Thakkali Pazham Pola
From Karimedu Karuvayan · 1985
- Lyricist
- Thirupathooran
- Singer
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Karimedu Karuvayan1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Thakkaali pazham pola… | Like a ripe tomato... |
| Akaa maga raasaathi | The beloved, precious princess... |
| En kalyaanam nadandhaa avaloda | If my wedding happens, it will be with her, |
| Adhu illaatti naalu kazhudhaiyoda durraa… | Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys, Giddy-up! |
| Male | |
| Thakkaali pazham pola… | Like a ripe tomato... |
| Akaa maga raasaathi | The beloved, precious princess... |
| Thakkaali pazham pola… | Like a ripe tomato... |
| Akaa maga raasaathi | The beloved, precious princess... |
| En kalyaanam nadandhaa avaloda | If my wedding happens, it will be with her, |
| Adhu illaatti naalu kazhudhaiyoda | Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys, |
| En kalyaanam nadandhaa avaloda | If my wedding happens, it will be with her, |
| Adhu illaatti naalu kazhudhaiyoda durraa… | Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys, Giddy-up! |
| Male | |
| Thakkaali pazham pola… | Like a ripe tomato... |
| Akaa maga raasaathi | The beloved, precious princess... |
| Male | |
| Sondha bandham yedhum illae | I have no relatives or ties, |
| Sothu sogam thedavillae | I did not seek wealth or luxury, |
| Nenjoda naan valatha mulla | The jasmine plant I raised in my heart, |
| Konja thaan ippodhu illae | Is not here for me to cherish now, |
| Male | |
| Thirunaala kaanaama | Without seeing the grand festival, |
| Kuyil onnu pochu | A cuckoo bird has flown away, |
| Thiruvottu chaamikku | For this mendicant monk with a begging bowl, |
| Ini evanoda pechu | With whom can he speak anymore? |
| Udalukkul sumaiyaaga | As a heavy burden inside the body, |
| Ulavudhu moochu | The breath wanders aimlessly, |
| Ulagathil enakkulla ellaamae pochu | Everything I had in this world is gone, |
| Male | |
| Kadivaalam illaadha | Like an unbridled, |
| Kudhiraiya thaan | Wild horse, |
| Vala pottu pudikka | To lay a net and catch it, |
| Pala peru thaan | There are many people, |
| Kadivaalam illaadha | Like an unbridled, |
| Kudhiraiya thaan | Wild horse, |
| Vala pottu pudikka | To lay a net and catch it, |
| Pala peru thaan | There are many people, |
| Ada yedha cholluradhu | Ah, what to express and what to discard? |
| Yedha thalluradhu | Who was born capable of winning over this? |
| Yevan porandhu idha velluradhu | Like a ripe tomato... |
| Male | |
| Thakkaali pazham pola… | The beloved, precious princess... |
| Akaa maga raasaathi | If my wedding happens, it will be with her, |
| En kalyaanam nadandhaa avaloda | Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys, |
| Adhu illaatti naalu kazhudhaiyoda | If my wedding happens, it will be with her, |
| En kalyaanam nadandhaa avaloda | Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys... |
| Adhu illaatti naalu kazhudhaiyoda …. | Like a ripe tomato... |
| Male | |
| Thakkaali pazham pola… | The beloved, precious princess... |
| Akaa maga raasaathi | Every single day, |
| Male | |
| Dhenam thorum | We carry heavy burdens, |
| Somakkurom podhiya | Accursed fate written upon our heads, |
| Thala mela potta vidhiya | What profit is there in weeping or praying? |
| Azhudhenna thozhudhenna laabam | Even God did not show mercy on our pity, |
| Avanum thaan nenaikkala paavam | Injustice in the town, |
| Male | |
| Aniyaayam oorukkul | Has become the ruling authority, |
| Adhigaaram aachu | And so, conscience, |
| Adhukku thaan manasaatchi | Failed to accompany as a companion, |
| Thona pogalaachu | All the tigers are in cow skins, |
| Puli ellaam pasu tholil | Prowling around, my brother, |
| Ulavudhu thambi | The naive people, |
| Puriyaadha sanam ellaam | Worship them faithfully, |
| Vanangudhu nambi | The marital bliss of many women, |
| Male | |
| Pala pengal mana vaazhkka | Has been snatched away, |
| Pari ponadhu | Only the rich man's word, |
| Panakkaaran sollae thaan | Ascends the royal court, |
| Sabai yerudhu | The marital bliss of many women, |
| Pala pengal mana vaazhkka | Has been snatched away, |
| Pari ponadhu | Only the rich man's word, |
| Panakkaaran sollae thaan | Ascends the royal court, |
| Sabai yerudhu | Oh, I cannot swallow it, nor can I say it, |
| Ada mella mudiyala solla mudiyala | I cannot scoop up what has been spilled, |
| Kottiyadha naan alla mudiyala | Like a ripe tomato... |
| Male | |
| Thakkaali pazham pola… | The beloved, precious princess... |
| Akaa maga raasaathi | Like a ripe tomato... |
| Thakkaali pazham pola… | The beloved, precious princess... |
| Akaa maga raasaathi | If my wedding happens, it will be with her, |
| En kalyaanam nadandhaa avaloda | Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys, |
| Adhu illaatti naalu kazhudhaiyoda | If my wedding happens, it will be with her, |
| En kalyaanam nadandhaa avaloda | Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys... |
| Adhu illaatti naalu kazhudhaiyoda….. | Oh thannaanae thannannae |
| Male | |
| Ae thannaanae thannannae | Thannannaanae durra |
| Thannannaanae durra | Thannaanae thannannae thannannaanae |
| Thannaanae thannannae thannannaanae | Oh thannaanae thannannae thannannaanae |
| Ae thannaanae thannannae thannannaanae | Durra durra durra... |
| Durra durra durra… | |
தக்காளிப் பழம் போல....
