Yaaru Yaaru Indha Kizhavan
From Dharmathin Thalaivan · 1988
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, Mano
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Dharmathin Thalaivan1988
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Yaaru yaaru indha kizhavan | Who is this old man? |
| Ada naaru naaru | Ah, shredded like fiber, |
| Pinja thenga naaru | Fibers of a young tender coconut! |
| Aadum vayasu engalukku | This is our age to dance and enjoy, |
| Kizhava kizhavaa | Old man, oh old man! |
| Neenga aadi theertha | Aren't you someone who has already lived, |
| Aalu thanae podhuva | And finished enjoying your time? |
| Chorus | |
| Haan aadum vayasu engalukku | Aha, this is our age to dance and enjoy, |
| Kizhava kizhavaa | Old man, oh old man! |
| Neenga aadi theertha | Aren't you someone who has already lived, |
| Aalu thanae podhuva | And finished enjoying your time? |
| Male | |
| Thambhi thambhi | Little brother, little brother, |
| Podi thambhi thambhi | Go away, little brother, little brother, |
| Anga annan undu | Your elder brother is over there, |
| Unna nambi nambi | Trusting you completely! |
| Male | |
| Vaalibathil kettu pona | Little brother who went astray, |
| Thambhi thambhi | Little brother, in your youth, |
| Pinnaal vazhkaiyil solli putten | I'm telling you, later in life, |
| Vengala kambhi dei… | You'll become as stiff as a bronze rod, hey! |
| Male | |
| Vaalibathil kettu pona | Little brother who went astray, |
| Thambhi thambhi | Little brother, in your youth, |
| Pinnaal vazhkaiyil solli putten | I'm telling you, later in life, |
| Vengala kambhi … | You'll become as stiff as a bronze rod... |
| Male | |
| Unnatam naadi thalaradha body | You don't have a body that doesn't tire out, |
| Ennatam edhilum nee mundhanum | Why do you always want to be ahead in everything? |
| Male | |
| Sonnalae kelu vayasana aalu | Listen to what I say, I am an older person, |
| Pinnalae poi nee kundhanum | You should go behind and sit quietly. |
| Male | |
| Kundhikiran ..unnaiyum | He sits down... and he will make you, |
| Kundha veippan | Sit down as well! |
| Nee indha kaalam | You belong to this era, |
| Naano andha kaalam | Whereas I belong to that old era. |
| Male | |
| Pazhaiya sangadhiyum | Those old stories and matters, |
| Ungappan partha sangadhiyum | And the matters your father witnessed, |
| Ethukku engalukku | Why do we need them now? |
| Ungalukku ilamai engirukku | Where is your youth left anyway? |
| Male | |
| Ada avuththu vitta | Hey, you shouldn't wander around, |
| Kaalaiya pol alaiyaa kudathu | Like an untamed bull set free. |
| Oru kavuththa katti | When the time comes that ties you with a rope, |
| Adaki vaikkum kaalam vandha | And restrains you, what will you do? |
| Enna seivaa… | What will you do then...? |
| Chorus | |
| Yaaru yaaru indha kizhavan | Who is this old man? |
| Male :Heii | Hey! |
| Ada naaru naaru | Ah, shredded like fiber, |
| Pinja thenga naaru | Fibers of a young tender coconut! |
| Male :Haan | Aha! |
| Male | |
| Aadum vayasu engalukku | This is our age to dance and enjoy, |
| Kizhava kizhavaa | Old man, oh old man! |
| Neenga aadi theertha | Aren't you someone who has already lived, |
| Aalu thanae podhuva…aah… | And finished enjoying your time? Ah... |
| Male | |
| Ammadi paartha seriyana thatha | Oh dear, looking at you, you are a proper granddad, |
| Summavum neenga alakaathinga..haan | Don't simply preach to us... aha! |
| Male | |
| College class -u illama pona | If college classes aren't happening, |
| Kannadi glass-ah thookathinga | Don't go around drinking alcohol from glass tumblers! |
