Yelakkai Malai Mele
From Erimalai · 1985
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Erimalai1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Yaelakkaai malai melae giraamakka vanthaalaam | She came like a village belle upon the Cardamom Hills |
| Parikkaatha poovaattam vayasu ponn ninnaalaam | Like an unplucked flower, a young girl stood there |
| Female :Aah aah aah | Female: Aah aah aah |
| Male :Yaelakkaai malai melae giraamakka vanthaalaam | Male: She came like a village belle upon the Cardamom Hills |
| Parikkaatha poovaattam vayasu ponn ninnaalaam | Like an unplucked flower, a young girl stood there |
| Female :Aah aah aah | Female: Aah aah aah |
| Male | |
| Idhu pani kottum raaththiri neram | This is a chilly nighttime where dew falls |
| Female :Aah aah | Female: Aah aah |
| Male :Ivar porththikka porvaiya kaanom | Male: He seems to have no blanket to cover himself |
| Female :Aah aah | Female: Aah aah |
| Male | |
| Idhu pani kottum raaththiri neram | This is a chilly nighttime where dew falls |
| Ivar porththikka porvaiya kaanom | He seems to have no blanket to cover himself |
| Poththikka vaa mama poo vaadi polaamaa | Come cover yourself uncle, shall we go like a flower garden? |
| Manasu rendum koodaamae odhungiththaan nippomaa | Shall we stand aside without our two minds joining? |
| Male | |
| Yaelakkaai malai melae giraamakka vanthaalaam | She came like a village belle upon the Cardamom Hills |
| Parikkaatha poovaattam vayasu ponn ninnaalaam | Like an unplucked flower, a young girl stood there |
| Male | |
| Aahaa kodi pudikka sokkuthu kannu | Ah, eyes are mesmerized seeing the vine bloom |
| Female :Aah aah aah | Female: Aah aah aah |
| Male :Aahaa kaadu therinju vanthathu maanu | Male: Ah, a deer came knowing the forest well |
| Female :Aah aah aah | Female: Aah aah aah |
| Male | |
| Aahaa kodi pudikka sokkuthu kannu | Ah, eyes are mesmerized seeing the vine bloom |
| Aahaa kaadu therinju vanthathu maanu | Ah, a deer came knowing the forest well |
| Kattiyanaikka aasaiyirukkaa | Is there a desire to embrace tightly? |
| Kaththiya polae meesaiyirukkaa | Do you possess a sharp mustache like a knife? |
| Male | |
| Irunthaa neettuga avanavan thola | If so, extend your shoulders forward! |
| Vizhuthaa paappom azhagiya maala | Let us see if the beautiful garland lands! |
| Irunthaa neettuga avanavan thola | If so, extend your shoulders forward! |
| Vizhuthaa paappom azhagiya maala | Let us see if the beautiful garland lands! |
| Male | |
| Kidaikkanum sari jodithaan | A suitable companion must be found |
| Kodhikkuthu ila naadithaan | The youthful pulse is boiling with fervor |
| Iva vishayaththa thaedura aalu | She is one who searches for passion |
| Ingu koodaiya koottaththil yaaru | Who among this gathering crowd fits the role? |
| Male | |
| Yaelakkaai malai melae giraamakka vanthaalaam | She came like a village belle upon the Cardamom Hills |
| Parikkaatha poovaattam vayasu ponn ninnaalaam | Like an unplucked flower, a young girl stood there |
| Male | |
| Aahaa unna nenaichchu aasaiyum thulla | Ah, thinking of you, desire leaps up |
| Aahaa yaekkam irukku yaaridam solla | Ah, there is a longing inside, to whom shall I tell? |
| Aahaa unna nenaichchu aasaiyum thulla | Ah, thinking of you, desire leaps up |
