Vellai Niranthoru
From Ennai Vittu Pogaathe · 1988
- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Ennai Vittu Pogaathe1988
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Vellai nirathoru | Oh white-colored |
| Pacha kili pillaiyae | Little green parrot child |
| Ullam thavippadhai | The suffering of my heart |
| Solla mudiyaliyae | I am unable to express |
| Mullai kodikkoru thaerum ingirukka | While a chariot for the jasmine vine is present here |
| Mullai kodi adhai alli thaeril vida | To lift the jasmine vine and place it on the chariot |
| Vallalum ingillaiyae | There is no generous patron here |
| Female | |
| Vellai nirathoru | Oh white-colored |
| Pacha kili pillaiyae | Little green parrot child |
| Ullam thavippadhai | The suffering of my heart |
| Solla mudiyaliyae | I am unable to express |
| Female | |
| Kangal rendum ingu eeram | Both eyes are wet here with tears |
| Konjam kooda kandukollavillai yaarum | Nobody noticed or cared even a little bit |
| Kangal rendum ingu eeram | Both eyes are wet here with tears |
| Konjam kooda kandukollavillai yaarum | Nobody noticed or cared even a little bit |
| Ullathin aazhathil oorum eeram | The moisture welling up in the depths of the heart |
| Adhu ullukkul kaaindhae thaan pogum | That dries up inside itself |
| Ullathin aazhathil oorum eeram | The moisture welling up in the depths of the heart |
| Adhu ullukkul kaaindhae thaan pogum | That dries up inside itself |
| Female | |
| Vaanathu megathil | In the cloud of the sky |
| Thoongidum neeradhu | The sleeping water drops |
| Boomikku vandhidumaa | Will they ever fall down to the earth? |
| Vaanathai thaedidum aazha kadalinil | In the deep sea searching for the sky |
| Kotti kalandhidumaa | Will it pour down and merge? |
| Illai sollaamal kollaamal | Or without saying a word, quietly |
| Megam kalaindhidumaa | Will the clouds disperse away? |
| Female | |
| Vellai nirathoru | Oh white-colored |
| Pacha kili pillaiyae | Little green parrot child |
| Ullam thavippadhai | The suffering of my heart |
| Solla mudiyaliyae | I am unable to express |
| Female | |
| Naetru nadandhadhu | What happened yesterday |
| Enna enni enni | Thinking about it again and again |
| Paarkka thudippadhum enna | Why does my heart yearn to look back? |
| Naetru nadandhadhu | What happened yesterday |
| Enna enni enni | Thinking about it again and again |
| Paarkka thudippadhum enna | Why does my heart yearn to look back? |
| Female | |
| Poothu kulungidum | Full of blooming blossoms |
| Poovai alli choodi | Plucking flowers and wearing them |
| Saerthu sirithadhum enna | What was that shared laughter about? |
| Poothu kulungidum | Full of blooming blossoms |
| Poovai alli choodi | Plucking flowers and wearing them |
| Saerthu sirithadhum enna | What was that shared laughter about? |
| Female | |
| Aatrangaraiyinil aadi kalithadhum | Dancing and playing on the riverbank |
| Nenjam marandhidumaa | Will my heart ever forget? |
| Odai kara thannil odi pidithadhum | Playing tag along the stream bank |
| Ullukkul odudhammaa | It runs through my mind inside |
| Indru serndhae irandum thaan | Today, both memories joined together |
| Vikki thavikkudhammaa | Choke and torment me inside |
| Female | |
| Vellai nirathoru | Oh white-colored |
| Pacha kili pillaiyae | Little green parrot child |
| Ullam thavippadhai | The suffering of my heart |
| Solla mudiyaliyae | I am unable to express |
| Mullai kodikkoru thaerum ingirukka | While a chariot for the jasmine vine is present here |
| Mullai kodi adhai alli thaeril vida | To lift the jasmine vine and place it on the chariot |
| Vallalum ingillaiyae | There is no generous patron here |
| Female | |
| Vellai nirathoru | Oh white-colored |
| Pacha kili pillaiyae | Little green parrot child |
| Ullam thavippadhai | The suffering of my heart |
| Solla mudiyaliyae | I am unable to express |
வெள்ளை நிறத்தொரு
பச்சக் கிளிப்பிள்ளையே
உள்ளம் தவிப்பதை
சொல்ல முடியலியே
முல்லைக் கொடிக்கொரு தேரும் இங்கிருக்க
முல்லைக் கொடி அதை அள்ளித் தேரில் விட
வள்ளலும் இங்கில்லையே
Oh white-colored
Little green parrot child
The suffering of my heart
I am unable to express
While a chariot for the jasmine vine is present here
