Vela Vela Ellorukkum
From Pick Pocket · 1989
- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singer
- Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Pick Pocket1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Velaiyai thedi alaindhalaindhu | Wandering around searching for a job, |
| Naalellaam kalaithu aluthu | Exhausted and crying all day, |
| Vaetti vilagiyadhu kooda theriyaamal | Without even realizing that your dhoti has slipped, |
| Thoongum vaaliba ilainjargalae | O young men sleeping away! |
| Ithanai naatkal pularndhadhu polae | Just like all the previous days dawned, |
| Indraiya pozhudhum vidindhadhu | Today has also dawned. |
| Seekkiram yezhuveer ellorum serndhae | Rise up quickly, all together, |
| Velichathil velaiyai theduvom | Let us search for work in the light. |
| Male | |
| Velai velai ellorkkum undu | Work, work exists for everyone, |
| Velai indri yaarum illae | There is no one without work. |
| Kaalai maalai vandhu pogum | Morning and evening come and go, |
| Aanaalum velai | But work, |
| Vandhu vandhu povadhillai | Does not just come and go. |
| Kaala kaalamaaga ingu | For ages and ages here, |
| Ella uyirkkum | For all living beings, |
| Velai undu velai undu | There is work, there is work. |
| Nyaalam ennum solai thannil | In this garden called the world, |
| Vandhu paaru | Come and see! |
| Male | |
| Hae velai velai | Hey, work, work, |
| Ellorkkum undu | Exists for everyone, |
| Velai indri yaarum illae | There is no one without work. |
| Male | |
| {Padikkum podhu | {While studying, |
| paadam kooda | even the lessons, |
| Adhuvum velai thaan | That too is work. |
| Veliyil vandhu alaindhu thedum | Wandering outside in search, |
| Adhuvum velai thaan} (2) | That too is work.} (2) |
| Male | |
| {Pennai thedum | {Searching for a woman, |
| Chorus :Adhuvum velai | Chorus: That too is work. |
| Male :Kaadhalitthaal | Male: If one falls in love, |
| Chorus :Adhuvum velai | Chorus: That too is work. |
| Male :Thaali kattu | Male: Tying the sacred wedding knot, |
| Chorus :Adhuvum velai | Chorus: That too is work. |
| Male :Kuzhandhai petraal | Male: Giving birth to a child, |
| Chorus :Adhuvum velai} (2) | Chorus: That too is work.} (2) |
| Male | |
| Summaa ukkaarndhu | Just sitting idle, |
| Somberiyaai irundha podhum | Even when being lazy, |
| Munnaalum pinnaalum | Back and forth, |
| Mookkaalae moochizhukka venum | One must inhale and exhale through the nose. |
| Adhuvum velai idhuvum velai | That is work, this is work, |
| Edhuvum velai | Everything is work. |
| Male | |
| Velai velai ellorkkum undu | Work, work exists for everyone, |
| Velai indri yaarum illae | There is no one without work. |
| Kaalai maalai vandhu pogum | Morning and evening come and go, |
| Aanaalum velai | But work, |
| Vandhu vandhu povadhillai | Does not just come and go. |
| Kaala kaalamaaga ingu | For ages and ages here, |
| Ella uyirkkum | For all living beings, |
| Velai undu velai undu | There is work, there is work. |
| Nyaalam ennum solai thannil | In this garden called the world, |
| Vandhu paaru | Come and see! |
| Male | |
| Hae velai velai | Hey, work, work, |
| Ellorkkum undu | Exists for everyone, |
| Velai indri yaarum illae | There is no one without work. |
| Male | |
| {Carai thudaikkum cleaner | {A cleaner wiping cars, |
| Andha melai naattilae | In that western country, |
| Yevvalavo dollor ulla | Has so many dollars, |
| Multi millonaire} (2) | He is a multi-millionaire.} (2) |
| Male | |
| {Panam irukkum | {A man who has money, |
| Chorus :Oruvan ingu | Chorus: Here, |
| Male :Aadum aattam | Male: The dance he performs, |
| Chorus :Ennavendru | Chorus: What it is, |
| Male :Anaivarukkum | Male: To everyone, |
| Chorus :Theriyum theriyum | Chorus: Is well known, well known. |
| Male :Adhuvum enna | Male: What is that too? |
