In 2011, a quirky Tamil song titled “Why This Kolaveri Di” broke the internet and became a global phenomenon. Sung by Dhanush, composed by the young music prodigy Anirudh Ravichander, and written for the movie 3 (Moonu) directed by Aishwarya Rajinikanth, the song went viral for its unique “Tanglish” (Tamil + English) lyrics and catchy tune.
Nicknamed the “Soup Song”, it humorously expresses the heartbreak of a young man in a simple, relatable way — mixing sadness with wit and rhythm that instantly connects with listeners.
- 🎬 About the Song
- 🎤 Why This Kolaveri Di Telugu Lyrics
- 🎶 Why This Kolaveri Di English Lyrics
- 🎼 Why This Kolaveri Di Tamil Lyrics (Original Version)
- 🌍 How the Song Went Viral
- 💡 Meaning of “Kolaveri”
- 🎧 The “Soup Boy” Phenomenon
- 🎹 The Music Composition – Anirudh’s Magic
- 📰 Global Media Attention
- 📱 Internet Memes and Remixes
- 🎬 Legacy of Kolaveri Di
- 🎯 Fun Facts You Might Not Know
- ❓ FAQs On Why This Kolaveri Di
🎬 About the Song
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Song Title | Why This Kolaveri Di |
| Singer | Dhanush |
| Music Director | Anirudh Ravichander |
| Lyrics | Dhanush |
| Movie | 3 (Moonu) |
| Director | Aishwarya Rajinikanth |
| Release Year | 2011 |
| Language | Tamil |
| Genre | Folk / Pop |
| Label | Sony Music India |
“Why This Kolaveri Di” was part of the Tamil movie 3 (Moonu), starring Dhanush and Shruti Haasan. While the film received mixed reviews, the song’s viral success helped it gain massive attention across India and globally.
🎤 Why This Kolaveri Di Telugu Lyrics
For Telugu-speaking fans, the song was translated while keeping the same rhythm and emotion intact. Below is the Telugu version of Why This Kolaveri Di, capturing the “Soup Boy” (heartbroken lover) vibe that Dhanush originally delivered.
యో బాయ్స్
ఐ యామ్ సింగింగ్ సాంగ్
సూప్ సాంగ్ ప్లాప్ సాంగ్
వై దిస్ కొలవెరి కొలవెరి కొలవెరి డి
వై దిస్ కొలవెరి కొలవెరి కొలవెరి డి
రిథమ్ కరెక్ట్.
వై దిస్ కొలవెరి కొలవెరి కొలవెరి డి
మెయింటైన్ ప్లీజ్
వై దిస్ కొలవెరి ఆ డీ
డిస్టెన్స్ ల మూను మూను
మూను కలరు వైటు
వైట్ బ్యాక్ గ్రౌండ్ నైటు నైటు
నైటు కలరు బ్లాకు
ఆ వై దిస్ కొలవెరి కొలవెరి కొలవెరి డి
వై దిస్ కొలవెరి కొలవెరి కొలవెరి డి
వైటు స్కిన్ను గర్లు గర్లు
గర్లు హార్టు బ్లాకు
ఐసు ఐసు మీటు మీటు
మై ఫ్యూచర్ డార్కు
ఆ వై దిస్ కొలవెరి కొలవెరి కొలవెరి డి
వై దిస్ కొలవెరి కొలవెరి కొలవెరి డి
మామ నోట్స్ ఎదుతుకో
అప్పడియే కైల స్నాక్స్ ఎదుతుకో
పప ప పాన్ పప ప పాన్
పప ప పా పపపపా
సరియె వాసి
సూపర్ మామ
రెడీ 1 2 3 4
వాహ్ వాట్ ఏ చేంజ్ ఓవర్ మామ
ఓకే మామ నౌ ట్యూన్ చేంజు
కైల గ్లాసు ఓన్లీ ఇంగ్లీష్
హ్యాండ్ ల గ్లాసు గ్లాసుల స్కాచ్
ఐసు ఫుల్లా టియరు
ఎంప్టీ లైఫు గర్లు కమ్ము
లైఫ్ రివర్స్ గేరు
లవ్వు లవ్వు ఓ మై లవ్వు
యూ షోవ్డ్ మీ బౌవ్వు
కవ్వు కవ్వు హోలీ కవ్వు
ఐ వాంట్ యూ హియర్ నవ్వు
గాడు ఐ యామ్ డైయింగ్ నవ్వు
షి ఈజ్ హ్యాపీ హవ్వు
దిస్ సాంగ్ ఫర్ సూప్ బాయ్స్
వి డోంట్ హావ్ ఛాయిసు
వై దిస్ కొలవెరి కొలవెరి కొలవెరి డి
వై దిస్ కొలవెరి కొలవెరి కొలవెరి డి
వై దిస్ కొలవెరి కొలవెరి కొలవెరి డి
వై దిస్ కొలవెరి కొలవెరి కొలవెరి డి
🎶 Why This Kolaveri Di English Lyrics
The English version is actually very close to the original “Tanglish” lyrics. It’s written in broken English intentionally, giving it a casual, unpolished charm that feels like someone speaking their heart after a heartbreak.
