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Lyrics & meaning

Aambalki Kan Potta

From Petra Maganai Vitra Annai · 1958

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
Seerkazhi Govindarajan, Jikki, Trichy Loganathan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Petra Maganai Vitra Annai1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aambalki kann pottaa aavuraeIf a man casts an eye, it comes close
Female
Pomabalki kann potta jaavureIf a woman casts an eye, it goes away
Male
Hooo nainaHooo, my dear friend
Vangoo vaango namki paisa tharrranghoCome, come, give us money
Unki saman tharraango saman tharraangoGive your goods, give your goods
Male
Ye naina aavuji aavujiHey friend, come, come
Namki paisa tharaan nimki saaman tharaanGive us money, give us goods
Kohinoor vairam tharraanI will give you the Kohinoor diamond
Kondu poyi pyaari melae podraanAnd take it to place it on my beloved
Pyaari melae podraanPlace it on my beloved
Pyaari melae podraanPlace it on my beloved
Female
Dapsa kipsa gapsa ellaamAll these bluffs, fibs, and secrets
Selladhaiyaa nambal kittaWill not work with us, sir
Jangal vaala jaavWild people, go away
Male
Dambaachaari jals pyaariExtravagant dandy's beloved
Dekho kathiri poottu saaviLook at the lock and key
Namku paisa laavBring us money
Female
Ammadi nee angae solluOh dear, tell them over there
Male :Achaahain namm vaira kalluMale: Our diamond stone is good
Vaira kallu vaira kalluDiamond stone, diamond stone
Female :Ammadi nee angae solluFemale: Oh dear, tell them over there
Achaahain namm vaira kalluOur diamond stone is good
Male
Dimki tharraan thumku varraanHe tricks and struts around
Tekha thaalam podraanTapping to the rhythm and beat
Both :Thoottavum paakuthuBoth: Trying to touch and see
Lotta onnu yeikkudhuGets duped completely
Sollaamae ingae vandhaaComing here unannounced
Shokku panrgghooMaking a stylish show
Female
Jimki dolak jimki paaruLook at the dangling earring
Male :Jiljil jiljil bulbul paaruMale: Look at the sweet nightingale
Paaru paaru paaru paaruLook, look, look, look
Female :Jimki dolak jimki paaruFemale: Look at the dangling earring
Jiljil jiljil bulbul paaruLook at the sweet nightingale
Male
Namki melae unki majaaYour fun and enjoyment with us
Pyaari bada joruDarling, it is very strong
Namki melae unki majaaYour fun and enjoyment with us
Pyaari bada joruDarling, it is very strong
Female :Paarayoo maadimae pachakkili jodi haiFemale: Look on the balcony, there is a pair of green parrots
Jorraaga sokku podi poda varraangoooThey are coming in style to cast a love spell
Both :Paarayoo maadimae pachakkili jodi haiBoth: Look on the balcony, there is a pair of green parrots
Jorraaga sokku podi poda varraangoooThey are coming in style to cast a love spell

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful track from 'Petra Maganai Vitra Annai' (1958) features an engaging duel of wits and banter set in a lively street performance context. The characters blend Tamil and Hindi/Urdu street slang ('Namki', 'Unki', 'Pyaari', 'Joru') to banter about diamonds, money, charm, and deceit, creating a comical and vibrant atmosphere.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Code-mixing / Hybrid Slang (Manipravalam variant)

Namki paisa tharaan nimki saaman tharaan

Blends Tamil vocabulary with Hindi/Urdu terms like 'namki', 'unki', 'pyaari', and 'bada joru' to reflect Madras bazaar slang.

Rhyme / Ethukai (Second-letter agreement)

Aambalki kann pottaa aavurae / Pomabalki kann potta jaavure

Repetition of consonant sounds across words in adjacent lines (e.g., Aambalki / Pomabalki).

Anaphora / Repetition

Paaru paaru paaru paaru

Rhythmic repetition of words like 'Paaru' and 'Pyaari melae podraan' for musical emphasis and playful tempo.

Metaphor

Paarayoo maadimae pachakkili jodi hai

Comparing lovers on a balcony to a pair of green parrots ('pachakkili jodi').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Petra Maganai Vitra Annai' (1958) was directed by V. Krishnan and featured music composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy. The lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass was known for his mastery of folk tunes and clever integration of urban street slang into popular Tamil cinema songs.

Keep listening

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Aambalki Kan Potta Lyrics | English Translation | Meaning | Isaimozhi