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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Abracadabra (Shala Kaala Boolaa)

From Jeeva (1988 Film) · 1988

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Jeeva (1988 Film)
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
21 Feb 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Hhaa aaprakka dapaaraa hhhoo
Saalaa kaalaa poolaa pippidi pippidi poo….oooo
Jambara rambara jambam….mm manthiram….
Sishyanoda peru sedhu sundharam
Ungalaththaan naanga namparom
Saalaa kaalaa poolaa pippidi pippidi poo….oooo
Jambara rambara jambam….mm manthiram….
Rabaraa thipiraa thipiraa raa….
Ullukkulla onnum illa
Thookki kaatturaenae….paarunga
Chorus :Hoi
Male :Annaanthu melae paarunga
Ellorum paarunga
Chorus :Hoi
Male :Annaanthu melae paarunga
Chorus :Hoi hoi
Daldaa dappaa idhu tattaa appaavuthu…..haeho
Kettaa roopaa tharum ippa kettaa paavam varum
Maayamo jaalamo edhuvum illa kellammaa
Saalaa kaalaa poolaa pippidi pippidi poo….oooo
Jambara rambara jambam….mm manthiram….
Rabaraa thipiraa thipiraa raa….aaprakka dapaaraa
Meesai ulla aambalaikku saelai kattuvaen
Maaththuvaen
Chorus :Hoi
Male :Ponnaaga maaththi kaattuvaen
Aiyaava maaththuvaen
Chorus :Hoi
Male :Ellaamae maaththi kaattuvaen
Chorus :Hoi hoi
Mister vaareengalaa neengathaan
Sister aaringalaa
Poiyyaa velai illai
En pondaatti kaanavillai
Ada kavalaiyai vidumaiyaa
Avala kooda maaththuraen
Saalaa kaalaa poolaa pippidi pippidi poo….oooo
Jambara rambara jambam….mm manthiram….
Sishyanoda peru sedhu sundharam
Ungalaththaan naanga namparom
Saalaa kaalaa poolaa pippidi pippidi poo….oooo
Aaprakka dapaaraa
Jambara rambara jambam….mm manthiram….
Sishyanoda peru sedhu sundharam
Ungalaththaan naanga namparom
Hoo….aaprakka dapaaraa
Ha, abracadabra, ho!
Sala kala boola bibbidi bibbidi boo... oh!
Jambara rambara jambam... mm, magic spells...
The assistant's name is Sethu Sundaram!
It is you that we trust!
Sala kala boola bibbidi bibbidi boo... oh!
Jambara rambara jambam... mm, magic spells...
Rabara dibira dibira ra...
There is nothing inside,
Look, I am holding it up to show you!
Chorus: Hoy!
Male: Look straight up into the sky,
Everyone, take a look!
Chorus: Hoy!
Male: Look straight up into the sky!
Chorus: Hoy hoy!
This Dalda tin belongs to Tata's father... hey-ho!
It gives cash when asked, but ask right now and only bad luck comes!
There is no trickery or illusion here, listen closely, ma'am!
Sala kala boola bibbidi bibbidi boo... oh!
Jambara rambara jambam... mm, magic spells...
Rabara dibira dibira ra... abracadabra!
I will dress a moustached man in a saree,
I will transform him!
Chorus: Hoy!
Male: I will turn him into a woman and show you!
I will transform this gentleman!
Chorus: Hoy!
Male: I will change everything and show you!
Chorus: Hoy hoy!
Mister, will you step right up?
Will you become a sister?
Get lost, man, I don't have time for this,
My wife is missing!
Hey, don't you worry, sir,
I will even transform her for you!
Sala kala boola bibbidi bibbidi boo... oh!
Jambara rambara jambam... mm, magic spells...
The assistant's name is Sethu Sundaram!
It is you that we trust!
Sala kala boola bibbidi bibbidi boo... oh!
Abracadabra!
Jambara rambara jambam... mm, magic spells...
The assistant's name is Sethu Sundaram!
It is you that we trust!
Ho... abracadabra!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a comical street-magic performance track from the film Jeeva (1988). The protagonist acts as a magician performing amusing tricks in front of a public crowd, assisted by his sidekick Sethu Sundaram. Using funny magic incantations, gibberish rhythmic chants, and streetwise charm, he claims he can turn men into women, transform ordinary tin cans into gold, and fix the personal troubles of the spectators. The song serves as a lighthearted comedic break in the film, relying heavily on vocal rhythm and interactive banter between the lead performer, his assistant, and the surrounding crowd.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Sandham (Rhythmic Magic Incantation)

Saalaa kaalaa poolaa pippidi pippidi poo….oooo

Use of rhythmic gibberish words to mimic traditional street magician spells and engage the crowd.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Mister vaareengalaa neengathaan / Sister aaringalaa

Rhyming English loanwords and Tamil verb endings across consecutive lines for comedic effect.

Moni (Initial Rhyme/Consonance)

Jambara rambara jambam….mm manthiram….

Repetition of nasal and labial sounds creating a bounce and rhythm in the magical chant.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film Jeeva (1988), starring Sathyaraj and Amala, featured music composed by Gangai Amaran, who also penned the lyrics for this fun comedy trickster song.

Keep listening

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