Ulundhu Vithakkaiyilae
From Mudhalvan · 1999
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Srinivas, Swarnalatha
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Mudhalvan1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| {Hey lae lae hey hey hey | Hey lae lae hey hey hey |
| Hey hey hey lae hey lae hey} (2) | Hey hey hey lae hey lae hey |
| Female | |
| {Ulundhu vedhakkayilae | While sowing black gram seeds |
| Suththi oodha kaathu adikkayilae | While the swirling wind blows around |
| Naan appanukku kanji kondu | Taking rice porridge for my father |
| Aathumedu thaandi ponen | I crossed the riverbank hillock |
| Kanda nalla nalla sagunathil | Seeing all the wonderful good omens |
| Nenjukkuzhi poothu ponen} (2) | My heart blossomed with joy |
| Female | |
| Vekkappadappil kavuli kaththa | When a lizard chirped near the haystack |
| Valadhu pakkam garudan koththa | When a kite swooped on the right side |
| Theruvoram nerakudam paarkkavum | Seeing a filled water pot by the roadside |
| Manichaththam ketkavum aanadhae | And hearing the chime of bells |
| Female | |
| Oru pookkaari yedhukka vara | When a flower-seller woman came towards me |
| Pasum paalmaadu kadakkiradhae | And a milch cow crossed my path |
| Ini yennaaghumo yedhaaghumo | What will happen now, what will unfold? |
| Indha sirukki vazhiyil | In this young girl's path |
| Deivam pugundhu varam tharumo | Will God step in and grant a boon? |
| Female | |
| Ulundhu vedhakkayilae | While sowing black gram seeds |
| Suththi oodha kaathu adikkayilae | While the swirling wind blows around |
| Naan appanukku kanji kondu | Taking rice porridge for my father |
| Aathumedu thaandi ponen | I crossed the riverbank hillock |
| Kanda nalla nalla sagunathil | Seeing all the wonderful good omens |
| Nenjukkuzhi poothu ponen | My heart blossomed with joy |
| Male | |
| {Anichcha malar azhagae | Oh beauty like the delicate Anicham flower |
| Achchu achchu vella pechazhagae | Oh beauty with sweet sugarcane-like speech |
| En kannukkulla koodu katti | Building a nest inside my eyes |
| Kaadhukkulla koovum kuyilae | Oh cuckoo bird singing in my ears |
| Nee ettiyetti pogayila | When you walk away further and further |
| Vittuvittu pogum uyirae} (2) | My life breath leaves and comes back in ebbs |
| Male | |
| Oru thadava izhuththu anachabadi | Holding and hugging me tight just once |
| Uyir moocha niruthu kanmaniyae | Stop my breath of life, my darling |
| Female : Un mudhugu tholachi veliyera | Female: Piercing through your back to come out |
| Innum konjam irukku yennavanae | There is still a bit left, my beloved man |
| Male | |
| Mazhai adikkum siru pechu | A brief word brings rain |
| Veyil adikkum maru paarva | A glance back brings sunshine |
| Odambu mannil pudhaiyira varaiyil | Until our bodies are buried in the earth |
| Udan vara koodumo…. | Will you accompany me all the way? |
| Female | |
| Usur yennoda irukkaiyila | While my life breath is still with me |
| Nee mannodu povadhengae | Where are you going into the earth? |
| Ada unsevanae naan illaiyaa | Am I not your devoted servant? |
| Kolla vandha maranam kooda kolambum aiyaa….. | Even Death coming to kill would be confused, my lord |
| Male | |
| Kurukku chiruthavalae | Oh girl with the slender waist |
| Enna kungumathil karachavalae | Oh girl who dissolved me in vermilion |
| Nenjil manja thechi kulikkayil | When you apply turmeric on your chest and bathe |
| Enna konjam poosu thaayae | Smear me a little too, my lady |
| Kolusukku maniyaaga | As a tiny bell in your anklets |
| Enna konjam maathu thaayae | Transform me a bit, my lady |
| Female | |
| Oru kannil neer kasiya | Tears trickling from one eye |
| Udhattu vazhi usir kasiya | Life breath leaking through the lips |