ஹே ஏஹே ஹே
அக்கா மக ராசாத்தி
என் கல்யாணம் நடந்தா அவளோட
அது இல்லாட்டி நாலு கழுதையோட
டுர்ர்ர்....ஆஅ......
Like a ripe tomato...
The beloved, precious princess...
If my wedding happens, it will be with her,
Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys, Giddy-up!
தக்காளிப் பழம் போல
அக்கா மக ராசாத்தி
தக்காளிப் பழம் போல
அக்கா மக ராசாத்தி
Like a ripe tomato...
The beloved, precious princess...
Like a ripe tomato...
The beloved, precious princess...
If my wedding happens, it will be with her,
Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys,
If my wedding happens, it will be with her,
Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys, Giddy-up!
என் கல்யாணம் நடந்தா அவளோட
அது இல்லாட்டி நாலு கழுதையோட
என் கல்யாணம் நடந்தா அவளோட
அது இல்லாட்டி நாலு கழுதையோட
டுர்ர்ர்ர்ர்ர்ர்.....
Like a ripe tomato...
The beloved, precious princess...
தக்காளிப் பழம் போல
அக்கா மக ராசாத்தி
I have no relatives or ties,
I did not seek wealth or luxury,
The jasmine plant I raised in my heart,
Is not here for me to cherish now,
சொந்த பந்தம் ஏதும் இல்லே
சொத்து சொகம் தேடவில்லே
நெஞ்சோட நான் வளத்த முல்லை
கொஞ்சத்தான் இப்போது இல்லே
Without seeing the grand festival,
A cuckoo bird has flown away,
For this mendicant monk with a begging bowl,
With whom can he speak anymore?
As a heavy burden inside the body,
The breath wanders aimlessly,
Everything I had in this world is gone,
திருநாளக் காணாம
குயில் ஒண்ணு போச்சு
திருவோட்டுச் சாமிக்கு
இனி எவனோடு பேச்சு
Like an unbridled,
Wild horse,
To lay a net and catch it,
There are many people,
Like an unbridled,
Wild horse,
To lay a net and catch it,
There are many people,
Ah, what to express and what to discard?
Who was born capable of winning over this?
Like a ripe tomato...
உடலுக்குள் சுமையாக
உலவுது மூச்சு
உலகத்தில் எனக்குள்ள
எல்லாமே போச்சு
The beloved, precious princess...
If my wedding happens, it will be with her,
Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys,
If my wedding happens, it will be with her,
Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys...
Like a ripe tomato...
கடிவாளம் இல்லாத
குதிரையத்தான்
வலை போட்டு புடிக்க
பல பேருதான்
கடிவாளம் இல்லாத
குதிரையத்தான்
வலை போட்டு புடிக்க
பல பேருதான்
The beloved, precious princess...
Every single day,
அட எதைச் சொல்லுறது
எதை தள்ளுறது
எவன் பொறந்து இதை வெல்லுறது
We carry heavy burdens,
Accursed fate written upon our heads,
What profit is there in weeping or praying?
Even God did not show mercy on our pity,
Injustice in the town,
தக்காளிப் பழம் போல
அக்கா மக ராசாத்தி
Has become the ruling authority,
And so, conscience,
Failed to accompany as a companion,
All the tigers are in cow skins,
Prowling around, my brother,
The naive people,
Worship them faithfully,
The marital bliss of many women,
என் கல்யாணம் நடந்தா அவளோட
அது இல்லாட்டி நாலு கழுதையோட
என் கல்யாணம் நடந்தா அவளோட
அது இல்லாட்டி நாலு கழுதையோட
Has been snatched away,
Only the rich man's word,
Ascends the royal court,
The marital bliss of many women,
Has been snatched away,
Only the rich man's word,
Ascends the royal court,
Oh, I cannot swallow it, nor can I say it,
I cannot scoop up what has been spilled,
Like a ripe tomato...
