Sundara Travels
From Sundara Travels · 2002
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Sundara travels | Sundara Travels |
| Idhu manithanai kalakkum travels | This is a travels bus that stirs up people |
| Male | |
| Kalakkal vaaganam kalakka varuguthu | The fantastic vehicle is coming to rock |
| Kalakkum kadhaiyai kelu | Listen to its exciting story |
| Break pudichchathillai | The brakes have never worked |
| Horn adichchathillai | The horn has never sounded |
| Mudinjaa yaeri paaru | Board it if you can |
| Male | |
| Idhu purappattu vanthaa oorvalamthaan | If it starts moving, it looks like a procession |
| Posukkunnu ninnaa pothu koottamthaan | If it suddenly stops, a public crowd gathers |
| Periyavar mudhal kuzhanthaigal varai | From elders to young children |
| Kooththadikkum travels | A travels bus that makes everyone dance and celebrate |
| Male | |
| Sundara travels | Sundara Travels |
| Idhu manithanai kalakkum travels | This is a travels bus that stirs up people |
| Male | |
| Kalakkal vaaganam kalakka varuguthu | The fantastic vehicle is coming to rock |
| Kalakkum kadhaiyai kelu | Listen to its exciting story |
| Break pudichchathillai | The brakes have never worked |
| Horn adichchathillai | The horn has never sounded |
| Mudinjaa yaeri paaru | Board it if you can |
| Chorus | |
| …………….. | ... |
| Male | |
| Sariyaana neraththil idhu vanthu seraathu | It will never arrive on time |
| Aanaalum makkal idhanai edhir paarththu nirpaarkal | Even so, people stand waiting for it |
| Sila neram idhu engal maaligai polaagum | At times, it becomes like our mansion |
| Aanaalum adarkullaethaan eli vanthu kudiyaerum | But inside it, rats come and reside |
| Chorus | |
| Kaakkura pugaiyilae oozhalthaan | In the smoke it spews out, corruption... |
| Ada karuppaa maari poguthunga | Oh, it turns completely black |
| Corporation kaaran paarththu puttaa | If the Corporation inspector spots it |
| Summaa veratti adikkiraan paarunga | Look, he just chases and beats us up |
| Male | |
| Periyavar mudhal kuzhanthaigal varai | From elders to young children |
| Kooththadikkum travels | A travels bus that makes everyone dance and celebrate |
| Male | |
| Sundara travels | Sundara Travels |
| Idhu manithanai kalakkum travels | This is a travels bus that stirs up people |
| Male | |
| Kalakkal vaaganam kalakka varuguthu | The fantastic vehicle is coming to rock |
| Kalakkum kadhaiyai kelu | Listen to its exciting story |
| Break pudichchathillai | The brakes have never worked |
| Horn adichchathillai | The horn has never sounded |
| Mudinjaa yaeri paaru | Board it if you can |
| Male | |
| Nadamaadum veedaaga | As a mobile house |
| Idhu maari naalaachchi | It has been days since it turned into one |
| Aanaalum appo appothaan | Even then, only occasionally |
| Perukku bus aachchu | It serves as a bus just for name's sake |
| Pala peru vaazhkkaiyum | Many people's lives too |
| Idhu pola pazhuthaachchu | Have broken down just like this |
| Manithargal pola idhukkum | Just like humans, for this bus too |
