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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ayya Ooru Africa

From Kallum Kaniyagum · 1968

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
A. L. Ragavan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kallum Kaniyagum1968

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
……………
Male
Aiyaa ooru africaa kaaduSir's hometown is the African forest,
Unga amma veedu engaeWhere is your mother's house?
Aiyaa ooru africaa kaaduSir's hometown is the African forest,
Unga amma veedu engaeWhere is your mother's house?
Male
Aiyaa peru kaanaleelalaaluSir's name is Kaanaleelalaalu,
Unga amma peru ennaWhat is your mother's name?
Aiyaa peru kaanaleelalaaluSir's name is Kaanaleelalaalu,
Unga amma peru ennaWhat is your mother's name?
Male
……………
Male
Ho..kulukkadi minukkadiHo... shake it, shine on,
Parandhu vaa kaadhal jodiFly to me, my love pair!
Adikkadi thalikkadiFrequently blossoming and pulsing,
Azhathu vaa inbam kodiBring along crores of happiness!
Male
Aadai paadhi pona pinbuAfter half the dress is gone,
Atcham enna naanam ennaWhy fear, why shyness?
Male
Vaanam paartha maeni thannaiUpon seeing the body facing the sky,
Naanum paartha kolam ennaWhat is the sight that I too have seen?
Male
Paadamal ennai paada vaitha sittuThe little bird that made me sing without singing,
Aadaamal ennai aada vaitha mottuThe flower bud that made me dance without dancing,
Bababibububaa bababibububaaBababibububaa bababibububaa
Bababibububaa bababibububaaBababibububaa bababibububaa
Male
Aiyaa ooru africaa kaaduSir's hometown is the African forest,
Unga amma veedu engaeWhere is your mother's house?
Male
Aiyaa peru kaanaleelalaaluSir's name is Kaanaleelalaalu,
Unga amma peru ennaWhat is your mother's name?
Male
Hae ..thavikkudhu thudikkuthuHey... it yearns, it beats fast,
Thanithu vaa pesa vendumCome alone, we need to talk!
Male
Azhaikuthu mayanguthu anaithuIt calls out, swoons, and embraces,
Naan aada vendumI must dance!
Male
Maedai pottu poo virithuSetting up a stage and spreading flowers,
Mella vandhu palli konduComing softly and resting,
Male
Jaadai kaatti vaadai thandhuMaking gestures and giving scent,
Maarbil ennai soodi konduAdorning me upon her chest,
Male
Kaanamal ennai kan vandha suttiThe clever one who became my eyes without being seen,
Koodaamal ennai kooda vandha kuttyThe young girl who came along without uniting,
Bababibububaa bababibububaaBababibububaa bababibububaa
Bababibububaa bababibububaaBababibububaa bababibububaa
Male
Aiyaa ooru africaa kaaduSir's hometown is the African forest,
Unga amma veedu engaeWhere is your mother's house?
Male
Aiyaa peru kaanaleelalaaluSir's name is Kaanaleelalaalu,
Unga amma peru ennaWhat is your mother's name?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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