| Male | |
| Kalloorikku naangal chellapillai | We are the favorite darlings of this college, |
| Cut adicha oru kelvi illa | No one asks us any questions if we cut class! |
| Male | |
| Valathu vittavanum | The one who raised you, |
| Unna inga padikka vechavanum | And sent you here to study, |
| Ethanaiyo kanavu kandirruppaan | Must have harbored so many dreams, |
| Ennanavo nenaivu kondiruppaan | And must have held so many hopes! |
| Male | |
| Ada ilamai ipo irukkurappo | Hey, while youth is here right now, |
| Veluthu kattama | If we don't live it up to the fullest, |
| Thala naraikirappo thaadi eduthu | When our head turns grey and we grow a beard, |
| Nadakirappo enna seiya | And struggle to walk, what is the point of doing anything? |
| Male | |
| Yaaru yaaru indha kizhavan | Who is this old man? |
| Ada naaru naaru | Ah, shredded like fiber, |
| Pinja thenga naaru | Fibers of a young tender coconut! |
| Aadum vayasu engalukku | This is our age to dance and enjoy, |
| Kizhava kizhavaa | Old man, oh old man! |
| Neenga aadi theertha | Aren't you someone who has already lived, |
| Aalu thanae podhuva..haan | And finished enjoying your time?.. aha! |
| Chorus | |
| Aadum vayasu engalukku | This is our age to dance and enjoy, |
| Kizhava kizhavaa | Old man, oh old man! |
| Neenga aadi theertha | Aren't you someone who has already lived, |
| Aalu thanae podhuva.. | And finished enjoying your time?.. |
| Male | |
| Thambhi thambhi | Little brother, little brother, |
| Podi thambhi thambhi | Go away, little brother, little brother, |
| Anga annan undu | Your elder brother is over there, |
| Unna nambi nambi | Trusting you completely! |
| Male | |
| Vaalibathil kettu pona | Little brother who went astray, |
| Thambhi thambhi | Little brother, in your youth, |
| Pinnaal vazhkaiyil solli putten | I'm telling you, later in life, |
| Vengala kambhi dei… | You'll become as stiff as a bronze rod, hey! |
| Male | |
| Vaalibathil kettu pona | Little brother who went astray, |
| Thambhi thambhi | Little brother, in your youth, |
| Pinnaal vazhkaiyil solli putten | I'm telling you, later in life, |
| Vengala kambhi … | You'll become as stiff as a bronze rod... |
| Male | |
| Haan thambhi thambhi | Aha, little brother, little brother, |
| Podi thambhi thambhi | Go away, little brother, little brother, |
| Anga annan undu | Your elder brother is over there, |
| Unna nambi nambi..dei | Trusting you completely.. hey! |
யாரு யாரு இந்த
கிழவன் அட நாறு நாறு
பிஞ்ச தேங்கா நாரு ஆடும்
வயசு எங்களுக்கு கிழவா
கிழவா நீங்க ஆடி தீா்த்த
ஆளு தானே பொதுவா
Who is this old man?
Ah, shredded like fiber,
Fibers of a young tender coconut!
This is our age to dance and enjoy,
Old man, oh old man!
Aren't you someone who has already lived,
And finished enjoying your time?
ஹான் ஆடும் வயசு
எங்களுக்கு கிழவா கிழவா
நீங்க ஆடி தீா்த்த ஆளு
தானே பொதுவா
Aha, this is our age to dance and enjoy,
Old man, oh old man!
Aren't you someone who has already lived,
And finished enjoying your time?
தம்பி தம்பி பொடி
தம்பி தம்பி அங்க அண்ணன்
உண்டு உன்ன நம்பி நம்பி
Little brother, little brother,
Go away, little brother, little brother,
Your elder brother is over there,
Trusting you completely!
வாலிபத்தில் கெட்டு
போன தம்பி தம்பி பின்னால்
வாழ்க்கையில் சொல்லி
புட்டேன் வெண்கல கம்பி
டேய்
Little brother who went astray,
Little brother, in your youth,
I'm telling you, later in life,
You'll become as stiff as a bronze rod, hey!
வாலிபத்தில் கெட்டு
போன தம்பி தம்பி பின்னால்
வாழ்க்கையில் சொல்லி
புட்டேன் வெண்கல கம்பி
Little brother who went astray,
Little brother, in your youth,
I'm telling you, later in life,
You'll become as stiff as a bronze rod...