To lift the jasmine vine and place it on the chariot
There is no generous patron here
வெள்ளை நிறத்தொரு
பச்சக் கிளிப்பிள்ளையே
உள்ளம் தவிப்பதை
சொல்ல முடியலியே
Oh white-colored
Little green parrot child
The suffering of my heart
I am unable to express
கண்கள் ரெண்டும் இங்கு ஈரம்
கொஞ்சம் கூட கண்டு கொள்ளவில்லை யாரும்
கண்கள் ரெண்டும் இங்கு ஈரம்
கொஞ்சம் கூட கண்டு கொள்ளவில்லை யாரும்
உள்ளத்தின் ஆழத்தில் ஊறும் ஈரம்
அது உள்ளுக்குள் காய்ந்தே தான் போகும்
உள்ளத்தின் ஆழத்தில் ஊறும் ஈரம்
அது உள்ளுக்குள் காய்ந்தே தான் போகும்
Both eyes are wet here with tears
Nobody noticed or cared even a little bit
Both eyes are wet here with tears
Nobody noticed or cared even a little bit
The moisture welling up in the depths of the heart
That dries up inside itself
The moisture welling up in the depths of the heart
That dries up inside itself
வானத்து மேகத்தில்
தூங்கிடும் நீரது
பூமிக்கு வந்திடுமா
வானத்தை தேடிடும் ஆழக் கடலினில்
கொட்டிக் கலந்திடுமா
இல்லை சொல்லாமல் கொள்ளாமல்
மேகம் கலைந்திடுமா
In the cloud of the sky
The sleeping water drops
Will they ever fall down to the earth?
In the deep sea searching for the sky
Will it pour down and merge?
Or without saying a word, quietly
Will the clouds disperse away?
வெள்ளை நிறத்தொரு
பச்சக் கிளிப்பிள்ளையே
உள்ளம் தவிப்பதை
சொல்ல முடியலியே
Oh white-colored
Little green parrot child
The suffering of my heart
I am unable to express
நேற்று நடந்தது
என்ன எண்ணி எண்ணி
பார்க்கத் துடிப்பதும் என்ன
நேற்று நடந்தது
என்ன எண்ணி எண்ணி
பார்க்கத் துடிப்பதும் என்ன
What happened yesterday
Thinking about it again and again
Why does my heart yearn to look back?
What happened yesterday
Thinking about it again and again
Why does my heart yearn to look back?
பூத்துக் குலுங்கிடும்
பூவை அள்ளிச் சூடி
சேர்த்துச் சிரித்ததும் என்ன
பூத்துக் குலுங்கிடும்
பூவை அள்ளிச் சூடி
சேர்த்துச் சிரித்ததும் என்ன
Full of blooming blossoms
Plucking flowers and wearing them
What was that shared laughter about?
Full of blooming blossoms
Plucking flowers and wearing them
What was that shared laughter about?
ஆற்றங்கரையினில் ஆடிக் களித்ததும்
நெஞ்சம் மறந்திடுமா
ஓடை கரை தன்னில் ஓடிப் பிடித்ததும்
உள்ளுக்குள் ஓடுதம்மா
இன்று சேர்ந்தே இரண்டும் தான்
விக்கித் தவிக்குதம்மா
Dancing and playing on the riverbank
Will my heart ever forget?
Playing tag along the stream bank
It runs through my mind inside
Today, both memories joined together
Choke and torment me inside
வெள்ளை நிறத்தொரு
பச்சக் கிளிப்பிள்ளையே
உள்ளம் தவிப்பதை
சொல்ல முடியலியே
முல்லைக் கொடிக்கொரு தேரும் இங்கிருக்க
முல்லைக் கொடி அதை அள்ளித் தேரில் விட
வள்ளலும் இங்கில்லையே
Oh white-colored
Little green parrot child
The suffering of my heart
I am unable to express
While a chariot for the jasmine vine is present here
To lift the jasmine vine and place it on the chariot
There is no generous patron here
வெள்ளை நிறத்தொரு
பச்சக் கிளிப்பிள்ளையே
உள்ளம் தவிப்பதை
சொல்ல முடியலியே
Oh white-colored
Little green parrot child
The suffering of my heart
I am unable to express
Vellai nirathoru
Oh white-colored
Pacha kili pillaiyae
Little green parrot child
Ullam thavippadhai
The suffering of my heart
Solla mudiyaliyae
I am unable to express
Mullai kodikkoru thaerum ingirukka
While a chariot for the jasmine vine is present here
Mullai kodi adhai alli thaeril vida
To lift the jasmine vine and place it on the chariot
Vallalum ingillaiyae
There is no generous patron here
Vellai nirathoru
Oh white-colored
Pacha kili pillaiyae
Little green parrot child
Ullam thavippadhai
The suffering of my heart
Solla mudiyaliyae
I am unable to express
Kangal rendum ingu eeram
Both eyes are wet here with tears
Konjam kooda kandukollavillai yaarum
Nobody noticed or cared even a little bit
Kangal rendum ingu eeram
Both eyes are wet here with tears
Konjam kooda kandukollavillai yaarum
Nobody noticed or cared even a little bit
Ullathin aazhathil oorum eeram
The moisture welling up in the depths of the heart
Adhu ullukkul kaaindhae thaan pogum
That dries up inside itself
Ullathin aazhathil oorum eeram
The moisture welling up in the depths of the heart
Adhu ullukkul kaaindhae thaan pogum
That dries up inside itself
Vaanathu megathil
In the cloud of the sky
Thoongidum neeradhu
The sleeping water drops
Boomikku vandhidumaa
Will they ever fall down to the earth?
