Velai Velai
From Avvai Shanmughi · 1996
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Avvai Shanmughi1996
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Avvai shanmughi… | Avvai Shanmughi… |
| Avvai shanmughi… | Avvai Shanmughi… |
| Male | |
| Vela vela vela vela | Work, work, work, work! |
| Mela mela vela vela | More and more work, work! |
| Aambalaikum vela pombalaikum vela | Men have work, and women have work. |
| Pombalaya poona aambalaikum vela | Even a man disguised as a woman has work to do! |
| Male | |
| Kaala maala maala kaala | Time and garlands, garlands and time. |
| Mela mela vela vela | More and more work, work! |
| Eththanaiyoo vela eppavumae vela | There are so many tasks, always work to do. |
| Aththanaikkum undu vetriennum maala | For all of them, there is a garland of victory! |
| Male | |
| Shanmuga unadhu padaippil | Oh Lord Shanmuga, in your creation, |
| Uyarndhu vilangum pennaiyaa | Is it womanhood that shines supreme? |
| Chorus :Avvai shanmughi… | Chorus: Avvai Shanmughi… |
| Male | |
| Vela vela vela vela | Work, work, work, work! |
| Mela mela vela vela | More and more work, work! |
| Aambalaikum vela pombalaikum vela | Men have work, and women have work. |
| Pombalaya poona aambalaikum vela | Even a man disguised as a woman has work to do! |
| Chorus | |
| {Hei hei hei hei hei | {Hei hei hei hei hei |
| Hei hei hei | Hei hei hei |
| Hei hei hei hei hei | Hei hei hei hei hei |
| Hei hei hei} (2) | Hei hei hei} (2) |
| Male | |
| Aathadi indha maamithan | Oh my goodness, look at this elderly lady! |
| Koothaadum arththanaarithaan | She is like a dancing Ardhanarishvara (half-man, half-woman)! |
| Dual role indha vesham thaan | This role she plays is a dual role, |
| Yen endral pillai paasam thaan | And the reason for it is immense affection for his child! |
| Male | |
| Kaalai ondru kandrukkaaga | For the sake of its calf, a bull |
| Karravai maadaai aayaachchi | Has transformed itself into a milch cow! |
| Eendredutha kandrukippo | For the little child born to him, |
| Inghu rendu thayachchi | There are now two mothers here! |
| Male | |
| Idhu oru adhisayam | This is a true miracle, |
| Thanippatta ragasiyam | A deeply personal secret! |
| Beep pappa rabappa | [Scat singing / rhythmic beats] |
| Pari paappa rebbappa | [Scat singing / rhythmic beats] |
| Chigi chigichan cha chighacha | [Scat singing / rhythmic beats] |
| Zoosu zoosu zuzusuuu | [Scat singing / rhythmic beats] |
| Male | |
| Shanmuga unadhu padaippil | Oh Lord Shanmuga, in your creation, |
| Uyarndhu vilangum pennaiyaa | Is it womanhood that shines supreme? |
| Chorus :Avvai shanmughi… | Chorus: Avvai Shanmughi… |
| Male | |
| Kaala maala maala kaala | Time and garlands, garlands and time. |
| Mela mela vela vela | More and more work, work! |
| Eththanaiyoo vela eppavumae vela | There are so many tasks, always work to do. |
| Aththanaikkum undu vetriennum maala | For all of them, there is a garland of victory! |
| Chorus | |
| Ha ha hei hei | Ha ha hei hei |
| Avvai shanmughi | Avvai Shanmughi |
| Ha ha hei hei | Ha ha hei hei |