| Onnaala sila murai irakkavum | Because of you, dying a few times |
| Sila murai pirakkavum aanadhae | And being reborn a few times has happened |
| Female | |
| Ada aaththoda vizhundha yela | Like a leaf fallen into the river |
| Andha aaththoda povadhu pol | Floating away along with that river |
| Nenju onnodudhaan pinnodudhae | My heart runs right behind you |
| Ada kaalam marandhu | Forgetting time itself |
| Kaattu maramum pookkiradhae | Even the wild forest tree blossoms |
| Male | |
| Kurukku chiruthavalae | Oh girl with the slender waist |
| Enna kungumathil karachavalae | Oh girl who dissolved me in vermilion |
| Nenjil manja thechi kulikkayil | When applying turmeric on the chest and bathing |
| Enna konjam | Smear me a little |
| Female :Poosuvaiiyaa… | Female: Smear me, my lord... |
| Male | |
| Kolusukku maniyaaga | As a tiny bell in the anklets |
| Enna konjam | Transform me a little |
| Female :Maathuvaiiyaa… | Female: Transform me, my lord... |
| Chorus | |
| Oh oh oh oh | Oh oh oh oh |
| Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm | Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm |
| Oh oh oh oh | Oh oh oh oh |
| Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm | Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm |
| Oh oh oh oh | Oh oh oh oh |
| Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm | Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm |
| Oh oh oh oh | Oh oh oh oh |
| Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm | Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm |
{ ஹே லே லே
ஹே ஹே ஹே ஹே
ஹே ஹே லே ஹே லே
ஹே } (2)
Hey lae lae hey hey hey
Hey hey hey lae hey lae hey
{ உளுந்து வெதக்கையிலே
சுத்தி ஊதக்காத்து அடிக்கயிலே
நான் அப்பனுக்குக் கஞ்சி கொண்டு
ஆத்துமேடு தாண்டிப் போனேன்
கண்ட நல்ல நல்ல சகுனத்தில்
நெஞ்சுக்குழி பூத்துப் போனேன் } (2)
While sowing black gram seeds
While the swirling wind blows around
Taking rice porridge for my father
I crossed the riverbank hillock
Seeing all the wonderful good omens
My heart blossomed with joy
வெக்கப்படப்பில்
கவுளி கத்த வலது பக்கம்
கருடன் கொத்த தெருவோரம்
நெரகுடம் பாா்க்கவும் மணிச்சத்தம்
கேட்கவும் ஆனதே
When a lizard chirped near the haystack
When a kite swooped on the right side
Seeing a filled water pot by the roadside
And hearing the chime of bells
ஒரு பூக்காாி
எதுக்க வர பசும் பால்மாடு
கடக்கிறதே இனி என்னாகுமோ
ஏதாகுமோ இந்த சிறுக்கி வழியில்
தெய்வம் புகுந்து வரம் தருமோ
When a flower-seller woman came towards me
And a milch cow crossed my path
What will happen now, what will unfold?
In this young girl's path
Will God step in and grant a boon?
உளுந்து வெதக்கையிலே
சுத்தி ஊதக்காத்து அடிக்கயிலே
நான் அப்பனுக்குக் கஞ்சி கொண்டு
ஆத்துமேடு தாண்டிப் போனேன்
கண்ட நல்ல நல்ல சகுனத்தில்
நெஞ்சுக்குழி பூத்துப் போனேன்
While sowing black gram seeds
While the swirling wind blows around
Taking rice porridge for my father
I crossed the riverbank hillock
Seeing all the wonderful good omens
My heart blossomed with joy
{ அனிச்ச மலரழகே
அச்சு அச்சுவெல்லப் பேச்சழகே
என் கண்ணுக்குள்ள கூடு கட்டி
காதுக்குள்ள கூவும் குயிலே
நீ எட்டியெட்டிப் போகயில
விட்டுவிட்டுப் போகும் உயிரே.. } (2)
Oh beauty like the delicate Anicham flower
Oh beauty with sweet sugarcane-like speech
Building a nest inside my eyes
Oh cuckoo bird singing in my ears
When you walk away further and further
My life breath leaves and comes back in ebbs
ஒரு தடவ இழுத்து
அணைச்சபடி உயிா் மூச்ச
நிறுத்து கண்மணியே
Holding and hugging me tight just once
Stop my breath of life, my darling
Female: Piercing through your back to come out
There is still a bit left, my beloved man
உன்முதுகு தொலைச்சி
வெளியேற இன்னும் கொஞ்சம்
இருக்கு என்னவனே
A brief word brings rain
A glance back brings sunshine
Until our bodies are buried in the earth
Will you accompany me all the way?
