Vella Kaakka
From Mangala Vadhyam · 1979
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Mangala Vadhyam1979
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vella kaakkaa mallaakka parakkuthu | A white crow flies upside down on its back, |
| Sevappu yaanai pallaakku thookkuthu | A red elephant lifts the palanquin. |
| Male | |
| Vella kaakkaa mallaakka parakkuthu | A white crow flies upside down on its back, |
| Sevappu yaanai pallaakku thookkuthu | A red elephant lifts the palanquin. |
| Vella kaakkaa mallaakka parakkuthu | A white crow flies upside down on its back, |
| Sevappu yaanai pallaakku thookkuthu | A red elephant lifts the palanquin. |
| Male | |
| Adhu marumagalaam idhu mamiyaaraam | That one is said to be the daughter-in-law, this one the mother-in-law, |
| Antha kadhaiyinilae ivan saamiyaaraam | And in that story, this man is said to be a monk. |
| Adhu marumagalaam idhu mamiyaaraam | That one is said to be the daughter-in-law, this one the mother-in-law, |
| Antha kadhaiyinilae ivan saamiyaaraam | And in that story, this man is said to be a monk. |
| Male | |
| Ennaiyil thanneerai vittu paarthaen | I tried pouring water into oil to see, |
| Erumpaiyum kaakkaiyaiyum koottu saerththaen | I tried pairing an ant with a crow. |
| Ennaiyil thanneerai vittu paarthaen | I tried pouring water into oil to see, |
| Erumpaiyum kaakkaiyaiyum koottu saerththaen | I tried pairing an ant with a crow. |
| Male | |
| Vennaiyai kokku melae vachchu paarththaen | I tried placing butter on top of a stork to catch it, |
| Vennaiyai kokku melae vachchu paarththaen | I tried placing butter on top of a stork to catch it. |
| Onnum vilangalappaa yaedhum nadakkalappaa | Nothing was understood, sir; nothing worked out, sir. |
| Onnum vilangalappaa yaedhum nadakkalappaa | Nothing was understood, sir; nothing worked out, sir. |
| Male | |
| Vella kaakkaa | White crow, |
| Vella kaakkaa mallaakka parakkuthu | A white crow flies upside down on its back. |
| Male | |
| Kadaikkaaran tharaasil kallai kaanom | The weight stone is missing on the merchant's scale, |
| Kadikaaraam naduvilae mullai kaanom | The hands are missing in the middle of the clock. |
| Kadaikkaaran tharaasil kallai kaanom | The weight stone is missing on the merchant's scale, |
| Kadikaaraam naduvilae mullai kaanom | The hands are missing in the middle of the clock. |
| Male | |
| Naayai kandaal aiyyaa kallai kaanom | When I see a dog, sir, the stone to throw is missing, |
| Naayai kandaal aiyyaa kallai kaanom | When I see a dog, sir, the stone to throw is missing. |
| Naan naalu vaarththai solla vanthaen | I came to speak four words, |
| Sollai kaanom | The word itself is missing. |
| Naan naalu vaarththai solla vanthaen | I came to speak four words, |
| Sollai kaanom | The word itself is missing. |
| Male | |
| Vella kaakkaa | White crow, |
| Vella kaakkaa mallaakka parakkuthu | A white crow flies upside down on its back, |
| Sevappu yaanai pallaakku thookkuthu | A red elephant lifts the palanquin. |
| Male | |
| Adhu marumagalaam idhu mamiyaaraam | That one is said to be the daughter-in-law, this one the mother-in-law, |
| Antha kadhaiyinilae ivan saamiyaaraam | And in that story, this man is said to be a monk. |
| Male | |
| Appaavin thapputhaanae unga poruppu | Is the father's fault your responsibility? |
| Neenga senja thapputhaanae pillai porappu | Isn't the birth of a child the outcome of the mistake you made? |
| Appaavin thapputhaanae unga poruppu | Is the father's fault your responsibility? |
| Neenga senja thapputhaanae pillai porappu | Isn't the birth of a child the outcome of the mistake you made? |
| Male | |
| Thappunnu therinjirunthum aasai irukku | Even knowing it is wrong, desire still remains, |
| Thappunnu therinjirunthum aasai irukku | Even knowing it is wrong, desire still remains. |
| Thavarunnu kandu kondaal kaavi irukku | If recognized as a mistake, saffron robes are ready, |
| Thavarunnu kandu kondaal kaavi irukku | If recognized as a mistake, saffron robes are ready. |
| Male | |
| Vella kaakkaa | White crow, |
| Vella kaakkaa mallaakka parakkuthu | A white crow flies upside down on its back, |
| Sevappu yaanai pallaakku thookkuthu | A red elephant lifts the palanquin. |
| Male | |
| Adhu marumagalaam idhu mamiyaaraam | That one is said to be the daughter-in-law, this one the mother-in-law, |
| Antha kadhaiyinilae ivan saamiyaaraam | And in that story, this man is said to be a monk. |
| Male | |
| Vella kaakkaa mallaakka parakkuthu | A white crow flies upside down on its back. |
வெள்ளக் காக்கா மல்லாக்க பறக்குது
செவப்பு யானை பல்லாக்கு தூக்குது
A white crow flies upside down on its back,
A red elephant lifts the palanquin.
