I Want To Be A Rich Man
From Uyire Unakkaga · 1986
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Laxmikant-Pyarelal vaali
- Details
- Uyire Unakkaga1986
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| I want to be a rich man | I want to be a rich man |
| I want to be a rich man | I want to be a rich man |
| Male | |
| I want to be a rich man | I want to be a rich man |
| I want to be a rich man | I want to be a rich man |
| I want to be a | I want to be a |
| Someone someone someone | Someone someone someone |
| Ettu dhikkum irukkum | My influence will reach across all eight directions |
| Endhan selvaaku | My influence and status |
| Endhan pakkam irukkum | This palanquin will be on my side |
| Indha pallaaku | This palanquin |
| Male | |
| I want to be a very rich man | I want to be a very rich man |
| I want to be a very very rich man | I want to be a very very rich man |
| I want to be a | I want to be a |
| Female | |
| Podhum podhum podhum | Enough, enough, enough |
| Endrum undhan sannidhi | Always arriving at your sanctuary |
| Vandhaal podhum nimmadhi | Coming there brings peace enough |
| Un ullam ennum illam | The home that is your heart |
| Paavayin veedu dhaan | Is the maiden's home indeed |
| Paravayin koodu dhaan | Is indeed a bird's nest |
| Male | |
| No no | No no |
| I want to be a rich man | I want to be a rich man |
| I want to be a rich man | I want to be a rich man |
| I want to be a someone very big | I want to be a someone very big |
| And very rich i say | And very rich I say |
| Female | |
| Lalalala lalalaa | Lalalala lalalaa |
| Hoohoo hoo | Hoohoo hoo |
| Male | |
| Ezhettu caar irukka | Having seven or eight cars |
| Ac dhaan kulir edukka | With air conditioning giving a chill |
| Ezhettu caar irukka | Having seven or eight cars |
| Ac dhaan kulir edukka | With air conditioning giving a chill |
| Oorvalamaai povomaa | Shall we go in a procession? |
| Oor muludhum | The entire town |
| Paarthirukka kaathirukka | Watching and waiting |
| Male | |
| Yevalukkum kaavalukkum | For maidservants and guards |
| Ethanai per yengi nirkka | So many people yearningly waiting |
| Raajaathi raajan pol | Like the king of kings |
| Neeyum naanum veetrirukka | For you and me to be seated royalty |
| Female | |
| Podhum podhum | Enough, enough |
| Podhum podhum | Enough, enough |
| Ezhai naan dhaan un vasam | Poor me, I am under your spell |
| Male :Ahaa | Male: Aha |
| Female :Sevai seiyya sammadham | Female: I agree to serve you |
| Male :Hahha | Male: Haha |
| Female :En mannan nee allavaa | Female: Are you not my king? |
| Aanaigal podalaam | You can give orders |
| Adimai naan ketkkalaam | I, as a servant, will listen |
| Male | |
| I want to be a very rich man | I want to be a very rich man |
| I want to be a very very rich man | I want to be a very very rich man |
| I want to be a | I want to be a |
| Female | |
| Podhum podhum podhum | Enough, enough, enough |
| Iyayaiyayoo enna aasaiyo | Oh my, what grand desires! |
| Male :Certainly | Male: Certainly |
| Appapaapaa enna thaevaiyo | Oh dear, what needs! |
| Male :Definitely | Male: Definitely |
| Female :Ammamaamaa | Female: Oh my goodness |
| Yeno yeno yenoo | Why, why, oh why |
| Mannil ulla varayil | As long as we are on this earth |
| Naam sondhamallavaa | Are we not bound to each other? |
| Mannan undhan nizhalae | My king, your shadow |
| En sorgamallavaa | Is my heaven, isn't it? |
| Male | |
| I want to be a very rich man | I want to be a very rich man |
| Female :Haa… | Female: Haa... |
| Male :I want to be a splendidly rich man | Male: I want to be a splendidly rich man |
| Female :Hoo | Female: Hoo |
| Male :I want to be a someone | Male: I want to be a someone |
| Very differently and rich | Very differently and rich |
| Male | |
