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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Andha Arabickadaloram

From Bombay · 1995

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
A. R. Rahman, Suresh Peters, Swarnalatha
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Bombay1995

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Mm mm uuuhhh…uuuuhhhh…uhhhMm mm uuuhhh…uuuuhhhh…uhhh
Mm mm uuuhhh…uuuuhhhh…uhhhMm mm uuuhhh…uuuuhhhh…uhhh
Male
Ya bi yeah…Ya bi yeah…
……………………………....
Male
Andha arabikkadaloramBy the shore of that Arabian Sea
Orr azhaghai kandenaeI saw a beauty
Andha kanni thendral aadaighalukkuTo the garments playing in that virgin breeze
Kangal kandenaeMy eyes bore witness
Male
Hammaa hammaaHammaa hammaa
Hamma hamma hammaaHamma hamma hammaa
Hey hammaa hammaaHey hammaa hammaa
Hamma hamma hammaaHamma hamma hammaa
Male
Hey paliththaamaraiyaeO radiant lotus!
Un paadham kandenaeI saw your feet
Un pattu dhaavani chariya chariyaAs your silk half-saree slipped away
Meedham kandenaeI saw the rest of you
Male
Hammaa hammaaHammaa hammaa
Hamma hamma hammaaHamma hamma hammaa
Hey hammaa hammaaHey hammaa hammaa
Hamma hamma hammaaHamma hamma hammaa
Chorus
…………………….....
Male
Selai oram vandhu aalai modhiyadhuThe edge of the saree struck me gently
Aahaa yenna sugamoAah, what bliss this is!
Pinju ponviralgal nenjai theendiyadhuTender golden fingers touched my heart
Aahaa yenna idhamoAah, what comfort this is!
Male
Siththam kilugilukkaAs the mind tickles in joy
Raththam thudithudikkaAs the blood pulses with excitement
Muththam nooru vidhamoAre there a hundred kinds of kisses?
Achcham naanam adaOh fear and bashfulness!
Aadai kalaindhavudanOnce the garment was shed
Aiyo dheiva padhamoOh my, is this divine bliss?
Male
Hammaa hammaaHammaa hammaa
Hamma hamma hammaaHamma hamma hammaa
Hey hammaa hammaaHey hammaa hammaa
Hamma hamma hammaaHamma hamma hammaa
Male
Andha arabikkadaloramBy the shore of that Arabian Sea
Orr azhaghai kandenaeI saw a beauty
Andha kanni thendral aadaighalukkuTo the garments playing in that virgin breeze
Kangal kandenae naanI witnessed with my eyes
Male
HammaaHammaa
Hamma hamma hammaaHamma hamma hammaa
Hey hammaa hammaaHey hammaa hammaa
Hamma hamma hammaaHamma hamma hammaa
Male
Hey paliththaamaraiyaeO radiant lotus!
Un paadham kandenaeI saw your feet
Un pattu dhaavani chariya chariyaAs your silk half-saree slipped away
Meedham kandenaeI saw the rest of you
Male
Hammaa hey hey hammaaHammaa hey hey hammaa
Chorus
Mm mm uuuhhh…uuuuhhhh…uhhhMm mm uuuhhh…uuuuhhhh…uhhh
Mm mm uuuhhh…uuuuhhhh…uhhhMm mm uuuhhh…uuuuhhhh…uhhh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh oohOoh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh oohOoh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Male
SollikkoduththapinnumEven after teaching it all
AllikkoduththapinnumEven after bestowing it all
Muththam meedham irukkuKisses still remain unspent
Dheebham maraindhapinnumEven after the lamp goes out
Bhoomi irunda pinnumEven after the earth turns dark
Kannil velichcham irukkuThere is still light in the eyes
Male
Vaanam pozhindhapinnumEven after the heavens pour rain
Bhoomi nanaindhapinnumEven after the earth is soaked
Saaral sarasamirukkuA playful drizzle still lingers
Kaamam kalaindhapinnumEven after desire subsides
Kangal kadandhapinnumEven after eyes cross boundaries
Kaadhal malarndhukidakkuLove lies blooming endlessly
Male
Hammaa hammaaHammaa hammaa
Hamma hamma hammaaHamma hamma hammaa
Hey hammaa hammaaHey hammaa hammaa
Hamma hamma hammaaHamma hamma hammaa
Male
Andha arabikkadaloramBy the shore of that Arabian Sea
Orr azhaghai kandenaeI saw a beauty
Andha kanni thendral aadaighalukkuTo the garments playing in that virgin breeze
Kangal kandenae naanI witnessed with my eyes
Male
Hammaa hammaaHammaa hammaa
Hamma hamma hammaaHamma hamma hammaa
Hey hey hammaa ..hammaaHey hey hammaa ..hammaa
Hamma hamma hammaaHamma hamma hammaa
Hey hey hammaa ..hammaaHey hey hammaa ..hammaa
Hamma hamma hammaaHamma hamma hammaa
Hey hey hammaa ..hammaaHey hey hammaa ..hammaa
Hammaaa ……Hammaaa ……

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Hamma Hamma is a high-energy, sensual romantic song from Mani Ratnam's classic film Bombay (1995). The lyrics by Vairamuthu portray the thrilling enchantment of newfound love and physical intimacy against the atmospheric backdrop of the Arabian seaside. Using rich metaphors from nature like rain, breezes, and lotus flowers, the song captures both the raw excitement and the sweet tenderness shared between lovers. The verse highlights how true love persists even after physical intimacy subsides, emphasizing that love remains forever blooming like an eternal flame even after darkness falls.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Sollikkoduththapinnum / Allikkoduththapinnum

The second consonant 'lli' rhymes in consecutive lines, creating a rhythmic lyrical flow.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Siththam kilugilukka / Raththam thudithudikka

Lines end with similar sounding rhyming words ('kilugilukka' and 'thudithudikka') emphasizing passion.

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

Hey paliththaamaraiyae / Un paadham kandenae

Comparing the beloved to a glowing, flawless lotus ('paliththaamarai').

Personification

Andha kanni thendral aadaighalukku

Attributing human traits like 'virginity' to the sea breeze ('kanni thendral').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by A. R. Rahman for Mani Ratnam's 1995 film 'Bombay', this iconic track features vocals by A. R. Rahman, Remo Fernandes, and Swarnalatha. Actress Sonali Bendre made a memorable special appearance in the dance sequence, making it one of the biggest chartbusters of the 1990s.

Keep listening

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