தக்காளிப் பழம் போல
அக்கா மக ராசாத்தி
The beloved, precious princess...
Like a ripe tomato...
The beloved, precious princess...
If my wedding happens, it will be with her,
Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys,
If my wedding happens, it will be with her,
Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys...
Oh thannaanae thannannae
தெனம் தோறும்
சொமக்குறோம் பொதிய
தலை மேல போட்ட விதிய
அழுதென்ன தொழுதென்ன லாபம்
அவனும்தான் நெனைக்கல பாவம்
Thannannaanae durra
Thannaanae thannannae thannannaanae
Oh thannaanae thannannae thannannaanae
Durra durra durra...
அநியாயம் ஊருக்குள்
அதிகாரம் ஆச்சு
அதுக்குத் தான் மனசாட்சி
தொனை போகலாச்சு
புலி எல்லாம் பசுத்தோலில்
உலவுது தம்பி
புரியாத சனம் எல்லாம்
வணங்குது நம்பி
பல பெண்கள்
மண வாழ்க்கை பறி போனது
பணக்காரன் சொல்லேதான்
சபை ஏறுது
பல பெண்கள்
மண வாழ்க்கை பறி போனது
பணக்காரன் சொல்லேதான்
சபை ஏறுது
அட மெல்ல முடியல
சொல்ல முடியல
கொட்டியத நான் அள்ள முடியல
தக்காளிப் பழம் போல
அக்கா மக ராசாத்தி
தக்காளிப் பழம் போல
அக்கா மக ராசாத்தி
என் கல்யாணம் நடந்தா அவளோட
அது இல்லாட்டி நாலு கழுதையோட
என் கல்யாணம் நடந்தா அவளோட
அது இல்லாட்டி நாலு கழுதையோட
ஏ தன்னானே தன்னனே தன்னனானே
டுர்ர்ர்ர்ர்ர்ர்.....
ஏ தன்னானே தன்னனே தன்னனானே
ஏ தன்னானே தன்னனே தன்னனானே
டுர்ர்ர்ர்ர்ர்ர்..... டுர்ர்ர்ர்ர்ர்ர்..... டுர்ர்ர்ர்ர்ர்ர்.....அ
Thakkaali pazham pola…
Like a ripe tomato...
Akaa maga raasaathi
The beloved, precious princess...
En kalyaanam nadandhaa avaloda
If my wedding happens, it will be with her,
Adhu illaatti naalu kazhudhaiyoda durraa…
Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys, Giddy-up!
Thakkaali pazham pola…
Like a ripe tomato...
Akaa maga raasaathi
The beloved, precious princess...
Thakkaali pazham pola…
Like a ripe tomato...
Akaa maga raasaathi
The beloved, precious princess...
En kalyaanam nadandhaa avaloda
If my wedding happens, it will be with her,
Adhu illaatti naalu kazhudhaiyoda
Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys,
En kalyaanam nadandhaa avaloda
If my wedding happens, it will be with her,
Adhu illaatti naalu kazhudhaiyoda durraa…
Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys, Giddy-up!
Thakkaali pazham pola…
Like a ripe tomato...
Akaa maga raasaathi
The beloved, precious princess...
Sondha bandham yedhum illae
I have no relatives or ties,
Sothu sogam thedavillae
I did not seek wealth or luxury,
Nenjoda naan valatha mulla
The jasmine plant I raised in my heart,
Konja thaan ippodhu illae
Is not here for me to cherish now,
Thirunaala kaanaama
Without seeing the grand festival,
Kuyil onnu pochu
A cuckoo bird has flown away,
Thiruvottu chaamikku
For this mendicant monk with a begging bowl,
Ini evanoda pechu
With whom can he speak anymore?
Udalukkul sumaiyaaga
As a heavy burden inside the body,
Ulavudhu moochu
The breath wanders aimlessly,
Ulagathil enakkulla ellaamae pochu
Everything I had in this world is gone,
Kadivaalam illaadha
Like an unbridled,
Kudhiraiya thaan
Wild horse,
Vala pottu pudikka
To lay a net and catch it,
Pala peru thaan
There are many people,
Kadivaalam illaadha
Like an unbridled,
Kudhiraiya thaan
Wild horse,
Vala pottu pudikka
To lay a net and catch it,
Pala peru thaan
There are many people,
Ada yedha cholluradhu
Ah, what to express and what to discard?
Yedha thalluradhu
Who was born capable of winning over this?
Yevan porandhu idha velluradhu
Like a ripe tomato...
Thakkaali pazham pola…
The beloved, precious princess...