உன்னாட்டம் நாடி
தளராத பாடி என்னாட்டம்
எதிலும் நீ முந்தனும்
சொன்னாலே கேளு
வயசான ஆளு பின்னாலே
போய் நீ குந்தணும்
You don't have a body that doesn't tire out,
Why do you always want to be ahead in everything?
குந்திக்கிறேன் உன்னையும்
குந்த வைப்பான் நீ இந்தக் காலம்
நானோ அந்தக் காலம்
Listen to what I say, I am an older person,
You should go behind and sit quietly.
பழைய சங்கதியும்
உங்க அப்பன் பார்த்த சங்கதியும்
எதுக்கு எங்களுக்கு உங்களுக்கு
இளமை எங்கிருக்கு
He sits down... and he will make you,
Sit down as well!
You belong to this era,
Whereas I belong to that old era.
அட அவுத்து விட்ட
காளையப் போல் அலையக்
கூடாது ஒரு கவுத்த கட்டி
அடக்கி வைக்கும் காலம்
வந்தா என்ன செய்வ
Those old stories and matters,
And the matters your father witnessed,
Why do we need them now?
Where is your youth left anyway?
யாரு யாரு
இந்த கிழவன்
ஹேய்
அட நாரு நாரு
பிஞ்ச தேங்கா
நாரு
ஹான்
Hey, you shouldn't wander around,
Like an untamed bull set free.
When the time comes that ties you with a rope,
And restrains you, what will you do?
What will you do then...?
ஆடும் வயசு
எங்களுக்கு கிழவா கிழவா
நீங்க ஆடி தீா்த்த ஆளு
தானே பொதுவா
Who is this old man?
Hey!
Ah, shredded like fiber,
Fibers of a young tender coconut!
Aha!
அம்மாடி பார்த்தா
சரியான தாதா சும்மாவும்
நீங்க அலக்காதீங்க ஹான்
This is our age to dance and enjoy,
Old man, oh old man!
Aren't you someone who has already lived,
And finished enjoying your time? Ah...
காலேஜ் கிளாஸ்சு
இல்லாமப் போனா கண்ணாடி
கிளாஸா தூக்காதீங்க
கல்லூரிக்கு நாங்க செல்லப்
பிள்ளை கட் அடிச்சா ஒரு
கேள்வி இல்ல
Oh dear, looking at you, you are a proper granddad,
Don't simply preach to us... aha!
வளத்து விட்டவனும்
உன்ன இங்க படிக்க வச்சவனும்
எத்தனையோ கனவு கண்டிருப்பான்
என்னன்னவோ நினைவு
கொண்டிருப்பான்
If college classes aren't happening,
Don't go around drinking alcohol from glass tumblers!
அட இளமை இப்போ
இருக்கிறப்போ வெளுத்து
கட்டாம தல நரைக்கிறப்போ
தாடி எடுத்து நடக்கிறப்போ
என்ன செய்ய
We are the favorite darlings of this college,
No one asks us any questions if we cut class!
யாரு யாரு இந்த
கிழவன் அட நாறு நாறு
பிஞ்ச தேங்கா நாரு ஆடும்
வயசு எங்களுக்கு கிழவா
கிழவா நீங்க ஆடி தீா்த்த
ஆளு தானே பொதுவா
ஹான்
The one who raised you,
And sent you here to study,
Must have harbored so many dreams,
And must have held so many hopes!
ஆடும் வயசு
எங்களுக்கு கிழவா கிழவா
நீங்க ஆடி தீா்த்த ஆளு
தானே பொதுவா
Hey, while youth is here right now,
If we don't live it up to the fullest,
When our head turns grey and we grow a beard,
And struggle to walk, what is the point of doing anything?
தம்பி தம்பி பொடி
தம்பி தம்பி அங்க அண்ணன்
உண்டு உன்ன நம்பி நம்பி
Who is this old man?
Ah, shredded like fiber,
Fibers of a young tender coconut!
This is our age to dance and enjoy,
Old man, oh old man!
Aren't you someone who has already lived,
And finished enjoying your time?.. aha!
