Thulli Varum Kaalai
From Mangala Vadhyam · 1979
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- M. S. Vishwanathan, S. Janaki
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Mangala Vadhyam1979
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aa….aa….aa…..aahaan | [Vocalizations] |
| Yaei…..yaei…..aahaa….aa….aa….aa….aahaa…. | [Vocalizations] |
| Female | |
| Thulli varum kaalai | A bouncing, prancing bull |
| Ponnai kanda velai | The moment it saw golden treasure |
| Ha kombi rendum saainthathu | Ah, both its horns tilted |
| Bodhaiyil enmael paainthathu | In intoxication, it pounced on me |
| Female | |
| Ha thulli varum kaalai | Ah, a bouncing, prancing bull |
| Ponnai kanda velai | The moment it saw golden treasure |
| Ha kombi rendum saainthathu | Ah, both its horns tilted |
| Bodhaiyil enmael paainthathu | In intoxication, it pounced on me |
| Male | |
| Amma….ennooru santhaiyilae | Oh my, in eight hundred markets |
| Maadu pidi sandaiyilae | In bull-taming fights |
| Idhu pola paarththathu illai | I have never seen something like this |
| Adhaiyum thuni pottu pidichchathu illai | Nor capturing it with a cloth over it |
| Male | |
| ……………… | [Instrumental break] |
| Male | |
| Aanaa naan tholu renda thattikittu | But I, patting both my shoulders |
| Jamaaipaen sallikkattu | Will excel in the bull-taming festival |
| Asal maatai vittu paaru | Leave the real bull aside and see |
| Unnai pola pasu maattai kattipodu | Tie up a cow like you instead |
| Male | |
| Poovaam poovaam puliyam poo | Flowers, oh flowers, tamarind flowers |
| Ponnuthaaikku thazhampoo | Fragrant screwpine flower for the bride-to-be |
| Kaayam kaayaam karuvakkaa | Unripe fruit, raw green fruit |
| Kanji kudichcha nellikkaai | A gooseberry enjoyed after drinking rice porridge |
| Female | |
| Ha thulli varum kaalai | Ah, a bouncing, prancing bull |
| Ponnai kanda velai | The moment it saw golden treasure |
| Ha kombi rendum saainthathu | Ah, both its horns tilted |
| Bodhaiyil enmael paainthathu | In intoxication, it pounced on me |
| Female | |
| Aa haa….. | Ah ha... |
| Male :Aa haa….. | Male: Ah ha... |
| Female :Aa haa….. | Female: Ah ha... |
| Male :Aa haa….. | Male: Ah ha... |
| Yae….hae….hae…haa…. | [Vocalizations] |
| Female | |
| Azhagaa irukkaen | I am beautiful |
| Ingayae nuzhanjaen | I entered right here |
| Idhil pazhakkam pudhusu | In this, the experience is new |
| Enakku unni pidikkuthaiyaa haa | I like you so much, sir |
| Female | |
| Azhagaa irukkaen | I am beautiful |
| Ingayae nuzhanjaen | I entered right here |
| Idhil pazhakkam pudhusu | In this, the experience is new |
| Enakku unni pidikkuthaiyaa haa | I like you so much, sir |
| Male | |
| Pattikkaattu seemaiyilae | In the rustic countryside |
| Kattipotta kannukkutti | A tethered calf |
| Sikkikkittae ingae vanthu | Got caught and came here |
| Naan thaedi vanthaen aasai kondu | I came seeking with desire |
| Male | |
| Yae pattikkaattu seemaiyilae | Hey, in the rustic countryside |
| Kattipotta kannukkutti | A tethered calf |
| Sikkikkittae ingae vanthu | Got caught and came here |
| Naan thaedi vanthaen aasai kondu | I came seeking with desire |
| Male | |
| Odi odi milaga araichchu | Running around grinding chili peppers |
| Onbathu moottaiyum soraakku | Cook nine sacks worth of rice |
| Aadipaadi nellukkuthi | Singing and dancing while pounding paddy |
| Pachcharisi soraakku | Cook raw rice |
| Female | |
| Thulli varum kaalai | A bouncing, prancing bull |
| Ponnai kanda velai | The moment it saw golden treasure |
| Ha kombi rendum saainthathu | Ah, both its horns tilted |
| Bodhaiyil enmael paainthathu | In intoxication, it pounced on me |
| Male | |
| Sariththaan kiliyae | All right, my parrot |
| Pudichchen pudiyai | I have gripped my hold |
| Adi vasamaa kidaichcha | Hey, you were caught conveniently |
| Ini unnai vidamaattan….hae | I won't let you go now |
| Female | |
| Kanni ponnu ooril undu | Young maidens exist in the village |
| Kattithangam noorum undu | A hundred pure gold blocks exist |
| Ennidaththil enna aasai | What desire do you have in me? |
| Yaen yaenguthaiyaa intha meesai | Why does this mustache yearn so? |
| Male | |
| Paakku vaippavan naanthaandi | I am the one who sets the wedding betel leaves |
| Parisam podavum naanthandi | I am the one who presents the bride price |
| Aa….kaakka vachchaval neethaandi | Ah, you are the girl who made me wait |
| Kaadhal vanthathu vanthaendi | Love has indeed arrived |
| Female | |
| Thulli varum kaalai | A bouncing, prancing bull |
| Ponnai kanda velai | The moment it saw golden treasure |
| Ha kombi rendum saainthathu | Ah, both its horns tilted |
| Bodhaiyil enmael paainthathu | In intoxication, it pounced on me |
| Female | |
| Yae….hae….aa….haa….. | [Vocalizations] |
| Male :Yae….hae….aa….haa….. | Male: [Vocalizations] |
| Female :Yae….hae….aa….haa….. | Female: [Vocalizations] |
| Male :Yae….hae….aa….haa….. | Male: [Vocalizations] |
ஆ....ஆ....ஆ....ஆஹான்
ஏய்......ஏய்......ஆஹா....ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆஹா...
