Gama Gama
From Jothi · 1983
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Sailaja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Jothi1983
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| S… saa… | S… saa… |
| Female | |
| S… saa… | S… saa… |
| Male | |
| S… ree… | S… ree… |
| Male | |
| S… gaa… | S… gaa… |
| S… maa… | S… maa… |
| Female | |
| Gamagama gamagama gamagama gamagama | Fragrant and aromatic, fragrant and aromatic, |
| Male | |
| Gamagamagama suda chuda | Aromatic and piping hot, |
| Kari kozhambu | Mutton curry, |
| Thala thalannu kodhikkudhadaa…aa… | Is bubbling and simmering richly, oh man! |
| Chorus | |
| Gamagamagama suda chuda | Aromatic and piping hot, |
| Kari kozhambu | Mutton curry, |
| Thala thalannu kodhikkudhadaa | Is bubbling and simmering richly, oh man! |
| Male | |
| Samaiyalum nadakkudhu | Cooking is going on, |
| Male | |
| Nadakkattum nadakkattum | Let it happen, let it happen! |
| Male | |
| Sabalatha kodukkudhu | It creates a strong craving, |
| Male | |
| Kodukkattum kodukkattum | Let it create, let it create! |
| Male | |
| Samaiyalum nadakkudhu | Cooking is going on, |
| Sabalatha kodukkudhu | It creates a strong craving, |
| Engaennu theriyalaiyae | I don't know where it's coming from, |
| Chorus | |
| Pasikkudhadaa adi vayiru | My lower stomach is churning with hunger, man! |
| Chorus | |
| Gamagamagama suda chuda | Aromatic and piping hot, |
| Kari kozhambu | Mutton curry, |
| Thala thalannu kodhikkudhadaa haei | Is bubbling and simmering richly, hey! |
| Male | |
| Saa paa saappaattukku | For... for... for food, |
| Male | |
| Thadheenginatthom | Rhythm of dance (Thadheenginatthom)! |
| Thadheenginatthom sabaash | Rhythm of dance, bravo! |
| Male | |
| Teakkum teakkum kooda | Even for a cup of tea, |
| Chorus | |
| Thadheenginatthom | Rhythm of dance! |
| Female | |
| Athaan thadheenginatthom | That's the rhythm of dance, |
| Male | |
| Maamaa thadheenginatthom | Uncle, rhythm of dance! |
| Male | |
| Paappaa thadheenginatthom | Child, rhythm of dance! |
| Chorus | |
| Ellaam thadheenginatthom | Everything is a rhythm of dance! |
| Male | |
| Saandhaiyae thaan | Just to wash off, |
| Kazhuvida thaan daa | Just to wash off the makeup, man, |
| Powder poosurom | We apply powder! |
| Chorus | |
| Aamaa sankara dhaas | Yes, written by Sankaradas... |
| Saamigal potta | Written by Swamigal, |
| Paatta paadurom | We sing those songs! |
| Chorus | |
| Saandhaiyae thaan | Just to wash off, |
| Kazhuvida thaan daa | Just to wash off the makeup, man, |
| Powder poosurom | We apply powder! |
| Aamaa sankara dhaas saamigal potta | Yes, written by Sankaradas Swamigal, |
| Paatta paadurom | We sing those songs! |
| Iravil muzhikkirom pagalil urangurom | We stay awake at night, we sleep during the day, |
| Thiraiyin maraivilae siraiyil irukkurom | We stay trapped like prisoners behind the curtain! |
| Female | |
| Vasadhiyilae sila pozhudhu | Sometimes when there are comfortable days, |
| Chorus | |
| Nallaa thaan soraakki | Cooking good food nicely, |
| Naama thinnu naalum aachu | It's been days since we ate well! |
| Chorus | |
| Gamagamagama suda chuda | Aromatic and piping hot, |
