Yerriyile Elanthamaram
From Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo · 1981
- Lyricist
- Panchu Arunachalam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo1981
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Sa ri ga ma pa dha ni saa…. | Sa ri ga ma pa dha ni saa…. |
| Sa ri ga ma pa dha ni saa…. | Sa ri ga ma pa dha ni saa…. |
| Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa | Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa |
| Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa | Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa |
| Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa | Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa |
| Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa | Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa |
| Thanthana naathinam thanthaana | Thanthana naathinam thanthaana |
| Thanthaana thanathaana | Thanthaana thanathaana |
| Thanthana naathinamnnaa | Thanthana naathinamnnaa |
| Thanthana naathinam thanthaana | Thanthana naathinam thanthaana |
| Thanthaana thanathaana thanthana naathinam | Thanthaana thanathaana thanthana naathinam |
| Thanthana naathinamnnaa | Thanthana naathinamnnaa |
| Female | |
| Yaeriyilae…..yaeriyilae…..yaeriyilae….. | In the lake... in the lake... in the lake... |
| Chorus :Yaeriyilae…..yaeriyilae…..yaeriyilae….. | Chorus: In the lake... in the lake... in the lake... |
| Female :Yaeriyilae…..yaeriyilae…..yaeriyilae….. | Female: In the lake... in the lake... in the lake... |
| Female | |
| Yaeriyilae elantha maram | The jujube tree standing by the lake, |
| Thangachchi vaichcha maram | The tree planted by your younger sister, |
| Chorus :Vachcha maram | Chorus: The planted tree, |
| Female :Thangachchi vaichcha maram | Female: The tree planted by your younger sister, |
| Chorus :Vachcha maram | Chorus: The planted tree, |
| Female | |
| Oru kaayumilla poovumilla | Has neither an unripened fruit nor a flower, |
| Un thangachchi vaichcha maram | The tree that your younger sister planted, |
| Chorus :Vachcha maram oru kaayumilla poovumilla | Chorus: The planted tree has neither fruit nor flower, |
| Un thangachchi vaichcha maram | The tree planted by your younger sister, |
| Female | |
| Yaeriyilae elantha maram | The jujube tree standing by the lake, |
| Thangachchi vaichcha maram | The tree planted by your younger sister, |
| Chorus | |
| ………………. | |
| Female | |
| Velli malaiyila thaenaruvi | A stream of honey on the silver mountain, |
| Chorus :Thaenaruvi…. thaenaruvi.. thaenaruvi… thaenaruvi | Chorus: Stream of honey... stream of honey... stream of honey... stream of honey... |
| Female :Vaeppa maraththila poonguruvi | Female: A songbird sitting on the neem tree, |
| Chorus :Poonguravi…..poonguruvi…..poonguruvi….poonguruvi | Chorus: Songbird... songbird... songbird... songbird... |
| Female | |
| Velli malaiyila thaenaruvi | A stream of honey on the silver mountain, |
| Vaeppa maraththila poonguruvi | A songbird sitting on the neem tree, |
| Vaazhai ilaiyila odura kaaththu | The wind racing over the banana leaf, |
| Aadura kooththu kaanalaiyo | Can't you see the lively dance performance it puts on? |
| Female | |
| Azhagu peththa cholaiyilae | In the garden blessed with rich beauty, |
| Nerunji mullal veligalaam | Fences made of sharp puncture vine thorns appear, |
| Chorus :Azhagu peththa cholaiyilae | Chorus: In the garden blessed with rich beauty, |
| Nerunji mullal veligalaam | Fences made of sharp puncture vine thorns appear, |
| Female | |
| Senduga melae vanduga vanthu | Bees flock upon the fragrant blossoms, |
| Undathu thenai bodhaiyilae | Getting drunk after sipping the sweet nectar, |
| Anantham thaanae pogaiyilae | Sailing away in utter bliss, |
| Female | |
| Yaeriyilae…. | In the lake... |
| Chorus :Yaeriyilae…..yaeriyilae….. | Chorus: In the lake... in the lake... |
| Female | |
| Yaeriyilae elantha maram | The jujube tree standing by the lake, |
| Thangachchi vaichcha maram | The tree planted by your younger sister, |
| Chorus :Vachcha maram | Chorus: The planted tree, |
| Female | |
| Oru kaayumilla poovumilla | Has neither an unripened fruit nor a flower, |
| Un thangachchi vaichcha maram | The tree that your younger sister planted, |