| Ha ha hei hei | Ha ha hei hei |
| Avvai shanmughi | Avvai Shanmughi |
| Ha ha hei hei | Ha ha hei hei |
| Male | |
| Paaththachi pala medai thaan | We have seen many stage performances, |
| Poottachi pala vesham thaan | And worn many disguises before, |
| Aanalum idhu vidyaasam | Yet this one is uniquely different: |
| Thandhaiku ingu thaai vesham | A father putting on the disguise of a mother! |
| Male | |
| Aariraro..oooo.. aariraro…… aari…. | Aariraro..oooo.. aariraro…… aari…. |
| Male | |
| Paati vandhu paada paada | As the nanny comes and sings a lullaby, |
| Thoongudhamma sei kettu | The child listens and drifts off to sleep. |
| Paasamulla paatai vandhu | Can even a High Court order stop |
| Thadupadhundo high court-tu | A song sung out of deep maternal and paternal love? |
| Male | |
| Nizhalayum udalaiyum | Who can separate |
| Unakenna pirippadhu | A body from its shadow? |
| Beep pappa bebappa | [Scat singing / rhythmic beats] |
| Thara thatha tharatha | [Scat singing / rhythmic beats] |
| Thajum tha tha rabappa | [Scat singing / rhythmic beats] |
| Chigi pappa ba chigippa | [Scat singing / rhythmic beats] |
| Male | |
| Shanmuga unadhu padaippil | Oh Lord Shanmuga, in your creation, |
| Uyarndhu vilangum pennaiyaa | Is it womanhood that shines supreme? |
| Chorus :Avvai shanmughi… | Chorus: Avvai Shanmughi… |
| Male | |
| Vela vela vela vela | Work, work, work, work! |
| Mela mela vela vela | More and more work, work! |
| Aambalaikum vela pombalaikum vela | Men have work, and women have work. |
| Pombalaya poona aambalaikum vela | Even a man disguised as a woman has work to do! |
| Male | |
| Kaala maala maala kaala | Time and garlands, garlands and time. |
| Mela mela vela vela | More and more work, work! |
| Eththanaiyoo vela eppavumae vela | There are so many tasks, always work to do. |
| Aththanaikkum undu vetriennum maala | For all of them, there is a garland of victory! |
| Male | |
| Shanmuga unadhu padaippil | Oh Lord Shanmuga, in your creation, |
| Uyarndhu vilangum pennaiyaa | Is it womanhood that shines supreme? |
| Chorus :Avvai shanmughi… | Chorus: Avvai Shanmughi… |
அவ்வை சண்முகி
அவ்வை சண்முகி
Avvai Shanmughi…
Avvai Shanmughi…
வேல வேல வேல
வேல மேல மேல வேல
வேல ஆம்பளைக்கும் வேல
பொம்பளைக்கும் வேல
பொம்பளையா போன
ஆம்பளைக்கும் வேல
Work, work, work, work!
More and more work, work!
Men have work, and women have work.
Even a man disguised as a woman has work to do!
கால மால மால கால
மேல மேல வேல வேல
எத்தனையோ வேல எப்பவுமே
வேல அத்தனைக்கும் உண்டு
வெற்றி என்னும் மாலை
Time and garlands, garlands and time.
More and more work, work!
There are so many tasks, always work to do.
For all of them, there is a garland of victory!
சண்முகா உனது
படைப்பில் உயர்ந்து
விளங்கும் பெண்ணய்யா
குழு :
அவ்வை சண்முகி
Oh Lord Shanmuga, in your creation,
Is it womanhood that shines supreme?
Chorus: Avvai Shanmughi…
வேல வேல வேல
வேல மேல மேல வேல
வேல ஆம்பளைக்கும் வேல
பொம்பளைக்கும் வேல
பொம்பளையா போன
ஆம்பளைக்கும் வேல
Work, work, work, work!
More and more work, work!
Men have work, and women have work.
Even a man disguised as a woman has work to do!
{ ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய்
ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய்
ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய்
ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய்
ஹேய் } (2)
{Hei hei hei hei hei
Hei hei hei
Hei hei hei hei hei
Hei hei hei} (2)
ஆத்தாடி இந்த மாமி
தான் கூத்தாடும் அர்த்தநாரி
தான் டூயல் ரோல் இந்த
வேஷம் தான் ஏன் என்றால்
பிள்ளை பாசம் தான்
Oh my goodness, look at this elderly lady!
She is like a dancing Ardhanarishvara (half-man, half-woman)!
This role she plays is a dual role,
And the reason for it is immense affection for his child!
காளை ஒன்று
கன்றுக்காக கறவை மாடாய்
ஆயாச்சி ஈன்றெடுத்த
கன்றுக்கிப்போ இங்கு
ரெண்டு தாயாச்சி
For the sake of its calf, a bull
Has transformed itself into a milch cow!
For the little child born to him,
There are now two mothers here!
இது ஒரு அதிசயம்
தனிப்பட்ட ரகசியம் பீப் பப்பா
ரபப்பா பரி பாப்பா ரெப்பாப்பா
சிகி சிகிச்சான் சா சிகாச்சா
ஸ்ஊசு ஸ்ஊசு ஸுஸுசு
This is a true miracle,
A deeply personal secret!
[Scat singing / rhythmic beats]
[Scat singing / rhythmic beats]
[Scat singing / rhythmic beats]
[Scat singing / rhythmic beats]
சண்முகா உனது
படைப்பில் உயர்ந்து
விளங்கும் பெண்ணய்யா
குழு :
அவ்வை சண்முகி
Oh Lord Shanmuga, in your creation,
Is it womanhood that shines supreme?
Chorus: Avvai Shanmughi…
கால மால மால கால
மேல மேல வேல வேல
எத்தனையோ வேல எப்பவுமே
வேல அத்தனைக்கும் உண்டு
வெற்றி என்னும் மாலை
Time and garlands, garlands and time.
More and more work, work!
There are so many tasks, always work to do.
For all of them, there is a garland of victory!
ஹா ஹா ஹேய் ஹேய்
அவ்வை சண்முகி ஹா ஹா
ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹா ஹா ஹேய்
ஹேய் அவ்வை சண்முகி ஹா
ஹா ஹேய் ஹேய்
Ha ha hei hei
Avvai Shanmughi
Ha ha hei hei
Ha ha hei hei
Avvai Shanmughi
Ha ha hei hei
பாத்தாச்சி பல மேடை
தான் போட்டாச்சி பல வேஷம்
தான் ஆனாலும் இது வித்யாசம்
தந்தைக்கு இங்கு தாய் வேஷம்
We have seen many stage performances,
And worn many disguises before,
Yet this one is uniquely different:
A father putting on the disguise of a mother!
ஆரிராரோ ஓஓ
ஆரிராரோ ஆரி
Aariraro..oooo.. aariraro…… aari….
பாட்டி வந்து பாட
பாட தூங்குதம்மா சேய்
கேட்டு பாசமுள்ள பாட்டாய்
வந்து தடுப்பதுண்டோ ஹை
கோர்ட்டு
As the nanny comes and sings a lullaby,
The child listens and drifts off to sleep.
Can even a High Court order stop
A song sung out of deep maternal and paternal love?
நிழலையும்
உடலையும் உனக்கென்ன
பிரிப்பது பீப் பப்பா பிபப்பா
தர தத்த தரத்த தஜும் தா
தா ரபப்பா சிகி பாப்பா பா
சிகிப்பா
Who can separate
A body from its shadow?
[Scat singing / rhythmic beats]
[Scat singing / rhythmic beats]
[Scat singing / rhythmic beats]
[Scat singing / rhythmic beats]
சண்முகா உனது
படைப்பில் உயர்ந்து
விளங்கும் பெண்ணய்யா
குழு :
அவ்வை சண்முகி
Oh Lord Shanmuga, in your creation,
Is it womanhood that shines supreme?