வாலிபத்தில் கெட்டு
போன தம்பி தம்பி பின்னால்
வாழ்க்கையில் சொல்லி
புட்டேன் வெண்கல கம்பி
டேய்
This is our age to dance and enjoy,
Old man, oh old man!
Aren't you someone who has already lived,
And finished enjoying your time?..
வாலிபத்தில் கெட்டு
போன தம்பி தம்பி பின்னால்
வாழ்க்கையில் சொல்லி
புட்டேன் வெண்கல கம்பி
Little brother, little brother,
Go away, little brother, little brother,
Your elder brother is over there,
Trusting you completely!
ஹான் தம்பி தம்பி பொடி
தம்பி தம்பி அங்க அண்ணன்
உண்டு உன்ன நம்பி நம்பி
டேய்
Little brother who went astray,
Little brother, in your youth,
I'm telling you, later in life,
You'll become as stiff as a bronze rod, hey!
Little brother who went astray,
Little brother, in your youth,
I'm telling you, later in life,
You'll become as stiff as a bronze rod...
Aha, little brother, little brother,
Go away, little brother, little brother,
Your elder brother is over there,
Trusting you completely.. hey!
Yaaru yaaru indha kizhavan
Who is this old man?
Ada naaru naaru
Ah, shredded like fiber,
Pinja thenga naaru
Fibers of a young tender coconut!
Aadum vayasu engalukku
This is our age to dance and enjoy,
Kizhava kizhavaa
Old man, oh old man!
Neenga aadi theertha
Aren't you someone who has already lived,
Aalu thanae podhuva
And finished enjoying your time?
Haan aadum vayasu engalukku
Aha, this is our age to dance and enjoy,
Kizhava kizhavaa
Old man, oh old man!
Neenga aadi theertha
Aren't you someone who has already lived,
Aalu thanae podhuva
And finished enjoying your time?
Thambhi thambhi
Little brother, little brother,
Podi thambhi thambhi
Go away, little brother, little brother,
Anga annan undu
Your elder brother is over there,
Unna nambi nambi
Trusting you completely!
Vaalibathil kettu pona
Little brother who went astray,
Thambhi thambhi
Little brother, in your youth,
Pinnaal vazhkaiyil solli putten
I'm telling you, later in life,
Vengala kambhi dei…
You'll become as stiff as a bronze rod, hey!
Vaalibathil kettu pona
Little brother who went astray,
Thambhi thambhi
Little brother, in your youth,
Pinnaal vazhkaiyil solli putten
I'm telling you, later in life,
Vengala kambhi …
You'll become as stiff as a bronze rod...
Unnatam naadi thalaradha body
You don't have a body that doesn't tire out,
Ennatam edhilum nee mundhanum
Why do you always want to be ahead in everything?
Sonnalae kelu vayasana aalu
Listen to what I say, I am an older person,
Pinnalae poi nee kundhanum
You should go behind and sit quietly.
Kundhikiran ..unnaiyum
He sits down... and he will make you,
Kundha veippan
Sit down as well!
Nee indha kaalam
You belong to this era,
Naano andha kaalam
Whereas I belong to that old era.
Pazhaiya sangadhiyum
Those old stories and matters,
Ungappan partha sangadhiyum
And the matters your father witnessed,
Ethukku engalukku
Why do we need them now?
Ungalukku ilamai engirukku
Where is your youth left anyway?
Ada avuththu vitta
Hey, you shouldn't wander around,
Kaalaiya pol alaiyaa kudathu
Like an untamed bull set free.
Oru kavuththa katti
When the time comes that ties you with a rope,
Adaki vaikkum kaalam vandha
And restrains you, what will you do?
Enna seivaa…
What will you do then...?
Yaaru yaaru indha kizhavan
Who is this old man?
Male :Heii
Hey!
Ada naaru naaru
Ah, shredded like fiber,
Pinja thenga naaru
Fibers of a young tender coconut!
Male :Haan
Aha!
Aadum vayasu engalukku
This is our age to dance and enjoy,
Kizhava kizhavaa
Old man, oh old man!
Neenga aadi theertha
Aren't you someone who has already lived,
Aalu thanae podhuva…aah…
And finished enjoying your time? Ah...
