Solai Malare
From Paattu Vaathiyar · 1995
- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Paattu Vaathiyar1995
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Mmm…mmm…mmm… | Mmm... mmm... mmm... |
| Ohoo…oohoo..oooo… | Ohoo... oohoo... oooo... |
| Ohoo…oohoo..oooo… | Ohoo... oohoo... oooo... |
| Male | |
| Solai malarae | Oh flower of the grove, |
| Nenjai thaalaattum neela kuyilae | Oh blue cuckoo that lulls the heart, |
| Naanum ungal jaadhi gaana kuyilae | I too am a singing cuckoo of your kind, |
| Gnyanam undu paada gaana kuyilae | A singing cuckoo with the musical wisdom to sing, |
| Unnai pola naanum koovi thiriven | Like you, I too will roam around cooing, |
| Uchchi malai meedhu thaavi thiriven | I will leap and wander atop the mountain peak, |
| Male | |
| Solai malarae | Oh flower of the grove, |
| Nenjai thaalaattum neela kuyilae..ae.. | Oh blue cuckoo that lulls the heart... |
| Solai malarae | Oh flower of the grove, |
| Male | |
| Vandhaarai vaazhai vaikkum | The land of refined Tamils, |
| Senthamizhar naadu | Which gives life and prosperity to all who come, |
| Vaththaadha paatu chelvam | A home where the unceasing wealth of song, |
| Vaazhnthidum veedu | Dwells forever, |
| Male | |
| Thennaattu graamam engum | Across every southern village, |
| Thendral ennum kaatru | The wind known as the gentle breeze, |
| Thenmaangu paadi chellum | Goes about singing folk tunes, |
| Thaalamum pottu | Marking the rhythm as it travels, |
| Male | |
| Yeththam ittu paada | To sing while lifting water from the well, |
| Paattum irukku | There is a song, |
| Yeru ketti paada | To sing while plowing with oxen, |
| Paattum irukku | There is a song, |
| Naathu nattu paada | To sing while planting paddy saplings, |
| Paattum irukku | There is a song, |
| Paattu thaanae paattan | Is not song itself our ancestral, |
| Soththu namakku | Inherited property? |
| Innaalum ennalum namm sellvangal..oo | Today and forever, these are our rich treasures... |
| Male | |
| Solai malarae | Oh flower of the grove, |
| Nenjai thaalaattum neela kuyilae | Oh blue cuckoo that lulls the heart, |
| Naanum ungal jaadhi gaana kuyilae | I too am a singing cuckoo of your kind, |
| Gnyanam undu paada gaana kuyilae | A singing cuckoo with the musical wisdom to sing, |
| Unnai pola naanum koovi thiriven | Like you, I too will roam around cooing, |
| Uchchi malai meedhu thaavi thiriven | I will leap and wander atop the mountain peak, |
| Male | |
| Solai malarae | Oh flower of the grove, |
| Nenjai thaalaattum neela kuyilae..ae.. | Oh blue cuckoo that lulls the heart... |
| Chorus | |
| …………………………. | [Interlude] |
| Male | |
| Sevvaanam bhoomi ellam | The red twilight sky and all the earth, |
| Nall varavu koorum | Extend a warm welcome, |
| Sangeetham paadikondu | When I arrive, |
| Naan varum neram | Singing melody and music, |
| Male | |
| Sillendru vaadai vandhu | A chill northern wind comes, |
| Ennai thottu odum | Touches me and rushes by, |
| Singaara-cholai ennmel | The beautiful garden upon me, |
| Poo mazhai thoovum | Showers a rain of blossoms, |
| Male | |
| Megam indha ooril | Clouds in this village, |
| Mannil varudhu | Descend upon the soil, |
| Moham konda mannai | Kissing the earth, |
| Muththam iduthu | Which is filled with longing, |
| Muththam kondadhaalae | Because of that divine kiss, |
| Muththu varudhu | Pearls of rain emerge, |
| Mottukkalai paarthaal | Looking at the tiny buds, |
| Mettu varudhu | A fresh melody flows, |
| Sittuppol poonchittuppol | Like sparrows, like sweet little sparrows, |
| Enn ennangal..oo | My thoughts take flight... |
| Male | |
| Solai malarae | Oh flower of the grove, |
| Nenjai thaalaattum neela kuyilae | Oh blue cuckoo that lulls the heart, |
| Naanum ungal jaadhi gaana kuyilae | I too am a singing cuckoo of your kind, |
| Gnyanam undu paada gaana kuyilae | A singing cuckoo with the musical wisdom to sing, |
| Unnai pola naanum koovi thiriven | Like you, I too will roam around cooing, |
| Uchchi malai meedhu thaavi thiriven | I will leap and wander atop the mountain peak, |
| Male | |
| Solai malarae | Oh flower of the grove, |
| Nenjai thaalaattum neela kuyilae..ae.. | Oh blue cuckoo that lulls the heart... |
| Solai malarae | Oh flower of the grove. |
ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
Mmm... mmm... mmm...