| Nambikkai palamaachchu | Faith has become its strength |
| Male | |
| Police-kaaran paarththuputtaa | If the policeman spots it |
| Intha maamul thollai thaangalaiyae | This bribe harassment is unbearable |
| Male | |
| Kuraiyaa idhula edhuvum illai | There is no lack of flaws in this |
| Ada muraiya thavari ponathillai | Oh, it has never failed to go off track |
| Male | |
| Kuraiyaa idhula edhuvum illai | There is no lack of flaws in this |
| Ada muraiya thavari ponathillai | Oh, it has never failed to go off track |
| Male | |
| Ada kadavula nenachchi | Thinking of God |
| Ootturom naanga | We drive |
| Dhinamum intha thera | Every day, this temple chariot |
| Male | |
| Sundara travels | Sundara Travels |
| Idhu manithanai kalakkum travels | This is a travels bus that stirs up people |
| Male | |
| Kalakkal vaaganam kalakka varuguthu | The fantastic vehicle is coming to rock |
| Kalakkum kadhaiyai kelu | Listen to its exciting story |
| Break pudichchathillai | The brakes have never worked |
| Horn adichchathillai | The horn has never sounded |
| Mudinjaa yaeri paaru | Board it if you can |
| Male | |
| Idhu purappattu vanthaa oorvalamthaan | If it starts moving, it looks like a procession |
| Posukkunnu ninnaa pothu koottamthaan | If it suddenly stops, a public crowd gathers |
| Periyavar mudhal kuzhanthaigal varai | From elders to young children |
| Kooththadikkum travels | A travels bus that makes everyone dance and celebrate |
| Male | |
| Sundara travels | Sundara Travels |
| Idhu manithanai kalakkum travels | This is a travels bus that stirs up people |
சுந்தரா டிராவல்ஸ்
இது மனிதனை கலக்கும் டிராவல்ஸ்
Sundara Travels
This is a travels bus that stirs up people
கலக்கல் வாகனம் கலக்க வருகுது
கலக்கும் கதையை கேளு
ப்ரேக் புடிச்சதில்லை
ஹாரன் அடிச்சதில்லை
முடிஞ்சா ஏறி பாரு
The fantastic vehicle is coming to rock
Listen to its exciting story
The brakes have never worked
The horn has never sounded
Board it if you can
இது புறப்பட்டு வந்தா ஊர்வலம்தான்
பொசுக்குன்னு நின்னா போது கூட்டம்தான்
பெரியவர் முதல் குழந்தைகள் வரை
கூத்தடிக்கும் டிராவல்ஸ்
If it starts moving, it looks like a procession
If it suddenly stops, a public crowd gathers
From elders to young children
A travels bus that makes everyone dance and celebrate
சுந்தரா டிராவல்ஸ்
இது மனிதனை கலக்கும் டிராவல்ஸ்
Sundara Travels
This is a travels bus that stirs up people
கலக்கல் வாகனம் கலக்க வருகுது
கலக்கும் கதையை கேளு
ப்ரேக் புடிச்சதில்லை
ஹாரன் அடிச்சதில்லை
முடிஞ்சா ஏறி பாரு
The fantastic vehicle is coming to rock
Listen to its exciting story
The brakes have never worked
The horn has never sounded
Board it if you can
.................................
...
சரியான நேரத்தில் இது வந்து சேராது
ஆனாலும் மக்கள் இதனை எதிர் பார்த்து நிற்பார்கள்
சில நேரம் இது எங்கள் மாளிகை போலகும்
ஆனாலும் அதற்க்குள்ளேதான் எலி வந்து குடியேறும்
It will never arrive on time
Even so, people stand waiting for it
At times, it becomes like our mansion
But inside it, rats come and reside
காக்குற புகையிலே ஊழல்தான்
அட கருப்பா மாறி போகுதுங்க
கார்ப்பரேஷன்காரன் பார்த்து புட்டா
சும்மா வெரட்டி அடிக்கிறான் பாருங்க
In the smoke it spews out, corruption...
