Tholin Mele
From Ninaivellam Nithya · 1982
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Ninaivellam Nithya1982
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Hey …eeyyyy | Hey... eeyyyy |
| Hey …eeyyyy | Hey... eeyyyy |
| Eloo…eloooo.. | Eloo... eloooo.. |
| Eloo..elooo…elaelaeloooo…. | Eloo.. elooo... elaelaeloooo.... |
| Elaelaaloooo…. | Elaelaaloooo.... |
| Eloo…eloooo.. | Eloo... eloooo.. |
| Eloo..elooo…elaelaeloooo…. | Eloo.. elooo... elaelaeloooo.... |
| Elaelaaloooo…. | Elaelaaloooo.... |
| Hey …eeyyyy | Hey... eeyyyy |
| Male | |
| Tholin melae baaram illae | There is no burden on the shoulders |
| Kelvi ketka yaarum illae | There is no one to question us |
| Tholin melae baaram illae | There is no burden on the shoulders |
| Kelvi ketka yaarum illae | There is no one to question us |
| Chorus | |
| Ada maamaa maamaa.. | Hey uncle, uncle... |
| Maamaa Miyaa.. | Mamma Mia... |
| Nee aamaa aamaa…aasaamiyaa…. | You are an easygoing yes-man... |
| Ada maamaa maamaa.. | Hey uncle, uncle... |
| Maamaa Miyaa.. | Mamma Mia... |
| Nee aamaa aamaa…aasaamiyaa…. | You are an easygoing yes-man... |
| Male | |
| Tholin melae baaram illae | There is no burden on the shoulders |
| Kelvi ketka yaarum illae | There is no one to question us |
| Chorus | |
| Ye lae loo elae loo | Ye lae loo elae loo |
| Ye lae loo elae loo | Ye lae loo elae loo |
| Ye lae lae lae loo | Ye lae lae lae loo |
| Ye lae lae laeloo | Ye lae lae laeloo |
| Ye lae lae lae loo | Ye lae lae lae loo |
| Ye lae lae laeloo..yelaelooo.. | Ye lae lae laeloo..yelaelooo.. |
| Male | |
| {Logaththil yedhu yegaandam | What is solitary peace in this world? |
| Ini endrendum | From now on and forever |
| Perinbam engal vedhaandham | Supreme joy is our ultimate wisdom |
| Ithu ponmanjam} | This is a golden bed of luxury |
| Male | |
| Paadhai ellaam malliyappoo | Jasmine flowers strewn all along the path |
| Vaasam vandhaa yaar poruppu | Who is responsible if fragrance floats by? |
| Chorus :Paadhai ellaam malliyappoo | Chorus: Jasmine flowers strewn all along the path |
| Vaasam vandhaa yaar poruppu | Who is responsible if fragrance floats by? |
| Male | |
| Naam vaanam thottu | We are sparrows touching the sky |
| Vaazhum sittu | Living freely |
| Vaazhkaikkingae sattam illae | There are no rules for life here |
| Vaanaththin mel vattam illae | There is no boundary circle over the sky |
| Male | |
| Tholin melae baaram illae | There is no burden on the shoulders |
| Kelvi ketka yaarum illae | There is no one to question us |
| Chorus | |
| Ada maamaa maamaa.. | Hey uncle, uncle... |
| Maamaa Miyaa.. | Mamma Mia... |
| Nee aamaa aamaa…aasaamiyaa…. | You are an easygoing yes-man... |
| Male | |
| Hey…thararath thararath | Hey... thararath thararath |
| tharappptharapp…. | tharappptharapp.... |
| Male | |
| {Yaarukku naalai sondhamo | Who knows who owns tomorrow? |
| Yaar kandadhu | Who has ever seen it? |
