Vellaaviyil
From Onbadhu Roobai Nottu · 2007
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Bharathwaj, Gunavathy
- Music director
- Bharathwaj
- Details
- Onbadhu Roobai Nottu2007
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vellaaviyil vecha sela | A saree placed in a steam-washer |
| Saayam povalaam | Might lose its color |
| Un vella machaan vecha | But the desire placed by your fair-complexioned lover |
| Aasa saayam povumaa | Will that desire ever lose its color? |
| Male | |
| Vellaaviyil vecha sela | A saree placed in a steam-washer |
| Saayam povalaam | Might lose its color |
| Un vella machaan vecha | But the desire placed by your fair-complexioned lover |
| Aasa saayam povumaa | Will that desire ever lose its color? |
| Female | |
| Mullu mela kaaya potta | Clothes hung to dry on thorns |
| Thuniyum thirumbalaam | Can be untangled and retrieved |
| Un meesa mela kaaya potta | But if dried upon your mustache |
| Manasu thirumbumaa | Will the heart ever turn away? |
| Male | |
| 10 manikku vaadi | Come at 10 o'clock |
| Naan palaa sula tharuven | I will give you jackfruit carpels |
| 3 manikku vaadi | Come at 3 o'clock |
| Naan mundhari pazham tharuven | I will give you cashew fruit |
| Female | |
| Nee moonu mudichu podu.. | Tie the three knots... |
| Enna muzhusa unakku tharuven | I will give myself completely to you |
| Male | |
| Vellaaviyil vecha sela | A saree placed in a steam-washer |
| Saayam povalaam | Might lose its color |
| Un vella machaan vecha | But the desire placed by your fair-complexioned lover |
| Aasa saayam povumaa | Will that desire ever lose its color? |
| Chorus | |
| ………………………. | ... |
| Male | |
| Maangili mel aasailla | I have no desire for a parrot |
| Mynaa mela aasailla | I have no desire for a myna |
| Vechirukkum aasa ellaam onnu | All the desires I hold lead to one thing |
| Enakku vannathi poochi mela kannu | My eyes are fixed on the butterfly |
| Female | |
| Pavunu mela aasailla | I have no desire for gold |
| Pattuchaela mela aasa illa | I have no desire for a silk saree |
| Theeradha aasa ellaam onnu | All my unquenchable desire leads to one thing |
| Un vervai patta vaetti mela kannu | My eyes are fixed on your sweat-soaked veshti |
| Male | |
| Malai malaiya aasa irukku | Mountains of desire reside |
| Un manasula | Inside your heart |
| Adhai thuni pottu | Covering it with cloth |
| Yendi amma nee maraikkura | Why do you hide it, my girl? |
| Female | |
| Pachavaazhai kuzhai irukku | There is a cluster of green bananas |
| En thoppula | In my grove |
| Adhu pazhukkum munnae | Before it ripens |
| Kaththi veikka nee nenaikkura | You intend to cut it with a knife |
| Male | |
| Vellaaviyil vecha sela | A saree placed in a steam-washer |
| Saayam povalaam | Might lose its color |
| Un vella machaan vecha | But the desire placed by your fair-complexioned lover |
| Aasa saayam povumaa | Will that desire ever lose its color? |
| Female | |
| Suththi oru naadhi illa | There is not a single soul around |
| Muthamitta kelvi illa | No one to question if we kiss |
| Kaaval kaakka aal illadha thoppu | A grove with no guard to keep watch |
| En kaiyirendu mattum thaanae kaapu | Only my two hands are the protection |
| Male | |
| Kaiyaala kaiya katti | Binding hand with hand |
| Vaayaala vaaya katti | Binding mouth with mouth |
