Uchi Malaiyil
From Kazhugumalai Kallan · 1988
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Mano, Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Chandrabose
- Details
- Kazhugumalai Kallan1988
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Oooho ooo….ooo….oo….oho | Oooho ooo....ooo....oo....oho |
| Ooo….ooo…..oo….ooo….oo…. | Ooo....ooo.....oo....ooo....oo.... |
| Female | |
| Uchchi malaiyil oor irukka | There is a town at the peak of the mountain, |
| Oorukulla thaer irukka | There is a grand chariot inside that town. |
| Thaerukkoru raasanaththaan thedumpothu | When looking for a king to ride that chariot, |
| Vekkam vittu koopidumaa poonthaeru | Will the flower-laden chariot set aside shyness and call out? |
| Thaerukkoru raasaa nee vaeraaru | You are the king for this chariot, who else could it be? |
| Male | |
| Uchchi malaiyil oor irukka | There is a town at the peak of the mountain, |
| Oorukulla thaer irukka | There is a grand chariot inside that town. |
| Thaeru oru raasanaththaan thaedumpothu | When the chariot searches for a king, |
| Thaedugira raasaavum naanalla | I am not the king you are searching for, |
| Kaaranaththa ennavendru naan solla | How can I explain the reason to you? |
| Female | |
| Thaththura thoththura chiththira chittu | You fluttering, hopping picturesque little bird, |
| Thottaal enna thoshamaa | Is it a flaw or sin if I touch you? |
| Oththaiyil nikkaiyil meththaiyil ittu | When standing alone, if I place you on a bed |
| Muththaadinaal paavamaa | And kiss you, is that a sin? |
| Male | |
| Vettaveli pottalilae….ae….ae….ae…ooo…. | In the open wasteland... ae... ae... ae... ooo... |
| Vettaveli pottalilae sutterikkum kaanalilae | In the open wasteland, under the scorching heat of a mirage, |
| Thanni kudikka enniyirukkum | Hoping to quench its thirst with water, |
| Maanukkoru mayakkamaa | Is the deer experiencing a delusion? |
| Female | |
| Uchchi malaiyil oor irukka | There is a town at the peak of the mountain, |
| Oorukulla thaer irukka | There is a grand chariot inside that town. |
| Thaerukkoru raasanaththaan thedumpothu | When looking for a king to ride that chariot, |
| Male :Thaedugira raasaavum naanalla | Male: I am not the king you are searching for, |
| Kaaranaththa ennavendru naan solla | How can I explain the reason to you? |
| Male | |
| Ippavum eppavum uppalam thannil | Now or ever, in a salty soil pan, |
| Papaali thaan kaaikkumaa | Can a papaya tree ever bear fruit? |
| Enniya ennamum enniya vannam | Can the thoughts and desires wished for |
| Ellaarkkumthaan vaaikkumaa | Be granted to everyone as imagined? |
| Female | |
| Nattanadu neththiyilae….ae….ae…ae… | Right in the middle of the forehead... ae... ae... ae... |
| Nattanadu neththiyilae pottezhuthi vachchavala | The girl who wears a bindi right in the middle of her forehead, |
| Kollaiyadikka kallan irukka | When a thief is ready to steal her heart, |
| Kaalam vanthu thadukkumaa | Will time step in and stop him? |
| Male | |
| Uchchi malaiyil oor irukka | There is a town at the peak of the mountain, |
| Oorukulla thaer irukka | There is a grand chariot inside that town. |
| Thaeru oru raasanaththaan thaedumpothu | When the chariot searches for a king, |
| Thaedugira raasaavum naanalla | I am not the king you are searching for, |
| Kaaranaththa ennavendru naan solla | How can I explain the reason to you? |
| Female | |
| Uchchi malaiyil oor irukka | There is a town at the peak of the mountain, |
| Oorukulla thaer irukka | There is a grand chariot inside that town. |
| Thaerukkoru raasanaththaan thedumpothu | When looking for a king to ride that chariot, |
| Vekkam vittu koopidumaa poonthaeru | Will the flower-laden chariot set aside shyness and call out? |
| Thaerukkoru raasaa nee vaeraaru….. | You are the king for this chariot, who else could it be? |
ஓஓஹோ ஓஒ.....ஓஒ.......ஓ.....ஓஹோ
ஓஒ.....ஓஒ.......ஓ.....ஓஒ.....ஓ....
Oooho ooo....ooo....oo....oho
Ooo....ooo.....oo....ooo....oo....