| Kari kozhambu | Mutton curry, |
| Thala thalannu kodhikkudhadaa | Is bubbling and simmering richly, oh man! |
| Male | |
| Samaiyalum nadakkudhu | Cooking is going on, |
| Male | |
| Nadakkattum nadakkattum | Let it happen, let it happen! |
| Male | |
| Sabalatha kodukkudhu | It creates a strong craving, |
| Male | |
| Kodukkattum kodukkattum | Let it create, let it create! |
| Male | |
| Samaiyalum nadakkudhu | Cooking is going on, |
| Sabalatha kodukkudhu | It creates a strong craving, |
| Engaennu theriyalaiyae | I don't know where it's coming from, |
| Chorus | |
| Pasikkudhadaa adi vayiru | My lower stomach is churning with hunger, man! |
| Male | |
| Raajaadhi raaja | King of kings... |
| Raaja kula thilaga… | Gem of the royal lineage... |
| Raajaadhi raaja… | King of kings... |
| Male | |
| Daei daei niruthu niruthu | Hey, hey! Stop it, stop it! |
| Pasi naerathula yaendaa | Why are you singing drama songs... |
| Naadaga paatta paadra podaa | ...when we are starving? Go away! |
| Male | |
| Raathiriyil raaja kumaaran | At night, a prince... |
| Vaesham poduvom | ...is the role we play! |
| Raajaadhi raaja raaja maartthaanda | King of kings, sun among kings, |
| Raaja gambeera | Majestic king, |
| Raaja kula thilaga soora dheera | Gem of the royal lineage, brave and valiant hero, |
| Veera adhi paraakrama | Hero of supreme valor, |
| Raathiri raajaa paraak paraak paraak | King of the night, make way, make way! |
| Chorus | |
| Raathiriyil raaja kumaaran | At night, a prince... |
| Vaesham poduvom | ...is the role we play! |
| Chorus | |
| Aa… kaalaiyilae | Ah... in the morning, |
| Kanji illaamae gosham poduvom | We shout in hunger without even gruel to drink! |
| Male | |
| Karnan vaeshathil | In the role of the generous Karna, |
| Chorus | |
| Vaari vazhangurom | We give away everything lavishly! |
| Male | |
| Vaesham kalachadhum | Once the disguise and makeup are removed, |
| Chorus | |
| Ammaa kaiya yaendhurom | "Oh mother!", we stretch out our hands begging for food! |
| Male | |
| Kalai ulagam thavikkudhadaa | The world of theater arts is suffering, oh man! |
| Nela kolanju kedakkudhadaa | Its condition is utterly ruined, oh man! |
| Chorus | |
| Koothaadi nam vaazhkka | Our lives as street play artists... |
| Kaathaadi pol aachu | ...have become like a kite helpless in the wind! |
| Chorus :Gamagamagama suda chuda | Chorus: Aromatic and piping hot, |
| Kari kozhambu | Mutton curry, |
| Thala thalannu kodhikkudhadaa | Is bubbling and simmering richly, oh man! |
| Male | |
| Samaiyalum nadakkudhu | Cooking is going on, |
| Male | |
| Nadakkattum nadakkattum | Let it happen, let it happen! |
| Male | |
| Sabalatha kodukkudhu | It creates a strong craving, |
| Male | |
| Kodukkattum kodukkattum | Let it create, let it create! |
| Male | |
| Samaiyalum nadakkudhu | Cooking is going on, |
| Sabalatha kodukkudhu | It creates a strong craving, |
| Engaennu theriyalaiyae | I don't know where it's coming from, |
| Chorus | |
| Pasikkudhadaa adi vayiru | My lower stomach is churning with hunger, man! |
ஸ்... ஸா....
S… saa…
ஸ்... ஸா....
S… saa…
ஸ்... ரீ...
S… ree…
ஸ்... ரீ...
S… gaa…
S… maa…
ஸ்......கா.....
ஸ்... மா...
