Yela Yelo
From Mandela · 2021
- Lyricist
- Arivu
- Singer
- Arivu
- Music director
- Bharath Sankar
- Details
- Mandela2021
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Yela yelo yelalaiyelo | Folk rhythmic chant (Yela yelo yelalaiyelo) |
| Yela yelo yelalaiyelo | Folk rhythmic chant (Yela yelo yelalaiyelo) |
| Male | |
| Perazhagan un pera solli | Saying your name, handsome man |
| Chorus :Thanthathina | Chorus: Thanthathina |
| Male :Poguthammo oru vaadamalli | A globe amaranth flower moves along, oh dear |
| Chorus :Thanthathina | Chorus: Thanthathina |
| Male :Olathatti oru oonjala katti | Tying a swing using a woven palm leaf |
| Chorus :Thanthathina | Chorus: Thanthathina |
| Male :Thoosuthatti kudi pugunthathammo | Dusting off and moving in to reside, oh dear |
| Chorus :Thanthathina | Chorus: Thanthathina |
| Male :Melam kotti oru vethala potti | Beating drums, a betel leaf box |
| Chorus :Thanthathina | Chorus: Thanthathina |
| Male :Megathukkae thanthi adikkuthummo | Is sending a telegram to the clouds, oh dear |
| Chorus :Thanthathina | Chorus: Thanthathina |
| Male :Savarakkathi minnukuthummo | The razor blade is gleaming, oh dear |
| Chorus :Thanthathina | Chorus: Thanthathina |
| Male :Evara patthi nenaikuthummo | Whom is it thinking about, oh dear? |
| Chorus :Thanthathina | Chorus: Thanthathina |
| Male | |
| Hmm mm mm….. | Hmm mm mm….. |
| Male | |
| Laa lalala lallala lallala la | Laa lalala lallala lallala la |
| Laa lalala lallala lallala la | Laa lalala lallala lallala la |
| Laa lalala lallala lallala la | Laa lalala lallala lallala la |
| Laa lalala lallala lallala la | Laa lalala lallala lallala la |
| Male | |
| Vaasamalli oru vaartha solli | The jasmine flower speaks a word |
| Chorus :Thanthathina | Chorus: Thanthathina |
| Male :Vagudeduthu mella vaaruthummo | Parting the hair and gently combing, oh dear |
| Chorus :Thanthathina | Chorus: Thanthathina |
| Male :Kaathula thaan oru seidhi vandhu | A news floating in the wind has arrived |
| Chorus :Thanthathina | Chorus: Thanthathina |
| Male :Naethayellam alli mudinjathammo | Gathering and tying up yesterday's events, oh dear |
| Chorus :Thanthathina | Chorus: Thanthathina |
| Male :Kaattumalli andha kadhaiya solli | The wild jasmine tells that tale |
| Chorus :Thanthathina | Chorus: Thanthathina |
| Male :Paattu onnu inga padikuthummo | And is singing a song here, oh dear |
| Chorus :Thanthathina | Chorus: Thanthathina |
| Male | |
| Kuthaala seemaikku muthaada povuthu | Going to kiss the region of Courtallam |
| Thakkana boomikku thanneerum paayudhu | Thakkana boomikku thanneerum paayudhu -> Water flows into the deserving land |