உச்சி மலையில் ஊர் இருக்க
ஊருக்குள்ள தேர் இருக்க
தேருக்கொரு ராசனத்தான் தேடும்போது
வெக்கம் விட்டு கூப்பிடுமா பூந்தேரு
தேருக்கொரு ராசா நீ வேறாரு
There is a town at the peak of the mountain,
There is a grand chariot inside that town.
When looking for a king to ride that chariot,
Will the flower-laden chariot set aside shyness and call out?
You are the king for this chariot, who else could it be?
உச்சி மலையில் ஊர் இருக்க
ஊருக்குள்ள தேர் இருக்க
தேரு ஒரு ராசனத்தான் தேடும்போது
தேடுகிற ராசாவும் நானல்ல
காரணத்த என்னவென்று நான் சொல்ல
There is a town at the peak of the mountain,
There is a grand chariot inside that town.
When the chariot searches for a king,
I am not the king you are searching for,
How can I explain the reason to you?
தத்துற தொத்துற சித்திரச் சிட்டு
தொட்டால் என்ன தோஷமா
ஒத்தையில் நிக்கையில் மெத்தையில் இட்டு
முத்தாடினால் பாவமா
You fluttering, hopping picturesque little bird,
Is it a flaw or sin if I touch you?
When standing alone, if I place you on a bed
And kiss you, is that a sin?
வெட்டவெளி பொட்டலிலே..ஏ......ஏ....ஏ....ஓஒ.....
வெட்டவெளி பொட்டலிலே சுட்டெரிக்கும் கானலிலே
தண்ணி குடிக்க எண்ணியிருக்கும்
மானுக்கொரு மயக்கமா
In the open wasteland... ae... ae... ae... ooo...
In the open wasteland, under the scorching heat of a mirage,
Hoping to quench its thirst with water,
Is the deer experiencing a delusion?
உச்சி மலையில் ஊர் இருக்க
ஊருக்குள்ள தேர் இருக்க
தேருக்கொரு ராசனத்தான் தேடும்போது
தேடுகிற ராசாவும் நானல்ல
காரணத்த என்னவென்று நான் சொல்ல
There is a town at the peak of the mountain,
There is a grand chariot inside that town.
When looking for a king to ride that chariot,
Male: I am not the king you are searching for,
How can I explain the reason to you?
இப்பவும் எப்பவும் உப்பளம் தன்னில்
பப்பாளி தான் காய்க்குமா
எண்ணிய எண்ணமும் எண்ணிய வண்ணம்
எல்லார்க்கும் தான் வாய்க்குமா
Now or ever, in a salty soil pan,
Can a papaya tree ever bear fruit?
Can the thoughts and desires wished for
Be granted to everyone as imagined?
நட்டநடு நெத்தியிலே....ஏ...ஏ...ஏ......
நட்டநடு நெத்தியிலே பொட்டெழுதி வச்சவள
கொள்ளையடிக்க கள்ளன் இருக்க
காலம் வந்து தடுக்குமா
Right in the middle of the forehead... ae... ae... ae...
The girl who wears a bindi right in the middle of her forehead,
When a thief is ready to steal her heart,
Will time step in and stop him?
உச்சி மலையில் ஊர் இருக்க
ஊருக்குள்ள தேர் இருக்க
தேரு ஒரு ராசனத்தான் தேடும்போது
தேடுகிற ராசாவும் நானல்ல
காரணத்த என்னவென்று நான் சொல்ல
There is a town at the peak of the mountain,
There is a grand chariot inside that town.
When the chariot searches for a king,
I am not the king you are searching for,
How can I explain the reason to you?
உச்சி மலையில் ஊர் இருக்க
ஊருக்குள்ள தேர் இருக்க
தேருக்கொரு ராசனத்தான் தேடும்போது
வெக்கம் விட்டு கூப்பிடுமா பூந்தேரு
தேருக்கொரு ராசா நீ வேறாரு.....
There is a town at the peak of the mountain,
There is a grand chariot inside that town.
When looking for a king to ride that chariot,
Will the flower-laden chariot set aside shyness and call out?
You are the king for this chariot, who else could it be?
Oooho ooo….ooo….oo….oho
Oooho ooo....ooo....oo....oho
Ooo….ooo…..oo….ooo….oo….
Ooo....ooo.....oo....ooo....oo....
Uchchi malaiyil oor irukka
There is a town at the peak of the mountain,
Oorukulla thaer irukka
There is a grand chariot inside that town.
Thaerukkoru raasanaththaan thedumpothu
When looking for a king to ride that chariot,
Vekkam vittu koopidumaa poonthaeru
Will the flower-laden chariot set aside shyness and call out?
Thaerukkoru raasaa nee vaeraaru
You are the king for this chariot, who else could it be?