Fragrant and aromatic, fragrant and aromatic,
கமகம கமகம கமகம கமகம
Aromatic and piping hot,
Mutton curry,
Is bubbling and simmering richly, oh man!
கமகமகம சுடச் சுட
கறிக் கொழம்பு
தள தளன்னு கொதிக்குதடா
Aromatic and piping hot,
Mutton curry,
Is bubbling and simmering richly, oh man!
கமகமகம சுடச் சுட
கறிக் கொழம்பு
தள தளன்னு கொதிக்குதடா
Cooking is going on,
சமயலும் நடக்குது
Let it happen, let it happen!
நடக்கட்டும் நடக்கட்டும்
It creates a strong craving,
சபலத்தக் கொடுக்குது
Let it create, let it create!
கொடுக்கட்டும் கொடுக்கட்டும்
Cooking is going on,
It creates a strong craving,
I don't know where it's coming from,
சமயலும் நடக்குது
சபலத்தக் கொடுக்குது
எங்கேன்னு தெரியலையே
My lower stomach is churning with hunger, man!
பசிக்குதடா அடி வயிறு
துடிக்குதடா பல உயிரு
பசிக்குதடா அடி வயிறு
துடிக்குதடா பல உயிரு
Aromatic and piping hot,
Mutton curry,
Is bubbling and simmering richly, hey!
கமகமகம சுடச் சுட
கறிக் கொழம்பு
தள தளன்னு கொதிக்குதடா ஹேய்
For... for... for food,
ஸா பா சாப்பாட்டுக்கு
Rhythm of dance (Thadheenginatthom)!
Rhythm of dance, bravo!
ததீங்கிணத்தோம்
ததீங்கிணத்தோம் சபாஷ்
Even for a cup of tea,
டீக்கும் டீக்கும் கூட
Rhythm of dance!
ததீங்கிணத்தோம்
ததீங்கிணத்தோம் சபாஷ்
That's the rhythm of dance,
அத்தான் ததீங்கிணத்தோம்
Uncle, rhythm of dance!
மாமா ததீங்கிணத்தோம்
Child, rhythm of dance!
பாப்பா ததீங்கிணத்தோம்
Everything is a rhythm of dance!
எல்லாம் ததீங்கிணத்தோம்
Just to wash off,
Just to wash off the makeup, man,
We apply powder!
சாந்தையேதான்
கழுவிடத்தான்டா
பௌடர் பூசுறோம்
Yes, written by Sankaradas...
Written by Swamigal,
We sing those songs!
ஆமா சங்கரதாஸ்
சாமிகள் போட்ட
பாட்டப் பாடுறோம்
Just to wash off,
Just to wash off the makeup, man,
We apply powder!
Yes, written by Sankaradas Swamigal,
We sing those songs!
We stay awake at night, we sleep during the day,
We stay trapped like prisoners behind the curtain!
சாந்தையேதான்
கழுவிடத்தான்டா
பௌடர் பூசுறோம்
Sometimes when there are comfortable days,
ஆமா சங்கரதாஸ்
சாமிகள் போட்ட
பாட்டப் பாடுறோம்
இரவில் முழிக்கிறோம் பகலில் உறங்குறோம்
திரையின் மறைவிலே சிறையில் இருக்குறோம்
Cooking good food nicely,
It's been days since we ate well!
வசதியிலே சில பொழுது
அசதியிலே பல பொழுது
Aromatic and piping hot,
Mutton curry,
Is bubbling and simmering richly, oh man!
நல்லாதான் சோறாக்கி
நாம தின்னு நாளும் ஆச்சு
Cooking is going on,
கமகமகம சுடச் சுட
கறிக் கொழம்பு
தள தளன்னு கொதிக்குதடா
Let it happen, let it happen!
சமயலும் நடக்குது
It creates a strong craving,
நடக்கட்டும் நடக்கட்டும்
Let it create, let it create!
