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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Appappoi Ammammoi

From Japanil Kalyanaraman · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Kamal Haasan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Japanil Kalyanaraman1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aahn haanAahn haan
Haah haanHaah haan
Haah haanHaah haan
Haah haanHaah haan
Haah haanHaah haan
Male
Aahn haanAahn haan
Haah haanHaah haan
Haah haanHaah haan
Haah haanHaah haan
Haah haan haanHaah haan haan
Male
AppappoiOh my goodness!
Adi ammammoiOh dear mother!
Maayajaalama…Is this magic?
Male
AmmammoiOh mother!
Adi appapoiOh my goodness!
Oora ulagamaIs this a town or a whole world?
Male
Ovvonna ovvonnaEach and every thing...
PaakkathtaanJust to look at...
Sokki poi nikkirendaI am standing here completely mesmerized, my friend!
Ennannu yethunnuWhat it is and how it works...
VelakkuvenI will explain to you!
Pakkaththil sorgamthaandaHeaven is right beside us, my friend!
Male
Velai seiyyaTo do work...
Engeyum machine irukkuThere are machines everywhere!
Chakku bukku chakku bukkuChakku bukku chakku bukku
Chakku bukku chakku bukkuChakku bukku chakku bukku
Male
Sombal illaThere is no laziness...
Ingulla manushanukkuFor the people living here!
YaaahaanYaaahaan
Male
Indiyaavum ippadiIf India also...
Maarinakka eppadiTransformed like this, how great would it be?
Antha naal nalla naalThat day will be a great day!
Entha naaloWhich day will that be?
Namma ooru josiyanWill our local astrologer...
SolluvaanoBe able to tell us?
Male
Vingyaanam thanthaThis progress...
MunnettramGiven by science...
Adi aaththi deva logamthaanOh my, this is truly the world of the gods!
SolliputenI have said it!
Male
AppappoiOh my goodness!
Adi ammammoiOh dear mother!
Maayajaalama…Is this magic?
Male
AmmammoiOh mother!
Adi appapoiOh my goodness!
Oora ulagamaIs this a town or a whole world?
Male
Saamithaanda ellaarkkumGod gave...
Moola thanthaanA brain to everyone...
Japan kaaran moolaikkiBut the Japanese person...
Vela thanthaanGave work to his brain!
Aah haanAah haan
Male
Engengum singaaramBeauty and decoration everywhere!
Pala pala pala palaGlittering bright...
Pala pala pala palaGlittering bright...
Male
Ellaamae minsaaramEverything runs on electricity!
ThottupudaathaeDon't touch it!
Shock adikkumIt will give you an electric shock!
Kann kattu viththaiyaIs this an illusionist's trick?
Enni paaththenI wondered and thought about it,
Ennaiyae konjam naanI even...
Killi paaththenPinched myself to check!
AahAah
Male
KummaalamCelebration!
Enna kondaattamWhat grand festivity!
Adi aaththiOh my goodness!
Koottam koottamaIn huge crowds...
NikkuthaiyaaThey are standing!
Male
AppappoiOh my goodness!
Adi ammammoiOh dear mother!
Maayajaalama…Is this magic?
Male
Ovvonna ovvonnaEach and every thing...
PaakkathtaanJust to look at...
AppappapaaOh my goodness!
Sokki poi nikkirendaI am standing here completely mesmerized, my friend!
Ennannu yethunnuWhat it is and how it works...
VelakkuvenI will explain to you!
AppappapaaOh my goodness!
Pakkaththil sorgamthaandaHeaven is right beside us, my friend!
Male
AppappoiOh my goodness!
Adi ammammoiOh dear mother!
Maayajaalama…Is this magic?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song expresses the overwhelming awe and wonder of an Indian visitor experiencing Japan's advanced technology, modern infrastructure, and high-tech lifestyle. mesmerized by the neon lights, automated machinery, electric gadgets, and fast-paced environment, the narrator compares Japan to heaven on earth and a magical wonder. Through lighthearted and witty lyrics, Vaali highlights the contrast between traditional mindset and modern industrial discipline, humorously remarking that while God gave everyone a brain, the Japanese people actually put theirs to full work. The song reflects admiration for technological progress alongside a hopeful longing for similar advancement back home in India.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia

Chakku bukku chakku bukku

The phrase 'Chakku bukku chakku bukku' mimics the mechanical rhythm and sounds of automated machines working seamlessly.

Onomatopoeia / Visual Imagery

Pala pala pala pala

'Pala pala pala pala' mimics the sparkling, bright, and flashing electric lights of modern Japanese cities.

Hyperbole & Metaphor

Pakkaththil sorgamthaanda

Comparing technological infrastructure in Japan to 'sorgam' (heaven) and 'deva logam' (world of gods) exaggerates the wonder to convey extreme amazement.

Emonai / Rhyme

Appappoi / Adi ammammoi

The repetition of initial consonant and vowel sounds ('Indiyaavum' / 'Maarinakka', 'Appappoi' / 'Ammammoi') creates a catchy, rhythmic folk-like structure.

Did you know?

Trivia

Japanil Kalyanaraman (1985), starring Kamal Haasan and Radha, was notable for being the first Tamil feature film to be extensively shot on location in Japan. Music for the film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with playback singing provided by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. The song sequence features real footage of 1980s Japanese urban life, high-tech gadgetry, and theme parks.

Keep listening

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