Gubu Gubu Naan Engine
From Motor Sundaram Pillai · 1966
- Lyricist
- Kothamangalam Subbu
- Singers
- A. L. Raghavan, L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Motor Sundaram Pillai1966
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Gubu gubu gubu gubu naan engine | Gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine |
| Male :Dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu naan vandi | Male: Dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage |
| Female :Aha gubu gubu gubu gubu naan engine | Female: Aha, gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine |
| Male :Haan dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu naan vandi | Male: Yeah, dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage |
| Female | |
| Engine vaegam ilamayin vaegam | The speed of the engine is the speed of youth |
| En pinnaalae thodaraathae | Do not follow behind me |
| Engine vaegam ilamayin vaegam | The speed of the engine is the speed of youth |
| En pinnaalae thodaraathae | Do not follow behind me |
| Male | |
| Engine mattum railaagaathu | An engine alone does not make a train |
| Ennai vittu pogaathae | Do not leave me and go |
| Engine mattum railaagaathu | An engine alone does not make a train |
| Ennai vittu pogaathae | Do not leave me and go |
| Oho ennai vittu pogaathae | Oho, do not leave me and go |
| Female | |
| Gubu gubu gubu gubu naan engine | Gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine |
| Male :Aa dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu naan vandi | Male: Ah, dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage |
| Female :Aha gubu gubu gubu gubu naan engine | Female: Aha, gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine |
| Male :Haan dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu naan vandi | Male: Yeah, dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage |
| Female | |
| Engine vaegam ilamayin vaegam | The speed of the engine is the speed of youth |
| En pinnaalae thodaraathae | Do not follow behind me |
| Female | |
| Appavukku adangiya ponnu | I am a girl who obeys her father |
| Avaridam sedhiya kooru | Tell the news to him |
| Appavukku adangiya ponnu | I am a girl who obeys her father |
| Avaridam sedhiya kooru | Tell the news to him |
| Avar appozhuthae kodupaaru | He will grant permission right away |
| Male | |
| Aanum ponnum oppukkondaal | If a man and a woman mutually agree |
| Amma appa yaaru | Who cares about mother and father? |
| Idhu aandu arupathi aaru | This is the year sixty-six (1966) |
| Engine vandi rendum polae | Just like the engine and the carriage |
| Endrum ondraai irupom | Let us always remain together as one |
| Female | |
| Gubu gubu gubu gubu naan engine | Gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine |
| Male :Aa dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu naan vandi | Male: Ah, dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage |
| Female :Gubu gubu gubu gubu naan engine | Female: Gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine |
| Male :Aha….dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu naan vandi | Male: Aha... dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage |
| Female :Engine vaegam ilamayin vaegam | Female: The speed of the engine is the speed of youth |
| En pinnaalae thodaraathae | Do not follow behind me |
| Female | |
| College girl-ai follow panni | Following a college girl |
| Kandapadi paesaathae | Don't speak so mindlessly |
| Un kaadhalai alli veesaathae | Don't throw your love around recklessly |
| Male :Ooril pirandha ovvoruvarukkum | Male: For every person born in this town |
| Freedom irukkuthu love panna | There is freedom to fall in love |
| Aanaal lovela success-u | Female: But if love isn't successful |
| Aagaati pona divorce-u | If it fails, it ends in divorce |
| Female | |
| India naatu panpaatukku | According to Indian culture |
| Yaerkaathaiyaa un paechu | Your words are unacceptable, sir |
| India naatu panpaatukku | According to Indian culture |
| Yaerkaathaiyaa un paechu | Your words are unacceptable, sir |
| Ennakku thirumanam aachu | I am already married |
| Male :Aa…. | Male: Ah... |
| Female :Uh hmmm | Female: Uh hmmm |
| Ennakku thirumanam aachu | I am already married |
| Male | |
