Yelelo Yelelo
From Shaakuntalam · 2023
- Lyricist
- Kabilan
- Singer
- Anurag Kulkarni
- Music director
- Mani Sharma
- Details
- Shaakuntalam2023
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa | Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa |
| Yethi poga thoni neeril | A boat floating in the water to carry us forward |
| Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa | Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa |
| Dhooram thaanda paadhai thedi | Searching for a path to cross the distance |
| Male | |
| Saedhi indru kondaayae | Did you bring the news today? |
| Chandha maama | O Uncle Moon |
| Thona thedi indha thaenilaa | This sweet moon searching for companionship |
| Male | |
| Hoo ooo hoo oooo | Hoo ooo hoo oooo |
| Hooo ooo raa ri | Hooo ooo raa ri |
| Saedhi indru kondaayae | Did you bring the news today? |
| Chandha maama | O Uncle Moon |
| Thona thedi indha thaenilaa | This sweet moon searching for companionship |
| Male | |
| Seeru kondu vandhaaiyo | Did you bring gifts and blessings? |
| Chandha mama | O Uncle Moon |
| Thunaiyaalan kooda serkavae | To unite her with her companion |
| Annai aagum indha velai | At this moment of becoming a mother |
| Nindaraalae andhi vaanaa | Does the twilight sky stand still? |
| Male | |
| Maharajan unai vendi | Did the great king pray for you |
| Poojai seidhaano | And perform sacred worship? |
| Muni kumaariyai | The sage's daughter, |
| Sondham aakinaan | He made his own |
| Avan ullam engum | Everywhere in his heart, |
| Neeya nindraayae | Did you stand? |
| Chorus | |
| Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa | Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa |
| Ora kannaal thaakinaano | Did he strike you with a side glance? |
| Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa | Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa |
| Vekkathaalae kannam sivandhaai | Your cheeks turned red with shyness |
| Male | |
| Raajyam aalum raajan kannil thondri | Appearing in the eyes of the ruling king |
| Indha jenman yaavum unnod enbaanae | He will say, 'This entire lifetime is yours' |
| Maaran undhan pakkam varum naalil | On the day Cupid comes to your side |
| Avan maaril unnai soodi kolvaanae! hoo… | He will wear you close to his chest! Hoo… |
| Male | |
| Mela thaalam kotta avan varuvan aadi | He will come dancing to the beat of drums |
| Pallakilae thooki valam varuvan suttri | Carrying you in a palanquin, circumambulating around |
| Pookal thoovi devi unnai kooti selvaanae | Showering flowers, goddess, he will take you along |
| Indha mannil ezhil menagai neeyamma | You are the beautiful Menaka on this earth, dear mother |
| Manam vendi nirkkum varamum neeyamma | You are the boon that the heart yearns for, dear mother |
| Chorus | |
| Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa | Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa |
| Sandhoshamaa neendhum oodam | A boat swimming happily |
| Thandhaaanae thaananae aadum odam | A boat dancing gracefully |
| Pennin manam oonjal aadi | A woman's heart swings like a cradle |
| Male | |
| Per aazhiyil poratangal thaaka | When struggles strike in the vast ocean |
| Asaindhaadum odam nammai kaapanae! hoo… | This swaying boat will protect us! Hoo… |
| Kobangalai saabangalai thaandi | Surpassing anger and curses |
| Uyir yendhum theeyaai seeri selvomae! hoo… | We will surge forward like a flame carrying life! Hoo… |
| Male | |
| Nenjin maayaa nadhi | The magical river of the heart |
| Adhu nirkaadhaiyaa | It does not stop, oh dear |
| Podhum endraal kooda | Even if you say enough |
| Manam ketkaadhaiyaa | The mind will not listen, oh dear |
| Male | |
| Theeraa nadhi vatri verum | Even if the endless river dries up into mere mud |
| Seraai maarinum | Even if it turns into mire |
| Karai serkum amma anna poodhoni | This gentle flower-boat will safely reach the shore, dear mother |
| Ini ovvoru naalum | From now on, every single day |
| Nanmaigal sondhamamma | Goodness will belong to you, mother |
| Chorus | |
| Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa | Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa |
| Ennam polae vandhu serndhom | We arrived as envisioned |
| Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa | Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa |
| Sondha kootai serndhaai neeyae | You have reached your own nest |
ஏலேலோ ஏலேலா ஏலே யாலா
ஏத்தி போக தோணி நீரில்
ஏலேலோ ஏலேலா ஏலே யாலா
தூரம் தாண்ட பாதை தேடி
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
A boat floating in the water to carry us forward
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
Searching for a path to cross the distance
சேதி இன்று கொண்டாயே சந்தமாமா
துண தேடி இந்த தேனிலா
Did you bring the news today?