| Chorus :Vachcha maram oru kaayumilla poovumilla | Chorus: The planted tree has neither fruit nor flower, |
| Un thangachchi vaichcha maram | The tree planted by your younger sister, |
| Chorus | |
| …………….. | |
| Female | |
| Alli kulaiththila thamaraiyaam | They say a lotus blooms in a pond of water lilies, |
| Chorus :Thamaraiyaam…..thamaraiyaam | Chorus: A lotus... a lotus... |
| Thamaraiyaam…..thamaraiyaam | A lotus... a lotus... |
| Female :Mullai kodiyilae shenbagamaam | Female: They say a champak flower grows on a jasmine vine, |
| Chorus :Shenbagamaam……shenbagamaam | Chorus: A champak... a champak... |
| Shenbagamaam……shenbagamaam | A champak... a champak... |
| Female | |
| Alli kulaiththila thamaraiyaam | They say a lotus blooms in a pond of water lilies, |
| Mullai kodiyilae Shenbagamaam | A champak flower grows on a jasmine vine, |
| Thennai maraththilae maangaai thedum | Searching for a mango on a coconut tree— |
| Madaiyan sonnaan kettukkodaa | Listen to what that fool said! |
| Female | |
| Valarnthu vitta vaaththukkalae | O ducks that have fully grown, |
| Odura pakkam odungalaen | Run away in whichever direction you are heading! |
| Chorus :Valarnthu vitta vaaththukkalae | Chorus: O ducks that have fully grown, |
| Odura pakkam odungalaen | Run away in whichever direction you are heading! |
| Female :Vanthathu maalai kaalaiyilae | Female: The evening arrived in the morning light, |
| Sendrathu megam bhoomiyilae | The clouds descended onto the green earth, |
| Sendrathu megam bhoomiyilae | The clouds descended onto the green earth, |
| Female | |
| Yaeriyilae…. | In the lake... |
| Chorus :Yaeriyilae…..yaeriyilae….. | Chorus: In the lake... in the lake... |
| Female | |
| Yaeriyilae elantha maram | The jujube tree standing by the lake, |
| Thangachchi vaichcha maram | The tree planted by your younger sister, |
| Chorus :Vachcha maram | Chorus: The planted tree, |
| Female :Thangachchi vaichcha maram | Female: The tree planted by your younger sister, |
| Female | |
| Oru kaayumilla poovumilla | Has neither an unripened fruit nor a flower, |
| Un thangachchi vaichcha maram | The tree planted by your younger sister, |
| Chorus :Vachcha maram oru kaayumilla poovumilla | Chorus: The planted tree has neither fruit nor flower, |
| Un thangachchi vaichcha maram | The tree planted by your younger sister, |
| Female | |
| Yaeriyilae…..yaeriyilae…..yaeriyilae….. | In the lake... in the lake... in the lake... |
ஸ ரி க ம ப தா நி ஸா .........
ஸ ரி க ம ப தா நி ஸா .........
தந்தன நாதினம் தந்தனன்னா
தந்தன நாதினம் தந்தனன்னா
தந்தன நாதினம் தந்தனன்னா
தந்தன நாதினம் தந்தனன்னா
தந்தன நாதினம் தந்தான தந்தான தந்தான
தந்தன நாதினம்ன்னா
தந்தன நாதினம் தந்தான தந்தான தந்தான
தந்தன நாதினம் தந்தன நாதினம்ன்னா.....
Sa ri ga ma pa dha ni saa….
Sa ri ga ma pa dha ni saa….
Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa
Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa
Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa
Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa
Thanthana naathinam thanthaana
Thanthaana thanathaana
Thanthana naathinamnnaa
Thanthana naathinam thanthaana
Thanthaana thanathaana thanthana naathinam
Thanthana naathinamnnaa
ஏரியிலே........ஏரியிலே.......ஏரியிலே....
குழு :
ஏரியிலே........ஏரியிலே.......ஏரியிலே....
ஏரியிலே........ஏரியிலே.......ஏரியிலே....
In the lake... in the lake... in the lake...
Chorus: In the lake... in the lake... in the lake...
Female: In the lake... in the lake... in the lake...
ஏரியிலே எலந்த மரம் தங்கச்சி வைச்ச மரம்
குழு :
வைச்ச மரம்
தங்கச்சி வைச்ச மரம்
குழு :
வைச்ச மரம்
The jujube tree standing by the lake,
The tree planted by your younger sister,
Chorus: The planted tree,
Female: The tree planted by your younger sister,
Chorus: The planted tree,
ஒரு காயுமில்ல பூவுமில்ல
உன் தங்கச்சி வைச்ச மரம்
குழு :
வைச்ச மரம் காயுமில்ல பூவுமில்ல
உன் தங்கச்சி வைச்ச மரம்
Has neither an unripened fruit nor a flower,
The tree that your younger sister planted,
Chorus: The planted tree has neither fruit nor flower,
The tree planted by your younger sister,
ஏரியிலே எலந்த மரம்
தங்கச்சி வைச்ச மரம்
The jujube tree standing by the lake,
The tree planted by your younger sister,
................................