| Sundharikku poda poren soappu | I am going to flatter this beautiful girl |
| Ippa vandhirukkum vetkam ellam doopu | All this shyness showing now is just a act |
| Female | |
| Kola kolaiya mundharikka | Bunches upon bunches of cashew fruit |
| En thoppula | In my grove |
| Nee nari pola suththi vandhu | Circling around like a fox |
| Yen marikkira | Why do you block my way? |
| Male | |
| Uththu paarthu uththu paarthu | Staring intently and looking |
| Naan malaikkiren | I am awestruck |
| Un usarathukku ennai yendi | To match your height, why |
| Nee valaikkira | Do you bend me down? |
| Male | |
| Vellaaviyil vecha sela | A saree placed in a steam-washer |
| Saayam povalaam | Might lose its color |
| Un vella machaan vecha | But the desire placed by your fair-complexioned lover |
| Aasa saayam povumaa | Will that desire ever lose its color? |
| Female | |
| Mullu mela kaaya potta | Clothes hung to dry on thorns |
| Thuniyum thirumbalaam | Can be untangled and retrieved |
| Un meesa mela kaaya potta | But if dried upon your mustache |
| Manasu thirumbumaa | Will the heart ever turn away? |
| Male | |
| 10 manikku vaadi | Come at 10 o'clock |
| Naan palaa sula tharuven | I will give you jackfruit carpels |
| 3 manikku vaadi | Come at 3 o'clock |
| Naan mundhari pazham tharuven | I will give you cashew fruit |
| Female | |
| Nee moonu mudichu podu.. | Tie the three knots... |
| Enna muzhusa unakku tharuven | I will give myself completely to you |
வெள்ளாவியில் வெச்ச சேல
சாயம் போவலாம்
உன் வெள்ளை மச்சான் வெச்ச
ஆசை சாயம் போவுமா
A saree placed in a steam-washer
Might lose its color
But the desire placed by your fair-complexioned lover
Will that desire ever lose its color?
வெள்ளாவியில் வெச்ச சேல
சாயம் போவலாம்
உன் வெள்ளை மச்சான் வெச்ச
ஆசை சாயம் போவுமா
A saree placed in a steam-washer
Might lose its color
But the desire placed by your fair-complexioned lover
Will that desire ever lose its color?
முள்ளு மேல காய போட்ட
துணியும் திரும்பலாம்
உன் மீசை மேல காய போட்ட
மனசு திரும்புமா
Clothes hung to dry on thorns
Can be untangled and retrieved
But if dried upon your mustache
Will the heart ever turn away?
10 மணிக்கு வாடி
நான் பலாச்சுல தருவேன்
3 மணிக்கு வாடி
நான் முந்தரி பழம் தருவேன்
Come at 10 o'clock
I will give you jackfruit carpels
Come at 3 o'clock
I will give you cashew fruit
நீ மூணு முடிச்சு போடு....
என்ன முழுசா உனக்கு தருவேன்
Tie the three knots...
I will give myself completely to you
வெள்ளாவியில் வெச்ச சேல
சாயம் போவலாம்
உன் வெள்ளை மச்சான் வெச்ச
ஆசை சாயம் போவுமா
A saree placed in a steam-washer
Might lose its color
But the desire placed by your fair-complexioned lover
Will that desire ever lose its color?
......................
...
மாங்கிளி மேல் ஆசையில்ல
மைனா மேல ஆசையில்ல
வெச்சிருக்கும் ஆசை எல்லாம் ஒன்னு
எனக்கு வண்ணத்துப் பூச்சிமேல கண்ணு
I have no desire for a parrot
I have no desire for a myna
All the desires I hold lead to one thing
My eyes are fixed on the butterfly
பவுன்னு மேல ஆசையில்ல
பட்டுசேல மேல ஆசை இல்ல
தீராத ஆசை எல்லாம் ஒன்னு
உன் வேர்வை பட்ட வீட்டி மேல கண்ணு
I have no desire for gold
I have no desire for a silk saree
All my unquenchable desire leads to one thing
My eyes are fixed on your sweat-soaked veshti
மலை மலையா ஆசை இருக்கு
உன் மனசுல
அதை துணி போட்டு
ஏண்டி அம்மா நீ மறைக்குற
Mountains of desire reside
Inside your heart
Covering it with cloth
Why do you hide it, my girl?