| Ithanai naeram idhanai solla | Male: To tell me this after all this time |
| Yaen theriyaamal pochu | Why didn't you realize or mention it earlier? |
| Please excuse me time aachu | Female: Please excuse me, it's time to go |
| Female | |
| Gubu gubu gubu gubu naan engine | Gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine |
| Male :Ahaan dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu naan vandi | Male: Aha, dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage |
| Female :Gubu gubu gubu gubu naan engine | Female: Gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine |
| Male :Dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu naan vandi | Male: Dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage |
| Engine vaegam ilamayin vaegam | The speed of the engine is the speed of youth |
| En pinnaalae thodaraathae | Do not follow behind me |
குபு குபு குபு குபு நான் என்ஜின்
டகு டகு டகு டகு டகு நான் வண்டி
அஹ குபு குபு குபு குபு நான் என்ஜின்
ஹான் டகு டகு டகு டகு டகு நான் வண்டி
Gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine
Male: Dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage
Female: Aha, gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine
Male: Yeah, dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage
என்ஜின் வேகம் இளமையின் வேகம்
என் பின்னாலே தொடராதே
என்ஜின் வேகம் இளமையின் வேகம்
என் பின்னாலே தொடராதே
The speed of the engine is the speed of youth
Do not follow behind me
The speed of the engine is the speed of youth
Do not follow behind me
என்ஜின் மட்டும் ரயிலாகாது
என்னை விட்டு போகாதே
என்ஜின் மட்டும் ரயிலாகாது
என்னை விட்டு போகாதே
ஓஹா என்னை விட்டு போகாதே
An engine alone does not make a train
Do not leave me and go
An engine alone does not make a train
Do not leave me and go
Oho, do not leave me and go
குபு குபு குபு குபு நான் என்ஜின்
ஆ டகு டகு டகு டகு டகு நான் வண்டி
குபு குபு குபு குபு நான் என்ஜின்
ஹான் டகு டகு டகு டகு டகு நான் வண்டி
Gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine
Male: Ah, dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage
Female: Aha, gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine
Male: Yeah, dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage
என்ஜின் வேகம் இளமையின் வேகம்
என் பின்னாலே தொடராதே
The speed of the engine is the speed of youth
Do not follow behind me
அப்பாவுக்கு அடங்கிய பொண்ணு
அவரிடம் சேதிய கூறு
அப்பாவுக்கு அடங்கிய பொண்ணு
அவரிடம் சேதிய கூறு
அவர் அப்பொழுதே கொடுப்பாரு
I am a girl who obeys her father
Tell the news to him
I am a girl who obeys her father
Tell the news to him
He will grant permission right away
ஆணும் பொன்னும் ஒப்புக்கொண்டால்
அம்மா அப்பா யாரும்
இது ஆண்டு அறுபத்தி ஆறு
என்ஜின் வண்டி ரெண்டும் போலே
என்றும் ஒன்றாய் இருப்போம்
If a man and a woman mutually agree
Who cares about mother and father?
This is the year sixty-six (1966)
Just like the engine and the carriage
Let us always remain together as one
குபு குபு குபு குபு நான் என்ஜின்
ஆ...டகு டகு டகு டகு டகு நான் வண்டி
குபு குபு குபு குபு நான் என்ஜின்
ஆஹ...டகு டகு டகு டகு டகு நான் வண்டி
என்ஜின் வேகம் இளமையின் வேகம்
என் பின்னாலே தொடராதே
Gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine
Male: Ah, dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage
Female: Gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine
Male: Aha... dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage
Female: The speed of the engine is the speed of youth
Do not follow behind me
காலேஜ் கேர்ள்ளை பாலோவ் பண்ணி
கண்டபடி நீ பேசாதே
உன் காதலை அள்ளி வீசாதே
ஊரில் பிறந்த ஒவ்வொருவருக்கும்
ப்ரீடம் இருக்குது லவ் பண்ண
ஆனால் லவ்ல சக்சஸ்சு
ஆகாட்டி போனா டைவர்ஸ்
Following a college girl
Don't speak so mindlessly
Don't throw your love around recklessly
Male: For every person born in this town
There is freedom to fall in love
Female: But if love isn't successful
If it fails, it ends in divorce
இந்திய நாட்டு பண்பாட்டுக்கு
ஏற்க்காதையா உன் பேச்சு
இந்திய நாட்டு பண்பாட்டுக்கு
ஏற்க்காதையா உன் பேச்சு
எனக்கு திருமணம் ஆச்சு
ஆ.....
உ ஹ்ம்ம்
எனக்கு திருமணம் ஆச்சு
According to Indian culture
Your words are unacceptable, sir
According to Indian culture
Your words are unacceptable, sir
I am already married
Male: Ah...
Female: Uh hmmm
I am already married
இத்தனை நேரம் இதனை சொல்ல
ஏன் தெரியாமல் போச்சு
ப்ளீஸ் எக்ஸ்குயூஸ் மீ டைம் ஆச்சு
Male: To tell me this after all this time
Why didn't you realize or mention it earlier?