| Kuthaazha poovukku kacheri kooduthu | A musical concert gathers for the wild flower |
| Mathaala tholukku manjalum seruthu | Turmeric is applied to the drum skin |
| Male | |
| Perazhagan un pera solli | Saying your name, handsome man |
| Chorus :Thanthathina | Chorus: Thanthathina |
| Male :Poguthammo oru ponnaanganni | A sessile joyweed plant moves along, oh dear |
| Chorus :Thanthathina | Chorus: Thanthathina |
| Male :Aalangatti oru paalam katti | Building a bridge out of hailstones |
| Chorus :Thanthathina | Chorus: Thanthathina |
| Male :Aarudhalaa vadhu seruthammo | It brings a sense of comfort, oh dear |
| Chorus :Thanthathina | Chorus: Thanthathina |
| Male :Kaayamellam ippa aaruthammo | All the wounds are healing now, oh dear |
| Chorus :Thanthathina | Chorus: Thanthathina |
| Male | |
| Chithira veyilu sillunnu kaayudhu | The scorching April sun shines coolly |
| Nethili meenukku nithira povudhu | The anchovy fish goes to sleep |
| Kathiri valanju kammalum aavudhu | The eggplant bends to become an earring |
| Koppara vaanamum pothunnu thoovudhu | The wide open sky suddenly pours rain |
| Male | |
| Kooraiyilla kottaikulla | Inside the palace without a roof |
| Sooriyanum sirikkuthummo | Even the sun is smiling, oh dear |
| Savarakkathi minnukuthummo | The razor blade is gleaming, oh dear |
| Sooriyanum sirikkuthummo | Even the sun is smiling, oh dear |
| Male | |
| Yela yelo yelalaiyelo | Folk rhythmic chant (Yela yelo yelalaiyelo) |
| Yela yelo yelalaiyelo | Folk rhythmic chant (Yela yelo yelalaiyelo) |
எல ஏலோ ஏலேலையேலோ
குழு :
தந்ததின
போகுதம்மோ ஒரு வாடாமல்லி
குழு :
தந்ததின
ஒலதட்டி ஒரு ஊஞ்சல கட்டி
குழு :
தந்ததின
தூசுதட்டி குடி புகுந்ததம்மோ
குழு :
தந்ததின
மேளம் கொட்டி ஒரு வெத்தல பொட்டி
குழு :
தந்ததின
மேகத்துக்கே தந்தி அடிக்குதம்மோ
குழு :
தந்ததின
சவரக்கத்தி மின்னுக்குதம்மோ
குழு :
தந்ததின
எவர பத்தி நெனைக்குதம்மோ
குழு :
தந்ததின
Folk rhythmic chant (Yela yelo yelalaiyelo)
Folk rhythmic chant (Yela yelo yelalaiyelo)
ஹ்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்.....
Saying your name, handsome man
Chorus: Thanthathina
A globe amaranth flower moves along, oh dear
Chorus: Thanthathina
Tying a swing using a woven palm leaf
Chorus: Thanthathina
Dusting off and moving in to reside, oh dear
Chorus: Thanthathina
Beating drums, a betel leaf box
Chorus: Thanthathina
Is sending a telegram to the clouds, oh dear
Chorus: Thanthathina
The razor blade is gleaming, oh dear
Chorus: Thanthathina
Whom is it thinking about, oh dear?
Chorus: Thanthathina
லா லலல லல்லல லல்லல லா
லா லலல லல்லல லல்லல லா
லா லலல லல்லல லல்லல லா
லா லலல லல்லல லல்லல லா
Hmm mm mm…..