| Chorus :Velai velai} (2) | Chorus: Work, work!} (2) |
| Male | |
| Uyarvum thaazhvenna | What is high and low? |
| Yedukkindra kolgai thannil podaa | Throw away such thoughts in the principles you take up! |
| Melum keezhenna | What is superior and inferior? |
| Seigindra velai thannil podaa | Throw away such thoughts in the work you do! |
| Adhuvum velai idhuvum velai | That is work, this is work, |
| Edhuvum velai | Everything is work. |
| Male | |
| Velai velai ellorkkum undu | Work, work exists for everyone, |
| Velai indri yaarum illae | There is no one without work. |
| Kaalai maalai vandhu pogum | Morning and evening come and go, |
| Aanaalum velai | But work, |
| Vandhu vandhu povadhillai | Does not just come and go. |
| Kaala kaalamaaga ingu | For ages and ages here, |
| Ella uyirkkum | For all living beings, |
| Velai undu velai undu | There is work, there is work. |
| Nyaalam ennum solai thannil | In this garden called the world, |
| Vandhu paaru | Come and see! |
| Male | |
| {Velai velai | {Work, work, |
| Ellorkkum undu | Exists for everyone, |
| Velai indri yaarum illae} (2) | There is no one without work.} (2) |
வேலையைத்
தேடி அலைந்தலைந்து
நாளெல்லாம் களைத்து அலுத்து
வேட்டி விலகியது கூடத் தெரியாமல்
தூங்கும் வாலிப இளைஞர்களே
Wandering around searching for a job,
Exhausted and crying all day,
Without even realizing that your dhoti has slipped,
O young men sleeping away!
Just like all the previous days dawned,
Today has also dawned.
Rise up quickly, all together,
Let us search for work in the light.
இத்தனை நாட்கள்
புலர்ந்தது போலே
இன்றைய பொழுதும் விடிந்தது
சீக்கிரம் எழுவீர் எல்லோரும் சேர்ந்தே
வெளிச்சத்தில் வேலையைத் தேடுவோம்
Work, work exists for everyone,
There is no one without work.
Morning and evening come and go,
But work,
Does not just come and go.
For ages and ages here,
For all living beings,
There is work, there is work.
In this garden called the world,
Come and see!
வேல வேல
எல்லோர்க்கும் உண்டு
வேலை இன்றி யாரும் இல்லே
Hey, work, work,
Exists for everyone,
There is no one without work.
காலை மாலை
வந்து போகும் ஆனாலும்
வேலை வந்து வந்து போவதில்லை
கால காலமாக இங்கு
எல்லா உயிர்க்கும்
வேலை உண்டு வேலை உண்டு
ஞாலம் என்னும் சோலை
தன்னில் வந்து பாரு
{While studying,
even the lessons,
That too is work.
Wandering outside in search,
That too is work.} (2)
ஹே வேல வேல
எல்லோர்க்கும் உண்டு
வேலை இன்றி யாரும் இல்லே
{Searching for a woman,
Chorus: That too is work.
Male: If one falls in love,
Chorus: That too is work.
Male: Tying the sacred wedding knot,
Chorus: That too is work.
Male: Giving birth to a child,
Chorus: That too is work.} (2)
படிக்கும் போது பாடம் கூட
அதுவும் வேலை தான்
வெளியில் வந்து அலைந்து தேடும்
அதுவும் வேலைதான்
Just sitting idle,
Even when being lazy,
Back and forth,
One must inhale and exhale through the nose.
That is work, this is work,
Everything is work.
படிக்கும் போது பாடம் கூட
அதுவும் வேலைதான்
வெளியில் வந்து அலைந்து தேடும்
அதுவும் வேலைதான்
Work, work exists for everyone,
There is no one without work.
Morning and evening come and go,
But work,
Does not just come and go.
For ages and ages here,
For all living beings,
There is work, there is work.
In this garden called the world,
Come and see!
பெண்ணைத் தேடு
அதுவும் வேலை
காதலித்தால்
அதுவும் வேலை
தாலி கட்டு
அதுவும் வேலை
குழந்தை பெற்றால்
அதுவும் வேலை
Hey, work, work,
Exists for everyone,
There is no one without work.
பெண்ணைத் தேடு
அதுவும் வேலை
காதலித்தால்
அதுவும் வேலை
தாலி கட்டு
அதுவும் வேலை
குழந்தை பெற்றால்
அதுவும் வேலை
{A cleaner wiping cars,
In that western country,
Has so many dollars,
He is a multi-millionaire.} (2)
சும்மா உக்கார்ந்து
சோம்பேறியாய் இருந்த போதும்
முன்னாலும் பின்னாலும்
மூக்காலே மூச்சிழுக்க வேணும்
அதுவும் வேலை இதுவும் வேலை
எதுவும் வேலை
{A man who has money,
Chorus: Here,
Male: The dance he performs,
Chorus: What it is,
Male: To everyone,
Chorus: Is well known, well known.