| Yaekkam irukku yaaridam solla | There is a longing inside, to whom shall I tell? |
| Kotti muzhakka melam irukku | Drums are ready to beat loudly |
| Mettukku yaeththa thaalam irukku | The rhythm matches the tune perfectly |
| Male | |
| Aahaa thaniya naan ingu vaadura poovai | Ah, I am a flower wilting alone here |
| Thunaiyaa nee vara verenna thevai | If you come as my companion, what else is needed? |
| Ahaa ahaa ahaa | Ah ah ah |
| Aahaa thaniya naan ingu vaadura poovai | Ah, I am a flower wilting alone here |
| Thunaiyaa nee vara verenna thevai | If you come as my companion, what else is needed? |
| Male | |
| Thudikkithu oru ponnuthaan | A young girl's heart is throbbing |
| Kodhikkuthu manam onnuthaan | Her mind is boiling with emotion |
| Ada idhaivida naanennaa solvaen | Oh, what more can I say beyond this? |
| Intha jaadaiyai paarththathum mella | Seeing this subtle sign softly |
| Male | |
| Yaelakkaai malai melae | Upon the Cardamom Hills |
| Female :Aamam | Female: Yes |
| Male :Giraamakka vanthaalaam | Male: She came like a village belle |
| Female :Aamam | Female: Yes |
| Male :Parikkaatha poovaattam | Male: Like an unplucked flower |
| Female :Aamam | Female: Yes |
| Male :Vayasu ponn ninnaalaam | Male: A young girl stood there |
| Female :Aamam | Female: Yes |
ஏலக்காய் மலை மேலே கிராமக்கா வந்தாளாம்
பறிக்காத பூவாட்டம் வயசுப் பொண் நின்னாளாம்
ஆஹ் ஆஹ் ஆஹ்
ஏலக்காய் மலை மேலே கிராமக்கா வந்தாளாம்
பறிக்காத பூவாட்டம் வயசுப் பொண் நின்னாளாம்
ஆஹ் ஆஹ் ஆஹ்
She came like a village belle upon the Cardamom Hills
Like an unplucked flower, a young girl stood there
Female: Aah aah aah
Male: She came like a village belle upon the Cardamom Hills
Like an unplucked flower, a young girl stood there
Female: Aah aah aah
இது பனிக் கொட்டும் ராத்திரி நேரம்
ஆஹ் ஆஹ்
இவ போர்த்திக்க போர்வைய காணோம்
ஆஹ் ஆஹ்
This is a chilly nighttime where dew falls
Female: Aah aah
Male: He seems to have no blanket to cover himself
Female: Aah aah
இது பனிக் கொட்டும் ராத்திரி நேரம்
இவ போர்த்திக்க போர்வைய காணோம்
போத்திக்க வா மாமா பூ வாடி போலாமா
மனசு ரெண்டும் கூடாமே ஒதுங்கித்தான் நிப்போமா
This is a chilly nighttime where dew falls
He seems to have no blanket to cover himself
Come cover yourself uncle, shall we go like a flower garden?
Shall we stand aside without our two minds joining?
ஏலக்காய் மலை மேலே கிராமக்கா வந்தாளாம்
பறிக்காத பூவாட்டம் வயசுப் பொண் நின்னாளாம்
She came like a village belle upon the Cardamom Hills
Like an unplucked flower, a young girl stood there
ஆஹா கோடிப் புடிக்க சொக்குது கண்ணு
ஆஹ் ஆஹ் ஆஹ்
ஆஹா காடு தெரிஞ்சு வந்தது மானு
ஆஹ் ஆஹ் ஆஹ்
Ah, eyes are mesmerized seeing the vine bloom
Female: Aah aah aah
Male: Ah, a deer came knowing the forest well
Female: Aah aah aah
ஆஹா கோடிப் புடிக்க சொக்குது கண்ணு
ஆஹா காடு தெரிஞ்சு வந்தது மானு
கட்டியணைக்க ஆசையிருக்கா
கத்தியப் போலே மீசையிருக்கா
Ah, eyes are mesmerized seeing the vine bloom
Ah, a deer came knowing the forest well
Is there a desire to embrace tightly?
Do you possess a sharp mustache like a knife?
இருந்தா நீட்டுங்க அவனவன் தோள
விழுதா பாப்போம் அழகிய மால
இருந்தா நீட்டுங்க அவனவன் தோள
விழுதா பாப்போம் அழகிய மால
If so, extend your shoulders forward!
Let us see if the beautiful garland lands!
If so, extend your shoulders forward!
Let us see if the beautiful garland lands!