வெள்ளக் காக்கா மல்லாக்க பறக்குது
செவப்பு யானை பல்லாக்கு தூக்குது
வெள்ளக் காக்கா மல்லாக்க பறக்குது
செவப்பு யானை பல்லாக்கு தூக்குது
A white crow flies upside down on its back,
A red elephant lifts the palanquin.
A white crow flies upside down on its back,
A red elephant lifts the palanquin.
அது மருமகளாம் இது மாமியாராம்
அந்தக் கதையினிலே இவன் சாமியாராம்
அது மருமகளாம் இது மாமியாராம்
அந்தக் கதையினிலே இவன் சாமியாராம்
That one is said to be the daughter-in-law, this one the mother-in-law,
And in that story, this man is said to be a monk.
That one is said to be the daughter-in-law, this one the mother-in-law,
And in that story, this man is said to be a monk.
எண்ணையில் தண்ணீரை விட்டுப் பார்த்தேன்
எறும்பையும் காக்கையையும் கூட்டுச் சேர்த்தேன்
எண்ணையில் தண்ணீரை விட்டுப் பார்த்தேன்
எறும்பையும் காக்கையையும் கூட்டுச் சேர்த்தேன்
I tried pouring water into oil to see,
I tried pairing an ant with a crow.
I tried pouring water into oil to see,
I tried pairing an ant with a crow.
வெண்ணையை கொக்கு மேலே வச்சு பார்த்தேன்
வெண்ணையை கொக்கு மேலே வச்சு பார்த்தேன்
ஒண்ணும் விளங்கலப்பா ஏதும் நடக்கலப்பா
ஒண்ணும் விளங்கலப்பா ஏதும் நடக்கலப்பா
I tried placing butter on top of a stork to catch it,
I tried placing butter on top of a stork to catch it.
Nothing was understood, sir; nothing worked out, sir.
Nothing was understood, sir; nothing worked out, sir.
வெள்ளக் காக்கா
வெள்ளக் காக்கா மல்லாக்க பறக்குது
White crow,
A white crow flies upside down on its back.
கடைக்காரன் தராசில் கல்லைக் காணோம்
கடிகாரம் நடுவிலே முள்ளைக் காணோம்
கடைக்காரன் தராசில் கல்லைக் காணோம்
கடிகாரம் நடுவிலே முள்ளைக் காணோம்
The weight stone is missing on the merchant's scale,
The hands are missing in the middle of the clock.
The weight stone is missing on the merchant's scale,
The hands are missing in the middle of the clock.
நாயைக் கண்டால் ஐயா கல்லைக் காணோம்
நாயைக் கண்டால் ஐயா கல்லைக் காணோம்
நான் நாலு வார்த்தை சொல்ல வந்தேன்
சொல்லைக் காணோம்.......
நான் நாலு வார்த்தை சொல்ல வந்தேன்
சொல்லைக் காணோம்.......