Chorus: Avvai Shanmughi…
வேல வேல வேல
வேல மேல மேல வேல
வேல ஆம்பளைக்கும் வேல
பொம்பளைக்கும் வேல
பொம்பளையா போன
ஆம்பளைக்கும் வேல
Work, work, work, work!
More and more work, work!
Men have work, and women have work.
Even a man disguised as a woman has work to do!
கால மால மால கால
மேல மேல வேல வேல
எத்தனையோ வேல எப்பவுமே
வேல அத்தனைக்கும் உண்டு
வெற்றி என்னும் மாலை
Time and garlands, garlands and time.
More and more work, work!
There are so many tasks, always work to do.
For all of them, there is a garland of victory!
சண்முகா உனது
படைப்பில் உயர்ந்து
விளங்கும் பெண்ணய்யா
குழு :
அவ்வை சண்முகி
Oh Lord Shanmuga, in your creation,
Is it womanhood that shines supreme?
Chorus: Avvai Shanmughi…
Avvai shanmughi…
Avvai Shanmughi…
Avvai shanmughi…
Avvai Shanmughi…
Vela vela vela vela
Work, work, work, work!
Mela mela vela vela
More and more work, work!
Aambalaikum vela pombalaikum vela
Men have work, and women have work.
Pombalaya poona aambalaikum vela
Even a man disguised as a woman has work to do!
Kaala maala maala kaala
Time and garlands, garlands and time.
Mela mela vela vela
More and more work, work!
Eththanaiyoo vela eppavumae vela
There are so many tasks, always work to do.
Aththanaikkum undu vetriennum maala
For all of them, there is a garland of victory!
Shanmuga unadhu padaippil
Oh Lord Shanmuga, in your creation,
Uyarndhu vilangum pennaiyaa
Is it womanhood that shines supreme?
Chorus :Avvai shanmughi…
Chorus: Avvai Shanmughi…
Vela vela vela vela
Work, work, work, work!
Mela mela vela vela
More and more work, work!
Aambalaikum vela pombalaikum vela
Men have work, and women have work.
Pombalaya poona aambalaikum vela
Even a man disguised as a woman has work to do!
{Hei hei hei hei hei
{Hei hei hei hei hei
Hei hei hei
Hei hei hei
Hei hei hei hei hei
Hei hei hei hei hei
Hei hei hei} (2)
Hei hei hei} (2)
Aathadi indha maamithan
Oh my goodness, look at this elderly lady!
Koothaadum arththanaarithaan
She is like a dancing Ardhanarishvara (half-man, half-woman)!
Dual role indha vesham thaan
This role she plays is a dual role,
Yen endral pillai paasam thaan
And the reason for it is immense affection for his child!
Kaalai ondru kandrukkaaga
For the sake of its calf, a bull
Karravai maadaai aayaachchi
Has transformed itself into a milch cow!
Eendredutha kandrukippo
For the little child born to him,
Inghu rendu thayachchi
There are now two mothers here!
Idhu oru adhisayam
This is a true miracle,
Thanippatta ragasiyam
A deeply personal secret!
Beep pappa rabappa
[Scat singing / rhythmic beats]
Pari paappa rebbappa
[Scat singing / rhythmic beats]
Chigi chigichan cha chighacha
[Scat singing / rhythmic beats]
Zoosu zoosu zuzusuuu
[Scat singing / rhythmic beats]
Shanmuga unadhu padaippil
Oh Lord Shanmuga, in your creation,
Uyarndhu vilangum pennaiyaa
Is it womanhood that shines supreme?
Chorus :Avvai shanmughi…
Chorus: Avvai Shanmughi…
Kaala maala maala kaala
Time and garlands, garlands and time.
Mela mela vela vela
More and more work, work!
Eththanaiyoo vela eppavumae vela
There are so many tasks, always work to do.
Aththanaikkum undu vetriennum maala
For all of them, there is a garland of victory!
