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Japanil Kalyanaraman album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Appappoi Ammammoi

From Japanil Kalyanaraman · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Kamal Haasan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Japanil Kalyanaraman
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
30 Nov 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aahn haan
Haah haan
Haah haan
Haah haan
Haah haan
Aahn haan
Haah haan
Haah haan
Haah haan
Haah haan haan
Appappoi
Adi ammammoi
Maayajaalama…
Ammammoi
Adi appapoi
Oora ulagama
Ovvonna ovvonna
Paakkathtaan
Sokki poi nikkirenda
Ennannu yethunnu
Velakkuven
Pakkaththil sorgamthaanda
Velai seiyya
Engeyum machine irukku
Chakku bukku chakku bukku
Chakku bukku chakku bukku
Sombal illa
Ingulla manushanukku
Yaaahaan
Indiyaavum ippadi
Maarinakka eppadi
Antha naal nalla naal
Entha naalo
Namma ooru josiyan
Solluvaano
Vingyaanam thantha
Munnettram
Adi aaththi deva logamthaan
Solliputen
Appappoi
Adi ammammoi
Maayajaalama…
Ammammoi
Adi appapoi
Oora ulagama
Saamithaanda ellaarkkum
Moola thanthaan
Japan kaaran moolaikki
Vela thanthaan
Aah haan
Engengum singaaram
Pala pala pala pala
Pala pala pala pala
Ellaamae minsaaram
Thottupudaathae
Shock adikkum
Kann kattu viththaiya
Enni paaththen
Ennaiyae konjam naan
Killi paaththen
Aah
Kummaalam
Enna kondaattam
Adi aaththi
Koottam koottama
Nikkuthaiyaa
Appappoi
Adi ammammoi
Maayajaalama…
Ovvonna ovvonna
Paakkathtaan
Appappapaa
Sokki poi nikkirenda
Ennannu yethunnu
Velakkuven
Appappapaa
Pakkaththil sorgamthaanda
Appappoi
Adi ammammoi
Maayajaalama…
Aah haan
Haa haan
Haa haan
Haa haan
Haa haan
Aah haan
Haa haan
Haa haan
Haa haan
Haa haan haan
Oh my goodness!
Oh my, oh my!
Is this pure magic?
Oh my goodness!
Oh my, oh my!
Is this a city or a whole new world?
As I look at everything
one by one,
I'm standing here totally amazed, man!
How can I even
explain what this is?
Heaven is right here beside us, man!
To do all the work,
there are machines everywhere!
Chukku bukku chukku bukku,
chukku bukku chukku bukku!
There is no laziness
in the people living here!
Yaahaan!
If India too
transforms like this, how wonderful it would be!
That day, that great day,
which day will it arrive?
Will our hometown astrologer
ever be able to tell?
The progress
brought by science...
Good grief, it's just like heaven on earth!
I'm telling you!
Oh my goodness!
Oh my, oh my!
Is this pure magic?
Oh my goodness!
Oh my, oh my!
Is this a city or a whole new world?
God gave a brain
to every human being, man!
Yet the Japanese
actually put their brains to work!
Aa haan!
Everywhere you look, it's dazzling beauty,
shining and glittering,
sparkling all around!
Everything runs on electricity!
Don't you go touch it,
or you'll get a shock!
Wondering if it's all an illusion,
I thought about it,
and even pinched myself
just to make sure!
Ah!
What merry fun,
what celebration!
Goodness gracious,
people are gathered
in massive crowds!
Oh my goodness!
Oh my, oh my!
Is this pure magic?
As I look at everything
one by one,
Oh my, oh my!
I'm standing here totally amazed, man!
How can I even
explain what this is?
Oh my, oh my!
Heaven is right here beside us, man!
Oh my goodness!
Oh my, oh my!
Is this pure magic?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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