Thenalikku Ellam Bayam
From Thenali · 2000
- Lyricist
- Ilayakamban
- Singers
- Shankar Mahadevan, Clinton Cerejo
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Thenali2000
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Oooohoooo…yeah | Oooohoooo…yeah |
| Thenaali.. hooo… | Thenali.. hooo… |
| Male | |
| Thenaali yeah yeh | Thenali yeah yeh |
| Ivan bayathukku ingedhu veli | Where is the boundary for his fear? |
| Thenaali..yeah … yeh | Thenali..yeah … yeh |
| Ivan bayam thaan palarukku joli | His fear is a full-time job for many |
| Male | |
| Neruppal panju bayandhaal | If cotton fears fire |
| Veesum puyalaal poovum bayandhaal | If a flower fears the blowing storm |
| Adhu nyayamdhaan | That is completely justified |
| Chorus :Thenaali.. hooo… | Chorus :Thenali.. hooo… |
| Male | |
| Pagalaal iravu bayandhaal | If night fears the day |
| Parakkum parundhaal kuyilum bayandhaal | If the cuckoo bird fears the flying hawk |
| Adhu nyayamdhaan | That is completely justified |
| Chorus :Nyayamdhaan nyayamdhaan | Chorus :Justified, justified |
| Male | |
| Pesaadha oru pennum | Even a silent woman |
| Nindru kannaal kaniththu paarthaal | If she stands and judges you with her eyes |
| Bayam nyayamdhaan | Fear is completely justified |
| Chorus :Bayam nyayamdhaan | Chorus :Fear is justified |
| Male | |
| Naan dhaan | I am everything |
| Endraa manidhanai kandu | Seeing a man who boasts 'I am' |
| Gyanam bayandhu naluvinaal | If wisdom fears and slips away |
| Adhu nyayamdhaan | That is completely justified |
| Chorus :Ohooo..yeah | Chorus :Ohooo..yeah |
| Male | |
| Thenaalikku elaam bayamdhaan | Thenali is afraid of everything |
| Thenaalikku elaam bayam | For Thenali, everything is fear |
| Chorus :Thenaali … | Chorus :Thenali … |
| Male :Thenaalikku elaam bayamdhaan | Male :Thenali is afraid of everything |
| Thenaalikku elaam bayam | For Thenali, everything is fear |
| Male | |
| Thenaali yeah yeh | Thenali yeah yeh |
| Ivan bayathukku ingedhu veli | Where is the boundary for his fear? |
| Thenaali..yeah … yeh | Thenali..yeah … yeh |
| Ivan bayam thaan palarukku joli | His fear is a full-time job for many |
| Ohooo…. | Ohooo…. |
| Male | |
| Vaaa…navil thon…drudhae | A rain...bow ap...pears |
| Vaanavil thondruthae | A rainbow appears |
| Vannangal illaiyae | Yet there are no colors |
| Vaalibam karaindhu pogudhae | Youth is dissolving away |
| Vazhvin vannam maarudhae | The color of life changes |
| Male | |
| Thigil ennum theepori | A spark of fire called terror |
| Thendralai azhaikudhae | Invites the cool breeze |
| Thee anaikka ninaithaal | When trying to extinguish the fire |
| Deepaavali thondrudhae | A festival of lights appears like fireworks |
| Male | |
| Thaaimadi yeppodhadhi | When will mother's comforting lap be available? |
