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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
Details
Jeeva (1988 Film)1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Hhaa aaprakka dapaaraa hhhooHhaa abra ka dabra hhhoo
Male
Saalaa kaalaa poolaa pippidi pippidi poo….ooooSaalaa kaalaa poolaa pippidi pippidi poo....oooo
Jambara rambara jambam….mm manthiram….Jambara rambara jambam....mm magic spell....
Sishyanoda peru sedhu sundharamThe disciple's name is Sethu Sundaram
Ungalaththaan naanga namparomWe put all our trust only in you
Male
Saalaa kaalaa poolaa pippidi pippidi poo….ooooSaalaa kaalaa poolaa pippidi pippidi poo....oooo
Jambara rambara jambam….mm manthiram….Jambara rambara jambam....mm magic spell....
Rabaraa thipiraa thipiraa raa….Rabaraa thipiraa thipiraa raa....
Male
Ullukkulla onnum illaThere is nothing hidden inside
Thookki kaatturaenae….paarungaI am lifting and showing it... take a look
Chorus :HoiChorus: Hoi
Male :Annaanthu melae paarungaMale: Look up above
Ellorum paarungaEveryone take a look
Chorus :HoiChorus: Hoi
Male :Annaanthu melae paarungaMale: Look up above
Chorus :Hoi hoiChorus: Hoi hoi
Male
Daldaa dappaa idhu tattaa appaavuthu…..haehoThis Dalda tin box belonged to grandfather... haeho
Kettaa roopaa tharum ippa kettaa paavam varumIf asked it gives money, but asking now brings sin
Maayamo jaalamo edhuvum illa kellammaaThere is no trickery or magic illusion, listen ma'am
Male
Saalaa kaalaa poolaa pippidi pippidi poo….ooooSaalaa kaalaa poolaa pippidi pippidi poo....oooo
Jambara rambara jambam….mm manthiram….Jambara rambara jambam....mm magic spell....
Rabaraa thipiraa thipiraa raa….aaprakka dapaaraaRabaraa thipiraa thipiraa raa.... abra ka dabra
Male
Meesai ulla aambalaikku saelai kattuvaenI will drape a saree on a man with a mustache
MaaththuvaenI will transform him
Chorus :HoiChorus: Hoi
Male :Ponnaaga maaththi kaattuvaenMale: I will turn things into gold and show you
Aiyaava maaththuvaenI will transform the sir
Chorus :HoiChorus: Hoi
Male :Ellaamae maaththi kaattuvaenMale: I will transform everything and show you
Chorus :Hoi hoiChorus: Hoi hoi
Male
Mister vaareengalaa neengathaanMister, will you come forward, yes you!
Sister aaringalaaWill you turn into a sister?
Male
Poiyyaa velai illaiGo away man, I have no time for this
En pondaatti kaanavillaiMy wife has gone missing!
Ada kavalaiyai vidumaiyaaOh, drop your worries sir
Avala kooda maaththuraenI will even change/find her for you
Male
Saalaa kaalaa poolaa pippidi pippidi poo….ooooSaalaa kaalaa poolaa pippidi pippidi poo....oooo
Jambara rambara jambam….mm manthiram….Jambara rambara jambam....mm magic spell....
Sishyanoda peru sedhu sundharamThe disciple's name is Sethu Sundaram
Ungalaththaan naanga namparomWe put all our trust only in you
Male
Saalaa kaalaa poolaa pippidi pippidi poo….ooooSaalaa kaalaa poolaa pippidi pippidi poo....oooo
Aaprakka dapaaraaAbra ka dabra
Jambara rambara jambam….mm manthiram….Jambara rambara jambam....mm magic spell....
Sishyanoda peru sedhu sundharamThe disciple's name is Sethu Sundaram
Ungalaththaan naanga namparomWe put all our trust only in you
Hoo….aaprakka dapaaraaHoo.... abra ka dabra

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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

More from Jeeva (1988 Film)