O Uncle Moon
This sweet moon searching for companionship
ஹோ ஓ ஹோ ஓ
ஹோ ஓ ரா ரி
சேதி இன்று கொண்டாயே சந்தமாமா
துண தேடி இந்த தேனிலா
Hoo ooo hoo oooo
Hooo ooo raa ri
Did you bring the news today?
O Uncle Moon
This sweet moon searching for companionship
சீரு கொண்டு வந்தாயே சந்தமாமா
துணையாளர் கூட சேர்க்கவே
அன்னை ஆகும் இந்த வேளை
நின்றாளே அந்தி வானே
Did you bring gifts and blessings?
O Uncle Moon
To unite her with her companion
At this moment of becoming a mother
Does the twilight sky stand still?
மகாராஜன் உனை வேண்டி
பூஜை செய்தானே
முனி குமாரியை
சொந்தம் ஆக்கினான்
அவன் உள்ளம் எங்கும்
நீயே நின்றாயே
Did the great king pray for you
And perform sacred worship?
The sage's daughter,
He made his own
Everywhere in his heart,
Did you stand?
ஏலேலோ ஏலேலா ஏலே யாலா
ஓர கண்ணால் தாக்கினானோ
ஏலேலோ ஏலேலா ஏலே யாலா
வெட்கத்தால் கண்ணம் சிவந்தாய்
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
Did he strike you with a side glance?
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
Your cheeks turned red with shyness
ராஜ்யம் ஆளும்
ராஜன் கண்ணில் தோன்றி
இந்த ஜென்மம் யாவும்
உன்னோடென்பானே
Appearing in the eyes of the ruling king
He will say, 'This entire lifetime is yours'
On the day Cupid comes to your side
He will wear you close to his chest! Hoo…
மாறன் உந்தன் பக்கம்
வரும் நாளில்
அவன் மாரில் உன்னை
சூடி கொள்வானே ஓ…
He will come dancing to the beat of drums
Carrying you in a palanquin, circumambulating around
Showering flowers, goddess, he will take you along
You are the beautiful Menaka on this earth, dear mother
You are the boon that the heart yearns for, dear mother
மேள தாளம் கொட்ட
அவன் வருவான் ஆடி
பலக்கிலே தூக்கி
வலம் வருவான் சுற்றி
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
A boat swimming happily
A boat dancing gracefully
A woman's heart swings like a cradle
பூக்கள் தூவி தேவி உன்னை
கூட்டி செல்வானே
இந்த மண்ணில் எழில்
மேனகை நீயம்மா
மனம் வேண்டி நிற்கும்
வரமும் நீயம்மா
When struggles strike in the vast ocean
This swaying boat will protect us! Hoo…
Surpassing anger and curses
We will surge forward like a flame carrying life! Hoo…
ஏலேலோ ஏலேலா ஏலே யாலா
சந்தோஷமா நீந்தும் ஓடம்
தந்தானே தானானே ஆடும் ஓடம்
பெண்ணின் மனம் ஊஞ்சல் ஆடி
The magical river of the heart
It does not stop, oh dear
Even if you say enough
The mind will not listen, oh dear
பேர் ஆழயில் பேராட்டங்கள் தாக்க
அசைந்தாடும் ஓடம் நம்மை காப்பானே! ஓ…
கோபங்களை சாபங்களை தாண்டி
உயிர் ஏந்தும் தீயாய் சீறி செல்வோமே! ஓ….
Even if the endless river dries up into mere mud
Even if it turns into mire
This gentle flower-boat will safely reach the shore, dear mother
From now on, every single day
Goodness will belong to you, mother
நெஞ்சின் மாயா நதி
அது நிற்காதய்யா
போதும் என்றால் கூட
மனம் கேட்காதய்யா
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
We arrived as envisioned
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
You have reached your own nest
தீரா நதி வற்றி வெறும்
சேறாய் மாறினும்
கரை சேர்க்கும் அம்மா அன்ன பூந்தோணி
இனி ஒவ்வொரு நாளும்
நன்மைகள் சொந்தமம்மா
ஏலேலோ ஏலேலா ஏலே யாலா
எண்ணம் போல வந்து சேர்ந்தோம்
ஏலேலோ ஏலேலா ஏலே யாலா
சொந்த கூட்டை சேர்ந்தாய் நீயே
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
Yethi poga thoni neeril
A boat floating in the water to carry us forward
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
Dhooram thaanda paadhai thedi
Searching for a path to cross the distance
Saedhi indru kondaayae
Did you bring the news today?