கிடைக்கணும் சரி ஜோடிதான்
கொதிக்குது இள நாடிதான்
இவ விஷயத்த தேடுற ஆளு
இங்கு கூடிய கூட்டத்தில் யாரு
A suitable companion must be found
The youthful pulse is boiling with fervor
She is one who searches for passion
Who among this gathering crowd fits the role?
ஏலக்காய் மலை மேலே கிராமக்கா வந்தாளாம்
பறிக்காத பூவாட்டம் வயசுப் பொண் நின்னாளாம்
She came like a village belle upon the Cardamom Hills
Like an unplucked flower, a young girl stood there
ஆஹா உன்ன நெனச்சு ஆசையும் துள்ள
ஆஹா ஏக்கம் இருக்கு யாரிடம் சொல்ல
ஆஹா உன்ன நெனச்சு ஆசையும் துள்ள
ஏக்கம் இருக்கு யாரிடம் சொல்ல
கொட்டி முழக்க மேளம் இருக்கு
மெட்டுக்கு ஏத்த தாளம் இருக்கு
Ah, thinking of you, desire leaps up
Ah, there is a longing inside, to whom shall I tell?
Ah, thinking of you, desire leaps up
There is a longing inside, to whom shall I tell?
Drums are ready to beat loudly
The rhythm matches the tune perfectly
ஆஹா தனியா நான் இங்கு வாடுற பூவை
துணையா நீ வர வேறென்ன தேவை
அஹா அஹா அஹா
ஆஹா தனியா நான் இங்கு வாடுற பூவை
துணையா நீ வர வேறென்ன தேவை
Ah, I am a flower wilting alone here
If you come as my companion, what else is needed?
Ah ah ah
Ah, I am a flower wilting alone here
If you come as my companion, what else is needed?
துடிக்கிது ஒரு பொண்ணுதான்
கொதிக்குது மனம் ஒண்ணுதான்
அட இதைவிட நானென்ன சொல்வேன்
இந்த ஜாடையை பார்த்ததும் மெல்ல
A young girl's heart is throbbing
Her mind is boiling with emotion
Oh, what more can I say beyond this?
Seeing this subtle sign softly
ஏலக்காய் மலை மேலே
ஆமாம்
கிராமக்கா வந்தாளாம்
ஆமாம்
பறிக்காத பூவாட்டம்
ஆமாம்
வயசுப் பொண் நின்னாளாம்
ஆமாம்
Upon the Cardamom Hills
Female: Yes
Male: She came like a village belle
Female: Yes
Male: Like an unplucked flower
Female: Yes
Male: A young girl stood there
Female: Yes
Yaelakkaai malai melae giraamakka vanthaalaam
She came like a village belle upon the Cardamom Hills
Parikkaatha poovaattam vayasu ponn ninnaalaam
Like an unplucked flower, a young girl stood there
Female :Aah aah aah
Female: Aah aah aah
Male :Yaelakkaai malai melae giraamakka vanthaalaam
Male: She came like a village belle upon the Cardamom Hills
Parikkaatha poovaattam vayasu ponn ninnaalaam
Like an unplucked flower, a young girl stood there
Female :Aah aah aah
Female: Aah aah aah
Idhu pani kottum raaththiri neram
This is a chilly nighttime where dew falls
Female :Aah aah
Female: Aah aah
Male :Ivar porththikka porvaiya kaanom
Male: He seems to have no blanket to cover himself
Female :Aah aah
Female: Aah aah
Idhu pani kottum raaththiri neram
This is a chilly nighttime where dew falls
Ivar porththikka porvaiya kaanom
He seems to have no blanket to cover himself
Poththikka vaa mama poo vaadi polaamaa
Come cover yourself uncle, shall we go like a flower garden?
Manasu rendum koodaamae odhungiththaan nippomaa
Shall we stand aside without our two minds joining?
Yaelakkaai malai melae giraamakka vanthaalaam
She came like a village belle upon the Cardamom Hills
Parikkaatha poovaattam vayasu ponn ninnaalaam
Like an unplucked flower, a young girl stood there
Aahaa kodi pudikka sokkuthu kannu
Ah, eyes are mesmerized seeing the vine bloom
Female :Aah aah aah
Female: Aah aah aah
Male :Aahaa kaadu therinju vanthathu maanu
Male: Ah, a deer came knowing the forest well
Female :Aah aah aah
Female: Aah aah aah
Aahaa kodi pudikka sokkuthu kannu
Ah, eyes are mesmerized seeing the vine bloom
Aahaa kaadu therinju vanthathu maanu
Ah, a deer came knowing the forest well
Kattiyanaikka aasaiyirukkaa
Is there a desire to embrace tightly?
