Why this Kolaveri Di: Lyrics and Meaning

I actually feel bad translating this song because most of it is in Tamilised-English and can be understood by most Indians but there are some words and phrases left to explain. Of course there are parts that make no sense like when he calls it a ‘soup song’ for ‘soup boys’ but it is a catchy tune and is ragingly popular in India right now.

Alternate link: http://vimeo.com/32433652

**Yo boys I am sing song

Soup song…

Flop song …

Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di

Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di

Rhythm correct

Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di

Maintain please

Why this kolaveri..aaa di.**

Yo boy, I’m singing a song,

A soup song

A flop song

Why this murderous rage, this murderous rage, this murderous rage, di*[refers to a girl]

Why this murderous rage, this murderous rage, this murderous rage, di

Rhythm correct

Why this murderous rage, this murderous rage, this murderous rage, di

Maintain please [rhythm]

Why this murderous rage… di

**Distance la moonu moonu moonu coloru whiteu

white background nightu nigthu

nightu coloru blacku

Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di

Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di**

The moon is in the distance, the moon’s colour is white

In the white background of the night

The night’s colour is black

Why this murderous rage, this murderous rage, this murderous rage, di

Why this murderous rage, this murderous rage, this murderous rage, di

**White skin-u girl-u girl-u

Girl-u heart-u black-u

Eyes-u eyes-u meet-u meet-u

My future dark

Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di

Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di**

A girl with white skin

Her heart’s colour is black

Our glances meet

My future looks dark

Why this murderous rage, this murderous rage, this murderous rage, di

Why this murderous rage, this murderous rage, this murderous rage, di

Maama notes eduthuko

Apdiye kaila snacks eduthuko

Pa pa paan pa pa paan pa pa paa pa pa paan

Sariya vaasi

Super maama ready

Ready 1 2 3 4**

Maama, take down these notes

And reach for some snacks too

(tune)

Play it right

Excellent, maama, are you ready?

Ready, 1, 2, 3, 4…

**Whaa what a change-over maama

Ok maama now tune change-u

Kaila glass only english

Hand la glass

Glass la scotch

Eyes-u full-aa tear-u

Empty life-u

Girl-u come-u

Life reverse gear-u

Lovv-u lovv-u, oh my lovv-u

You showed me bouv-u

Cow-u cow-u holi cow-u

I want you hear now-u

god I’m dying now-u

she is happy how-u**

Wow, Maama, what a change over!

Ok, so now we change the tune a bit

Glass in hand, wait, let’s sing this in English

Glass in hand,

Scotch in glass,

Eyes are brimming with tears

Life is empty

But when the girl walks in

Life goes into reverse gear

Love, love, oh my love

You showed me bouv-u (??)

Cow, cow, Holy-Cow!

I want you here now

God, I am dying!

How can she be happy?

**This song for soup boys-u

We don’t have choice-u

Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di [x4]**

This song is for soup boys

We don’t have a choice [about love]

So Why this murderous rage, this murderous rage, this murderous rage, di? [x4]

*Di- it is a casual way of referring to a woman without respect. You would never add a di when talking to your mother or daughter. It is left for friends who you are very casual and informal with who are ok with it and in reciprocation use ‘di’ with you too (if you are a girl) or ‘da’ (if you are a boy).

Example- ‘What di, what’s up?’ ‘Nothing da, just hanging out. Chumma (no reason)’

**Maama- another colloquial reference. A Maama is actually a maternal uncle but men call slightly older men who they are friendly with ‘maama’ when they are on informal terms. This is the meaning when used in the context of this song.

This word can also be used in the rural context where a woman calls her future husband ‘maama’. Maama also means father-in-law.