வாசமல்லி ஒரு வார்த்த சொல்லி
குழு :
தந்ததின
வகுடெடுத்து மெல்ல வாருதம்மோ
குழு :
தந்ததின
காத்துல தான் ஒரு செய்தி வந்து
குழு :
தந்ததின
நாத்தஎல்லாம் அள்ளி முடிஞ்சதம்மோ
குழு :
தந்ததின
காட்டுமல்லி அந்த கதைய சொல்லி
குழு :
தந்ததின
பாட்டு ஒன்னு இங்க படிக்குதம்மோ
குழு :
தந்ததின
Laa lalala lallala lallala la
Laa lalala lallala lallala la
Laa lalala lallala lallala la
Laa lalala lallala lallala la
குத்தால சீமைக்கு முத்தாட போவுது
தக்காண பூமிக்கு தண்ணீரும் பாயுது
குத்தால பூவுக்கு கச்சேரி கூடுது
மத்தாள தோலுக்கு மஞ்சளும் சேருது
The jasmine flower speaks a word
Chorus: Thanthathina
Parting the hair and gently combing, oh dear
Chorus: Thanthathina
A news floating in the wind has arrived
Chorus: Thanthathina
Gathering and tying up yesterday's events, oh dear
Chorus: Thanthathina
The wild jasmine tells that tale
Chorus: Thanthathina
And is singing a song here, oh dear
Chorus: Thanthathina
பேரழகன் உன் பேர சொல்லி
குழு :
தந்ததின
போகுதம்மோ ஒரு பொன்னாங்கண்ணி
குழு :
தந்ததின
ஆலங்கட்டி ஒரு பாலம் கட்டி
குழு :
தந்ததின
ஆறுதலா வந்து சேருதம்மோ
குழு :
தந்ததின
காயமெல்லாம் இப்ப ஆருதம்மோ
குழு :
தந்ததின
Going to kiss the region of Courtallam
Thakkana boomikku thanneerum paayudhu -> Water flows into the deserving land
A musical concert gathers for the wild flower
Turmeric is applied to the drum skin
சித்திர வெய்யிலு சில்லுனு காயுது
நெத்திலி மீனுக்கு நித்திர போவுது
கத்திரி வளைஞ்சு கம்மலும் ஆவுது
கொப்பற வானமும் பொத்துன்னு தூவுது
Saying your name, handsome man
Chorus: Thanthathina
A sessile joyweed plant moves along, oh dear
Chorus: Thanthathina
Building a bridge out of hailstones
Chorus: Thanthathina
It brings a sense of comfort, oh dear
Chorus: Thanthathina
All the wounds are healing now, oh dear
Chorus: Thanthathina
கூரையில்லா கோட்டைக்குள்ள
சூரியனும் சிரிக்குதம்மோ
சவரக்கத்தி மின்னுக்குதம்மோ
சூரியனும் சிரிக்குதம்மோ
The scorching April sun shines coolly
The anchovy fish goes to sleep
The eggplant bends to become an earring
The wide open sky suddenly pours rain
எல ஏலோ ஏலேலையேலோ
எல ஏலோ ஏலேலையேலோ
Inside the palace without a roof
Even the sun is smiling, oh dear
The razor blade is gleaming, oh dear
Even the sun is smiling, oh dear
Folk rhythmic chant (Yela yelo yelalaiyelo)
Folk rhythmic chant (Yela yelo yelalaiyelo)
Yela yelo yelalaiyelo
Folk rhythmic chant (Yela yelo yelalaiyelo)
Yela yelo yelalaiyelo
Folk rhythmic chant (Yela yelo yelalaiyelo)
Perazhagan un pera solli
Saying your name, handsome man
Chorus :Thanthathina
Chorus: Thanthathina
Male :Poguthammo oru vaadamalli
A globe amaranth flower moves along, oh dear
Chorus :Thanthathina
Chorus: Thanthathina
Male :Olathatti oru oonjala katti
Tying a swing using a woven palm leaf
Chorus :Thanthathina
Chorus: Thanthathina
Male :Thoosuthatti kudi pugunthathammo
Dusting off and moving in to reside, oh dear
Chorus :Thanthathina
Chorus: Thanthathina
Male :Melam kotti oru vethala potti
Beating drums, a betel leaf box
Chorus :Thanthathina
Chorus: Thanthathina
Male :Megathukkae thanthi adikkuthummo
Is sending a telegram to the clouds, oh dear
Chorus :Thanthathina
Chorus: Thanthathina
Male :Savarakkathi minnukuthummo
The razor blade is gleaming, oh dear
Chorus :Thanthathina
Chorus: Thanthathina
Male :Evara patthi nenaikuthummo
Whom is it thinking about, oh dear?
Chorus :Thanthathina
Chorus: Thanthathina
Hmm mm mm…..
Hmm mm mm…..