Kaththiya polae meesaiyirukkaa
Do you possess a sharp mustache like a knife?
Irunthaa neettuga avanavan thola
If so, extend your shoulders forward!
Vizhuthaa paappom azhagiya maala
Let us see if the beautiful garland lands!
Irunthaa neettuga avanavan thola
If so, extend your shoulders forward!
Vizhuthaa paappom azhagiya maala
Let us see if the beautiful garland lands!
Kidaikkanum sari jodithaan
A suitable companion must be found
Kodhikkuthu ila naadithaan
The youthful pulse is boiling with fervor
Iva vishayaththa thaedura aalu
She is one who searches for passion
Ingu koodaiya koottaththil yaaru
Who among this gathering crowd fits the role?
Yaelakkaai malai melae giraamakka vanthaalaam
She came like a village belle upon the Cardamom Hills
Parikkaatha poovaattam vayasu ponn ninnaalaam
Like an unplucked flower, a young girl stood there
Aahaa unna nenaichchu aasaiyum thulla
Ah, thinking of you, desire leaps up
Aahaa yaekkam irukku yaaridam solla
Ah, there is a longing inside, to whom shall I tell?
Aahaa unna nenaichchu aasaiyum thulla
Ah, thinking of you, desire leaps up
Yaekkam irukku yaaridam solla
There is a longing inside, to whom shall I tell?
Kotti muzhakka melam irukku
Drums are ready to beat loudly
Mettukku yaeththa thaalam irukku
The rhythm matches the tune perfectly
Aahaa thaniya naan ingu vaadura poovai
Ah, I am a flower wilting alone here
Thunaiyaa nee vara verenna thevai
If you come as my companion, what else is needed?
Ahaa ahaa ahaa
Ah ah ah
Aahaa thaniya naan ingu vaadura poovai
Ah, I am a flower wilting alone here
Thunaiyaa nee vara verenna thevai
If you come as my companion, what else is needed?
Thudikkithu oru ponnuthaan
A young girl's heart is throbbing
Kodhikkuthu manam onnuthaan
Her mind is boiling with emotion
Ada idhaivida naanennaa solvaen
Oh, what more can I say beyond this?
Intha jaadaiyai paarththathum mella
Seeing this subtle sign softly
Yaelakkaai malai melae
Upon the Cardamom Hills
Female :Aamam
Female: Yes
Male :Giraamakka vanthaalaam
Male: She came like a village belle
Female :Aamam
Female: Yes
Male :Parikkaatha poovaattam
Male: Like an unplucked flower
Female :Aamam
Female: Yes
Male :Vayasu ponn ninnaalaam
Male: A young girl stood there
Female :Aamam
Female: Yes
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from the 1985 movie Erimalai is a vibrant rural romantic duet set against the backdrop of the cardamom-scented hills. Written by Vaali, the song uses playful folk metaphors comparing the young woman to an unplucked flower and a gentle deer, while highlighting the longing and youthful passion between the couple during a cold, misty night. Through catchy exchanges and suggestive banter, the song captures the yearning for companionship and the playful courtship rituals of rural lovers.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Parikkaatha poovaattam vayasu ponn ninnaalaam”
The young girl is compared to an unplucked flower using the simile marker 'aattam'.
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kattiyanaikka aasaiyirukkaa / Kaththiya polae meesaiyirukkaa”
The second consonant 'tt' sound is repeated across consecutive lines ('Kattiyanaikka' and 'Kaththiya').
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Aahaa thaniya naan ingu vaadura poovai”
The singer directly metaphorizes herself as a lonely, wilting flower yearning for a companion.
Did you know?
Trivia
Penned by legendary lyricist Vaali for the movie 'Erimalai' (1985), the song highlights traditional Tamil folk song structures where male and female voices engage in call-and-response refrain lines, using hill-country regional metaphors like 'Yaelakkaai malai' (Cardamom Hills).
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