Uchchi malaiyil oor irukka
There is a town at the peak of the mountain,
Oorukulla thaer irukka
There is a grand chariot inside that town.
Thaeru oru raasanaththaan thaedumpothu
When the chariot searches for a king,
Thaedugira raasaavum naanalla
I am not the king you are searching for,
Kaaranaththa ennavendru naan solla
How can I explain the reason to you?
Thaththura thoththura chiththira chittu
You fluttering, hopping picturesque little bird,
Thottaal enna thoshamaa
Is it a flaw or sin if I touch you?
Oththaiyil nikkaiyil meththaiyil ittu
When standing alone, if I place you on a bed
Muththaadinaal paavamaa
And kiss you, is that a sin?
Vettaveli pottalilae….ae….ae….ae…ooo….
In the open wasteland... ae... ae... ae... ooo...
Vettaveli pottalilae sutterikkum kaanalilae
In the open wasteland, under the scorching heat of a mirage,
Thanni kudikka enniyirukkum
Hoping to quench its thirst with water,
Maanukkoru mayakkamaa
Is the deer experiencing a delusion?
Uchchi malaiyil oor irukka
There is a town at the peak of the mountain,
Oorukulla thaer irukka
There is a grand chariot inside that town.
Thaerukkoru raasanaththaan thedumpothu
When looking for a king to ride that chariot,
Male :Thaedugira raasaavum naanalla
Male: I am not the king you are searching for,
Kaaranaththa ennavendru naan solla
How can I explain the reason to you?
Ippavum eppavum uppalam thannil
Now or ever, in a salty soil pan,
Papaali thaan kaaikkumaa
Can a papaya tree ever bear fruit?
Enniya ennamum enniya vannam
Can the thoughts and desires wished for
Ellaarkkumthaan vaaikkumaa
Be granted to everyone as imagined?
Nattanadu neththiyilae….ae….ae…ae…
Right in the middle of the forehead... ae... ae... ae...
Nattanadu neththiyilae pottezhuthi vachchavala
The girl who wears a bindi right in the middle of her forehead,
Kollaiyadikka kallan irukka
When a thief is ready to steal her heart,
Kaalam vanthu thadukkumaa
Will time step in and stop him?
Uchchi malaiyil oor irukka
There is a town at the peak of the mountain,
Oorukulla thaer irukka
There is a grand chariot inside that town.
Thaeru oru raasanaththaan thaedumpothu
When the chariot searches for a king,
Thaedugira raasaavum naanalla
I am not the king you are searching for,
Kaaranaththa ennavendru naan solla
How can I explain the reason to you?
Uchchi malaiyil oor irukka
There is a town at the peak of the mountain,
Oorukulla thaer irukka
There is a grand chariot inside that town.
Thaerukkoru raasanaththaan thedumpothu
When looking for a king to ride that chariot,
Vekkam vittu koopidumaa poonthaeru
Will the flower-laden chariot set aside shyness and call out?
Thaerukkoru raasaa nee vaeraaru…..
You are the king for this chariot, who else could it be?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a metaphorical romantic dialogue between two lovers. The female lead metaphorically compares herself to a flower-adorned chariot (Poonthaeru) waiting in a mountain town, eagerly inviting her lover to claim his place as the king. She openly expresses her affection and questions whether her longing and physical intimacy are sinful or natural.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uvameyam)
“Thaerukkoru raasanaththaan thedumpothu / Vekkam vittu koopidumaa poonthaeru”
The woman compares herself to a flower chariot (Poonthaeru) and her partner to the king (Raasaa) destined to ride it.
Analogy / Philosophical Imagery
“Ippavum eppavum uppalam thannil / Papaali thaan kaaikkumaa”
The male lead uses the image of attempting to grow papaya in a salt flat (Uppalam) to illustrate the impossibility of fulfilling impossible desires or unviable circumstances.
Anaphora (Refrain / Eduthukattu)
“Uchchi malaiyil oor irukka / Oorukulla thaer irukka”
The repetition of the opening lines ('Uchchi malaiyil oor irukka...') creates a rhythmic anchor throughout the dialogue structure of the song.
Alliteration & Rhyme (Emoni / Ethukai)
“Thaththura thoththura chiththira chittu”
Rhythmic wordplay using matching consonants and light-hearted tongue-twisters ('Thaththura thoththura chiththira chittu').
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the prolific poet Vaali for the 1988 movie 'Kazhugumalai Kallan', this song uses rural folk metaphors grounded in traditional Tamil imagery like mountain towns, chariots, and salt flats to construct a romantic back-and-forth narrative.
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