[Vocalizations]
[Vocalizations]
துள்ளி வரும் காளை
பொண்ணைக் கண்ட வேளை
ஹ கொம்பு ரெண்டும் சாய்ந்தது
போதையில் என்மேல் பாய்ந்தது
A bouncing, prancing bull
The moment it saw golden treasure
Ah, both its horns tilted
In intoxication, it pounced on me
ஹ துள்ளி வரும் காளை
பொண்ணைக் கண்ட வேளை
ஹே கொம்பு ரெண்டும் சாய்ந்தது
போதையில் என்மேல் பாய்ந்தது
Ah, a bouncing, prancing bull
The moment it saw golden treasure
Ah, both its horns tilted
In intoxication, it pounced on me
அம்மா.....எண்ணூறு சந்தையிலே
மாடு பிடி சண்டையிலே
இது போல பார்த்தது இல்லை
அதையும் துணி போட்டு பிடிச்சது இல்லை
Oh my, in eight hundred markets
In bull-taming fights
I have never seen something like this
Nor capturing it with a cloth over it
........................
[Instrumental break]
ஆனா நான் தோலு ரெண்ட தட்டிகிட்டு
ஜமாயப்பேன் சல்லிக்கட்டு
அசல் மாட்டை விட்டுப் பாரு
உன்னைப் போல பசு மாட்டைக் கட்டிப்போடு
But I, patting both my shoulders
Will excel in the bull-taming festival
Leave the real bull aside and see
Tie up a cow like you instead
பூவாம் பூவாம் புளியம் பூ
பொன்னுத்தாய்க்கு தாழம்பூ
காயாம் காயாம் கருவக்கா
கஞ்சி குடிச்ச நெல்லிக்காய்
Flowers, oh flowers, tamarind flowers
Fragrant screwpine flower for the bride-to-be
Unripe fruit, raw green fruit
A gooseberry enjoyed after drinking rice porridge
பூவாம் பூவாம் புளியம் பூ
பொன்னுத்தாய்க்கு தாழம்பூ
காயாம் காயாம் கருவக்கா
கஞ்சி குடிச்ச நெல்லிக்காய்
Ah, a bouncing, prancing bull
The moment it saw golden treasure
Ah, both its horns tilted
In intoxication, it pounced on me
ஹ துள்ளி வரும் காளை
பொண்ணைக் கண்ட வேளை
கொம்பு ரெண்டும் சாய்ந்தது
போதையில் என்மேல் பாய்ந்தது
Ah ha...
Male: Ah ha...
Female: Ah ha...
Male: Ah ha...
[Vocalizations]
அ ஹா.....
அ ஹா.....
அ ஹா.....
அ ஹா.....
ஏ...ஹே.....ஹே ஹா.....