Ohoo... oohoo... oooo...
Ohoo... oohoo... oooo...
சோலை மலரே நெஞ்சை
தாலாட்டும் நீலக்குயிலே நானும்
உங்கள் ஜாதி கானக்குயிலே
ஞானம் உண்டு பாட கானக்குயிலே
உன்னைப் போல நானும் கூவி
திரிவேன் உச்சி மலை மீது
தாவி திரிவேன்
Oh flower of the grove,
Oh blue cuckoo that lulls the heart,
I too am a singing cuckoo of your kind,
A singing cuckoo with the musical wisdom to sing,
Like you, I too will roam around cooing,
I will leap and wander atop the mountain peak,
சோலை மலரே நெஞ்சை
தாலாட்டும் நீலக்குயிலே
சோலை மலரே
Oh flower of the grove,
Oh blue cuckoo that lulls the heart...
Oh flower of the grove,
வந்தாரை வாழ
வைக்கும் செந்தமிழர் நாடு
வத்தாத பாட்டுச் செல்வம்
வாழ்ந்திடும் வீடு
The land of refined Tamils,
Which gives life and prosperity to all who come,
A home where the unceasing wealth of song,
Dwells forever,
தென்னாட்டு கிராமம்
எங்கும் தென்றல் எனும் காற்று
தெம்மாங்கு பாடிச் செல்லும்
தாளமும் போட்டு
Across every southern village,
The wind known as the gentle breeze,
Goes about singing folk tunes,
Marking the rhythm as it travels,
ஏத்தம் இட்டுப் பாட
பாட்டும் இருக்கு ஏரு கட்டி
பாட பாட்டும் இருக்கு நாத்து
நட்டுப் பாட பாட்டும் இருக்கு
பாட்டுத்தானே பாட்டன்
சொத்து நமக்கு இந்நாளும்
எந்நாளும் நம் செல்வங்கள்
ஓ
To sing while lifting water from the well,
There is a song,
To sing while plowing with oxen,
There is a song,
To sing while planting paddy saplings,
There is a song,
Is not song itself our ancestral,
Inherited property?
Today and forever, these are our rich treasures...
சோலை மலரே நெஞ்சை
தாலாட்டும் நீலக்குயிலே நானும்
உங்கள் ஜாதி கானக்குயிலே
ஞானம் உண்டு பாட கானக்குயிலே
உன்னைப் போல நானும் கூவி
திரிவேன் உச்சி மலை மீது
தாவி திரிவேன்
Oh flower of the grove,
Oh blue cuckoo that lulls the heart,
I too am a singing cuckoo of your kind,
A singing cuckoo with the musical wisdom to sing,
Like you, I too will roam around cooing,
I will leap and wander atop the mountain peak,
சோலை மலரே நெஞ்சை
தாலாட்டும் நீலக்குயிலே
Oh flower of the grove,
Oh blue cuckoo that lulls the heart...