Here’s the full version of Why This Kolaveri Di lyrics in English:
yo boys i am singing 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..di
distance la moon-u moon-u
moon-u color-u white-u
white background night-u nigth-u
night-u color-u black-u
why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di
why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri 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
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
whaa wat 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
lovvu lovvu
oh my lovvu
you showed me bouv-u
cow-u cow-u holi cow-u
i want u hear now-u
god i m dying now-u
she is happy how-u
this song for soup boys-u
we dont have choice-u
why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di
why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di
why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di
why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di
🎼 Why This Kolaveri Di Tamil Lyrics (Original Version)
Now, let’s look at the original Tamil lyrics that started it all. Written and sung by Dhanush, these lines perfectly capture the raw, youthful energy and heartbreak.
intro
Yo boys, I am sing song
Soup song
Flop song
chorus
Why this கொலவெறி, கொலவெறி, கொலவெறிடி?
Why this கொலவெறி, கொலவெறி, கொலவெறிடி?
Rhythm correct?
Why this கொலவெறி, கொலவெறி, கொலவெறிடி?
Maintain please
Why this கொலவெறி… அடி?
verse
Distance′uல moon’u, moon′u
Moon’u colour’u white′u
White′u background night’u, night′u
Night’u colour′u black’u
chorus
Why this கொலவெறி, கொலவெறி, கொலவெறிடி?
Why this கொலவெறி, கொலவெறி, கொலவெறிடி?
verse
White′u skin’u girl’u, girl′u
Girl′u heart’u black′u
Eyes’u-eyes′u meet’u, meet′u
My future’u dark’u
Why this கொலவெறி, கொலவெறி, கொலவெறிடி?
Why this கொலவெறி, கொலவெறி, கொலவெறிடி?
மாமா notes எடுத்துக்கோ
அப்டே கைல snacks எடுத்துக்கோ
பப்பாப பொய்ங், பப்பாப பொய்ங், பப்பாபப பபபோய்ங்
சரியா வாசி
Super மாமா ready
Ready one, two, three, four
Wah, what a changeover மாமா
Ok மாமா, now tune change′u
கைல glass′u… Only english’u
Hand′la glass’u glass′la scotch’u
Eyes′u full’ah tear’u
Empty life′u girl′u come’u
Life′u reverse’u gear′u
Love’u-love′u, oh my love’u
You showed me bow’u
Cow′u-cow′u holy cow’u
I want you here now′u
God’u I am dying now
She is happy how′u?
This’u song′u for soup boys’u
We don’t have choice′u
chorus
Why this கொலவெறி, கொலவெறி, கொலவெறிடி?
Why this கொலவெறி, கொலவெறி, கொலவெறிடி?
Why this கொலவெறி, கொலவெறி, கொலவெறிடி?
Why this கொலவெறி, கொலவெறி, கொலவெறிடி?
🌍 How the Song Went Viral
When Kolaveri Di was uploaded on YouTube in November 2011, no one expected what was about to happen next. Within days, the song had millions of views, and social media was flooded with memes, remixes, and fan-made versions.