மழையடிக்கும் சிறு
பேச்சு வெயிலடிக்கும் மறு
பாா்வை உடம்பு மண்ணில்
புதையற வரையில் உடன்
வரக் கூடுமோ
While my life breath is still with me
Where are you going into the earth?
Am I not your devoted servant?
Even Death coming to kill would be confused, my lord
உசிா் என்னோட
இருக்கயில நீ மண்ணோட
போவதெங்கே அட உன் சேவனே
நானில்லையா கொல்ல வந்த
மரணம் கூடக் குழம்புமய்யா
Oh girl with the slender waist
Oh girl who dissolved me in vermilion
When you apply turmeric on your chest and bathe
Smear me a little too, my lady
As a tiny bell in your anklets
Transform me a bit, my lady
குருக்கு சிறுத்தவளே
என்னக் குங்குமத்தில்
கறைச்சவளே நெஞ்சில் மஞ்ச
தேச்சிக் குளிக்கையில் என்னக்
கொஞ்சம் பூசு தாயே கொலுசுக்கு
மணியாக என்ன கொஞ்சம் மாத்து தாயே
Tears trickling from one eye
Life breath leaking through the lips
Because of you, dying a few times
And being reborn a few times has happened
ஒரு கண்ணில்
நீா் கசிய உதட்டு வழி
உசிா் கசிய ஒன்னால
சில முறை இறக்கவும்
சில முறை பிறக்கவும் ஆனதே
Like a leaf fallen into the river
Floating away along with that river
My heart runs right behind you
Forgetting time itself
Even the wild forest tree blossoms
அட ஆத்தோட
விழுந்த இலை அந்த
ஆத்தோட போவது போல்
நெஞ்சு ஒன்னோடுதான்
பின்னோடுதே அட காலம்
மறந்து காட்டு மரமும் பூக்கிறதே
Oh girl with the slender waist
Oh girl who dissolved me in vermilion
When applying turmeric on the chest and bathing
Smear me a little
Female: Smear me, my lord...
குருக்கு சிறுத்தவளே
என்னக் குங்குமத்தில்
கறைச்சவளே நெஞ்சில் மஞ்ச
தேச்சிக் குளிக்கையில் என்னக்
கொஞ்சம்
As a tiny bell in the anklets
Transform me a little
Female: Transform me, my lord...
பூசுவாயா
Oh oh oh oh
Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm
Oh oh oh oh
Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm
Oh oh oh oh
Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm
Oh oh oh oh
Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm
கொலுசுக்கு
மணியாக என்ன கொஞ்சம்
மாத்துவாயா
...........................................
{Hey lae lae hey hey hey
Hey lae lae hey hey hey
Hey hey hey lae hey lae hey} (2)
Hey hey hey lae hey lae hey
{Ulundhu vedhakkayilae
While sowing black gram seeds
Suththi oodha kaathu adikkayilae
While the swirling wind blows around
Naan appanukku kanji kondu
Taking rice porridge for my father
Aathumedu thaandi ponen
I crossed the riverbank hillock
Kanda nalla nalla sagunathil
Seeing all the wonderful good omens
Nenjukkuzhi poothu ponen} (2)
My heart blossomed with joy
Vekkappadappil kavuli kaththa
When a lizard chirped near the haystack
Valadhu pakkam garudan koththa
When a kite swooped on the right side
Theruvoram nerakudam paarkkavum
Seeing a filled water pot by the roadside
Manichaththam ketkavum aanadhae
And hearing the chime of bells
Oru pookkaari yedhukka vara
When a flower-seller woman came towards me
Pasum paalmaadu kadakkiradhae
And a milch cow crossed my path
Ini yennaaghumo yedhaaghumo
What will happen now, what will unfold?
Indha sirukki vazhiyil
In this young girl's path
Deivam pugundhu varam tharumo
Will God step in and grant a boon?