Male: What is that too?
Chorus: Work, work!} (2)
ஹே வேல வேல
எல்லோர்க்கும் உண்டு
வேலை இன்றி யாரும் இல்லே
What is high and low?
Throw away such thoughts in the principles you take up!
What is superior and inferior?
Throw away such thoughts in the work you do!
That is work, this is work,
Everything is work.
காலை மாலை
வந்து போகும் ஆனாலும்
வேலை வந்து வந்து போவதில்லை
கால காலமாக இங்கு
எல்லா உயிர்க்கும்
வேலை உண்டு வேலை உண்டு
ஞாலம் என்னும் சோலை
தன்னில் வந்து பாரு
Work, work exists for everyone,
There is no one without work.
Morning and evening come and go,
But work,
Does not just come and go.
For ages and ages here,
For all living beings,
There is work, there is work.
In this garden called the world,
Come and see!
ஹே வேல வேல
எல்லோர்க்கும் உண்டு
வேலை இன்றி யாரும் இல்லே
{Work, work,
Exists for everyone,
There is no one without work.} (2)
விசில் :
......................
காரைத் துடைக்கும் கிளீனர்
அந்த மேலை நாட்டிலே
எவ்வளவோ டாலர்
உள்ள மல்டி மில்லியனர்
காரைத் துடைக்கும் கிளீனர்
அந்த மேலை நாட்டிலே
எவ்வளவோ டாலர்
உள்ள மல்டி மில்லியனர்
பணம் இருக்கும்
ஒருவன் இங்கு
ஆடும் ஆட்டம்
என்னவென்று
அனைவருக்கும்
தெரியும் தெரியும்
அதுவும் என்ன
வேலை வேலை
பணம் இருக்கும்
ஒருவன் இங்கு
ஆடும் ஆட்டம்
என்னவென்று
அனைவருக்கும்
தெரியும் தெரியும்
அதுவும் என்ன
வேலை வேலை
உயர்வும் தாழ்வென்ன
எடுக்கின்ற கொள்கை
தன்னில் போடா
மேலும் கீழென்ன
செய்கின்ற வேலை தன்னில் போடா
அதுவும் வேலை இதுவும் வேலை
எதுவும் வேலை
ஹே வேல வேல
எல்லோர்க்கும் உண்டு
வேலை இன்றி யாரும் இல்லே
காலை மாலை
வந்து போகும் ஆனாலும்
வேலை வந்து வந்து போவதில்லை
கால காலமாக இங்கு
எல்லா உயிர்க்கும்
வேலை உண்டு வேலை உண்டு
ஞாலம் என்னும் சோலை
தன்னில் வந்து பாரு
ஹே வேல வேல
எல்லோர்க்கும் உண்டு
வேலை இன்றி யாரும் இல்லே
Velaiyai thedi alaindhalaindhu
Wandering around searching for a job,
Naalellaam kalaithu aluthu
Exhausted and crying all day,
Vaetti vilagiyadhu kooda theriyaamal
Without even realizing that your dhoti has slipped,
Thoongum vaaliba ilainjargalae
O young men sleeping away!
Ithanai naatkal pularndhadhu polae
Just like all the previous days dawned,
Indraiya pozhudhum vidindhadhu
Today has also dawned.
Seekkiram yezhuveer ellorum serndhae
Rise up quickly, all together,
Velichathil velaiyai theduvom
Let us search for work in the light.
Velai velai ellorkkum undu
Work, work exists for everyone,
Velai indri yaarum illae
There is no one without work.
Kaalai maalai vandhu pogum
Morning and evening come and go,
Aanaalum velai
But work,
Vandhu vandhu povadhillai
Does not just come and go.
Kaala kaalamaaga ingu
For ages and ages here,
Ella uyirkkum
For all living beings,
Velai undu velai undu
There is work, there is work.
Nyaalam ennum solai thannil
In this garden called the world,
Vandhu paaru
Come and see!
Hae velai velai
Hey, work, work,
Ellorkkum undu
Exists for everyone,
Velai indri yaarum illae
There is no one without work.
{Padikkum podhu
{While studying,
paadam kooda
even the lessons,
Adhuvum velai thaan
That too is work.
Veliyil vandhu alaindhu thedum
Wandering outside in search,
Adhuvum velai thaan} (2)
That too is work.} (2)
{Pennai thedum
{Searching for a woman,
Chorus :Adhuvum velai
Chorus: That too is work.
