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Kallum Kaniyagum album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ayya Ooru Africa

From Kallum Kaniyagum · 1968

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
A. L. Ragavan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Kallum Kaniyagum
Movie release year
1968
Lyrics added on
6 Aug 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
……………
Aiyaa ooru africaa kaadu
Unga amma veedu engae
Aiyaa ooru africaa kaadu
Unga amma veedu engae
Aiyaa peru kaanaleelalaalu
Unga amma peru enna
Aiyaa peru kaanaleelalaalu
Unga amma peru enna
……………
Ho..kulukkadi minukkadi
Parandhu vaa kaadhal jodi
Adikkadi thalikkadi
Azhathu vaa inbam kodi
Aadai paadhi pona pinbu
Atcham enna naanam enna
Vaanam paartha maeni thannai
Naanum paartha kolam enna
Paadamal ennai paada vaitha sittu
Aadaamal ennai aada vaitha mottu
Bababibububaa bababibububaa
Bababibububaa bababibububaa
Aiyaa ooru africaa kaadu
Unga amma veedu engae
Aiyaa peru kaanaleelalaalu
Unga amma peru enna
Hae ..thavikkudhu thudikkuthu
Thanithu vaa pesa vendum
Azhaikuthu mayanguthu anaithu
Naan aada vendum
Maedai pottu poo virithu
Mella vandhu palli kondu
Jaadai kaatti vaadai thandhu
Maarbil ennai soodi kondu
Kaanamal ennai kan vandha sutti
Koodaamal ennai kooda vandha kutty
Bababibububaa bababibububaa
Bababibububaa bababibububaa
Aiyaa ooru africaa kaadu
Unga amma veedu engae
Aiyaa peru kaanaleelalaalu
Unga amma peru enna
...
My native land is the African jungle!
Where is your mother's home?
My native land is the African jungle!
Where is your mother's home?
My name is Gana-leela-laalu!
What is your mother's name?
My name is Gana-leela-laalu!
What is your mother's name?
...
Oh, shake and sway, glitter and shine, girl!
Fly over to me, my love!
Show off your charms time and again,
Bring along endless joys!
Now that half your clothes have slipped away,
Why this fear, why this shyness?
Your bare beauty facing the open sky—
What a wondrous sight for me to see!
You little bird, making me sing when I never sang,
You blossoming bud, making me dance when I never danced!
Ba-ba-bi-bu-bu-ba, ba-ba-bi-bu-bu-ba
Ba-ba-bi-bu-bu-ba, ba-ba-bi-bu-bu-ba
My native land is the African jungle!
Where is your mother's home?
My name is Gana-leela-laalu!
What is your mother's name?
Hey, my heart is restless and pounding,
Come to me alone, I want to talk.
It calls out in longing—holding you tight,
I want to dance with you!
Making a bed and spreading flowers,
Softly coming down to rest,
Flirting with glances and sharing sweet scents,
Holding me close against your chest,
You playful darling who gave me eyes when I could not see,
You sweet girl who came to join me when I was all alone!
Ba-ba-bi-bu-bu-ba, ba-ba-bi-bu-bu-ba
Ba-ba-bi-bu-bu-ba, ba-ba-bi-bu-bu-ba
My native land is the African jungle!
Where is your mother's home?
My name is Gana-leela-laalu!
What is your mother's name?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This playful dance track from the 1968 film Kallum Kaniyagum showcases upbeat rhythm and humorous lyricism written by Kannadasan, set to M. S. Vishwanathan's vibrant score. The protagonist engages in romantic banter, playfully asking comical questions while praising his beloved's charming presence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme (Eshai)

“Ho..kulukkadi minukkadi”

Use of end rhymes like 'kulukkadi', 'minukkadi', and 'thalikkadi' to create a fast-paced rhythmic flow.

Metaphor

“Paadamal ennai paada vaitha sittu”

Comparing the beloved to a bird ('sittu') and a flower bud ('mottu') that inspires music and dance.

Onomatopoeia / Scat Singing

“Bababibububaa bababibububaa”

Rhythmic gibberish vocalization used for musical playfulness.

Did you know?

Trivia

Playback singer A. L. Ragavan was famous for performing high-energy, comic, and cabaret-style songs in 1960s Tamil cinema, often collaborating with M. S. Vishwanathan for experimental vocal textures.

Keep listening

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Athu Ithu Ethu1989
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Aadikku Pinne1974
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