Ulundhu vedhakkayilae
While sowing black gram seeds
Suththi oodha kaathu adikkayilae
While the swirling wind blows around
Naan appanukku kanji kondu
Taking rice porridge for my father
Aathumedu thaandi ponen
I crossed the riverbank hillock
Kanda nalla nalla sagunathil
Seeing all the wonderful good omens
Nenjukkuzhi poothu ponen
My heart blossomed with joy
{Anichcha malar azhagae
Oh beauty like the delicate Anicham flower
Achchu achchu vella pechazhagae
Oh beauty with sweet sugarcane-like speech
En kannukkulla koodu katti
Building a nest inside my eyes
Kaadhukkulla koovum kuyilae
Oh cuckoo bird singing in my ears
Nee ettiyetti pogayila
When you walk away further and further
Vittuvittu pogum uyirae} (2)
My life breath leaves and comes back in ebbs
Oru thadava izhuththu anachabadi
Holding and hugging me tight just once
Uyir moocha niruthu kanmaniyae
Stop my breath of life, my darling
Female : Un mudhugu tholachi veliyera
Female: Piercing through your back to come out
Innum konjam irukku yennavanae
There is still a bit left, my beloved man
Mazhai adikkum siru pechu
A brief word brings rain
Veyil adikkum maru paarva
A glance back brings sunshine
Odambu mannil pudhaiyira varaiyil
Until our bodies are buried in the earth
Udan vara koodumo….
Will you accompany me all the way?
Usur yennoda irukkaiyila
While my life breath is still with me
Nee mannodu povadhengae
Where are you going into the earth?
Ada unsevanae naan illaiyaa
Am I not your devoted servant?
Kolla vandha maranam kooda kolambum aiyaa…..
Even Death coming to kill would be confused, my lord
Kurukku chiruthavalae
Oh girl with the slender waist
Enna kungumathil karachavalae
Oh girl who dissolved me in vermilion
Nenjil manja thechi kulikkayil
When you apply turmeric on your chest and bathe
Enna konjam poosu thaayae
Smear me a little too, my lady
Kolusukku maniyaaga
As a tiny bell in your anklets
Enna konjam maathu thaayae
Transform me a bit, my lady
Oru kannil neer kasiya
Tears trickling from one eye
Udhattu vazhi usir kasiya
Life breath leaking through the lips
Onnaala sila murai irakkavum
Because of you, dying a few times
Sila murai pirakkavum aanadhae
And being reborn a few times has happened
Ada aaththoda vizhundha yela
Like a leaf fallen into the river
Andha aaththoda povadhu pol
Floating away along with that river
Nenju onnodudhaan pinnodudhae
My heart runs right behind you
Ada kaalam marandhu
Forgetting time itself
Kaattu maramum pookkiradhae
Even the wild forest tree blossoms
Kurukku chiruthavalae
Oh girl with the slender waist
Enna kungumathil karachavalae
Oh girl who dissolved me in vermilion
Nenjil manja thechi kulikkayil
When applying turmeric on the chest and bathing
Enna konjam
Smear me a little
Female :Poosuvaiiyaa…
Female: Smear me, my lord...
Kolusukku maniyaaga
As a tiny bell in the anklets
Enna konjam
Transform me a little
Female :Maathuvaiiyaa…
Female: Transform me, my lord...
Oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh
Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm
Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm
Oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh
Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm
Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm
Oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh
Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm
Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm
Oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh
Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm
Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Kurukku Chiruthavalae / Ulundhu Vedhakkayilae' from the 1999 Tamil film Mudhalvan is a masterfully crafted romantic song composed by A.R. Rahman with lyrics by Vairamuthu. The song opens with rural everyday life rich in traditional omens (sagunangal)—a chirping lizard, a garuda bird flying on the right, a filled water pot, a flower seller, and a cow—all signaling auspicious news for the protagonist's heart. As the song progresses, it delves into intense romantic devotion, where the lovers express a desire to merge completely with each other's existence, transcending physical reality and even death.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai / Metaphorical Surrender)
“Kurukku chiruthavalae / Enna kungumathil karachavalae”
The protagonist describes himself as being dissolved in vermilion (kumkum) and applied as turmeric, symbolizing complete loss of ego into the beloved.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)
“Kolla vandha maranam kooda kolambum aiyaa”
An exaggerated expression of devotion stating that even Death coming to take life would be bewildered by the intensity of their love.
Simile (Uvamaani)
“Ada aaththoda vizhundha yela / Andha aaththoda povadhu pol”
Compares the movement of the heart following the beloved to a leaf helplessly carried along by a flowing river.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by A.R. Rahman for director Shankar's blockbuster 'Mudhalvan' (1999), the song features iconic vocals by Hariharan and Mahalakshmi Iyer. Lyricist Vairamuthu uniquely incorporated traditional Tamil beliefs regarding 'sagunangal' (good omens) in the opening stanza.
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