| Chorus :Ooo yeah ooo oo | Chorus :Ooo yeah ooo oo |
| Ow wow wow wow yeah | Ow wow wow wow yeah |
| Ooo yeah ooo oo | Ooo yeah ooo oo |
| Yeah yeah yeah yeh yeh….. | Yeah yeah yeah yeh yeh….. |
| Male | |
| Thenaalikku elaam bayamdhaan | Thenali is afraid of everything |
| Thenaalikku elaam bayam | For Thenali, everything is fear |
| Male | |
| Vinn….veli pogudhae | Outer... space moves away |
| Veesidum katrinil | In the blowing wind |
| Vinveli nagarndhu pogudhae | Outer space shifts and moves away |
| Idi ondru vizhundhaal | If a thunderbolt strikes |
| Ivan uyir udaiyudhae | His life shatters into pieces |
| Male | |
| Boomi ondru modhi | Colliding with the Earth |
| Imayamum nagarudhae | Even the Himalayas shift |
| Bayandhu ivan nadandhaal | When he walks with fear |
| Bhoomiyum adhirudhae | The Earth itself trembles |
| Ohh thaaimadi yeppodhadhi | Oh when will mother's comforting lap be available? |
| Male | |
| Thenaali yeah yeh | Thenali yeah yeh |
| Ivan bayathukku ingedhu veli | Where is the boundary for his fear? |
| Thenaali..yeah … yeh | Thenali..yeah … yeh |
| Ivan bayam thaan palarukku joli | His fear is a full-time job for many |
| Male | |
| Neruppal panju bayandhaal | If cotton fears fire |
| Veesum puyalaal poovum bayandhaal | If a flower fears the blowing storm |
| Adhu nyayamdhaan | That is completely justified |
| Chorus :Nyayam nyayam dhaan | Chorus :Justified, completely justified |
| Male | |
| Pagalaal iravu bayandhaal | If night fears the day |
| Parakkum parundhaal kuyilum bayandhaal | If the cuckoo bird fears the flying hawk |
| Adhu nyayamdhaan | That is completely justified |
| Chorus :Nyayamdhaan nyayamdhaan | Chorus :Justified, justified |
| Male | |
| Pesaadha oru pennum | Even a silent woman |
| Nindru kannaal kaniththu paarthaal | If she stands and judges you with her eyes |
| Bayam nyayamdhaan..ohoo | Fear is completely justified..ohoo |
| Chorus :Nyayamdhaan nyayamdhaan | Chorus :Justified, justified |
| Bayam nyayam dhaan | Fear is justified |
| Male | |
| Naan dhaan | I am everything |
| Endraa manidhanai kandu | Seeing a man who boasts 'I am' |
| Gyanam bayandhu naluvinaal | If wisdom fears and slips away |
| Adhu nyayamdhaan | That is completely justified |
| Chorus :Ohooo..yeah | Chorus :Ohooo..yeah |
| Male | |
| Thenaalikku elaam bayamdhaan | Thenali is afraid of everything |
| Thenaalikku elaam bayam | For Thenali, everything is fear |
| Thenaalikku elaam bayamdhaan | Thenali is afraid of everything |
| Thenaalikku elaam bayam | For Thenali, everything is fear |
ஓஓஹோ யே
தெனாலி ஹோ
Oooohoooo…yeah
Thenali.. hooo…
தெனாலி யே
யே இவன் பயத்துக்கு
இங்கேது வேலி தெனாலி
யே யே இவன் பயம் தான்
பலருக்கு ஜோலி
Thenali yeah yeh
Where is the boundary for his fear?