When I see a dog, sir, the stone to throw is missing,
When I see a dog, sir, the stone to throw is missing.
I came to speak four words,
The word itself is missing.
I came to speak four words,
The word itself is missing.
வெள்ளக் காக்கா
வெள்ளக் காக்கா மல்லாக்க பறக்குது
செவப்பு யானை பல்லாக்கு தூக்குது
White crow,
A white crow flies upside down on its back,
A red elephant lifts the palanquin.
அது மருமகளாம் இது மாமியாராம்
அந்தக் கதையினிலே இவன் சாமியாராம்
That one is said to be the daughter-in-law, this one the mother-in-law,
And in that story, this man is said to be a monk.
அப்பாவின் தப்புதானே உங்க பொறப்பு
நீங்க செஞ்ச தப்புதானே பிள்ளை பொறப்பு
அப்பாவின் தப்புதானே உங்க பொறப்பு
நீங்க செஞ்ச தப்புதானே பிள்ளை பொறப்பு
Is the father's fault your responsibility?
Isn't the birth of a child the outcome of the mistake you made?
Is the father's fault your responsibility?
Isn't the birth of a child the outcome of the mistake you made?
தப்புன்னு தெரிஞ்சிருந்தும் ஆசை இருக்கு
தப்புன்னு தெரிஞ்சிருந்தும் ஆசை இருக்கு
தவறுன்னு கண்டு கொண்டால் காவி இருக்கு
தவறுன்னு கண்டு கொண்டால் காவி இருக்கு
Even knowing it is wrong, desire still remains,
Even knowing it is wrong, desire still remains.
If recognized as a mistake, saffron robes are ready,
If recognized as a mistake, saffron robes are ready.
வெள்ளக் காக்கா
வெள்ளக் காக்கா மல்லாக்க பறக்குது
செவப்பு யானை பல்லாக்கு தூக்குது
White crow,
A white crow flies upside down on its back,
A red elephant lifts the palanquin.
அது மருமகளாம் இது மாமியாராம்
அந்தக் கதையினிலே இவன் சாமியாராம்
That one is said to be the daughter-in-law, this one the mother-in-law,
And in that story, this man is said to be a monk.
வெள்ளக் காக்கா மல்லாக்க பறக்குது
A white crow flies upside down on its back.
Vella kaakkaa mallaakka parakkuthu
A white crow flies upside down on its back,
Sevappu yaanai pallaakku thookkuthu
A red elephant lifts the palanquin.
Vella kaakkaa mallaakka parakkuthu
A white crow flies upside down on its back,
Sevappu yaanai pallaakku thookkuthu
A red elephant lifts the palanquin.
Vella kaakkaa mallaakka parakkuthu
A white crow flies upside down on its back,
Sevappu yaanai pallaakku thookkuthu
A red elephant lifts the palanquin.
Adhu marumagalaam idhu mamiyaaraam
That one is said to be the daughter-in-law, this one the mother-in-law,
Antha kadhaiyinilae ivan saamiyaaraam
And in that story, this man is said to be a monk.
Adhu marumagalaam idhu mamiyaaraam
That one is said to be the daughter-in-law, this one the mother-in-law,
Antha kadhaiyinilae ivan saamiyaaraam
And in that story, this man is said to be a monk.
Ennaiyil thanneerai vittu paarthaen
I tried pouring water into oil to see,
Erumpaiyum kaakkaiyaiyum koottu saerththaen
I tried pairing an ant with a crow.
Ennaiyil thanneerai vittu paarthaen
I tried pouring water into oil to see,
Erumpaiyum kaakkaiyaiyum koottu saerththaen
I tried pairing an ant with a crow.
Vennaiyai kokku melae vachchu paarththaen
I tried placing butter on top of a stork to catch it,
Vennaiyai kokku melae vachchu paarththaen
I tried placing butter on top of a stork to catch it.
Onnum vilangalappaa yaedhum nadakkalappaa
Nothing was understood, sir; nothing worked out, sir.
Onnum vilangalappaa yaedhum nadakkalappaa
Nothing was understood, sir; nothing worked out, sir.