Ammadi paartha seriyana thatha
Oh dear, looking at you, you are a proper granddad,
Summavum neenga alakaathinga..haan
Don't simply preach to us... aha!
College class -u illama pona
If college classes aren't happening,
Kannadi glass-ah thookathinga
Don't go around drinking alcohol from glass tumblers!
Kalloorikku naangal chellapillai
We are the favorite darlings of this college,
Cut adicha oru kelvi illa
No one asks us any questions if we cut class!
Valathu vittavanum
The one who raised you,
Unna inga padikka vechavanum
And sent you here to study,
Ethanaiyo kanavu kandirruppaan
Must have harbored so many dreams,
Ennanavo nenaivu kondiruppaan
And must have held so many hopes!
Ada ilamai ipo irukkurappo
Hey, while youth is here right now,
Veluthu kattama
If we don't live it up to the fullest,
Thala naraikirappo thaadi eduthu
When our head turns grey and we grow a beard,
Nadakirappo enna seiya
And struggle to walk, what is the point of doing anything?
Yaaru yaaru indha kizhavan
Who is this old man?
Ada naaru naaru
Ah, shredded like fiber,
Pinja thenga naaru
Fibers of a young tender coconut!
Aadum vayasu engalukku
This is our age to dance and enjoy,
Kizhava kizhavaa
Old man, oh old man!
Neenga aadi theertha
Aren't you someone who has already lived,
Aalu thanae podhuva..haan
And finished enjoying your time?.. aha!
Aadum vayasu engalukku
This is our age to dance and enjoy,
Kizhava kizhavaa
Old man, oh old man!
Neenga aadi theertha
Aren't you someone who has already lived,
Aalu thanae podhuva..
And finished enjoying your time?..
Thambhi thambhi
Little brother, little brother,
Podi thambhi thambhi
Go away, little brother, little brother,
Anga annan undu
Your elder brother is over there,
Unna nambi nambi
Trusting you completely!
Vaalibathil kettu pona
Little brother who went astray,
Thambhi thambhi
Little brother, in your youth,
Pinnaal vazhkaiyil solli putten
I'm telling you, later in life,
Vengala kambhi dei…
You'll become as stiff as a bronze rod, hey!
Vaalibathil kettu pona
Little brother who went astray,
Thambhi thambhi
Little brother, in your youth,
Pinnaal vazhkaiyil solli putten
I'm telling you, later in life,
Vengala kambhi …
You'll become as stiff as a bronze rod...
Haan thambhi thambhi
Aha, little brother, little brother,
Podi thambhi thambhi
Go away, little brother, little brother,
Anga annan undu
Your elder brother is over there,
Unna nambi nambi..dei
Trusting you completely.. hey!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful banter song from 'Dharmathin Thalaivan' showcases a clash of generations between carefree college students and an older, responsible figure (or an elder brotherly figure advising youth). The students mock the old man, asserting that youth is a fleeting time for fun, dance, and living without boundaries. They dismiss old-fashioned values and traditional wisdom as irrelevant to their modern age. In response, the elder character advises the younger generation against wasting their youth on reckless behavior, skipping classes, and indulging in bad habits. He cautions them that irresponsible actions in youth will lead to regret and physical/mental hardship in old age when responsibilities catch up. Written by Vaali, the song balances humor, rhythmic slang, and moral advice in a dynamic conversational duet style.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Pinja thenga naaru”
Compares the fragile or dried-up physical state of the elderly person to thin tender coconut fibers.
Simile
“Kaalaiya pol alaiyaa kudathu”
Uses 'pol' (like) to compare untamed youth roaming recklessly to a bull let loose without a rope.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Pinnaal vazhkaiyil solli putten / Vengala kambhi dei…”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds or rhyming structures across adjacent lyric phrases.
Repetition / Anaphora
“Thambhi thambhi / Podi thambhi thambhi”
Rhythmic repetition of the word 'Thambhi' (little brother) to emphasize affection mixed with stern warning.
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Trivia
In 'Dharmathin Thalaivan' (1988), Rajinikanth plays a dual role—one as an absent-minded college professor (Professor Balu) and the other as his younger brother (Raju). The music for this hit film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, featuring famous tracks sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra.
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