Thenali..yeah … yeh
His fear is a full-time job for many
நெருப்பால் பஞ்சு
பயந்தால் வீசும் புயலால்
பூவும் பயந்தால் அது
நியாயம் தான்
குழு :
தெனாலி ஹோ
If cotton fears fire
If a flower fears the blowing storm
That is completely justified
Chorus :Thenali.. hooo…
பகலால் இரவு
பயந்தால் பறக்கும்
பருந்தால் குயிலும்
பயந்தால் அது நியாயம்
தான்
குழு :
நியாயம் தான்
நியாயம் தான்
If night fears the day
If the cuckoo bird fears the flying hawk
That is completely justified
Chorus :Justified, justified
பேசாத ஒரு
பெண்ணும் நின்று
கண்ணால் கணித்து
பார்த்தால் பயம்
நியாயம் தான்
குழு :
பயம்
நியாயம் தான்
Even a silent woman
If she stands and judges you with her eyes
Fear is completely justified
Chorus :Fear is justified
நான் தான் என்ற
மனிதனை கண்டு ஞானம்
பயந்து நழுவினால்
அது நியாயம் தான்
குழு :
ஓஹோ யே
I am everything
Seeing a man who boasts 'I am'
If wisdom fears and slips away
That is completely justified
Chorus :Ohooo..yeah
தெனாலிக்கு
எல்லாம் பயம் தான்
தெனாலிக்கு எல்லாம்
பயம்
குழு :
தெனாலி
தெனாலிக்கு
எல்லாம் பயம் தான்
தெனாலிக்கு எல்லாம்
பயம்
Thenali is afraid of everything
For Thenali, everything is fear
Chorus :Thenali …
Male :Thenali is afraid of everything
For Thenali, everything is fear
தெனாலி யே
யே இவன் பயத்துக்கு
இங்கேது வேலி தெனாலி
யே யே இவன் பயம் தான்
பலருக்கு ஜோலி ஓஹோ
Thenali yeah yeh
Where is the boundary for his fear?
Thenali..yeah … yeh
His fear is a full-time job for many
Ohooo….
வானவில் தோன்றுதே
வானவில் தோன்றுதே
வண்ணங்கள் இல்லையே
வாலிபம் கரைந்து போகுதே
வாழ்வின் வண்ணம் மாறுதே
A rain...bow ap...pears
A rainbow appears
Yet there are no colors
Youth is dissolving away
The color of life changes
திகில் என்னும்
தீபொறி தென்றலை
அழைக்குதே தீ அணைக்க
நினைத்தால் தீபாவளி
தோன்றுதே
A spark of fire called terror
Invites the cool breeze
When trying to extinguish the fire
A festival of lights appears like fireworks
தாய்மடி எப்போதடி
குழு :
......................................
When will mother's comforting lap be available?
Chorus :Ooo yeah ooo oo
Ow wow wow wow yeah
Ooo yeah ooo oo
Yeah yeah yeah yeh yeh…..
தெனாலிக்கு
எல்லாம் பயம் தான்
தெனாலிக்கு எல்லாம்
பயம்
Thenali is afraid of everything
For Thenali, everything is fear
விண்வெளி போகுதே
வீசிடும் காற்றினில்
விண்வெளி நகர்ந்து
போகுதே இடி ஒன்று
விழுந்தால் இவன் உயிர்
உடையுதே
Outer... space moves away
In the blowing wind
Outer space shifts and moves away
If a thunderbolt strikes
His life shatters into pieces
பூமி ஒன்று மோதி
இமயமும் நகருதே
பயந்து இவன் நடந்தால்
பூமியும் அதிருதே ஓ
தாய்மடி எப்போதடி
Colliding with the Earth
Even the Himalayas shift
When he walks with fear
The Earth itself trembles
Oh when will mother's comforting lap be available?
தெனாலி யே
யே இவன் பயத்துக்கு
இங்கேது வேலி தெனாலி
யே யே இவன் பயம் தான்
பலருக்கு ஜோலி
Thenali yeah yeh
Where is the boundary for his fear?