Oh, it turns completely black
If the Corporation inspector spots it
Look, he just chases and beats us up
பெரியவர் முதல் குழந்தைகள் வரை
கூத்தடிக்கும் டிராவல்ஸ்
From elders to young children
A travels bus that makes everyone dance and celebrate
சுந்தரா டிராவல்ஸ்
இது மனிதனை கலக்கும் டிராவல்ஸ்
Sundara Travels
This is a travels bus that stirs up people
கலக்கல் வாகனம் கலக்க வருகுது
கலக்கும் கதையை கேளு
ப்ரேக் புடிச்சதில்லை
ஹாரன் அடிச்சதில்லை
முடிஞ்சா ஏறி பாரு
The fantastic vehicle is coming to rock
Listen to its exciting story
The brakes have never worked
The horn has never sounded
Board it if you can
நடமாடும் வீடாக
இது மாறி நாளாச்சி
ஆனாலும் அப்போ அப்போதான்
பேருக்கு பஸ் ஆச்சு
பல பேரு வாழ்க்கையும்
இது போல பழுதாச்சு
மனிதர்கள் போல இதுக்கும்
நம்பிக்கை பலமாச்சு
As a mobile house
It has been days since it turned into one
Even then, only occasionally
It serves as a bus just for name's sake
Many people's lives too
Have broken down just like this
Just like humans, for this bus too
Faith has become its strength
போலீஸ்காரன் பார்த்துபுட்டா
இந்த மாமூல் தொல்லை தாங்கலையே
If the policeman spots it
This bribe harassment is unbearable
குறையா இதுல எதுவும் இல்லை
அட முறைய தவறி போனதில்லை
There is no lack of flaws in this
Oh, it has never failed to go off track
அட கடவுள நெனச்சி
ஓட்டுறோம் நாங்க
தினமும் இந்த தேர
There is no lack of flaws in this
Oh, it has never failed to go off track
சுந்தரா டிராவல்ஸ்
இது மனிதனை கலக்கும் டிராவல்ஸ்
Thinking of God
We drive
Every day, this temple chariot
கலக்கல் வாகனம் கலக்க வருகுது
கலக்கும் கதையை கேளு
ப்ரேக் புடிச்சதில்லை
ஹாரன் அடிச்சதில்லை
முடிஞ்சா ஏறி பாரு
Sundara Travels
This is a travels bus that stirs up people
இது புறப்பட்டு வந்தா ஊர்வலம்தான்
பொசுக்குன்னு நின்னா போது கூட்டம்தான்
பெரியவர் முதல் குழந்தைகள் வரை
கூத்தடிக்கும் டிராவல்ஸ்
The fantastic vehicle is coming to rock
Listen to its exciting story
The brakes have never worked
The horn has never sounded
Board it if you can
சுந்தரா டிராவல்ஸ்
இது மனிதனை கலக்கும் டிராவல்ஸ்
If it starts moving, it looks like a procession
If it suddenly stops, a public crowd gathers
From elders to young children
A travels bus that makes everyone dance and celebrate
Sundara Travels
This is a travels bus that stirs up people
Sundara travels
Sundara Travels
Idhu manithanai kalakkum travels
This is a travels bus that stirs up people
Kalakkal vaaganam kalakka varuguthu
The fantastic vehicle is coming to rock
Kalakkum kadhaiyai kelu
Listen to its exciting story
Break pudichchathillai
The brakes have never worked
Horn adichchathillai
The horn has never sounded
Mudinjaa yaeri paaru
Board it if you can
Idhu purappattu vanthaa oorvalamthaan
If it starts moving, it looks like a procession
Posukkunnu ninnaa pothu koottamthaan
If it suddenly stops, a public crowd gathers
Periyavar mudhal kuzhanthaigal varai
From elders to young children
Kooththadikkum travels
A travels bus that makes everyone dance and celebrate
Sundara travels
Sundara Travels
Idhu manithanai kalakkum travels
This is a travels bus that stirs up people
Kalakkal vaaganam kalakka varuguthu
The fantastic vehicle is coming to rock
Kalakkum kadhaiyai kelu
Listen to its exciting story
Break pudichchathillai
The brakes have never worked
Horn adichchathillai
The horn has never sounded
Mudinjaa yaeri paaru
Board it if you can
……………..
...
Sariyaana neraththil idhu vanthu seraathu
It will never arrive on time
Aanaalum makkal idhanai edhir paarththu nirpaarkal
Even so, people stand waiting for it
Sila neram idhu engal maaligai polaagum
At times, it becomes like our mansion
Aanaalum adarkullaethaan eli vanthu kudiyaerum
But inside it, rats come and reside
Kaakkura pugaiyilae oozhalthaan
In the smoke it spews out, corruption...