Laa lalala lallala lallala la
Laa lalala lallala lallala la
Laa lalala lallala lallala la
Laa lalala lallala lallala la
Laa lalala lallala lallala la
Laa lalala lallala lallala la
Laa lalala lallala lallala la
Laa lalala lallala lallala la
Vaasamalli oru vaartha solli
The jasmine flower speaks a word
Chorus :Thanthathina
Chorus: Thanthathina
Male :Vagudeduthu mella vaaruthummo
Parting the hair and gently combing, oh dear
Chorus :Thanthathina
Chorus: Thanthathina
Male :Kaathula thaan oru seidhi vandhu
A news floating in the wind has arrived
Chorus :Thanthathina
Chorus: Thanthathina
Male :Naethayellam alli mudinjathammo
Gathering and tying up yesterday's events, oh dear
Chorus :Thanthathina
Chorus: Thanthathina
Male :Kaattumalli andha kadhaiya solli
The wild jasmine tells that tale
Chorus :Thanthathina
Chorus: Thanthathina
Male :Paattu onnu inga padikuthummo
And is singing a song here, oh dear
Chorus :Thanthathina
Chorus: Thanthathina
Kuthaala seemaikku muthaada povuthu
Going to kiss the region of Courtallam
Thakkana boomikku thanneerum paayudhu
Thakkana boomikku thanneerum paayudhu -> Water flows into the deserving land
Kuthaazha poovukku kacheri kooduthu
A musical concert gathers for the wild flower
Mathaala tholukku manjalum seruthu
Turmeric is applied to the drum skin
Perazhagan un pera solli
Saying your name, handsome man
Chorus :Thanthathina
Chorus: Thanthathina
Male :Poguthammo oru ponnaanganni
A sessile joyweed plant moves along, oh dear
Chorus :Thanthathina
Chorus: Thanthathina
Male :Aalangatti oru paalam katti
Building a bridge out of hailstones
Chorus :Thanthathina
Chorus: Thanthathina
Male :Aarudhalaa vadhu seruthammo
It brings a sense of comfort, oh dear
Chorus :Thanthathina
Chorus: Thanthathina
Male :Kaayamellam ippa aaruthammo
All the wounds are healing now, oh dear
Chorus :Thanthathina
Chorus: Thanthathina
Chithira veyilu sillunnu kaayudhu
The scorching April sun shines coolly
Nethili meenukku nithira povudhu
The anchovy fish goes to sleep
Kathiri valanju kammalum aavudhu
The eggplant bends to become an earring
Koppara vaanamum pothunnu thoovudhu
The wide open sky suddenly pours rain
Kooraiyilla kottaikulla
Inside the palace without a roof
Sooriyanum sirikkuthummo
Even the sun is smiling, oh dear
Savarakkathi minnukuthummo
The razor blade is gleaming, oh dear
Sooriyanum sirikkuthummo
Even the sun is smiling, oh dear
Yela yelo yelalaiyelo
Folk rhythmic chant (Yela yelo yelalaiyelo)
Yela yelo yelalaiyelo
Folk rhythmic chant (Yela yelo yelalaiyelo)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from the political satire film 'Mandela' serves as a vibrant, earthy ode to the protagonist, a humble local barber named Smile (played by Yogi Babu) who gains unexpected dignity and power. Through rich rural folk imagery, playful surrealism, and metaphorical storytelling, the track celebrates his newfound identity, respect, and sense of belonging in a society that previously ignored him.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Savarakkathi minnukuthummo”
The gleaming razor blade serves as a metaphor for the protagonist's identity, profession, and his rising power/distinction.
Iyaipu (Rhyming end words)
“Kuthaala seemaikku muthaada povuthu / Thakkana boomikku thanneerum paayudhu”
The matching end sounds ('povuthu' / 'paayudhu') create a lyrical rhythm typical of Tamil folk music.
Oxymoron / Surrealism
“Chithira veyilu sillunnu kaayudhu”
Describing the notoriously hot summer sun of Chithirai as shining coolly ('sillunnu') emphasizes the magical sense of comfort the protagonist now feels.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written and performed by multi-talented indie hip-hop artist and lyricist Arivu, the song fuses traditional Tamil Villu Paattu/folk style rhythms with modern acoustic folk arrangements by composer Bharath Sankar. The song accompanies a pivotal transformation arc for the lead character in 'Mandela'.
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