பச்சைவாழை குழை இருக்கு
என் தோப்புல
அது பழுக்கும் முன்னே
கத்தி விக்க நீ நினைக்குற
There is a cluster of green bananas
In my grove
Before it ripens
You intend to cut it with a knife
வெள்ளாவியில் வெச்ச சேல
சாயம் போவலாம்
உன் வெள்ளை மச்சான் வெச்ச
ஆசை சாயம் போவுமா
A saree placed in a steam-washer
Might lose its color
But the desire placed by your fair-complexioned lover
Will that desire ever lose its color?
சுத்து ஒரு நாதி இல்ல
முத்தமிட்டா கேள்வி இல்ல
காவல் காக்க ஆள் இல்லாத தோப்பு
என் கையிரெண்டும் மட்டும் தானே காப்பு
There is not a single soul around
No one to question if we kiss
A grove with no guard to keep watch
Only my two hands are the protection
கையாள கைய கட்டி
வாயால வாய கட்டி
சுந்தரிக்கு போடா போறேன் சோப்பு
இப்ப வந்திருக்கும் வெட்கம் எல்லாம் டூப்பு
Binding hand with hand
Binding mouth with mouth
I am going to flatter this beautiful girl
All this shyness showing now is just a act
கொலை கொலையா முந்துரிக்கா
என் தோப்புல
நீ நரி போல சுத்து வந்து
ஏன் மறிக்கிற
Bunches upon bunches of cashew fruit
In my grove
Circling around like a fox
Why do you block my way?
உத்து பார்த்து உத்து பார்த்து
நான் மலைக்கிறேன்
உன் உசரத்துக்கு என்னை ஏண்டி
நீ வளைக்கிற
Staring intently and looking
I am awestruck
To match your height, why
Do you bend me down?
வெள்ளாவியில் வெச்ச சேல
சாயம் போவலாம்
உன் வெள்ளை மச்சான் வெச்ச
ஆசை சாயம் போவுமா
A saree placed in a steam-washer
Might lose its color
But the desire placed by your fair-complexioned lover
Will that desire ever lose its color?
முள்ளு மேல காய போட்ட
துணியும் திரும்பலாம்
உன் மீசை மேல காய போட்ட
மனசு திரும்புமா
Clothes hung to dry on thorns
Can be untangled and retrieved
But if dried upon your mustache
Will the heart ever turn away?
10 மணிக்கு வாடி
நான் பலாச்சுல தருவேன்
3 மணிக்கு வாடி
நான் முந்தரி பழம் தருவேன்
Come at 10 o'clock
I will give you jackfruit carpels
Come at 3 o'clock
I will give you cashew fruit
நீ மூணு முடிச்சு போடு....
என்ன முழுசா உனக்கு தருவேன்
Tie the three knots...
I will give myself completely to you
Vellaaviyil vecha sela
A saree placed in a steam-washer
Saayam povalaam
Might lose its color
Un vella machaan vecha
But the desire placed by your fair-complexioned lover
Aasa saayam povumaa
Will that desire ever lose its color?
Vellaaviyil vecha sela
A saree placed in a steam-washer
Saayam povalaam
Might lose its color
Un vella machaan vecha
But the desire placed by your fair-complexioned lover
Aasa saayam povumaa
Will that desire ever lose its color?
Mullu mela kaaya potta
Clothes hung to dry on thorns
Thuniyum thirumbalaam
Can be untangled and retrieved
Un meesa mela kaaya potta
But if dried upon your mustache
Manasu thirumbumaa
Will the heart ever turn away?
10 manikku vaadi
Come at 10 o'clock
Naan palaa sula tharuven
I will give you jackfruit carpels
3 manikku vaadi
Come at 3 o'clock
Naan mundhari pazham tharuven
I will give you cashew fruit
Nee moonu mudichu podu..
Tie the three knots...
Enna muzhusa unakku tharuven
I will give myself completely to you
Vellaaviyil vecha sela
A saree placed in a steam-washer
Saayam povalaam
Might lose its color
Un vella machaan vecha
But the desire placed by your fair-complexioned lover
Aasa saayam povumaa
Will that desire ever lose its color?
……………………….
...