வெள்ளி மலையில தேனருவி......
குழு :
தேனருவி...தேனருவி...தேனருவி...தேனருவி...
வேப்ப மரத்தில பூங்குருவி.......
குழு :
பூங்குருவி .......பூங்குருவி......பூங்குருவி.......பூங்குருவி.......
A stream of honey on the silver mountain,
Chorus: Stream of honey... stream of honey... stream of honey... stream of honey...
Female: A songbird sitting on the neem tree,
Chorus: Songbird... songbird... songbird... songbird...
வெள்ளி மலையில தேனருவி......
வேப்ப மரத்தில பூங்குருவி.......
வாழை இலையில ஓடுற காத்து
ஆடுற கூத்து காணலையோ
A stream of honey on the silver mountain,
A songbird sitting on the neem tree,
The wind racing over the banana leaf,
Can't you see the lively dance performance it puts on?
அழகு பெத்த சோலையிலே
நெருஞ்சி முள்ளால் வேலிகளாம்
குழு :
அழகு பெத்த சோலையிலே
நெருஞ்சி முள்ளால் வேலிகளாம்
In the garden blessed with rich beauty,
Fences made of sharp puncture vine thorns appear,
Chorus: In the garden blessed with rich beauty,
Fences made of sharp puncture vine thorns appear,
செண்டுக மேலே வண்டுக வந்து
உண்டது தேனைப் போதையிலே
ஆனந்தம் தானே போகையிலே
Bees flock upon the fragrant blossoms,
Getting drunk after sipping the sweet nectar,
Sailing away in utter bliss,
ஏரியிலே.........
குழு :
ஏரியிலே........ஏரியிலே.......
In the lake...
Chorus: In the lake... in the lake...
ஏரியிலே எலந்த மரம்
தங்கச்சி வைச்ச மரம்
குழு :
வைச்ச மரம்
The jujube tree standing by the lake,
The tree planted by your younger sister,
Chorus: The planted tree,
ஒரு காயுமில்ல பூவுமில்ல
உன் தங்கச்சி வைச்ச மரம்
குழு :
வைச்ச மரம் காயுமில்ல பூவுமில்ல
உன் தங்கச்சி வைச்ச மரம்
Has neither an unripened fruit nor a flower,
The tree that your younger sister planted,
Chorus: The planted tree has neither fruit nor flower,
The tree planted by your younger sister,
...........................
அல்லிக் குளத்தில தாமரையாம்........
குழு :
தாமரையாம்........தாமரையாம்........
தாமரையாம்........தாமரையாம்........
முல்லைக் கொடியிலே செண்பகமாம்.......
குழு :
செண்பகமாம்.......செண்பகமாம்.......
செண்பகமாம்.......செண்பகமாம்.......
They say a lotus blooms in a pond of water lilies,
Chorus: A lotus... a lotus...
A lotus... a lotus...
Female: They say a champak flower grows on a jasmine vine,
Chorus: A champak... a champak...
A champak... a champak...
அல்லிக் குளத்தில தாமரையாம்........
முல்லைக் கொடியிலே செண்பகமாம்.......
தென்னை மரத்தில மாங்காய் தேடும்
மடையன் சொன்னான் கேட்டுக்கோடா
They say a lotus blooms in a pond of water lilies,
A champak flower grows on a jasmine vine,
Searching for a mango on a coconut tree—
Listen to what that fool said!
வளர்ந்து விட்ட வாத்துகளே
ஓடுற பக்கம் ஒடுங்களேன்
குழு :
வளர்ந்து விட்ட வாத்துகளே
ஓடுற பக்கம் ஒடுங்களேன்
வந்தது மாலை காலையிலே
சென்றது மேகம் பூமியிலே
சென்றது மேகம் பூமியிலே
O ducks that have fully grown,
Run away in whichever direction you are heading!
Chorus: O ducks that have fully grown,
Run away in whichever direction you are heading!
Female: The evening arrived in the morning light,
The clouds descended onto the green earth,
The clouds descended onto the green earth,
ஏரியிலே........
குழு :
ஏரியிலே........ஏரியிலே.......
In the lake...
Chorus: In the lake... in the lake...