Ada karuppaa maari poguthunga
Oh, it turns completely black
Corporation kaaran paarththu puttaa
If the Corporation inspector spots it
Summaa veratti adikkiraan paarunga
Look, he just chases and beats us up
Periyavar mudhal kuzhanthaigal varai
From elders to young children
Kooththadikkum travels
A travels bus that makes everyone dance and celebrate
Sundara travels
Sundara Travels
Idhu manithanai kalakkum travels
This is a travels bus that stirs up people
Kalakkal vaaganam kalakka varuguthu
The fantastic vehicle is coming to rock
Kalakkum kadhaiyai kelu
Listen to its exciting story
Break pudichchathillai
The brakes have never worked
Horn adichchathillai
The horn has never sounded
Mudinjaa yaeri paaru
Board it if you can
Nadamaadum veedaaga
As a mobile house
Idhu maari naalaachchi
It has been days since it turned into one
Aanaalum appo appothaan
Even then, only occasionally
Perukku bus aachchu
It serves as a bus just for name's sake
Pala peru vaazhkkaiyum
Many people's lives too
Idhu pola pazhuthaachchu
Have broken down just like this
Manithargal pola idhukkum
Just like humans, for this bus too
Nambikkai palamaachchu
Faith has become its strength
Police-kaaran paarththuputtaa
If the policeman spots it
Intha maamul thollai thaangalaiyae
This bribe harassment is unbearable
Kuraiyaa idhula edhuvum illai
There is no lack of flaws in this
Ada muraiya thavari ponathillai
Oh, it has never failed to go off track
Kuraiyaa idhula edhuvum illai
There is no lack of flaws in this
Ada muraiya thavari ponathillai
Oh, it has never failed to go off track
Ada kadavula nenachchi
Thinking of God
Ootturom naanga
We drive
Dhinamum intha thera
Every day, this temple chariot
Sundara travels
Sundara Travels
Idhu manithanai kalakkum travels
This is a travels bus that stirs up people
Kalakkal vaaganam kalakka varuguthu
The fantastic vehicle is coming to rock
Kalakkum kadhaiyai kelu
Listen to its exciting story
Break pudichchathillai
The brakes have never worked
Horn adichchathillai
The horn has never sounded
Mudinjaa yaeri paaru
Board it if you can
Idhu purappattu vanthaa oorvalamthaan
If it starts moving, it looks like a procession
Posukkunnu ninnaa pothu koottamthaan
If it suddenly stops, a public crowd gathers
Periyavar mudhal kuzhanthaigal varai
From elders to young children
Kooththadikkum travels
A travels bus that makes everyone dance and celebrate
Sundara travels
Sundara Travels
Idhu manithanai kalakkum travels
This is a travels bus that stirs up people
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The title song of 'Sundara Travels' captures the hilarious, eccentric, and chaotic reality of the film's central attraction: a completely broken-down, ancient bus named 'Sundara Travels'. Driven by the protagonists played by Murali and Vadivelu, the bus doubles as their makeshift living space and sole source of livelihood. The lyrics humorously detail how the bus lacks basic functional parts like working brakes or horns, draws huge crowds whenever it stalls, and hosts uninvited guests like rats. Beneath the playful satire and slapstick humor lies a subtle philosophy about everyday struggles. The song compares the ramshackle bus to the lives of common people—hanging on purely by hope and faith despite constant harassment from authority figures, breakdowns, and poverty. Driven daily like a sacred temple chariot with prayers to God, the bus serves as a metaphor for resilience, optimism, and humor in the face of life's relentless hardships.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Idhu purappattu vanthaa oorvalamthaan / Posukkunnu ninnaa pothu koottamthaan”
Matching second consonants in successive lines create rhythmic flow (e.g., 'purappattu' and 'posukkunnu').
Monaai (Alliteration / Initial Rhyme)
“Kalakkal vaaganam kalakka varuguthu / Kalakkum kadhaiyai kelu”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'k' across words in the line.
Metaphor / Irony
“Dhinamum intha thera / Sila neram idhu engal maaligai polaagum”
Comparing a completely broken-down, dilapidated bus to a grand 'Ther' (temple chariot) and a 'Maaligai' (mansion).
Hyperbole (Exaggeration)
“Break pudichchathillai / Horn adichchathillai”
Exaggerating the condition of the bus for comedic effect (claiming brakes and horns have never worked).
Did you know?
Trivia
'Sundara Travels' (2002) is a popular Tamil comedy film directed by Thaha, starring Murali, Vadivelu, and Radha. It is an official remake of the 1997 Malayalam hit film 'Ee Parakkum Thalika'. The dynamic comedy duo of Murali and Vadivelu made the old bus an iconic pop-culture memory in Tamil cinema, and Vadivelu's comedic routines in and around the bus remain legendary.
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