Maangili mel aasailla
I have no desire for a parrot
Mynaa mela aasailla
I have no desire for a myna
Vechirukkum aasa ellaam onnu
All the desires I hold lead to one thing
Enakku vannathi poochi mela kannu
My eyes are fixed on the butterfly
Pavunu mela aasailla
I have no desire for gold
Pattuchaela mela aasa illa
I have no desire for a silk saree
Theeradha aasa ellaam onnu
All my unquenchable desire leads to one thing
Un vervai patta vaetti mela kannu
My eyes are fixed on your sweat-soaked veshti
Malai malaiya aasa irukku
Mountains of desire reside
Un manasula
Inside your heart
Adhai thuni pottu
Covering it with cloth
Yendi amma nee maraikkura
Why do you hide it, my girl?
Pachavaazhai kuzhai irukku
There is a cluster of green bananas
En thoppula
In my grove
Adhu pazhukkum munnae
Before it ripens
Kaththi veikka nee nenaikkura
You intend to cut it with a knife
Vellaaviyil vecha sela
A saree placed in a steam-washer
Saayam povalaam
Might lose its color
Un vella machaan vecha
But the desire placed by your fair-complexioned lover
Aasa saayam povumaa
Will that desire ever lose its color?
Suththi oru naadhi illa
There is not a single soul around
Muthamitta kelvi illa
No one to question if we kiss
Kaaval kaakka aal illadha thoppu
A grove with no guard to keep watch
En kaiyirendu mattum thaanae kaapu
Only my two hands are the protection
Kaiyaala kaiya katti
Binding hand with hand
Vaayaala vaaya katti
Binding mouth with mouth
Sundharikku poda poren soappu
I am going to flatter this beautiful girl
Ippa vandhirukkum vetkam ellam doopu
All this shyness showing now is just a act
Kola kolaiya mundharikka
Bunches upon bunches of cashew fruit
En thoppula
In my grove
Nee nari pola suththi vandhu
Circling around like a fox
Yen marikkira
Why do you block my way?
Uththu paarthu uththu paarthu
Staring intently and looking
Naan malaikkiren
I am awestruck
Un usarathukku ennai yendi
To match your height, why
Nee valaikkira
Do you bend me down?
Vellaaviyil vecha sela
A saree placed in a steam-washer
Saayam povalaam
Might lose its color
Un vella machaan vecha
But the desire placed by your fair-complexioned lover
Aasa saayam povumaa
Will that desire ever lose its color?
Mullu mela kaaya potta
Clothes hung to dry on thorns
Thuniyum thirumbalaam
Can be untangled and retrieved
Un meesa mela kaaya potta
But if dried upon your mustache
Manasu thirumbumaa
Will the heart ever turn away?
10 manikku vaadi
Come at 10 o'clock
Naan palaa sula tharuven
I will give you jackfruit carpels
3 manikku vaadi
Come at 3 o'clock
Naan mundhari pazham tharuven
I will give you cashew fruit
Nee moonu mudichu podu..
Tie the three knots...
Enna muzhusa unakku tharuven
I will give myself completely to you
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from 'Onbadhu Roobai Nottu' is a playful rural duet expressing intense love, affection, and desire between two village lovers. Through rich agrarian metaphors—like washing clothes in steam, drying garments on thorns, jackfruit, cashew groves, and raw banana clusters—the lyrics contrast temporary physical objects with the permanent nature of true romance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Vellaaviyil vecha sela Saayam povalaam”
Compares love and affection to color on a saree that never fades even in a hot steam wash.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kaiyaala kaiya katti / Vaayaala vaaya katti”
Matching initial consonants across words in the line for rhythmic flow.
Imagery
“Un vervai patta vaetti mela kannu”
Uses vivid rural and natural elements (cashew groves, sweat-soaked veshti, green bananas) to ground the romance in rustic village life.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Onbadhu Roobai Nottu' (2007) was directed by Thangar Bachan and based on his own novel of the same name. The film's music was composed by Bharathwaj, with lyrics written by Vairamuthu, highlighting rich rural Tamil metaphors.
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