Chandha maama
O Uncle Moon
Thona thedi indha thaenilaa
This sweet moon searching for companionship
Hoo ooo hoo oooo
Hoo ooo hoo oooo
Hooo ooo raa ri
Hooo ooo raa ri
Saedhi indru kondaayae
Did you bring the news today?
Chandha maama
O Uncle Moon
Thona thedi indha thaenilaa
This sweet moon searching for companionship
Seeru kondu vandhaaiyo
Did you bring gifts and blessings?
Chandha mama
O Uncle Moon
Thunaiyaalan kooda serkavae
To unite her with her companion
Annai aagum indha velai
At this moment of becoming a mother
Nindaraalae andhi vaanaa
Does the twilight sky stand still?
Maharajan unai vendi
Did the great king pray for you
Poojai seidhaano
And perform sacred worship?
Muni kumaariyai
The sage's daughter,
Sondham aakinaan
He made his own
Avan ullam engum
Everywhere in his heart,
Neeya nindraayae
Did you stand?
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
Ora kannaal thaakinaano
Did he strike you with a side glance?
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
Vekkathaalae kannam sivandhaai
Your cheeks turned red with shyness
Raajyam aalum raajan kannil thondri
Appearing in the eyes of the ruling king
Indha jenman yaavum unnod enbaanae
He will say, 'This entire lifetime is yours'
Maaran undhan pakkam varum naalil
On the day Cupid comes to your side
Avan maaril unnai soodi kolvaanae! hoo…
He will wear you close to his chest! Hoo…
Mela thaalam kotta avan varuvan aadi
He will come dancing to the beat of drums
Pallakilae thooki valam varuvan suttri
Carrying you in a palanquin, circumambulating around
Pookal thoovi devi unnai kooti selvaanae
Showering flowers, goddess, he will take you along
Indha mannil ezhil menagai neeyamma
You are the beautiful Menaka on this earth, dear mother
Manam vendi nirkkum varamum neeyamma
You are the boon that the heart yearns for, dear mother
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
Sandhoshamaa neendhum oodam
A boat swimming happily
Thandhaaanae thaananae aadum odam
A boat dancing gracefully
Pennin manam oonjal aadi
A woman's heart swings like a cradle
Per aazhiyil poratangal thaaka
When struggles strike in the vast ocean
Asaindhaadum odam nammai kaapanae! hoo…
This swaying boat will protect us! Hoo…
Kobangalai saabangalai thaandi
Surpassing anger and curses
Uyir yendhum theeyaai seeri selvomae! hoo…
We will surge forward like a flame carrying life! Hoo…
Nenjin maayaa nadhi
The magical river of the heart
Adhu nirkaadhaiyaa
It does not stop, oh dear
Podhum endraal kooda
Even if you say enough
Manam ketkaadhaiyaa
The mind will not listen, oh dear
Theeraa nadhi vatri verum
Even if the endless river dries up into mere mud
Seraai maarinum
Even if it turns into mire
Karai serkum amma anna poodhoni
This gentle flower-boat will safely reach the shore, dear mother
Ini ovvoru naalum
From now on, every single day
Nanmaigal sondhamamma
Goodness will belong to you, mother
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
Ennam polae vandhu serndhom
We arrived as envisioned
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa
Sondha kootai serndhaai neeyae
You have reached your own nest
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from Shaakuntalam captures a joyous yet emotional boat journey as Shakuntala travels towards her beloved King Dushyanta. The companions sing celebratory folk-style boat refrains ('Yelelo') comparing Shakuntala to a radiant moon and a earthly nymph (Menaka). They speak of her deep love, the shyness she feels, the divine bonds connecting her to her husband, and the maternal bliss emerging within her.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Folk Refrain (Aatruppaattu / Ambapattu)
“Yelelo yelelo yelo yaalaa”
Use of traditional Tamil boatmen's rhythm 'Yelelo yelelo' to structure the journey and maintain cadence.
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Thona thedi indha thaenilaa”
Comparing the protagonist to a sweet moon seeking companionship, and describing the heart as a magical endless river.
Alliteration (Monai)
“Pennin manam oonjal aadi / Per aazhiyil poratangal thaaka”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'p' in 'Pennin' and 'Per aazhiyil' to add internal rhythm.
Did you know?
Trivia
The 'Yelelo' chant is a historic Tamil sea/river boatmen refrain (Amba Paattu) traditionally sung in rhythm with the rowing of oars to lessen fatigue during water journeys.
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