| Naarukku maalai sondhamo | Does the flower garland belong to the string that ties it? |
| Yaar sonnadhu} (2) | Who said so? |
| Male | |
| Thaththuvangal thevai illae | Philosophies are not needed here |
| Sogam endraal enna vilae | What is the price of sorrow? |
| Chorus :Thaththuvangal thevai illae | Chorus: Philosophies are not needed here |
| Sogam endraal enna vilae | What is the price of sorrow? |
| Male | |
| Naan paadum patchi | I am a singing bird |
| Kaaman katchi | Belonging to the party of the Lord of Love |
| Kaatrukkoru kattam undo | Is there a boundary box for the wind? |
| Kadalukkendrum nashtam undo | Is there ever a loss for the vast sea? |
| Male | |
| Tholin melae baaram illae | There is no burden on the shoulders |
| Kelvi ketka yaarum illae | There is no one to question us |
| Tholin melae baaram illae | There is no burden on the shoulders |
| Kelvi ketka yaarum illae | There is no one to question us |
| Chorus | |
| {Ada maamaa maamaa.. | Hey uncle, uncle... |
| Maamaa Miyaa.. | Mamma Mia... |
| Nee aamaa aamaa…aasaamiyaa….} (3) | You are an easygoing yes-man... |
ஹே ஹே ஹே ஹே
ஹே ஹே ஹே ஹே
ஏலோ ஏலோ
ஏலோ ஏலோ ஏலேலேலோ ஏலேலேலோ
ஏலோ ஏலோ
ஏலோ ஏலோ ஏலேலேலோ ஏலேலேலோ
ஹே ஹே ஹே ஹே
Hey... eeyyyy
Hey... eeyyyy
Eloo... eloooo..
Eloo.. elooo... elaelaeloooo....
Elaelaaloooo....
Eloo... eloooo..
Eloo.. elooo... elaelaeloooo....
Elaelaaloooo....
Hey... eeyyyy
தோளின் மேலே பாரம் இல்லே
கேள்வி கேட்க யாரும் இல்லே
தோளின் மேலே பாரம் இல்லே
கேள்வி கேட்க யாரும் இல்லே
There is no burden on the shoulders
There is no one to question us
There is no burden on the shoulders
There is no one to question us
அட மாமா மாமா மாமா மியா
நீ ஆமா ஆமா ஆசாமியா
அட மாமா மாமா மாமா மியா
நீ ஆமா ஆமா ஆசாமியா
Hey uncle, uncle...
Mamma Mia...
You are an easygoing yes-man...
Hey uncle, uncle...
Mamma Mia...
You are an easygoing yes-man...
தோளின் மேலே பாரம் இல்லே
கேள்வி கேட்க யாரும் இல்லே
There is no burden on the shoulders
There is no one to question us
ஏலேலோ லேலேலோ ஏலேலோ
ஹே ஹே ஏலேலேலோ ஹே ஹே
Ye lae loo elae loo
Ye lae loo elae loo
Ye lae lae lae loo
Ye lae lae laeloo
Ye lae lae lae loo
Ye lae lae laeloo..yelaelooo..
{லோகத்தில் ஏது ஏகாந்தம்
இனி என்றென்றும்
பேரின்பம் எங்கள் வேதாந்தம்
இது பொன்மஞ்சம்} (2)
What is solitary peace in this world?
From now on and forever
Supreme joy is our ultimate wisdom
This is a golden bed of luxury
பாதையெல்லாம் மல்லியப்பூ
வாசம் வந்தா யார் பொறுப்பு
குழு :
பாதையெல்லாம் மல்லியப்பூ
வாசம் வந்தா யார் பொறுப்பு
Jasmine flowers strewn all along the path
Who is responsible if fragrance floats by?
Chorus: Jasmine flowers strewn all along the path
Who is responsible if fragrance floats by?
நாம் வானம் தொட்டு
வாழும் சிட்டு
வாழ்க்கைகிங்கே சட்டம் இல்லே
வானத்தின் மேல் வட்டம் இல்லே
We are sparrows touching the sky
Living freely
There are no rules for life here
There is no boundary circle over the sky
தோளின் மேலே பாரம் இல்லே
கேள்வி கேட்க யாரும் இல்லே
There is no burden on the shoulders
There is no one to question us
அட மாமா மாமா மாமா மியா
நீ ஆமா ஆமா ஆசாமியா
Hey uncle, uncle...