..............................
[Interlude]
செவ்வானம் பூமியெல்லாம்
நல்வரவு கூறும் சங்கீதம் பாடி
கொண்டு நான் வரும் நேரம்
The red twilight sky and all the earth,
Extend a warm welcome,
When I arrive,
Singing melody and music,
சில்லென்று வாடை
வந்து என்னைத் தொட்டு
ஓடும் சிங்காரச்சோலை
என் மேல் பூ மழைத் தூவும்
A chill northern wind comes,
Touches me and rushes by,
The beautiful garden upon me,
Showers a rain of blossoms,
மேகம் இந்த ஊரில்
மண்ணில் வருது மோகம்
கொண்ட மண்ணை முத்தமிடுது
முத்தம் கொண்டதாலே
முத்து வருது மொட்டுகளை
பார்த்தால் மெட்டு வருது
சிட்டுப்போல் பூஞ்சிட்டுப் போல்
என் எண்ணங்கள் ஓஓ
Clouds in this village,
Descend upon the soil,
Kissing the earth,
Which is filled with longing,
Because of that divine kiss,
Pearls of rain emerge,
Looking at the tiny buds,
A fresh melody flows,
Like sparrows, like sweet little sparrows,
My thoughts take flight...
சோலை மலரே நெஞ்சை
தாலாட்டும் நீலக்குயிலே நானும்
உங்கள் ஜாதி கானக்குயிலே
ஞானம் உண்டு பாட கானக்குயிலே
உன்னைப் போல நானும் கூவி
திரிவேன் உச்சி மலை மீது
தாவி திரிவேன்
Oh flower of the grove,
Oh blue cuckoo that lulls the heart,
I too am a singing cuckoo of your kind,
A singing cuckoo with the musical wisdom to sing,
Like you, I too will roam around cooing,
I will leap and wander atop the mountain peak,
சோலை மலரே நெஞ்சை
தாலாட்டும் நீலக்குயிலே
சோலை மலரே
Oh flower of the grove,
Oh blue cuckoo that lulls the heart...
Oh flower of the grove.
Mmm…mmm…mmm…
Mmm... mmm... mmm...
Ohoo…oohoo..oooo…
Ohoo... oohoo... oooo...
Ohoo…oohoo..oooo…
Ohoo... oohoo... oooo...
Solai malarae
Oh flower of the grove,
Nenjai thaalaattum neela kuyilae
Oh blue cuckoo that lulls the heart,
Naanum ungal jaadhi gaana kuyilae
I too am a singing cuckoo of your kind,
Gnyanam undu paada gaana kuyilae
A singing cuckoo with the musical wisdom to sing,
Unnai pola naanum koovi thiriven
Like you, I too will roam around cooing,
Uchchi malai meedhu thaavi thiriven
I will leap and wander atop the mountain peak,
Solai malarae
Oh flower of the grove,
Nenjai thaalaattum neela kuyilae..ae..
Oh blue cuckoo that lulls the heart...
Solai malarae
Oh flower of the grove,
Vandhaarai vaazhai vaikkum
The land of refined Tamils,
Senthamizhar naadu
Which gives life and prosperity to all who come,
Vaththaadha paatu chelvam
A home where the unceasing wealth of song,
Vaazhnthidum veedu
Dwells forever,
Thennaattu graamam engum
Across every southern village,
Thendral ennum kaatru
The wind known as the gentle breeze,
Thenmaangu paadi chellum
Goes about singing folk tunes,
Thaalamum pottu
Marking the rhythm as it travels,
Yeththam ittu paada
To sing while lifting water from the well,
Paattum irukku
There is a song,
Yeru ketti paada
To sing while plowing with oxen,
Paattum irukku
There is a song,
Naathu nattu paada
To sing while planting paddy saplings,
Paattum irukku
There is a song,
Paattu thaanae paattan
Is not song itself our ancestral,
Soththu namakku
Inherited property?
