுறேன்
All the women in this town,
Are jumping onto my shoulders!
So now I am taking good care of my body,
I am strengthening myself and boosting my nutrients.
I am strengthening myself and boosting my nutrients.
Saelai onnu suthivitta
Even if an oil press is draped in a saree,
Sekka paarthu kooda kannadippae
You would wink at that oil press!
Oora maeyum pokka neeyum
Your habit of wandering around the town,
Vittu vidanum ippa vittu vidanum
You must drop it, you must drop it right now.
Vittu vidanum ippa vittu vidanum
You must drop it, you must drop it right now.
Ooril ulla pombalainga
All the women in this town,
En tholil yeri thulluthunga
Are jumping onto my shoulders!
Odamba nalla naanum ippo
So now I am taking good care of my body,
Thaethikiduren saththu yethikkiduren
I am strengthening myself and boosting my nutrients.
Thaethikiduren saththu yethikkiduren
I am strengthening myself and boosting my nutrients.
Ponna kanda odambae pookkudhadi
Seeing a woman, my whole body blossoms!
Female :Aamaam neeyum azhagu manmadhan thaan
Female: Oh yes, as if you are a handsome Cupid!
Male :Aathu thanni adiye alli kudippen
Male: Hey girl, I will scoop up and drink river water.
Female :Jakkirathai saethula maatikiduvae
Female: Be careful, you will get stuck in the mud.
{Ada vayasana aambala
{Oh, an aging man...
Male :Vara vara aasaikkoodum
Male: As time passes, my desires grow...
Female :Sollaadhae veliyile
Female: Don't blabber that outside!
Male :Molla molla thanni oorum} (2)
Male: Slowly, my mouth waters...} (2)
Maanam kappal yerum munnae
Before your honor goes down the drain,
Maathikidanum sonnaa yethukkidanum
You must change; if I tell you, accept it.
Maathikidanum sonnaa yethukkidanum
You must change; if I tell you, accept it.
Saelai onnu suthivitta
Even if an oil press is draped in a saree,
Sekka paarthu kooda kannadippae
You would wink at that oil press!
Male :Odamba nalla naanum ippo
Male: So now I am taking good care of my body,
Thaethikiduren saththu yethikkiduren
I am strengthening myself and boosting my nutrients.
Thaethikiduren saththu yethikkiduren
I am strengthening myself and boosting my nutrients.
Female :Haan
Female: Haan!
Konjam iru veliyae poyi varen
Hold on a bit, I'll go outside and come back.
Female :Senji vecha soru aari pogum
Female: The cooked rice will turn cold.
Male :Vuttu soru naakku aluthiduchae
Male: My tongue got tired of home-cooked rice!
Female :Haa hotel soru
Female: Ha, hotel food,
Thinnu koluthuduchu
Has made you overly arrogant and fat!
{Adi ennadi pombala
{Male: Hey woman, listen...
Female :Vandhu kundhi sotha thinnu
Female: Come sit down and eat your food!
Male :Ada sonnaakka keludi
Male: Hey, listen to what I say!
Female :Paaya pottu yedho pannu} (2)
Female: Spread the mat and do something...} (2)
Oodha kaathu veesum neram
When the chilly wind blows,
Kitta varanum kulira thatti vidanum
You must come close and ward off the cold.
Male :Haan…
Male: Haan…
Female :Kitta varanum kulira thatti vidanum
Female: You must come close and ward off the cold.
Saelai onnu suthivitta
Even if an oil press is draped in a saree,
Sekka paarthu kooda kannadippae
You would wink at that oil press!
Oora maeyum pokka neeyum
Your habit of wandering around the town,
Vittu vidanum ippa vittu vidanum
You must drop it, you must drop it right now.
Vittu vidanum ippa vittu vidanum
You must drop it, you must drop it right now.
Ooril ulla pombalainga
All the women in this town,
En tholil yeri thulluthunga
Are jumping onto my shoulders!
Odamba nalla naanum ippo
So now I am taking good care of my body,
Thaethikiduren saththu yethikkiduren
I am strengthening myself and boosting my nutrients.
Thaethikiduren saththu yethikkiduren
I am strengthening myself and boosting my nutrients.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful duet features a humorously tense banter between a wife and her aging, flirty husband. The wife mockingly scolds him for his eye-wandering habits, claiming he would flirt with an oil press if it wore a saree. She urges him to act his age and reform before losing his dignity in the village.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Hyperbole / Idiomatic Humor
“Saelai onnu suthivitta Sekka paarthu kooda kannadippae”
Extravagant exaggeration used to criticize flirting habits—claiming he would wink at a inanimate wooden oil press (sekku) if wrapped in a saree.
Metaphor
“Vuttu soru naakku aluthiduchae”
Comparing domestic routine versus external temptations using the food metaphor 'Vuttu soru' (home rice) and 'Hotel soru' (hotel food).
Monai (Alliteration)
“Molla molla thanni oorum”
Repetition of initial consonant sound 'M' across adjacent words creating rhythmic harmony.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is composed by the musical duo Kannan-Latha for the 1986 film Pudhiya Poovithu. The playful vocal dynamics between Malaysia Vasudevan and S. P. Shailaja reflect a quintessential folk-pop duet style popular in mid-1980s Tamil cinema comedy tracks.
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