I am beautiful
I entered right here
In this, the experience is new
I like you so much, sir
அழகா இருக்கேன்
இங்கயே நுழைஞ்சேன்
இதில் பழக்கம் புதுசு
எனக்கு உன்னை பிடிக்குதயா ஹா
I am beautiful
I entered right here
In this, the experience is new
I like you so much, sir
அழகா இருக்கேன்
இங்கயே நுழைஞ்சேன்
இதில் பழக்கம் புதுசு
எனக்கு உன்னை பிடிக்குதய்யா ஹா
In the rustic countryside
A tethered calf
Got caught and came here
I came seeking with desire
பட்டிக்காட்டு சீமையிலே
கட்டிப்போட்ட கன்னுக்குட்டி
சிக்கிக்கிட்டே இங்கே வந்து
நான் தேடி வந்தேன் ஆசை கொண்டு
Hey, in the rustic countryside
A tethered calf
Got caught and came here
I came seeking with desire
ஏ பட்டிக்காட்டு சீமையிலே
கட்டிப்போட்ட கன்னுக்குட்டி
சிக்கிக்கிட்டே இங்கே வந்து
நான் தேடி வந்தேன் ஆசை கொண்டு
Running around grinding chili peppers
Cook nine sacks worth of rice
Singing and dancing while pounding paddy
Cook raw rice
ஓடி ஓடி மிளகா அரைச்சு
ஒன்பது மூட்டையும் சேறாக்கு
ஆடிப்பாடி நெல்லுக்குத்தி
பச்சரிசிச் சோறாக்கு.......
A bouncing, prancing bull
The moment it saw golden treasure
Ah, both its horns tilted
In intoxication, it pounced on me
துள்ளி வரும் காளை
பொண்ணைக் கண்ட வேளை
அகொம்பு ரெண்டும் சாய்ந்தது
போதையில் என்மேல் பாய்ந்தது
All right, my parrot
I have gripped my hold
Hey, you were caught conveniently
I won't let you go now
சரித்தான் கிளியே
புடிச்சேன் புடியை
அடி வசமா கிடைச்ச
இனி உன்னை விடமாட்டேன்..ஹே....
Young maidens exist in the village
A hundred pure gold blocks exist
What desire do you have in me?
Why does this mustache yearn so?
கன்னி பொண்ணு ஊரில் உண்டு
கட்டித்தங்கம் நூறும் உண்டு
என்னிடத்தில் என்ன ஆசை
ஏன் ஏங்குதையா இந்த மீசை
I am the one who sets the wedding betel leaves
I am the one who presents the bride price
Ah, you are the girl who made me wait
Love has indeed arrived
பாக்கு வைப்பவன் நான்தான்டி
பரிசம் போடவும் நான்தான்டி
ஆ.....காக்க வச்சவள் நீதான்டி
காதல் வந்தது வந்தேன்டி......
A bouncing, prancing bull
The moment it saw golden treasure
Ah, both its horns tilted
In intoxication, it pounced on me
துள்ளி வரும் காளை
பொண்ணைக் கண்ட வேளை
கொம்பு ரெண்டும் சாய்ந்தது
போதையில் என்மேல் பாய்ந்தது
[Vocalizations]
Male: [Vocalizations]
Female: [Vocalizations]
Male: [Vocalizations]
ஏ... ஹே..... அ ஹா....
ஏ... ஹே..... அ ஹா....
ஏ... ஹே..... அ ஹா....
ஏ... ஹே..... அ ஹா....
Aa….aa….aa…..aahaan
[Vocalizations]
Yaei…..yaei…..aahaa….aa….aa….aa….aahaa….
[Vocalizations]
Thulli varum kaalai
A bouncing, prancing bull
Ponnai kanda velai
The moment it saw golden treasure
Ha kombi rendum saainthathu
Ah, both its horns tilted
Bodhaiyil enmael paainthathu
In intoxication, it pounced on me
Ha thulli varum kaalai
Ah, a bouncing, prancing bull
Ponnai kanda velai
The moment it saw golden treasure
Ha kombi rendum saainthathu
Ah, both its horns tilted
Bodhaiyil enmael paainthathu
In intoxication, it pounced on me
Amma….ennooru santhaiyilae
Oh my, in eight hundred markets
Maadu pidi sandaiyilae
In bull-taming fights
Idhu pola paarththathu illai
I have never seen something like this
Adhaiyum thuni pottu pidichchathu illai
Nor capturing it with a cloth over it
………………
[Instrumental break]
Aanaa naan tholu renda thattikittu
But I, patting both my shoulders
Jamaaipaen sallikkattu
Will excel in the bull-taming festival
Asal maatai vittu paaru
Leave the real bull aside and see
Unnai pola pasu maattai kattipodu
Tie up a cow like you instead
Poovaam poovaam puliyam poo
Flowers, oh flowers, tamarind flowers
Ponnuthaaikku thazhampoo
Fragrant screwpine flower for the bride-to-be
Kaayam kaayaam karuvakkaa
Unripe fruit, raw green fruit
Kanji kudichcha nellikkaai
A gooseberry enjoyed after drinking rice porridge
Ha thulli varum kaalai
Ah, a bouncing, prancing bull
Ponnai kanda velai
The moment it saw golden treasure
Ha kombi rendum saainthathu
Ah, both its horns tilted
Bodhaiyil enmael paainthathu
In intoxication, it pounced on me
Aa haa…..