ஏரியிலே எலந்த மரம்
தங்கச்சி வைச்ச மரம்
குழு :
வைச்ச மரம்
The jujube tree standing by the lake,
The tree planted by your younger sister,
Chorus: The planted tree,
Female: The tree planted by your younger sister,
தங்கச்சி வைச்ச மரம்
ஒரு காயுமில்ல பூவுமில்ல
உன் தங்கச்சி வைச்ச மரம்
குழு : வைச்ச மரம் காயுமில்ல பூவுமில்ல
உன் தங்கச்சி வைச்ச மரம்
Has neither an unripened fruit nor a flower,
The tree planted by your younger sister,
Chorus: The planted tree has neither fruit nor flower,
The tree planted by your younger sister,
ஏரியிலே........ஏரியிலே.......ஏரியிலே....
In the lake... in the lake... in the lake...
Sa ri ga ma pa dha ni saa….
Sa ri ga ma pa dha ni saa….
Sa ri ga ma pa dha ni saa….
Sa ri ga ma pa dha ni saa….
Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa
Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa
Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa
Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa
Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa
Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa
Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa
Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa
Thanthana naathinam thanthaana
Thanthana naathinam thanthaana
Thanthaana thanathaana
Thanthaana thanathaana
Thanthana naathinamnnaa
Thanthana naathinamnnaa
Thanthana naathinam thanthaana
Thanthana naathinam thanthaana
Thanthaana thanathaana thanthana naathinam
Thanthaana thanathaana thanthana naathinam
Thanthana naathinamnnaa
Thanthana naathinamnnaa
Yaeriyilae…..yaeriyilae…..yaeriyilae…..
In the lake... in the lake... in the lake...
Chorus :Yaeriyilae…..yaeriyilae…..yaeriyilae…..
Chorus: In the lake... in the lake... in the lake...
Female :Yaeriyilae…..yaeriyilae…..yaeriyilae…..
Female: In the lake... in the lake... in the lake...
Yaeriyilae elantha maram
The jujube tree standing by the lake,
Thangachchi vaichcha maram
The tree planted by your younger sister,
Chorus :Vachcha maram
Chorus: The planted tree,
Female :Thangachchi vaichcha maram
Female: The tree planted by your younger sister,
Chorus :Vachcha maram
Chorus: The planted tree,
Oru kaayumilla poovumilla
Has neither an unripened fruit nor a flower,
Un thangachchi vaichcha maram
The tree that your younger sister planted,
Chorus :Vachcha maram oru kaayumilla poovumilla
Chorus: The planted tree has neither fruit nor flower,
Un thangachchi vaichcha maram
The tree planted by your younger sister,
Yaeriyilae elantha maram
The jujube tree standing by the lake,
Thangachchi vaichcha maram
The tree planted by your younger sister,
……………….
Velli malaiyila thaenaruvi
A stream of honey on the silver mountain,
Chorus :Thaenaruvi…. thaenaruvi.. thaenaruvi… thaenaruvi
Chorus: Stream of honey... stream of honey... stream of honey... stream of honey...
Female :Vaeppa maraththila poonguruvi
Female: A songbird sitting on the neem tree,
Chorus :Poonguravi…..poonguruvi…..poonguruvi….poonguruvi
Chorus: Songbird... songbird... songbird... songbird...
Velli malaiyila thaenaruvi
A stream of honey on the silver mountain,
Vaeppa maraththila poonguruvi
A songbird sitting on the neem tree,
Vaazhai ilaiyila odura kaaththu
The wind racing over the banana leaf,
Aadura kooththu kaanalaiyo
Can't you see the lively dance performance it puts on?
Azhagu peththa cholaiyilae
In the garden blessed with rich beauty,
Nerunji mullal veligalaam
Fences made of sharp puncture vine thorns appear,
Chorus :Azhagu peththa cholaiyilae
Chorus: In the garden blessed with rich beauty,
Nerunji mullal veligalaam
Fences made of sharp puncture vine thorns appear,
Senduga melae vanduga vanthu
Bees flock upon the fragrant blossoms,
Undathu thenai bodhaiyilae
Getting drunk after sipping the sweet nectar,
Anantham thaanae pogaiyilae
Sailing away in utter bliss,
Yaeriyilae….
In the lake...
Chorus :Yaeriyilae…..yaeriyilae…..
Chorus: In the lake... in the lake...
Yaeriyilae elantha maram
The jujube tree standing by the lake,
Thangachchi vaichcha maram
The tree planted by your younger sister,
Chorus :Vachcha maram
Chorus: The planted tree,
Oru kaayumilla poovumilla
Has neither an unripened fruit nor a flower,
Un thangachchi vaichcha maram
The tree that your younger sister planted,
Chorus :Vachcha maram oru kaayumilla poovumilla
Chorus: The planted tree has neither fruit nor flower,
Un thangachchi vaichcha maram
The tree planted by your younger sister,
……………..