Ha ha hei hei
Ha ha hei hei
Avvai shanmughi
Avvai Shanmughi
Ha ha hei hei
Ha ha hei hei
Ha ha hei hei
Ha ha hei hei
Avvai shanmughi
Avvai Shanmughi
Ha ha hei hei
Ha ha hei hei
Paaththachi pala medai thaan
We have seen many stage performances,
Poottachi pala vesham thaan
And worn many disguises before,
Aanalum idhu vidyaasam
Yet this one is uniquely different:
Thandhaiku ingu thaai vesham
A father putting on the disguise of a mother!
Aariraro..oooo.. aariraro…… aari….
Aariraro..oooo.. aariraro…… aari….
Paati vandhu paada paada
As the nanny comes and sings a lullaby,
Thoongudhamma sei kettu
The child listens and drifts off to sleep.
Paasamulla paatai vandhu
Can even a High Court order stop
Thadupadhundo high court-tu
A song sung out of deep maternal and paternal love?
Nizhalayum udalaiyum
Who can separate
Unakenna pirippadhu
A body from its shadow?
Beep pappa bebappa
[Scat singing / rhythmic beats]
Thara thatha tharatha
[Scat singing / rhythmic beats]
Thajum tha tha rabappa
[Scat singing / rhythmic beats]
Chigi pappa ba chigippa
[Scat singing / rhythmic beats]
Shanmuga unadhu padaippil
Oh Lord Shanmuga, in your creation,
Uyarndhu vilangum pennaiyaa
Is it womanhood that shines supreme?
Chorus :Avvai shanmughi…
Chorus: Avvai Shanmughi…
Vela vela vela vela
Work, work, work, work!
Mela mela vela vela
More and more work, work!
Aambalaikum vela pombalaikum vela
Men have work, and women have work.
Pombalaya poona aambalaikum vela
Even a man disguised as a woman has work to do!
Kaala maala maala kaala
Time and garlands, garlands and time.
Mela mela vela vela
More and more work, work!
Eththanaiyoo vela eppavumae vela
There are so many tasks, always work to do.
Aththanaikkum undu vetriennum maala
For all of them, there is a garland of victory!
Shanmuga unadhu padaippil
Oh Lord Shanmuga, in your creation,
Uyarndhu vilangum pennaiyaa
Is it womanhood that shines supreme?
Chorus :Avvai shanmughi…
Chorus: Avvai Shanmughi…
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The title song of 'Avvai Shanmughi' sets the comedic yet deeply emotional tone for the movie, celebrating the protagonist Pandian's extreme transformation into the elderly nanny 'Avvai Shanmughi'. Lyricist Vaali humorously explores the theme of daily labor and roles, noting that whether male or female—or a man pretending to be a woman—everyone has responsibilities and work to perform.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Kaalai ondru kandrukkaaga Karravai maadaai aayaachchi”
The lyricist compares the hero disguising himself as a motherly nanny to a bull turning into a milch cow ('Kaalai ondru kandrukkaaga / Karravai maadaai aayaachchi') for the sake of its calf.
Alliteration / Monai
“Kaala maala maala kaala”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words, such as 'Kaala maala maala kaala' and 'Vela vela vela vela'.
Rhyme / Eghai
“Paaththachi pala medai thaan”
Second-letter rhyming (Edhukai) present in lines like 'Paaththachi pala medai thaan / Poottachi pala vesham thaan'.
Mythological Allusion
“Koothaadum arththanaarithaan”
Reference to 'Ardhanarishvara' (half Shiva, half Parvati) to describe the protagonist playing both father and mother roles.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Avvai Shanmughi' (1996), starring Kamal Haasan and directed by K. S. Ravikumar, is an adaptation of the 1993 American comedy film 'Mrs. Doubtfire'. The music was composed by Deva, with lyrics penned by Vaali. The song cleverly incorporates scat singing and wordplay on the protagonist's disguise as a female nanny to stay close to his daughter.
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