Thenali..yeah … yeh
His fear is a full-time job for many
நெருப்பால் பஞ்சு
பயந்தால் வீசும் புயலால்
பூவும் பயந்தால் அது
நியாயம் தான்
குழு :
நியாயம்
நியாயம் தான்
If cotton fears fire
If a flower fears the blowing storm
That is completely justified
Chorus :Justified, completely justified
பகலால் இரவு
பயந்தால் பறக்கும்
பருந்தால் குயிலும்
பயந்தால் அது நியாயம்
தான்
குழு :
நியாயம் தான்
நியாயம் தான்
If night fears the day
If the cuckoo bird fears the flying hawk
That is completely justified
Chorus :Justified, justified
பேசாத ஒரு
பெண்ணும் நின்று
கண்ணால் கணித்து
பார்த்தால் பயம்
நியாயம் தான் ஓஹோ
குழு :
நியாயம் தான்
நியாயம் தான்
பயம் நியாயம் தான்
Even a silent woman
If she stands and judges you with her eyes
Fear is completely justified..ohoo
Chorus :Justified, justified
Fear is justified
நான் தான் என்ற
மனிதனை கண்டு ஞானம்
பயந்து நழுவினால்
அது நியாயம் தான்
குழு :
ஓஹோ யே
I am everything
Seeing a man who boasts 'I am'
If wisdom fears and slips away
That is completely justified
Chorus :Ohooo..yeah
தெனாலிக்கு
எல்லாம் பயம் தான்
தெனாலிக்கு எல்லாம்
பயம் தெனாலிக்கு
எல்லாம் பயம் தான்
தெனாலிக்கு எல்லாம்
பயம்
Thenali is afraid of everything
For Thenali, everything is fear
Thenali is afraid of everything
For Thenali, everything is fear
Oooohoooo…yeah
Oooohoooo…yeah
Thenaali.. hooo…
Thenali.. hooo…
Thenaali yeah yeh
Thenali yeah yeh
Ivan bayathukku ingedhu veli
Where is the boundary for his fear?
Thenaali..yeah … yeh
Thenali..yeah … yeh
Ivan bayam thaan palarukku joli
His fear is a full-time job for many
Neruppal panju bayandhaal
If cotton fears fire
Veesum puyalaal poovum bayandhaal
If a flower fears the blowing storm
Adhu nyayamdhaan
That is completely justified
Chorus :Thenaali.. hooo…
Chorus :Thenali.. hooo…
Pagalaal iravu bayandhaal
If night fears the day
Parakkum parundhaal kuyilum bayandhaal
If the cuckoo bird fears the flying hawk
Adhu nyayamdhaan
That is completely justified
Chorus :Nyayamdhaan nyayamdhaan
Chorus :Justified, justified
Pesaadha oru pennum
Even a silent woman
Nindru kannaal kaniththu paarthaal
If she stands and judges you with her eyes
Bayam nyayamdhaan
Fear is completely justified
Chorus :Bayam nyayamdhaan
Chorus :Fear is justified
Naan dhaan
I am everything
Endraa manidhanai kandu
Seeing a man who boasts 'I am'
Gyanam bayandhu naluvinaal
If wisdom fears and slips away
Adhu nyayamdhaan
That is completely justified
Chorus :Ohooo..yeah
Chorus :Ohooo..yeah
Thenaalikku elaam bayamdhaan
Thenali is afraid of everything
Thenaalikku elaam bayam
For Thenali, everything is fear
Chorus :Thenaali …
Chorus :Thenali …
Male :Thenaalikku elaam bayamdhaan
Male :Thenali is afraid of everything
Thenaalikku elaam bayam
For Thenali, everything is fear
Thenaali yeah yeh
Thenali yeah yeh
Ivan bayathukku ingedhu veli
Where is the boundary for his fear?
Thenaali..yeah … yeh
Thenali..yeah … yeh
Ivan bayam thaan palarukku joli
His fear is a full-time job for many
Ohooo….
Ohooo….
Vaaa…navil thon…drudhae
A rain...bow ap...pears
Vaanavil thondruthae
A rainbow appears
Vannangal illaiyae
Yet there are no colors
Vaalibam karaindhu pogudhae
Youth is dissolving away
Vazhvin vannam maarudhae
The color of life changes
Thigil ennum theepori
A spark of fire called terror
Thendralai azhaikudhae
Invites the cool breeze
Thee anaikka ninaithaal
When trying to extinguish the fire
Deepaavali thondrudhae
A festival of lights appears like fireworks
Thaaimadi yeppodhadhi
When will mother's comforting lap be available?
Chorus :Ooo yeah ooo oo
Chorus :Ooo yeah ooo oo
Ow wow wow wow yeah
Ow wow wow wow yeah
Ooo yeah ooo oo
Ooo yeah ooo oo
Yeah yeah yeah yeh yeh…..