Here’s why it went viral:
- Relatable Theme:
The “Soup Song” concept — expressing heartbreak humorously — resonated deeply with the youth. - Simple, Catchy Tune:
Anirudh’s music was minimal yet infectious. Even those who didn’t understand Tamil found themselves humming along. - Natural Recording:
The behind-the-scenes style video — featuring Dhanush casually singing in the studio — gave it a raw, authentic charm. - Cross-Language Appeal:
The “Tanglish” lyrics broke linguistic barriers, making it understandable to both Tamil and non-Tamil audiences. - Social Media Explosion:
Facebook and Twitter were key platforms where fans shared the song endlessly. It became one of the first Indian YouTube videos to cross 100 million views. - Celebrity Endorsements:
Even Bollywood stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan praised the song, calling it “simply addictive.”
💡 Meaning of “Kolaveri”
The word “Kolaveri” in Tamil literally means “murderous rage” or “killer instinct.” However, in the context of the song, it’s used playfully to describe the emotional frustration of a boy who’s heartbroken.
So when Dhanush sings “Why This Kolaveri Di?”, he’s basically saying,
“Why are you killing me with your love?”
The blend of humor and sadness in that one line perfectly captures the song’s spirit.
🎧 The “Soup Boy” Phenomenon
After this song, a new pop-culture term emerged in South India — the “Soup Boy.”
It refers to a young man who is heartbroken but still hopeful — someone who laughs through his pain.
In Tamil college culture, “Soup Boys” became a funny way to describe all those who had experienced one-sided love. Dhanush, through this song, unintentionally gave them a musical identity.
🎹 The Music Composition – Anirudh’s Magic
When Kolaveri Di was composed, Anirudh Ravichander was only 21 years old. It was his debut film as a composer, and what a debut it turned out to be!
He used simple south Indian folk beats mixed with electronic rhythm and acoustic instruments, creating a catchy groove that anyone could sing along to. The song’s 3/4 rhythm pattern gave it a folksy charm, perfect for Dhanush’s casual vocals.
Interestingly, the track was recorded in one take, with Dhanush improvising much of the lyrics on the spot. That spontaneity is what made it sound so fresh and unfiltered.
📰 Global Media Attention
The song’s success was so massive that even international media outlets like BBC, The Guardian, and Time Magazine covered it. They called it the “Rage Song of India”, praising its organic rise in the digital age.
At that time, YouTube virality was still new in India. Kolaveri Di proved that a regional song could achieve global fame without traditional marketing — just pure creativity and timing.
📱 Internet Memes and Remixes
Soon after its release, Why This Kolaveri Di inspired:
- Hundreds of parody videos (including versions in Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, and Telugu)
- Dance covers from schools and colleges
- Remixes by DJs around the world
- Political spoofs and social commentaries
Even brands used the line “Why This Kolaveri Di?” in their advertising campaigns to connect with youth.
🎬 Legacy of Kolaveri Di
Even a decade later, Kolaveri Di remains one of the most iconic Indian songs of all time. It opened doors for regional music to go mainstream and showed that authenticity can trump perfection.
For Dhanush, it cemented his reputation not just as an actor but as a creative powerhouse.
For Anirudh, it launched a stellar career that later included hits like Why This Kolaveri Di, Arabic Kuthu, and Vaathi Coming.
Today, “Why This Kolaveri Di” stands as a milestone in Indian pop culture, symbolizing how music can unite people across languages and emotions.
🎯 Fun Facts You Might Not Know
- The song was recorded in just 35 minutes.
- It became the most searched video on YouTube India in 2011.
- The phrase “Soup Song” became part of Tamil college slang.
- Anirudh was only 21 years old when he composed the song.
- It inspired official remakes in Sinhala, Japanese, and English.
- Dhanush even performed it live on multiple international stages.
❓ FAQs On Why This Kolaveri Di
Q1. Who wrote and sang “Why This Kolaveri Di”?
A: The song was written and sung by Dhanush for the Tamil movie 3, directed by his wife Aishwarya Rajinikanth.
Q2. What does “Kolaveri” mean?
A: “Kolaveri” means killer rage or murderous intent in Tamil slang — used humorously here to describe heartbreak.
Q3. Who composed the music?
A: The song was composed by Anirudh Ravichander, marking his debut as a music director.
Q4. Why did the song go viral?
A: Its simple tune, funny English-Tamil mix, and relatable heartbreak theme made it instantly shareable.
Q5. Which movie featured the song?
A: It was part of the Tamil film 3 (Moonu) starring Dhanush and Shruti Haasan.
Q6. How many views does it have today?
A: The official YouTube video has crossed over 300 million views, making it one of the most-watched Indian songs ever.