Akaa maga raasaathi
If my wedding happens, it will be with her,
En kalyaanam nadandhaa avaloda
Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys,
Adhu illaatti naalu kazhudhaiyoda
If my wedding happens, it will be with her,
En kalyaanam nadandhaa avaloda
Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys...
Adhu illaatti naalu kazhudhaiyoda ….
Like a ripe tomato...
Thakkaali pazham pola…
The beloved, precious princess...
Akaa maga raasaathi
Every single day,
Dhenam thorum
We carry heavy burdens,
Somakkurom podhiya
Accursed fate written upon our heads,
Thala mela potta vidhiya
What profit is there in weeping or praying?
Azhudhenna thozhudhenna laabam
Even God did not show mercy on our pity,
Avanum thaan nenaikkala paavam
Injustice in the town,
Aniyaayam oorukkul
Has become the ruling authority,
Adhigaaram aachu
And so, conscience,
Adhukku thaan manasaatchi
Failed to accompany as a companion,
Thona pogalaachu
All the tigers are in cow skins,
Puli ellaam pasu tholil
Prowling around, my brother,
Ulavudhu thambi
The naive people,
Puriyaadha sanam ellaam
Worship them faithfully,
Vanangudhu nambi
The marital bliss of many women,
Pala pengal mana vaazhkka
Has been snatched away,
Pari ponadhu
Only the rich man's word,
Panakkaaran sollae thaan
Ascends the royal court,
Sabai yerudhu
The marital bliss of many women,
Pala pengal mana vaazhkka
Has been snatched away,
Pari ponadhu
Only the rich man's word,
Panakkaaran sollae thaan
Ascends the royal court,
Sabai yerudhu
Oh, I cannot swallow it, nor can I say it,
Ada mella mudiyala solla mudiyala
I cannot scoop up what has been spilled,
Kottiyadha naan alla mudiyala
Like a ripe tomato...
Thakkaali pazham pola…
The beloved, precious princess...
Akaa maga raasaathi
Like a ripe tomato...
Thakkaali pazham pola…
The beloved, precious princess...
Akaa maga raasaathi
If my wedding happens, it will be with her,
En kalyaanam nadandhaa avaloda
Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys,
Adhu illaatti naalu kazhudhaiyoda
If my wedding happens, it will be with her,
En kalyaanam nadandhaa avaloda
Otherwise, let it be with four donkeys...
Adhu illaatti naalu kazhudhaiyoda…..
Oh thannaanae thannannae
Ae thannaanae thannannae
Thannannaanae durra
Thannannaanae durra
Thannaanae thannannae thannannaanae
Thannaanae thannannae thannannaanae
Oh thannaanae thannannae thannannaanae
Ae thannaanae thannannae thannannaanae
Durra durra durra...
Durra durra durra…
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This folk song from Karimedu Karuvayan (1985) captures a mixture of playful affection, heartbreak, and sharp social commentary. The protagonist opens with humorous folk hyperbole, declaring that he will either marry his beloved—whom he fondly compares to a bright red tomato—or settle for four donkeys. Behind this energetic rhythm lies a deeper sorrow of lost love and personal isolation, as he laments the absence of his beloved and compares his breath to a heavy burden wandering within his body. Beyond personal grief, the song turns into a critique of societal corruption and injustice. The lyricist Thirupathooran uses vivid rural metaphors, criticizing how treacherous individuals disguise themselves like 'tigers in cow skins' to deceive innocent villagers, while the wealthy easily dominate courts and ruin lives. The catchy folk refrains ('Thannaanae', 'Durra') juxtapose the underlying tragic realization that what has been ruined cannot easily be reclaimed.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamai (Simile)
“Thakkaali pazham pola…”
Compares the beloved girl's appearance and charm to a bright, ripe tomato ('Thakkaali pazham pola').
Uvamai / Idiom (Metaphor of Deceit)
“Puli ellaam pasu tholil”
Uses the image of tigers wearing cow skins ('Puli ellaam pasu tholil') to illustrate hypocrites and villains masquerading as innocent, virtuous people.
Ethiray (Assonance / Rhyme)
“Aniyaayam oorukkul / Adhigaaram aachu”
Rhyming scheme present in Tamil folk couplets, such as 'Sondha bandham' and 'Sothu sogam', or 'Aniyaayam' and 'Adhigaaram'.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kadivaalam illaadha Kudhiraiya thaan”
Compares an unguided, chaotic life or person to an unbridled horse ('Kadivaalam illaadha kudhirai').
Did you know?
Trivia
Karimedu Karuvayan is a 1985 Tamil action drama film starring Vijayakanth and Nalini, directed by Ram Shesadiri. The song lyrics penned by Thirupathooran blend authentic Tamil rural folk idioms with social commentary.
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