Ah ha...
Male :Aa haa…..
Male: Ah ha...
Female :Aa haa…..
Female: Ah ha...
Male :Aa haa…..
Male: Ah ha...
Yae….hae….hae…haa….
[Vocalizations]
Azhagaa irukkaen
I am beautiful
Ingayae nuzhanjaen
I entered right here
Idhil pazhakkam pudhusu
In this, the experience is new
Enakku unni pidikkuthaiyaa haa
I like you so much, sir
Azhagaa irukkaen
I am beautiful
Ingayae nuzhanjaen
I entered right here
Idhil pazhakkam pudhusu
In this, the experience is new
Enakku unni pidikkuthaiyaa haa
I like you so much, sir
Pattikkaattu seemaiyilae
In the rustic countryside
Kattipotta kannukkutti
A tethered calf
Sikkikkittae ingae vanthu
Got caught and came here
Naan thaedi vanthaen aasai kondu
I came seeking with desire
Yae pattikkaattu seemaiyilae
Hey, in the rustic countryside
Kattipotta kannukkutti
A tethered calf
Sikkikkittae ingae vanthu
Got caught and came here
Naan thaedi vanthaen aasai kondu
I came seeking with desire
Odi odi milaga araichchu
Running around grinding chili peppers
Onbathu moottaiyum soraakku
Cook nine sacks worth of rice
Aadipaadi nellukkuthi
Singing and dancing while pounding paddy
Pachcharisi soraakku
Cook raw rice
Thulli varum kaalai
A bouncing, prancing bull
Ponnai kanda velai
The moment it saw golden treasure
Ha kombi rendum saainthathu
Ah, both its horns tilted
Bodhaiyil enmael paainthathu
In intoxication, it pounced on me
Sariththaan kiliyae
All right, my parrot
Pudichchen pudiyai
I have gripped my hold
Adi vasamaa kidaichcha
Hey, you were caught conveniently
Ini unnai vidamaattan….hae
I won't let you go now
Kanni ponnu ooril undu
Young maidens exist in the village
Kattithangam noorum undu
A hundred pure gold blocks exist
Ennidaththil enna aasai
What desire do you have in me?
Yaen yaenguthaiyaa intha meesai
Why does this mustache yearn so?
Paakku vaippavan naanthaandi
I am the one who sets the wedding betel leaves
Parisam podavum naanthandi
I am the one who presents the bride price
Aa….kaakka vachchaval neethaandi
Ah, you are the girl who made me wait
Kaadhal vanthathu vanthaendi
Love has indeed arrived
Thulli varum kaalai
A bouncing, prancing bull
Ponnai kanda velai
The moment it saw golden treasure
Ha kombi rendum saainthathu
Ah, both its horns tilted
Bodhaiyil enmael paainthathu
In intoxication, it pounced on me
Yae….hae….aa….haa…..
[Vocalizations]
Male :Yae….hae….aa….haa…..
Male: [Vocalizations]
Female :Yae….hae….aa….haa…..
Female: [Vocalizations]
Male :Yae….hae….aa….haa…..
Male: [Vocalizations]
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Thulli Varum Kaalai' is a playful rural romantic duet from the film Mangala Vadhyam (1979), composed and sung by M. S. Viswanathan alongside S. Janaki, with lyrics by Kannadasan. The song cleverly employs metaphors from Tamil folk traditions and bull-taming (Jallikattu / Sallikkattu) to portray the romantic tension and flirtatious banter between a young man and woman. The male protagonist is likened to a energetic, playful bull, while the female counterpart responds with affectionate teasing, weaving imagery of village life, local foods, and traditional marriage customs like setting betel leaves (Paakku vaippavan) and paying bride price (Parisam).
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamai (Metaphor / Allegory)
“Thulli varum kaalai / Ponnai kanda velai”
The romantic attraction and energetic male lover are metaphorically represented as an intoxicated bull ('Thulli varum kaalai') charging at golden treasure.
Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Kanni ponnu ooril undu / Kattithangam noorum undu”
The second letter 'n' matches in 'Kanni' and 'Katti', creating internal rhyming harmony across lines.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Paakku vaippavan naanthaandi / Parisam podavum naanthandi”
End rhyming of 'naanthaandi' in consecutive lines emphasizes the protagonist's commitment to marriage rituals.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by M. S. Viswanathan, this song showcases MSV's distinct vocal style blending folk rhythm with energetic vocalizations alongside S. Janaki's expressive playback singing. Lyricist Kannadasan uses folk dialect and rhythmic folk chants ('Poovaam poovaam puliyam poo') to give the song an authentic village flavor.
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