Mamma Mia...
You are an easygoing yes-man...
{யாருக்கு நாளை சொந்தமோ
யார் கண்டது
நாருக்கு மாலை சொந்தமோ
யார் சொன்னது} (2)
Hey... thararath thararath
tharappptharapp....
தத்துவங்கள் தேவை இல்லே
சோகம் என்றால் என்ன விலை
குழு :
தத்துவங்கள் தேவை இல்லே
சோகம் என்றால் என்ன விலை
Who knows who owns tomorrow?
Who has ever seen it?
Does the flower garland belong to the string that ties it?
Who said so?
நான் பாடும் பக்ஷி
காமன் கட்சி
காற்றுக்கொரு கட்டம் உண்டோ
கடலுக்கென்றும் நஷ்டம் உண்டோ
Philosophies are not needed here
What is the price of sorrow?
Chorus: Philosophies are not needed here
What is the price of sorrow?
தோளின் மேலே பாரம் இல்லே
கேள்வி கேட்க யாரும் இல்லே
I am a singing bird
Belonging to the party of the Lord of Love
Is there a boundary box for the wind?
Is there ever a loss for the vast sea?
{அட மாமா மாமா மாமா மியா
நீ ஆமா ஆமா ஆசாமியா} (3)
There is no burden on the shoulders
There is no one to question us
There is no burden on the shoulders
There is no one to question us
Hey uncle, uncle...
Mamma Mia...
You are an easygoing yes-man...
Hey …eeyyyy
Hey... eeyyyy
Hey …eeyyyy
Hey... eeyyyy
Eloo…eloooo..
Eloo... eloooo..
Eloo..elooo…elaelaeloooo….
Eloo.. elooo... elaelaeloooo....
Elaelaaloooo….
Elaelaaloooo....
Eloo…eloooo..
Eloo... eloooo..
Eloo..elooo…elaelaeloooo….
Eloo.. elooo... elaelaeloooo....
Elaelaaloooo….
Elaelaaloooo....
Hey …eeyyyy
Hey... eeyyyy
Tholin melae baaram illae
There is no burden on the shoulders
Kelvi ketka yaarum illae
There is no one to question us
Tholin melae baaram illae
There is no burden on the shoulders
Kelvi ketka yaarum illae
There is no one to question us
Ada maamaa maamaa..
Hey uncle, uncle...
Maamaa Miyaa..
Mamma Mia...
Nee aamaa aamaa…aasaamiyaa….
You are an easygoing yes-man...
Ada maamaa maamaa..
Hey uncle, uncle...
Maamaa Miyaa..
Mamma Mia...
Nee aamaa aamaa…aasaamiyaa….
You are an easygoing yes-man...
Tholin melae baaram illae
There is no burden on the shoulders
Kelvi ketka yaarum illae
There is no one to question us
Ye lae loo elae loo
Ye lae loo elae loo
Ye lae loo elae loo
Ye lae loo elae loo
Ye lae lae lae loo
Ye lae lae lae loo
Ye lae lae laeloo
Ye lae lae laeloo
Ye lae lae lae loo
Ye lae lae lae loo
Ye lae lae laeloo..yelaelooo..
Ye lae lae laeloo..yelaelooo..
{Logaththil yedhu yegaandam
What is solitary peace in this world?
Ini endrendum
From now on and forever
Perinbam engal vedhaandham
Supreme joy is our ultimate wisdom
Ithu ponmanjam}
This is a golden bed of luxury
Paadhai ellaam malliyappoo
Jasmine flowers strewn all along the path
Vaasam vandhaa yaar poruppu
Who is responsible if fragrance floats by?
Chorus :Paadhai ellaam malliyappoo
Chorus: Jasmine flowers strewn all along the path
Vaasam vandhaa yaar poruppu
Who is responsible if fragrance floats by?