சபலத்தக் கொடுக்குது
Cooking is going on,
It creates a strong craving,
I don't know where it's coming from,
கொடுக்கட்டும் கொடுக்கட்டும்
My lower stomach is churning with hunger, man!
சமயலும் நடக்குது
சபலத்தக் கொடுக்குது
எங்கேன்னு தெரியலையே
King of kings...
Gem of the royal lineage...
King of kings...
பசிக்குதடா அடி வயிறு
துடிக்குதடா பல உயிரு
பசிக்குதடா அடி வயிறு
துடிக்குதடா பல உயிரு
Hey, hey! Stop it, stop it!
Why are you singing drama songs...
...when we are starving? Go away!
ராஜாதி ராஜ
ராஜ குல திலக...
ராஜாதி ராஜ.....
At night, a prince...
...is the role we play!
King of kings, sun among kings,
Majestic king,
Gem of the royal lineage, brave and valiant hero,
Hero of supreme valor,
King of the night, make way, make way!
டேய் டேய் நிறுத்து நிறுத்து
பசி நேரத்துல ஏன்டா
நாடகப் பாட்ட பாட போடா
At night, a prince...
...is the role we play!
ராத்திரியில் ராஜ குமாரன்
வேஷம் போடுவோம்
ராஜாதி ராஜ ராஜ மார்த்தாண்ட
ராஜ கம்பீர
ராஜ குல திலக சூர தீர
வீர அதி பராக்ரம
ராத்திரி ராஜா பராக் பராக் பராக்
Ah... in the morning,
We shout in hunger without even gruel to drink!
ராத்திரியில் ராஜ குமாரன்
வேஷம் போடுவோம்
In the role of the generous Karna,
ஆ... காலையிலே
கஞ்சி இல்லாமே கோஷம் போடுவோம்
We give away everything lavishly!
கர்ணன் வேஷத்தில்
Once the disguise and makeup are removed,
வாரி வழங்குறோம்
"Oh mother!", we stretch out our hands begging for food!
வேஷம் கலச்சதும்
The world of theater arts is suffering, oh man!
Its condition is utterly ruined, oh man!
அம்மா கைய ஏந்துறோம்
Our lives as street play artists...
...have become like a kite helpless in the wind!
Chorus: Aromatic and piping hot,
Mutton curry,
Is bubbling and simmering richly, oh man!
கலை உலகம் தவிக்குதடா
நெல கொலஞ்சு கெடக்குதடா
Cooking is going on,
கூத்தாடி நம் வாழ்க்க
காத்தாடி போல் ஆச்சு
குழு :
கமகமகம சுடச் சுட
கறிக் கொழம்பு
தள தளன்னு கொதிக்குதடா
Let it happen, let it happen!
சமயலும் நடக்குது
It creates a strong craving,
நடக்கட்டும் நடக்கட்டும்
Let it create, let it create!
சபலத்தக் கொடுக்குது
Cooking is going on,
It creates a strong craving,
I don't know where it's coming from,
கொடுக்கட்டும் கொடுக்கட்டும்
My lower stomach is churning with hunger, man!
சமயலும் நடக்குது
சபலத்தக் கொடுக்குது
எங்கேன்னு தெரியலையே
பசிக்குதடா அடி வயிறு
துடிக்குதடா பல உயிரு
பசிக்குதடா அடி வயிறு
துடிக்குதடா பல உயிரு
பசிக்குதடா அடி வயிறு
துடிக்குதடா பல உயிரு
S… saa…
S… saa…
S… saa…
S… saa…
S… ree…
S… ree…
S… gaa…
S… gaa…
S… maa…
S… maa…
Gamagama gamagama gamagama gamagama
Fragrant and aromatic, fragrant and aromatic,
Gamagamagama suda chuda
Aromatic and piping hot,
Kari kozhambu
Mutton curry,
Thala thalannu kodhikkudhadaa…aa…
Is bubbling and simmering richly, oh man!