| Rojakkal paritheduthu | Plucking roses |
| Female :Ahhh | Female: Ahhh |
| Male :Pannerai vaditheduthu | Male: Extracting rosewater |
| Female :Ahh | Female: Ahh |
| Male | |
| Rojakkal paritheduthu | Plucking roses |
| Female :Ahhh haa | Female: Ahhh haa |
| Male :Pannerai vaditheduthu | Male: Extracting rosewater |
| Female :Ahh haa | Female: Ahh haa |
| Javvadhum kalandhu vaithu | Mixing civet perfume too |
| Raajathi nee kulikka | For you, my queen, to bathe |
| Naan rasikka | For me to admire and enjoy |
| Female :Hahahaha | Female: Hahahaha |
| Male | |
| Kaaboolin thiraatchaigalum | Grapes from Kabul |
| Kaashmeerin applegalum | Apples from Kashmir |
| Thozhiyargal eduthu vaikka | Maidservants serving them |
| Neeyum naanum pasi aara | For you and me to satisfy our hunger |
| Female | |
| Podhum podhum | Enough, enough |
| Podhum podhum | Enough, enough |
| Unnai paarthaal podhumae | Just looking at you is enough |
| Male :Is it | Male: Is it |
| Female :Pasium marandhu pogumae | Female: Even hunger will be forgotten |
| Male : Hahahha | Male: Hahahha |
| Female :Nee pakkam illai endraal | Female: If you are not near me |
| Paal pazham kasakumae | Milk and fruit will taste bitter |
| Ahaa haa padukaiyum verukumae | Aha ha, even the bed will feel loathsome |
| Male | |
| I want to be a rich man | I want to be a rich man |
| Female :Yeeh | Female: Yeeh |
| Male :I want to be a rich man | Male: I want to be a rich man |
| Female :Ahaa…aaa… | Female: Ahaa...aaa... |
| Male :I want to be a | Male: I want to be a |
| Someone someone someone someone | Someone someone someone someone |
| I want to be a | I want to be a |
| Someone someone very different | Someone someone very different |
| I want to be a | I want to be a |
| Someone someone someone | Someone someone someone |
| Someone someone i say….. | Someone someone I say... |
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய
ரிச் மேன்
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய ரிச் மேன்
I want to be a rich man
I want to be a rich man
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய
ரிச் மேன்
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய ரிச் மேன்
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய
சம்ஒன் சம்ஒன் சம்ஒன்
எட்டு திக்கும் இருக்கும்
எந்தன் செல்வாக்கு
எந்தன் பக்கம் இருக்கும்
இந்த பல்லாக்கு
I want to be a rich man
I want to be a rich man
I want to be a
Someone someone someone
My influence will reach across all eight directions
My influence and status
This palanquin will be on my side
This palanquin
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய
வெரி ரிச் மேன்
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய
வெரி வெரி ரிச் மேன்
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய
I want to be a very rich man
I want to be a very very rich man
I want to be a
போதும் போதும் போதும்
என்றும் உந்தன் சந்நிதி
வந்தால் போதும் நிம்மதி
உன் உள்ளம் என்னும் இல்லம்
பாவையின் வீடுதான்
பறவையின் கூடுதான்
Enough, enough, enough
Always arriving at your sanctuary
Coming there brings peace enough
The home that is your heart
Is the maiden's home indeed
Is indeed a bird's nest
நோ நோ
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய ரிச் மேன்
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய ரிச் மேன்
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய சம்ஒன் வெரி பிக்
அன்ட் வெரி ரிச் ஐ சே
No no
I want to be a rich man
I want to be a rich man
I want to be a someone very big
And very rich I say
லா லா லா லலா லலலா
ஓ..ஓ..ஓ
Lalalala lalalaa
Hoohoo hoo
ஏழெட்டு கார் இருக்க
ஏசிதான் குளிர் எடுக்க
ஏழெட்டு கார் இருக்க
ஏசிதான் குளிர் எடுக்க
ஊர்வலமாய் போவோமா
ஊர் முழுதும்
பாத்திருக்க காத்திருக்க
Having seven or eight cars
With air conditioning giving a chill
Having seven or eight cars
With air conditioning giving a chill
Shall we go in a procession?