Vella kaakkaa
White crow,
Vella kaakkaa mallaakka parakkuthu
A white crow flies upside down on its back.
Kadaikkaaran tharaasil kallai kaanom
The weight stone is missing on the merchant's scale,
Kadikaaraam naduvilae mullai kaanom
The hands are missing in the middle of the clock.
Kadaikkaaran tharaasil kallai kaanom
The weight stone is missing on the merchant's scale,
Kadikaaraam naduvilae mullai kaanom
The hands are missing in the middle of the clock.
Naayai kandaal aiyyaa kallai kaanom
When I see a dog, sir, the stone to throw is missing,
Naayai kandaal aiyyaa kallai kaanom
When I see a dog, sir, the stone to throw is missing.
Naan naalu vaarththai solla vanthaen
I came to speak four words,
Sollai kaanom
The word itself is missing.
Naan naalu vaarththai solla vanthaen
I came to speak four words,
Sollai kaanom
The word itself is missing.
Vella kaakkaa
White crow,
Vella kaakkaa mallaakka parakkuthu
A white crow flies upside down on its back,
Sevappu yaanai pallaakku thookkuthu
A red elephant lifts the palanquin.
Adhu marumagalaam idhu mamiyaaraam
That one is said to be the daughter-in-law, this one the mother-in-law,
Antha kadhaiyinilae ivan saamiyaaraam
And in that story, this man is said to be a monk.
Appaavin thapputhaanae unga poruppu
Is the father's fault your responsibility?
Neenga senja thapputhaanae pillai porappu
Isn't the birth of a child the outcome of the mistake you made?
Appaavin thapputhaanae unga poruppu
Is the father's fault your responsibility?
Neenga senja thapputhaanae pillai porappu
Isn't the birth of a child the outcome of the mistake you made?
Thappunnu therinjirunthum aasai irukku
Even knowing it is wrong, desire still remains,
Thappunnu therinjirunthum aasai irukku
Even knowing it is wrong, desire still remains.
Thavarunnu kandu kondaal kaavi irukku
If recognized as a mistake, saffron robes are ready,
Thavarunnu kandu kondaal kaavi irukku
If recognized as a mistake, saffron robes are ready.
Vella kaakkaa
White crow,
Vella kaakkaa mallaakka parakkuthu
A white crow flies upside down on its back,
Sevappu yaanai pallaakku thookkuthu
A red elephant lifts the palanquin.
Adhu marumagalaam idhu mamiyaaraam
That one is said to be the daughter-in-law, this one the mother-in-law,
Antha kadhaiyinilae ivan saamiyaaraam
And in that story, this man is said to be a monk.
Vella kaakkaa mallaakka parakkuthu
A white crow flies upside down on its back.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a satirical and philosophical track crafted using absurdism and folk nonsense rhymes (kudhirai kombu). By conjuring impossible images—a white crow flying backwards, a red elephant carrying a palanquin, or placing butter on a stork—lyricist Kannadasan highlights the illogical nature of worldly events, human contradictions, and family tangles.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Absurdist Imagery (Surrealism)
“Vella kaakkaa mallaakka parakkuthu”
Uses impossible imagery like a white crow flying upside down or a red elephant carrying a palanquin to signify chaos and worldliness.
Edukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Kadaikkaaran tharaasil kallai kaanom / Kadikaaraam naduvilae mullai kaanom”
Matching of the second consonant sound in adjacent lines ('ll' in Vella and Mallaakka / Kadaikkaaran and Kadikaaraam).
Proverbial Irony
“Naayai kandaal aiyyaa kallai kaanom”
References the famous Tamil saying 'Naayai kandaal kallai kaanom' (When you see a dog, you don't find a stone; when you find a stone, you don't see the dog).
Did you know?
Trivia
Kannadasan utilized classic Tamil riddle and folk tradition devices where impossible scenarios are listed to mock societal pretense. The line referencing 'Naayai kandaal kallai kaanom' is originally attributed to a philosophical verse by Siddhar saints referring to carved stone statues, reinterpreted humorously here.
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