Naam vaanam thottu
We are sparrows touching the sky
Vaazhum sittu
Living freely
Vaazhkaikkingae sattam illae
There are no rules for life here
Vaanaththin mel vattam illae
There is no boundary circle over the sky
Tholin melae baaram illae
There is no burden on the shoulders
Kelvi ketka yaarum illae
There is no one to question us
Ada maamaa maamaa..
Hey uncle, uncle...
Maamaa Miyaa..
Mamma Mia...
Nee aamaa aamaa…aasaamiyaa….
You are an easygoing yes-man...
Hey…thararath thararath
Hey... thararath thararath
tharappptharapp….
tharappptharapp....
{Yaarukku naalai sondhamo
Who knows who owns tomorrow?
Yaar kandadhu
Who has ever seen it?
Naarukku maalai sondhamo
Does the flower garland belong to the string that ties it?
Yaar sonnadhu} (2)
Who said so?
Thaththuvangal thevai illae
Philosophies are not needed here
Sogam endraal enna vilae
What is the price of sorrow?
Chorus :Thaththuvangal thevai illae
Chorus: Philosophies are not needed here
Sogam endraal enna vilae
What is the price of sorrow?
Naan paadum patchi
I am a singing bird
Kaaman katchi
Belonging to the party of the Lord of Love
Kaatrukkoru kattam undo
Is there a boundary box for the wind?
Kadalukkendrum nashtam undo
Is there ever a loss for the vast sea?
Tholin melae baaram illae
There is no burden on the shoulders
Kelvi ketka yaarum illae
There is no one to question us
Tholin melae baaram illae
There is no burden on the shoulders
Kelvi ketka yaarum illae
There is no one to question us
{Ada maamaa maamaa..
Hey uncle, uncle...
Maamaa Miyaa..
Mamma Mia...
Nee aamaa aamaa…aasaamiyaa….} (3)
You are an easygoing yes-man...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Tholin Melae Baaram Illae from Ninaivellam Nithya (1982) is a vibrant, youthful celebration of absolute freedom, uninhibited joy, and carefree living. Penned by Vairamuthu and set to music by Ilaiyaraaja, the track captures the energy of young minds rejecting societal anxieties, heavy philosophies, and artificial boundaries. The protagonist compares youth to sparrows flying high, wind blowing unhindered, and the sea that never faces loss. Through imagery of jasmine-scented paths, skies without boundaries, and living in present delight ( Perinbam ), the song dismisses worries about tomorrow. By blending global pop expressions like Mamma Mia with traditional Tamil folk refrains, the lyrics advocate for living life lightheartedly without carrying burdens on one's shoulders.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Tholin melae baaram illae / Kelvi ketka yaarum illae”
Matching end sounds ('illae') create a catchy, rhythmic musical cadence across lines.
Uvamai / Metaphor
“Naam vaanam thottu / Vaazhum sittu”
Compares youth to free sparrows touching the sky to denote boundless spirit.
Rhetorical Questioning
“Kaatrukkoru kattam undo / Kadalukkendrum nashtam undo”
Uses rhetorical queries to illustrate that true freedom and nature cannot be contained or bound.
Monorhyme & Phonetic Play
“Ada maamaa maamaa.. / Maamaa Miyaa.. / Nee aamaa aamaa…aasaamiyaa….”
Combines Italian pop expression 'Mama Mia' with Tamil rhymes like 'aasaamiyaa'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Ninaivellam Nithya (1982) features an iconic album by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. In this song, Ilaiyaraaja cleverly mixed Western pop phrases ('Mama Mia') with native Tamil folk chants ('Elae loo') and energetic vocal syncopation rendered effortlessly by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.
Keep listening
More from Ninaivellam Nithya
Ninaivellam Nithya
Ninaivellam Nithya
Ninaivellam Nithya
Ninaivellam Nithya
Ninaivellam Nithya