Innaalum ennalum namm sellvangal..oo
Today and forever, these are our rich treasures...
Solai malarae
Oh flower of the grove,
Nenjai thaalaattum neela kuyilae
Oh blue cuckoo that lulls the heart,
Naanum ungal jaadhi gaana kuyilae
I too am a singing cuckoo of your kind,
Gnyanam undu paada gaana kuyilae
A singing cuckoo with the musical wisdom to sing,
Unnai pola naanum koovi thiriven
Like you, I too will roam around cooing,
Uchchi malai meedhu thaavi thiriven
I will leap and wander atop the mountain peak,
Solai malarae
Oh flower of the grove,
Nenjai thaalaattum neela kuyilae..ae..
Oh blue cuckoo that lulls the heart...
………………………….
[Interlude]
Sevvaanam bhoomi ellam
The red twilight sky and all the earth,
Nall varavu koorum
Extend a warm welcome,
Sangeetham paadikondu
When I arrive,
Naan varum neram
Singing melody and music,
Sillendru vaadai vandhu
A chill northern wind comes,
Ennai thottu odum
Touches me and rushes by,
Singaara-cholai ennmel
The beautiful garden upon me,
Poo mazhai thoovum
Showers a rain of blossoms,
Megam indha ooril
Clouds in this village,
Mannil varudhu
Descend upon the soil,
Moham konda mannai
Kissing the earth,
Muththam iduthu
Which is filled with longing,
Muththam kondadhaalae
Because of that divine kiss,
Muththu varudhu
Pearls of rain emerge,
Mottukkalai paarthaal
Looking at the tiny buds,
Mettu varudhu
A fresh melody flows,
Sittuppol poonchittuppol
Like sparrows, like sweet little sparrows,
Enn ennangal..oo
My thoughts take flight...
Solai malarae
Oh flower of the grove,
Nenjai thaalaattum neela kuyilae
Oh blue cuckoo that lulls the heart,
Naanum ungal jaadhi gaana kuyilae
I too am a singing cuckoo of your kind,
Gnyanam undu paada gaana kuyilae
A singing cuckoo with the musical wisdom to sing,
Unnai pola naanum koovi thiriven
Like you, I too will roam around cooing,
Uchchi malai meedhu thaavi thiriven
I will leap and wander atop the mountain peak,
Solai malarae
Oh flower of the grove,
Nenjai thaalaattum neela kuyilae..ae..
Oh blue cuckoo that lulls the heart...
Solai malarae
Oh flower of the grove.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This blissful song celebrates the deeply ingrained musical heritage of Tamil culture, comparing the singer's musical soul to a free-spirited songbird roaming through nature. It honors how every traditional agricultural activity—from pulling well water to plowing fields and planting saplings—has its own folk melody, framing music as the ultimate inherited treasure passed down through generations. In the second stanza, the narrative turns to nature's inspiration, illustrating how the evening breeze, falling rain, and blooming buds spontaneously ignite artistic tunes and soaring thoughts within a passionate musician's heart.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moonaal / Alliteration
“Megam indha ooril / Mannil varudhu / Moham konda mannai / Muththam iduthu”
Repetition of initial consonant sound 'M' across consecutive lines (Megam, Mannil, Moham, Muththam, Mettu).
Upamai / Simile
“Sittuppol poonchittuppol / Enn ennangal..oo”
Direct comparison comparing human thoughts taking flight to cheerful sparrows ('Sittuppol poonchittuppol').
Anaphora / Repetition
“Yeththam ittu paada / Paattum irukku / Yeru ketti paada / Paattum irukku”
Rhythmic repetition of 'Paattum irukku' at the end of consecutive lines emphasizing the abundance of songs for every daily chore.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film Paattu Vaathiyar (1995) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, who also penned lyrics celebrating rural Tamil music culture and traditional songs associated with agriculture and daily life.
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