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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Bombayin Babu

From Paattaliyin Sabatham · 1958

Lyricist
Kambadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
O. P. Nayyar
Movie name
Paattaliyin Sabatham
Movie release year
1958
Lyrics added on
20 Apr 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Naan bombayin babu
En perae thillana
English tuneil paaduven
Hindustaani gaana yei
Naan bombayin babu
En perae thillana
English tuneil paaduven
Hindustaani gaana
Naan bombayin babu
Ivvulagae thaan unadhae
Aadiduvaai ulagodae
Sakthi kondoor naamae
Ada nagaithae nagaithae selvom
Ivvulagae thaan unadhae
Aadiduvaai ulagodae
Sakthi kondoor naamae
Ada nagaithae nagaithae selvom
Solluvaen kael solluvaen
Indha jaalavaan thandhaana
Naan bombayin babu
En perae thillana
English tuneil paaduven
Hindustaani gaana
Naan bombayin babu
Silarae uzhaithiduvaarae
Silarae thazhaithiduvarae
Arivai pettrae vaazhvir
Ada thaazhvai maaithiduveerae
Silarae uzhaithiduvaarae
Silarae thazhaithiduvarae
Arivai pettrae vaazhvir
Ada thaazhvai maaithiduveerae
Solluvaen kael solluvaen
Indha jaalavaan thandhaana
Naan bombayin babu
En perae thillana
English tuneil paaduven
Hindustaani gaana
Naan bombayin babu
Vandhen ummin pandhu
Russia chinamum sendren
Sevai paangai pagirndhen
Endhan comedy kanathalae
Vandhen ummin pandhu
Russia chinamum sendren
Sevai paangai pagirndhen
Endhan comedy kanathalae
Solluvaen kael solluvaen
Indha jaalavaan thandhaana
Haei naan bombayin babu
En perae thillana
English tuneil paaduven
Hindustaani gaana
Naan bombayin babu
I am Bombay's Babu,
my name is Thillana!
To an English tune, I sing
a Hindustani song, hey!
I am Bombay's Babu,
my name is Thillana!
To an English tune, I sing
a Hindustani song!
I am Bombay's Babu!
This whole world belongs to you,
dance along with the world!
We are the ones with the strength,
so let us go on laughing and smiling!
This whole world belongs to you,
dance along with the world!
We are the ones with the strength,
so let us go on laughing and smiling!
Listen closely as I tell you,
the rhythm of this cheerful showman!
I am Bombay's Babu,
my name is Thillana!
To an English tune, I sing
a Hindustani song!
I am Bombay's Babu!
Only some do all the hard work,
while others thrive and prosper!
Gain knowledge and live well,
and wipe away your low status!
Only some do all the hard work,
while others thrive and prosper!
Gain knowledge and live well,
and wipe away your low status!
Listen closely as I tell you,
the rhythm of this cheerful showman!
I am Bombay's Babu,
my name is Thillana!
To an English tune, I sing
a Hindustani song!
I am Bombay's Babu!
I have come as your friend and kin,
I have travelled to Russia and China,
I shared the spirit of service
through my moments of comedy!
I have come as your friend and kin,
I have travelled to Russia and China,
I shared the spirit of service
through my moments of comedy!
Listen closely as I tell you,
the rhythm of this cheerful showman!
Hey, I am Bombay's Babu,
my name is Thillana!
To an English tune, I sing
a Hindustani song!
I am Bombay's Babu!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Naan Bombayin Babu is a lively, upbeat song from the 1958 Tamil movie 'Paattaliyin Sabatham'. The protagonist presents himself as an entertaining global wanderer who brings laughter, music, and optimism. He blends Western rhythms with Hindustani musical style to deliver a message of unity, joy, and social awakening.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

“Silarae uzhaithiduvaarae / Silarae thazhaithiduvarae”

Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, such as 'uzhaithiduvaare' and 'thazhaithiduvarae'.

Monae (First letter alliteration)

“Ada nagaithae nagaithae selvom”

Repetition of initial consonant sounds within a line.

Repetition / Anaphora

“Naan bombayin babu”

Repeated line structures to emphasize the character's upbeat global persona.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track features music composed by famous Hindi film music composer O. P. Nayyar, bringing his signature jaunty Western-Hindustani fusion sound to Tamil cinema in 'Paattaliyin Sabatham' (1958).

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