Male :Kaadhalitthaal
Male: If one falls in love,
Chorus :Adhuvum velai
Chorus: That too is work.
Male :Thaali kattu
Male: Tying the sacred wedding knot,
Chorus :Adhuvum velai
Chorus: That too is work.
Male :Kuzhandhai petraal
Male: Giving birth to a child,
Chorus :Adhuvum velai} (2)
Chorus: That too is work.} (2)
Summaa ukkaarndhu
Just sitting idle,
Somberiyaai irundha podhum
Even when being lazy,
Munnaalum pinnaalum
Back and forth,
Mookkaalae moochizhukka venum
One must inhale and exhale through the nose.
Adhuvum velai idhuvum velai
That is work, this is work,
Edhuvum velai
Everything is work.
Velai velai ellorkkum undu
Work, work exists for everyone,
Velai indri yaarum illae
There is no one without work.
Kaalai maalai vandhu pogum
Morning and evening come and go,
Aanaalum velai
But work,
Vandhu vandhu povadhillai
Does not just come and go.
Kaala kaalamaaga ingu
For ages and ages here,
Ella uyirkkum
For all living beings,
Velai undu velai undu
There is work, there is work.
Nyaalam ennum solai thannil
In this garden called the world,
Vandhu paaru
Come and see!
Hae velai velai
Hey, work, work,
Ellorkkum undu
Exists for everyone,
Velai indri yaarum illae
There is no one without work.
{Carai thudaikkum cleaner
{A cleaner wiping cars,
Andha melai naattilae
In that western country,
Yevvalavo dollor ulla
Has so many dollars,
Multi millonaire} (2)
He is a multi-millionaire.} (2)
{Panam irukkum
{A man who has money,
Chorus :Oruvan ingu
Chorus: Here,
Male :Aadum aattam
Male: The dance he performs,
Chorus :Ennavendru
Chorus: What it is,
Male :Anaivarukkum
Male: To everyone,
Chorus :Theriyum theriyum
Chorus: Is well known, well known.
Male :Adhuvum enna
Male: What is that too?
Chorus :Velai velai} (2)
Chorus: Work, work!} (2)
Uyarvum thaazhvenna
What is high and low?
Yedukkindra kolgai thannil podaa
Throw away such thoughts in the principles you take up!
Melum keezhenna
What is superior and inferior?
Seigindra velai thannil podaa
Throw away such thoughts in the work you do!
Adhuvum velai idhuvum velai
That is work, this is work,
Edhuvum velai
Everything is work.
Velai velai ellorkkum undu
Work, work exists for everyone,
Velai indri yaarum illae
There is no one without work.
Kaalai maalai vandhu pogum
Morning and evening come and go,
Aanaalum velai
But work,
Vandhu vandhu povadhillai
Does not just come and go.
Kaala kaalamaaga ingu
For ages and ages here,
Ella uyirkkum
For all living beings,
Velai undu velai undu
There is work, there is work.
Nyaalam ennum solai thannil
In this garden called the world,
Vandhu paaru
Come and see!
{Velai velai
{Work, work,
Ellorkkum undu
Exists for everyone,
Velai indri yaarum illae} (2)
There is no one without work.} (2)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Velai Velai Ellorkkum Undu' from the 1989 film 'Pick Pocket' is a motivational, high-energy song that offers a humorous yet profound perspective on human effort and dignity of labor. It urges unemployed youth to overcome despair and realize that life itself is constant activity. From studying, falling in love, and raising a family to the simple act of breathing while sitting idle, the song humorously categorizes every life process as a form of 'work'.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (உருவகம்)
“Nyaalam ennum solai thannil”
Compares the world ('Nyaalam') to a lush garden ('solai') where every creature plays an active role.
Repetition / Anaphora (அடுக்குத்தொடர்)
“Velai velai ellorkkum undu”
Repetition of 'Velai velai' emphasizes the universal presence and inescapable nature of work in daily life.
Contrast / Antimetabole (எதிரிணை)
“Uyarvum thaazhvenna... Melum keezhenna”
Contrasts concepts of high/low and superior/inferior to dismantle social hierarchies associated with job status.
Did you know?
Trivia
Featured in the Sathyaraj-starrer 'Pick Pocket' (1989), the song's lyrics were penned by 'Isaignani' Ilaiyaraaja himself. It remains a popular upbeat track praising egalitarian values and encouraging youth towards active living.
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