The entire town
Watching and waiting
ஏவலுக்கும் காவலுக்கும்
எத்தனை பேர் ஏங்கி நிற்க
ராஜாத்தி ராஜன் போல்
நீயும் நானும் வீற்றிக்க
For maidservants and guards
So many people yearningly waiting
Like the king of kings
For you and me to be seated royalty
போதும் போதும்
போதும் போதும்
ஏழை நான் தான் உன் வசம்
ஆஹா
சேவை செய்ய சம்மதம்
ஹாஹா
என் மன்னன் நீ அல்லவா
ஆணைகள் போடலாம்
அடிமை நான் கேட்கலாம்
Enough, enough
Enough, enough
Poor me, I am under your spell
Male: Aha
Female: I agree to serve you
Male: Haha
Female: Are you not my king?
You can give orders
I, as a servant, will listen
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய
ரிச் மேன்
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய
வெரி வெரி ரிச் மேன்
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய
I want to be a very rich man
I want to be a very very rich man
I want to be a
போதும் போதும் போதும்
அய்யயய்யோ என்ன ஆசையோ
செர்டைன்லி
அப்பபப்பா என்ன தேவையோ
டெபநெட்லி
அம்மமம்மா
ஏனோ ஏனோ ஏனோ
மண்ணில் உள்ள வரையில்
நான் சொந்தமல்லவா
மன்னன் உந்தன் நிழலே
என் சொர்க்கமல்லவா
Enough, enough, enough
Oh my, what grand desires!
Male: Certainly
Oh dear, what needs!
Male: Definitely
Female: Oh my goodness
Why, why, oh why
As long as we are on this earth
Are we not bound to each other?
My king, your shadow
Is my heaven, isn't it?
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய
ரிச் மேன்
ஹா...
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய
ஸ்ப்லெண்டிட்லி ரிச் மேன்
ஹே
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய
சம்ஒன் வெரி டிபரென்ட்லி அன்ட் ரிச்
I want to be a very rich man
Female: Haa...
Male: I want to be a splendidly rich man
Female: Hoo
Male: I want to be a someone
Very differently and rich
ரோஜாக்கள் பறித்தெடுத்து
ஆ..
பன்னீரை வடித்தெடுத்து
ஆ..
Plucking roses
Female: Ahhh
Male: Extracting rosewater
Female: Ahh
ரோஜாக்கள் பறித்தெடுத்து
ஆ..
பன்னீரை வடித்தெடுத்து
ஆ..
ஜவ்வாதும் கலந்து வைத்து
ராஜாத்தி நீ குளிக்க
நான் ரசிக்க
Plucking roses
Female: Ahhh haa
Male: Extracting rosewater
Female: Ahh haa
Mixing civet perfume too
For you, my queen, to bathe
For me to admire and enjoy
Female: Hahahaha
காபூலின் திராட்சைகளும்
காஷ்மீரின் ஆப்பிள்களும்
தோழியர்கள் எடுத்து வைக்க
நீயும் நானும் பசியாற
Grapes from Kabul
Apples from Kashmir
Maidservants serving them
For you and me to satisfy our hunger
போதும் போதும்
போதும் போதும்
உன்னை பார்த்தால் போதுமே
இஸ் இட்
பசியும் மறந்து போகுமே
ஹாஹா
நீ பக்கம் இல்லை என்றால்
பால் பழம் கசக்குமே
ஆஹா ஹா படுக்கையும் வெறுக்குமே
Enough, enough
Enough, enough
Just looking at you is enough
Male: Is it
Female: Even hunger will be forgotten
Male: Hahahha
Female: If you are not near me
Milk and fruit will taste bitter
Aha ha, even the bed will feel loathsome
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய
ரிச் மேன்
யே
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய
ரிச் மேன்
ஆஹா......