Alli kulaiththila thamaraiyaam
They say a lotus blooms in a pond of water lilies,
Chorus :Thamaraiyaam…..thamaraiyaam
Chorus: A lotus... a lotus...
Thamaraiyaam…..thamaraiyaam
A lotus... a lotus...
Female :Mullai kodiyilae shenbagamaam
Female: They say a champak flower grows on a jasmine vine,
Chorus :Shenbagamaam……shenbagamaam
Chorus: A champak... a champak...
Shenbagamaam……shenbagamaam
A champak... a champak...
Alli kulaiththila thamaraiyaam
They say a lotus blooms in a pond of water lilies,
Mullai kodiyilae Shenbagamaam
A champak flower grows on a jasmine vine,
Thennai maraththilae maangaai thedum
Searching for a mango on a coconut tree—
Madaiyan sonnaan kettukkodaa
Listen to what that fool said!
Valarnthu vitta vaaththukkalae
O ducks that have fully grown,
Odura pakkam odungalaen
Run away in whichever direction you are heading!
Chorus :Valarnthu vitta vaaththukkalae
Chorus: O ducks that have fully grown,
Odura pakkam odungalaen
Run away in whichever direction you are heading!
Female :Vanthathu maalai kaalaiyilae
Female: The evening arrived in the morning light,
Sendrathu megam bhoomiyilae
The clouds descended onto the green earth,
Sendrathu megam bhoomiyilae
The clouds descended onto the green earth,
Yaeriyilae….
In the lake...
Chorus :Yaeriyilae…..yaeriyilae…..
Chorus: In the lake... in the lake...
Yaeriyilae elantha maram
The jujube tree standing by the lake,
Thangachchi vaichcha maram
The tree planted by your younger sister,
Chorus :Vachcha maram
Chorus: The planted tree,
Female :Thangachchi vaichcha maram
Female: The tree planted by your younger sister,
Oru kaayumilla poovumilla
Has neither an unripened fruit nor a flower,
Un thangachchi vaichcha maram
The tree planted by your younger sister,
Chorus :Vachcha maram oru kaayumilla poovumilla
Chorus: The planted tree has neither fruit nor flower,
Un thangachchi vaichcha maram
The tree planted by your younger sister,
Yaeriyilae…..yaeriyilae…..yaeriyilae…..
In the lake... in the lake... in the lake...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic song 'Yaeriyilae Elantha Maram' from 'Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo' (1981) is a vibrant Tamil folk track rich in pastoral imagery, rural humor, and playful teasing. Utilizing traditional call-and-response folk structures, the song revolves around nature metaphors—a jujube tree by a lake that yields no flowers or fruit, honey streams on silver mountains, and bees intoxicated by nectar. The lyrics mix comedic absurdities (like looking for a mango on a coconut tree or expecting a champak flower on a jasmine vine) with romantic undertones. Panchu Arunachalam's lyrics evoke the earthy ethos of Tamil village culture, contrasting moments of scenic beauty with witty banter and whimsical observations about life, growth, and love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second-Letter Rhyming)
“Velli malaiyila thaenaruvi / Vaeppa maraththila poonguruvi”
The second consonant sound ('lli' / 'ppa' maintaining strict structural syllable count) creates rhythm across consecutive lines.
Personification
“Vaazhai ilaiyila odura kaaththu / Aadura kooththu kaanalaiyo”
The breeze moving across a banana leaf is personified as a dancer performing a 'kooththu' (folk theatrical dance).
Metaphor / Paradoxical Imagery
“Thennai maraththilae maangaai thedum / Madaiyan sonnaan kettukkodaa”
Searching for a mango on a coconut tree is used as a metaphor for foolish, misplaced expectations.
Folk Refrain (Chorus Syncing)
“Thanthana naathinam thanthanannaa”
Standard Tamil 'Nattupura Pattu' rhythmic non-lexical vocables used to establish time signature and participatory group singing.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo' (1981) was directed by G. N. Rangarajan and based on a famous thriller novel by renowned writer Sujatha Rangarajan. The soundtrack by Ilaiyaraaja is celebrated for seamlessly blending classical Carnatic swaras ('Sa ri ga ma pa dha ni') at the beginning into raw, authentic Tamil folk beats. S. Janaki's vocal performance alongside Ilaiyaraaja and chorus is considered one of the iconic representations of 1980s Tamil cinema village folk songs.
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