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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Why This Kolaveri Di

From 3(Moonu) · 2012

Lyricist
Dhanush
Singer
Dhanush
Music director
Anirudh Ravichander
Details
3(Moonu)2012

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yo boys i am singing songYo boys, I am singing a song
Soup songSoup song (heartbreak song)
Flop songFlop song
Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri diWhy this murderous rage, murderous rage, murderous rage, girl?
Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri diWhy this murderous rage, murderous rage, murderous rage, girl?
Rhythm correctRhythm is correct
Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri diWhy this murderous rage, murderous rage, murderous rage, girl?
Maintain pleaseMaintain it please
Why this kolaveri….ah diWhy this murderous rage... ah, girl?
Male
Distance-ula moonu moonuIn the distance, there is the moon
Moonu color-u white-uThe moon's color is white
White background night-u night-uWhite background, night time
Night-u color-u black-uThe night's color is black
Male
White skin-u girl-u girl-uA girl with white skin
Girl-u heart-u black-uThe girl's heart is black
Eyes-u eyes-u meet-u meet-uEyes met eyes
My future darkMy future turned dark
Male
Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri diWhy this murderous rage, murderous rage, murderous rage, girl?
Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri diWhy this murderous rage, murderous rage, murderous rage, girl?
Male
Maama notes eduthukoUncle/Friend, take the notes
Appadiyae kaila snacks eduthukoLikewise, grab some snacks in hand
Pa pa pa paan pa pa pa paanPa pa pa paan pa pa pa paan
Pa pa paan pa pa paanPa pa paan pa pa paan
Sariya vaasiPlay it properly
Male
HahahahahHahahahah
Super maama readySuper uncle/friend, ready
Ready 1 2 3 4Ready 1 2 3 4
Male
Whaa wat a change over maamaWow, what a changeover uncle/friend
Ok maama now tune change-uOkay uncle/friend, now the tune changes
Hmmm mmm kaila glassHmmm mmm glass in hand
Only englishOnly English
Hand la glassGlass in hand
Glass la scotchScotch in the glass
Eyes-u full-aa tear-uEyes full of tears
Empty life-uEmpty life
Girl-u come-uThe girl came
Life reverse gear-uLife went into reverse gear
Male
Lovvu lovvuLove, love
Oh my lovvuOh my love
You showed me boww-uYou ditch me/showed me a bow
Cow-u cow-u holi cow-uCow, cow, holy cow
I want u hear now-uI want you to hear now
Male
God i m dying now-uGod, I am dying now
She is happy how-uHow is she happy?
This song for soup boys-uThis song is for soup boys (heartbroken guys)
We dont have choice-uWe don't have a choice
Male
Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri diWhy this murderous rage, murderous rage, murderous rage, girl?
Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri diWhy this murderous rage, murderous rage, murderous rage, girl?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Why This Kolaveri Di' is a casual, humorous heartbreak anthem sung from the perspective of a young man ('soup boy') lamenting his failed relationship over drinks. Utilizing Tanglish—a colloquial blend of Tamil and simplified English—the song presents a lighthearted, self-deprecating vent rather than bitter grief, capturing the relatable frustration of unrequited love in a conversational studio-jam session style. The narrative moves from observing contrast between light and dark to drunkenly expressing emotional pain, creating an iconic youth pop-culture track.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Epizeuxis / Repetition

Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di

The word 'kolaveri' (killer rage) is repeated rapidly to emphasize the protagonist's dramatic dismay over his heartbreak.

Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)

White skin-u girl-u girl-u / Girl-u heart-u black-u

Contrasts the physical appearance ('white skin') with perceived deceitful emotional character ('black heart').

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Cow-u cow-u holi cow-u / I want u hear now-u / God i m dying now-u / She is happy how-u

Consecutive lines end with the exaggerated '-ow-u' rhyming sound characteristic of Tanglish songwriting.

Code-Mixing (Tanglish)

Distance-ula moonu moonu

Attaches Tamil locative suffixes ('-ula') to English nouns ('distance') to create an informal conversational register.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Anirudh Ravichander in his debut film '3' (2012) directed by Aishwarya R. Dhanush, this track sung and written by Dhanush became one of the earliest Indian video tracks to go globally viral on YouTube, garnering millions of views within days and winning YouTube's 'Gold Award'.

Keep listening

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