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய
சம்ஒன் சம்ஒன் சம்ஒன் சம்ஒன்
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய
சம்ஒன் சம்ஒன் வெரி டிஃப்ரெண்ட்
ஐ வாண்ட் டு பி ய
சம்ஒன் சம்ஒன் சம்ஒன்
சம்ஒன் சம்ஒன் ஐ சே....
I want to be a rich man
Female: Yeeh
Male: I want to be a rich man
Female: Ahaa...aaa...
Male: I want to be a
Someone someone someone someone
I want to be a
Someone someone very different
I want to be a
Someone someone someone
Someone someone I say...
I want to be a rich man
I want to be a rich man
I want to be a rich man
I want to be a rich man
I want to be a rich man
I want to be a rich man
I want to be a rich man
I want to be a rich man
I want to be a
I want to be a
Someone someone someone
Someone someone someone
Ettu dhikkum irukkum
My influence will reach across all eight directions
Endhan selvaaku
My influence and status
Endhan pakkam irukkum
This palanquin will be on my side
Indha pallaaku
This palanquin
I want to be a very rich man
I want to be a very rich man
I want to be a very very rich man
I want to be a very very rich man
I want to be a
I want to be a
Podhum podhum podhum
Enough, enough, enough
Endrum undhan sannidhi
Always arriving at your sanctuary
Vandhaal podhum nimmadhi
Coming there brings peace enough
Un ullam ennum illam
The home that is your heart
Paavayin veedu dhaan
Is the maiden's home indeed
Paravayin koodu dhaan
Is indeed a bird's nest
No no
No no
I want to be a rich man
I want to be a rich man
I want to be a rich man
I want to be a rich man
I want to be a someone very big
I want to be a someone very big
And very rich i say
And very rich I say
Lalalala lalalaa
Lalalala lalalaa
Hoohoo hoo
Hoohoo hoo
Ezhettu caar irukka
Having seven or eight cars
Ac dhaan kulir edukka
With air conditioning giving a chill
Ezhettu caar irukka
Having seven or eight cars
Ac dhaan kulir edukka
With air conditioning giving a chill
Oorvalamaai povomaa
Shall we go in a procession?
Oor muludhum
The entire town
Paarthirukka kaathirukka
Watching and waiting
Yevalukkum kaavalukkum
For maidservants and guards
Ethanai per yengi nirkka
So many people yearningly waiting
Raajaathi raajan pol
Like the king of kings
Neeyum naanum veetrirukka
For you and me to be seated royalty
Podhum podhum
Enough, enough
Podhum podhum
Enough, enough
Ezhai naan dhaan un vasam
Poor me, I am under your spell
Male :Ahaa
Male: Aha
Female :Sevai seiyya sammadham
Female: I agree to serve you
Male :Hahha
Male: Haha
Female :En mannan nee allavaa
Female: Are you not my king?
Aanaigal podalaam
You can give orders
Adimai naan ketkkalaam
I, as a servant, will listen
I want to be a very rich man
I want to be a very rich man
I want to be a very very rich man
I want to be a very very rich man
I want to be a
I want to be a
Podhum podhum podhum
Enough, enough, enough
Iyayaiyayoo enna aasaiyo
Oh my, what grand desires!
Male :Certainly
Male: Certainly
Appapaapaa enna thaevaiyo
Oh dear, what needs!