Female: Please excuse me, it's time to go
குபு குபு குபு குபு நான் என்ஜின்
ஆஹான் டகு டகு டகு டகு டகு நான் வண்டி
குபு குபு குபு குபு நான் என்ஜின்
டகு டகு டகு டகு டகு நான் வண்டி
என்ஜின் வேகம் இளமையின் வேகம்
என் பின்னாலே தொடராதே
Gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine
Male: Aha, dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage
Female: Gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine
Male: Dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage
The speed of the engine is the speed of youth
Do not follow behind me
Gubu gubu gubu gubu naan engine
Gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine
Male :Dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu naan vandi
Male: Dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage
Female :Aha gubu gubu gubu gubu naan engine
Female: Aha, gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine
Male :Haan dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu naan vandi
Male: Yeah, dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage
Engine vaegam ilamayin vaegam
The speed of the engine is the speed of youth
En pinnaalae thodaraathae
Do not follow behind me
Engine vaegam ilamayin vaegam
The speed of the engine is the speed of youth
En pinnaalae thodaraathae
Do not follow behind me
Engine mattum railaagaathu
An engine alone does not make a train
Ennai vittu pogaathae
Do not leave me and go
Engine mattum railaagaathu
An engine alone does not make a train
Ennai vittu pogaathae
Do not leave me and go
Oho ennai vittu pogaathae
Oho, do not leave me and go
Gubu gubu gubu gubu naan engine
Gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine
Male :Aa dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu naan vandi
Male: Ah, dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage
Female :Aha gubu gubu gubu gubu naan engine
Female: Aha, gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine
Male :Haan dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu naan vandi
Male: Yeah, dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage
Engine vaegam ilamayin vaegam
The speed of the engine is the speed of youth
En pinnaalae thodaraathae
Do not follow behind me
Appavukku adangiya ponnu
I am a girl who obeys her father
Avaridam sedhiya kooru
Tell the news to him
Appavukku adangiya ponnu
I am a girl who obeys her father
Avaridam sedhiya kooru
Tell the news to him
Avar appozhuthae kodupaaru
He will grant permission right away
Aanum ponnum oppukkondaal
If a man and a woman mutually agree
Amma appa yaaru
Who cares about mother and father?
Idhu aandu arupathi aaru
This is the year sixty-six (1966)
Engine vandi rendum polae
Just like the engine and the carriage
Endrum ondraai irupom
Let us always remain together as one
Gubu gubu gubu gubu naan engine
Gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine
Male :Aa dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu naan vandi
Male: Ah, dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage
Female :Gubu gubu gubu gubu naan engine
Female: Gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine
Male :Aha….dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu naan vandi
Male: Aha... dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage
Female :Engine vaegam ilamayin vaegam
Female: The speed of the engine is the speed of youth
En pinnaalae thodaraathae
Do not follow behind me
College girl-ai follow panni
Following a college girl
Kandapadi paesaathae
Don't speak so mindlessly
Un kaadhalai alli veesaathae
Don't throw your love around recklessly
Male :Ooril pirandha ovvoruvarukkum
Male: For every person born in this town
Freedom irukkuthu love panna
There is freedom to fall in love
Aanaal lovela success-u
Female: But if love isn't successful
Aagaati pona divorce-u
If it fails, it ends in divorce
India naatu panpaatukku
According to Indian culture
Yaerkaathaiyaa un paechu
Your words are unacceptable, sir
India naatu panpaatukku
According to Indian culture
Yaerkaathaiyaa un paechu
Your words are unacceptable, sir
Ennakku thirumanam aachu
I am already married
Male :Aa….
Male: Ah...
Female :Uh hmmm
Female: Uh hmmm
Ennakku thirumanam aachu
I am already married
Ithanai naeram idhanai solla
Male: To tell me this after all this time
Yaen theriyaamal pochu
Why didn't you realize or mention it earlier?
Please excuse me time aachu
Female: Please excuse me, it's time to go
Gubu gubu gubu gubu naan engine
Gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine
Male :Ahaan dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu naan vandi
Male: Aha, dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage
Female :Gubu gubu gubu gubu naan engine
Female: Gubu gubu gubu gubu, I am the engine
Male :Dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu naan vandi
Male: Dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu, I am the train carriage
Engine vaegam ilamayin vaegam
The speed of the engine is the speed of youth
En pinnaalae thodaraathae
Do not follow behind me
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Gubu gubu gubu gubu naan engine' is a lighthearted and humorous duet featuring modern metaphors of trains and carriages to depict a romantic chase between a young man and woman. The female lead compares herself to a fast-moving steam engine driven by youthful vigor, warning the man not to pursue her blindly. The male lead playfully counters that an engine cannot form a train without its carriage, asserting that they belong together and citing the progressive mindset of 1966.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Onomatopoeia (Oliyakku / Irattai Kilavi)
“Gubu gubu gubu gubu naan engine / Dagu dagu dagu dagu dagu naan vandi”
The words 'Gubu gubu' mimic the chugging sound of a steam engine, while 'Dagu dagu' mimics the rhythmic clatter of carriage wheels on a track.
Extended Metaphor (Urubagam)
“Engine mattum railaagaathu / Ennai vittu pogaathae”
The train engine and carriage are used as a extended metaphor for a romantic pair, illustrating how one is incomplete without the other.
Iyaipu (End Rhyming)
“Ennakku thirumanam aachu / Yaen theriyaamal pochu / time aachu”
The deliberate use of end-rhyming Tamil/English hybrid words ('aachu', 'pochu', 'time aachu') adds a comical, rhythmic cadence to the climax of the song.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by Kothamangalam Subbu for the 1966 Sivaji Ganesan starrer 'Motor Sundaram Pillai', this song captures the mid-60s modern youthful banter in Tamil cinema. The line 'Idhu aandu arupathi aaru' specifically references the year the film was released (1966), making it a self-referential period touchstone.
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