Vaanathai thaedidum aazha kadalinil
In the deep sea searching for the sky
Kotti kalandhidumaa
Will it pour down and merge?
Illai sollaamal kollaamal
Or without saying a word, quietly
Megam kalaindhidumaa
Will the clouds disperse away?
Vellai nirathoru
Oh white-colored
Pacha kili pillaiyae
Little green parrot child
Ullam thavippadhai
The suffering of my heart
Solla mudiyaliyae
I am unable to express
Naetru nadandhadhu
What happened yesterday
Enna enni enni
Thinking about it again and again
Paarkka thudippadhum enna
Why does my heart yearn to look back?
Naetru nadandhadhu
What happened yesterday
Enna enni enni
Thinking about it again and again
Paarkka thudippadhum enna
Why does my heart yearn to look back?
Poothu kulungidum
Full of blooming blossoms
Poovai alli choodi
Plucking flowers and wearing them
Saerthu sirithadhum enna
What was that shared laughter about?
Poothu kulungidum
Full of blooming blossoms
Poovai alli choodi
Plucking flowers and wearing them
Saerthu sirithadhum enna
What was that shared laughter about?
Aatrangaraiyinil aadi kalithadhum
Dancing and playing on the riverbank
Nenjam marandhidumaa
Will my heart ever forget?
Odai kara thannil odi pidithadhum
Playing tag along the stream bank
Ullukkul odudhammaa
It runs through my mind inside
Indru serndhae irandum thaan
Today, both memories joined together
Vikki thavikkudhammaa
Choke and torment me inside
Vellai nirathoru
Oh white-colored
Pacha kili pillaiyae
Little green parrot child
Ullam thavippadhai
The suffering of my heart
Solla mudiyaliyae
I am unable to express
Mullai kodikkoru thaerum ingirukka
While a chariot for the jasmine vine is present here
Mullai kodi adhai alli thaeril vida
To lift the jasmine vine and place it on the chariot
Vallalum ingillaiyae
There is no generous patron here
Vellai nirathoru
Oh white-colored
Pacha kili pillaiyae
Little green parrot child
Ullam thavippadhai
The suffering of my heart
Solla mudiyaliyae
I am unable to express
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Vellai Nirathoru' is a poignant composition expressing unfulfilled longing and unseen grief. Addressing an innocent 'green parrot', a symbol of pure soul and tender heart, the speaker laments their inability to voice the deep agony swelling inside. The imagery of a helpless jasmine vine needing a chariot alludes to classical Tamil folklore, emphasizing the absence of a compassionate savior in their hour of pain. Nostalgic memories of past joys—playing on riverbanks, laughing together, wearing fresh flowers—contrast sharply with the present state of neglected tears and silent suffering. The speaker reflects on whether comfort will ever rain down upon their life or if hope will simply disperse like silent clouds in the sky.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Classical Allusion (Uvamai / Purananuru Allusion)
“Mullai kodikkoru thaerum ingirukka”
Refers to the famous story of King Pari giving his chariot to support a helpless jasmine vine. Here, it symbolizes the speaker's yearning for a compassionate protector.
Visual Juxtaposition / Oxymoron (Muran)
“Vellai nirathoru Pacha kili pillaiyae”
Juxtaposes 'Vellai' (white/pure) with 'Pacha kili' (green parrot) to emphasize innocence and stark emotional purity.
Personification & Metaphor
“Vaanathu megathil Thoongidum neeradhu”
Personifies rain water as 'sleeping' inside sky clouds and questioning if it will ever reach the yearning earth below, symbolizing unfulfilled emotional nourishment.
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyrics for 'Vellai Nirathoru' were penned by maestro Ilaiyaraaja himself for the 1988 film 'Ennai Vittu Pogaathe'. Ilaiyaraaja frequently drew upon classical Tamil Sangam literature motifs—such as Kadai Ezhu Vallal Pari's legendary donation of his chariot to a jasmine vine—and seamlessly integrated them into contemporary cinema poetry.
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