Gamagamagama suda chuda
Aromatic and piping hot,
Kari kozhambu
Mutton curry,
Thala thalannu kodhikkudhadaa
Is bubbling and simmering richly, oh man!
Samaiyalum nadakkudhu
Cooking is going on,
Nadakkattum nadakkattum
Let it happen, let it happen!
Sabalatha kodukkudhu
It creates a strong craving,
Kodukkattum kodukkattum
Let it create, let it create!
Samaiyalum nadakkudhu
Cooking is going on,
Sabalatha kodukkudhu
It creates a strong craving,
Engaennu theriyalaiyae
I don't know where it's coming from,
Pasikkudhadaa adi vayiru
My lower stomach is churning with hunger, man!
Gamagamagama suda chuda
Aromatic and piping hot,
Kari kozhambu
Mutton curry,
Thala thalannu kodhikkudhadaa haei
Is bubbling and simmering richly, hey!
Saa paa saappaattukku
For... for... for food,
Thadheenginatthom
Rhythm of dance (Thadheenginatthom)!
Thadheenginatthom sabaash
Rhythm of dance, bravo!
Teakkum teakkum kooda
Even for a cup of tea,
Thadheenginatthom
Rhythm of dance!
Athaan thadheenginatthom
That's the rhythm of dance,
Maamaa thadheenginatthom
Uncle, rhythm of dance!
Paappaa thadheenginatthom
Child, rhythm of dance!
Ellaam thadheenginatthom
Everything is a rhythm of dance!
Saandhaiyae thaan
Just to wash off,
Kazhuvida thaan daa
Just to wash off the makeup, man,
Powder poosurom
We apply powder!
Aamaa sankara dhaas
Yes, written by Sankaradas...
Saamigal potta
Written by Swamigal,
Paatta paadurom
We sing those songs!
Saandhaiyae thaan
Just to wash off,
Kazhuvida thaan daa
Just to wash off the makeup, man,
Powder poosurom
We apply powder!
Aamaa sankara dhaas saamigal potta
Yes, written by Sankaradas Swamigal,
Paatta paadurom
We sing those songs!
Iravil muzhikkirom pagalil urangurom
We stay awake at night, we sleep during the day,
Thiraiyin maraivilae siraiyil irukkurom
We stay trapped like prisoners behind the curtain!
Vasadhiyilae sila pozhudhu
Sometimes when there are comfortable days,
Nallaa thaan soraakki
Cooking good food nicely,
Naama thinnu naalum aachu
It's been days since we ate well!
Gamagamagama suda chuda
Aromatic and piping hot,
Kari kozhambu
Mutton curry,
Thala thalannu kodhikkudhadaa
Is bubbling and simmering richly, oh man!
Samaiyalum nadakkudhu
Cooking is going on,
Nadakkattum nadakkattum
Let it happen, let it happen!
Sabalatha kodukkudhu
It creates a strong craving,
Kodukkattum kodukkattum
Let it create, let it create!
Samaiyalum nadakkudhu
Cooking is going on,
Sabalatha kodukkudhu
It creates a strong craving,
Engaennu theriyalaiyae
I don't know where it's coming from,
Pasikkudhadaa adi vayiru
My lower stomach is churning with hunger, man!
Raajaadhi raaja
King of kings...
Raaja kula thilaga…
Gem of the royal lineage...
Raajaadhi raaja…
King of kings...
Daei daei niruthu niruthu
Hey, hey! Stop it, stop it!
Pasi naerathula yaendaa
Why are you singing drama songs...
Naadaga paatta paadra podaa
...when we are starving? Go away!
Raathiriyil raaja kumaaran
At night, a prince...
Vaesham poduvom
...is the role we play!
Raajaadhi raaja raaja maartthaanda
King of kings, sun among kings,
Raaja gambeera
Majestic king,
Raaja kula thilaga soora dheera
Gem of the royal lineage, brave and valiant hero,
Veera adhi paraakrama
Hero of supreme valor,
Raathiri raajaa paraak paraak paraak
King of the night, make way, make way!