Yeah yeah yeah yeh yeh…..
Thenaalikku elaam bayamdhaan
Thenali is afraid of everything
Thenaalikku elaam bayam
For Thenali, everything is fear
Vinn….veli pogudhae
Outer... space moves away
Veesidum katrinil
In the blowing wind
Vinveli nagarndhu pogudhae
Outer space shifts and moves away
Idi ondru vizhundhaal
If a thunderbolt strikes
Ivan uyir udaiyudhae
His life shatters into pieces
Boomi ondru modhi
Colliding with the Earth
Imayamum nagarudhae
Even the Himalayas shift
Bayandhu ivan nadandhaal
When he walks with fear
Bhoomiyum adhirudhae
The Earth itself trembles
Ohh thaaimadi yeppodhadhi
Oh when will mother's comforting lap be available?
Thenaali yeah yeh
Thenali yeah yeh
Ivan bayathukku ingedhu veli
Where is the boundary for his fear?
Thenaali..yeah … yeh
Thenali..yeah … yeh
Ivan bayam thaan palarukku joli
His fear is a full-time job for many
Neruppal panju bayandhaal
If cotton fears fire
Veesum puyalaal poovum bayandhaal
If a flower fears the blowing storm
Adhu nyayamdhaan
That is completely justified
Chorus :Nyayam nyayam dhaan
Chorus :Justified, completely justified
Pagalaal iravu bayandhaal
If night fears the day
Parakkum parundhaal kuyilum bayandhaal
If the cuckoo bird fears the flying hawk
Adhu nyayamdhaan
That is completely justified
Chorus :Nyayamdhaan nyayamdhaan
Chorus :Justified, justified
Pesaadha oru pennum
Even a silent woman
Nindru kannaal kaniththu paarthaal
If she stands and judges you with her eyes
Bayam nyayamdhaan..ohoo
Fear is completely justified..ohoo
Chorus :Nyayamdhaan nyayamdhaan
Chorus :Justified, justified
Bayam nyayam dhaan
Fear is justified
Naan dhaan
I am everything
Endraa manidhanai kandu
Seeing a man who boasts 'I am'
Gyanam bayandhu naluvinaal
If wisdom fears and slips away
Adhu nyayamdhaan
That is completely justified
Chorus :Ohooo..yeah
Chorus :Ohooo..yeah
Thenaalikku elaam bayamdhaan
Thenali is afraid of everything
Thenaalikku elaam bayam
For Thenali, everything is fear
Thenaalikku elaam bayamdhaan
Thenali is afraid of everything
Thenaalikku elaam bayam
For Thenali, everything is fear
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The title track 'Thenali' from the movie 'Thenali' introduces the protagonist's extreme phobia and anxiety toward almost everything in existence. Through vivid analogies, the song argues that fear is natural in the universe—just as cotton fears fire, flowers fear storms, and cuckoos fear hawks, Thenali's overwhelming fear is a realistic response to his past trauma.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Monostich / Second-letter Rhyme)
“Neruppal panju bayandhaal / Veesum puyalaal poovum bayandhaal”
The second letter 'ru'/'s' matches across lines: Neruppal / Veesum / Adhu in Tamil metrical structure.
Analogy / Metaphor
“Neruppal panju bayandhaal / Veesum puyalaal poovum bayandhaal”
Compares human fear to natural fears like cotton fearing fire or flowers fearing blowing storms.
Hyperbole
“Bayandhu ivan nadandhaal / Bhoomiyum adhirudhae”
Exaggerates the protagonist's fear to state that when he walks in fear, the Earth itself trembles.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although listed without music director in the prompt, the soundtrack for 'Thenali' (2000) was composed by A. R. Rahman. The film stars Kamal Haasan as a Sri Lankan Tamil patient suffering from multiple phobias due to civil war trauma.
Keep listening
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