Male :Definitely
Male: Definitely
Female :Ammamaamaa
Female: Oh my goodness
Yeno yeno yenoo
Why, why, oh why
Mannil ulla varayil
As long as we are on this earth
Naam sondhamallavaa
Are we not bound to each other?
Mannan undhan nizhalae
My king, your shadow
En sorgamallavaa
Is my heaven, isn't it?
I want to be a very rich man
I want to be a very rich man
Female :Haa…
Female: Haa...
Male :I want to be a splendidly rich man
Male: I want to be a splendidly rich man
Female :Hoo
Female: Hoo
Male :I want to be a someone
Male: I want to be a someone
Very differently and rich
Very differently and rich
Rojakkal paritheduthu
Plucking roses
Female :Ahhh
Female: Ahhh
Male :Pannerai vaditheduthu
Male: Extracting rosewater
Female :Ahh
Female: Ahh
Rojakkal paritheduthu
Plucking roses
Female :Ahhh haa
Female: Ahhh haa
Male :Pannerai vaditheduthu
Male: Extracting rosewater
Female :Ahh haa
Female: Ahh haa
Javvadhum kalandhu vaithu
Mixing civet perfume too
Raajathi nee kulikka
For you, my queen, to bathe
Naan rasikka
For me to admire and enjoy
Female :Hahahaha
Female: Hahahaha
Kaaboolin thiraatchaigalum
Grapes from Kabul
Kaashmeerin applegalum
Apples from Kashmir
Thozhiyargal eduthu vaikka
Maidservants serving them
Neeyum naanum pasi aara
For you and me to satisfy our hunger
Podhum podhum
Enough, enough
Podhum podhum
Enough, enough
Unnai paarthaal podhumae
Just looking at you is enough
Male :Is it
Male: Is it
Female :Pasium marandhu pogumae
Female: Even hunger will be forgotten
Male : Hahahha
Male: Hahahha
Female :Nee pakkam illai endraal
Female: If you are not near me
Paal pazham kasakumae
Milk and fruit will taste bitter
Ahaa haa padukaiyum verukumae
Aha ha, even the bed will feel loathsome
I want to be a rich man
I want to be a rich man
Female :Yeeh
Female: Yeeh
Male :I want to be a rich man
Male: I want to be a rich man
Female :Ahaa…aaa…
Female: Ahaa...aaa...
Male :I want to be a
Male: I want to be a
Someone someone someone someone
Someone someone someone someone
I want to be a
I want to be a
Someone someone very different
Someone someone very different
I want to be a
I want to be a
Someone someone someone
Someone someone someone
Someone someone i say…..
Someone someone I say...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
I Want To Be A Rich Man from Uyire Unakkaga (1986) is a lighthearted romantic duet presenting a charming contrast between material wealth and emotional devotion. The male protagonist sings of his extravagant dreams—owning luxurious cars, experiencing royal comfort, eating imported fruits, and ruling like a king. In contrast, the female protagonist gently counters his grand dreams by reminding him that love, affection, and togetherness are far more valuable than riches, expressing that being with him is her true paradise. Written by Vaali, the song balances humorous westernized aspirations with classical Tamil expressions of love and devotion.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Un ullam ennum illam / Paavayin veedu dhaan”
Compares the lover's heart directly to a sanctuary and home ('Un ullam ennum illam').
Rhyme / Monorhyme (Iyaipu & Monai)
“Ettu dhikkum irukkum / Endhan selvaaku / Endhan pakkam irukkum / Indha pallaaku”
Uses identical ending sounds and matching initial syllables to create a rhythmic, catchy musical flow.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navirtchi Ani)
“Kaaboolin thiraatchaigalum / Kaashmeerin applegalum”
Exaggerates opulent comforts such as Kashmir apples, Kabul grapes, and rosewater baths to highlight grand ambitions of luxury.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song features a blend of English dialogue and Tamil folk-pop rhythms, which was a popular style trend in mid-1980s Tamil cinema soundtracks to reflect modern and humorous character personalities.
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