Raathiriyil raaja kumaaran
At night, a prince...
Vaesham poduvom
...is the role we play!
Aa… kaalaiyilae
Ah... in the morning,
Kanji illaamae gosham poduvom
We shout in hunger without even gruel to drink!
Karnan vaeshathil
In the role of the generous Karna,
Vaari vazhangurom
We give away everything lavishly!
Vaesham kalachadhum
Once the disguise and makeup are removed,
Ammaa kaiya yaendhurom
"Oh mother!", we stretch out our hands begging for food!
Kalai ulagam thavikkudhadaa
The world of theater arts is suffering, oh man!
Nela kolanju kedakkudhadaa
Its condition is utterly ruined, oh man!
Koothaadi nam vaazhkka
Our lives as street play artists...
Kaathaadi pol aachu
...have become like a kite helpless in the wind!
Chorus :Gamagamagama suda chuda
Chorus: Aromatic and piping hot,
Kari kozhambu
Mutton curry,
Thala thalannu kodhikkudhadaa
Is bubbling and simmering richly, oh man!
Samaiyalum nadakkudhu
Cooking is going on,
Nadakkattum nadakkattum
Let it happen, let it happen!
Sabalatha kodukkudhu
It creates a strong craving,
Kodukkattum kodukkattum
Let it create, let it create!
Samaiyalum nadakkudhu
Cooking is going on,
Sabalatha kodukkudhu
It creates a strong craving,
Engaennu theriyalaiyae
I don't know where it's coming from,
Pasikkudhadaa adi vayiru
My lower stomach is churning with hunger, man!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from 'Jothi' (1983) is a poignant yet satirical commentary on the tragic plight of traditional Tamil drama and street theater artists ('koothaadis'). Sung from the perspective of impoverished stage actors, the track contrasts the grand illusion of royalty they project on stage with the harsh, impoverished realities of their daily existence. As the aroma of a delicious meat curry wafts past their empty stomachs, it triggers both intense hunger and deep reflection on their nocturnal, prisoner-like lives behind the theater curtain. Despite portraying grand kings and philanthropic legends like Karna at night, the actors wake up in the morning without even basic rice gruel to survive, forced to beg for sustenance once their makeup comes off. Lyricist Gangai Amaran skillfully uses theatrical rhythms, sharp irony, and comedic slang to spotlight the fading dignity and economic distress faced by traditional folk artists whose lives remain as unstable as kites caught in a storm.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uwamai Ani)
“Koothaadi nam vaazhkka / Kaathaadi pol aachu”
Compares the fragile, drifting life of street theater artists to a kite ('kaathaadi') blown around helplessly in the wind.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Koothaadi nam vaazhkka / Kaathaadi pol aachu”
The second letter 'thaa' (த) rhymes between 'Koothaadi' and 'Kaathaadi', creating musical harmony.
Irony / Juxtaposition (Muran)
“Karnan vaeshathil vaari vazhangurom / Vaesham kalachadhum ammaa kaiya yaendhurom”
Presents a stark contrast between portraying the legendary generous donor Karna on stage and begging for food as soon as the disguise is taken off.
Onomatopoeia (Irattai Kilavi & Oli Kurippu)
“Gamagamagama suda chuda ... Thala thalannu kodhikkudhadaa”
Uses sensory sound words like 'Gamagama' (rich fragrance) and 'Thala thalannu' (vivid bubbling sound of boiling curry) to evoke strong imagery.
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Trivia
The song explicitly pays homage to Sankaradas Swamigal (line 36/42), who is venerated as the 'Father of Modern Tamil Theatre' (Tamil Naadaga Pithamagan). Although listed as unknown in some song booklets, the soundtrack for 'Jothi' (1983) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. The track ingeniously incorporates 'Thadheenginatthom' theatrical dance syllables to authentically evoke the atmosphere of traditional Tamil stage drama troupes.
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