Nagaru Nagaru
From Sathya · 1988
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Lalitha Sagari, T. Sunderrajan, Saibaba
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Sathya1988
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Nagaru nagaru nagaru nagaru | Move aside, move aside, move aside, move aside |
| Varudhu varudhu thanjaavur thaeru | Here comes the grand Tanjore temple chariot! |
| Ivaru ivaru suvaru suvaru | This man, this man is like a solid wall |
| Orasa orasa vandhaaru paaru | Look at him brushing past closely as he comes |
| Female | |
| Idhu raavaanaa | If night arrives, |
| Oru poovaagum | It blooms like a flower; |
| Siru poovaanaa pala vandaadum | If it turns into a small flower, many bees will buzz around it |
| Female | |
| Nagaru nagaru nagaru nagaru | Move aside, move aside, move aside, move aside |
| Varudhu varudhu thanjaavur thaeru | Here comes the grand Tanjore temple chariot! |
| Ivaru ivaru suvaru suvaru | This man, this man is like a solid wall |
| Orasa orasa vandhaaru paaru | Look at him brushing past closely as he comes |
| Female | |
| Paatu paadurappo pin paattu | A background song while singing a song... |
| Chorus :Naanga paadattumaa | Chorus: Shall we sing along? |
| Female :Aattam aadarapo oru jaalraa | A cymbals beat while dancing... |
| Chorus :Naanga podattumaa | Chorus: Shall we play it for you? |
| Female | |
| Thattungal thatta thatta thaalam | Clap and beat the rhythm to match the beat! |
| Kottungal kotta kotta melam | Drum and strike the drums with energy! |
| Thattungal thatta thatta thaalam | Clap and beat the rhythm to match the beat! |
| Kottungal kotta kotta melam | Drum and strike the drums with energy! |
| Female | |
| Neenga | You all... |
| Chorus :Pudhu machchaanunga | Chorus: ...are our new cousins/groom candidates! |
| Female :Yedho | Something... |
| Chorus :Kondu vandhaanungha | Chorus: ...they have brought along! |
| Female :Naandhaan | I am... |
| Chorus :Oru kuthaalandhaan | Chorus: ...like the Courtallam waterfalls! |
| Female : Neenga | You all... |
| Chorus :Oru pattaalandhaa | Chorus: ...are like an army battalion! |
| Female :Poyaa pala maamaa thodalaamaa sol | Go away, old uncle, tell me if I can even touch you! |
| Male | |
| Coveru coveru coveru coveru | Cover, cover, cover, cover! |
| Varavu varavu ullaasam paaru | Look at the income and joy arriving! |
| Female :Koravu koravu koravu koravu | Female: Shortage, shortage, shortage, shortage! |
| Coveru coveru yedhyedhu veru | Which covers are different from what? |
| Male | |
| Adha ennaannu | What is it really? |
| Konjam nee sonnaa | If you tell me just a bit, |
| Adi ippodhae thara maattenaa | Hey girl, wouldn't I give it to you right now? |
| Male | |
| Adha ennaannu | What is it really? |
| Konjam nee sonnaa | If you tell me just a bit, |
| Adi ippodhae thara maattenaa | Hey girl, wouldn't I give it to you right now? |
| Male | |
| Nagaru nagaru nagaru nagaru | Move aside, move aside, move aside, move aside |
| Varudhu varudhu thanjaavur thaeru | Here comes the grand Tanjore temple chariot! |
| Ivaru ivaru suvaru suvaru | This man, this man is like a solid wall |
| Orasa orasa vandhaaru paaru | Look at him brushing past closely as he comes |
| Male | |
| Tha…tha…thathth… | [Rhythmic beat vocables: Tha... tha... thath...] |
| Thathth…thaththa… | [Rhythmic beat vocables: Thath... thaththa...] |
| Thaththathathaththa thath tha thaththa | [Rhythmic beat vocables: Thaththathathaththa tha tha thaththa] |
| Thaththathathaththa | [Rhythmic beat vocables: Thaththathathaththa] |
| Thaththath thaa dhaa thathath thadhaa | [Rhythmic beat vocables: Thaththath thaa dhaa thathath thadhaa] |
| Thathth…thaththadhatha…thathth | [Rhythmic beat vocables: Thathth... thaththadhatha... thathth] |
| Female | |
| Aazham paakuriyaa kannaalae | Are you testing my depth with your eyes? |
| Chorus :Paakka mudiyaliyae | Chorus: We couldn't catch a glimpse! |
| Female :Naalum yenguriyaa ennaalae | Female: Are you yearning for me every day? |
| Chorus :Vera vazhi illiyae | Chorus: We have no other way! |
| Female | |
| Pettaikku eththanaiyo saeval | There are many roosters in the neighborhood, |
| Pennukku endha paya kaaval | Which guy is there to guard a woman? |
| Pettaikku eththanaiyo saeval | There are many roosters in the neighborhood, |
| Pennukku endha paya kaaval | Which guy is there to guard a woman? |
| Female | |
| Neeno | You are... |
| Chorus :Oru theppa kulam | Chorus: ...a temple tank! |
| Female :Naandhaan | And I am... |
| Chorus :Adhil sengamalam | Chorus: ...the red lotus in it! |
| Female :Vaaya | Mouth... |
| Chorus :Vandhu killattumaa | Chorus: ...shall I come and pluck it? |
| Female :Thaenai | Honey... |
| Chorus :Konjam allattumaa | Chorus: ...shall I scoop some up? |
| Female :Naanaa pudhu thaenaa | Will I, being fresh honey, |
| Tharamaattaenaa | Refuse to give it to you? |
| Female | |
| Nagaru nagaru nagaru nagaru | Move aside, move aside, move aside, move aside |
| Varudhu varudhu thanjaavur thaeru | Here comes the grand Tanjore temple chariot! |
| Ivaru ivaru suvaru suvaru | This man, this man is like a solid wall |
| Orasa orasa vandhaaru paaru | Look at him brushing past closely as he comes |
| Chorus | |
| Dagada…dagadaa dagadaa dagadaa | [Rhythmic percussion vocables: Dagada... dagadaa dagadaa dagadaa] |
| Daa…daa…daa daaa | [Rhythmic percussion vocables: Daa... daa... daa daaa] |
| Dagada…dagadaa dagadaa dagadaa | [Rhythmic percussion vocables: Dagada... dagadaa dagadaa dagadaa] |
| Daa…daa…daa daaa | [Rhythmic percussion vocables: Daa... daa... daa daaa] |
மற்றும் சாய்பாபா
Move aside, move aside, move aside, move aside
Here comes the grand Tanjore temple chariot!
This man, this man is like a solid wall
Look at him brushing past closely as he comes
நகரு நகரு நகரு நகரு
வருது வருது தஞ்சாவூரு தேறு
இவரு இவரு சுவரு சுவரு
ஒரச ஒரச வந்தாரு பாரு
If night arrives,
It blooms like a flower;
If it turns into a small flower, many bees will buzz around it
இது ராவானா
ஒரு பூவாகும்
சிறு பூ ஆனா பல வண்டாடும்
Move aside, move aside, move aside, move aside
Here comes the grand Tanjore temple chariot!
This man, this man is like a solid wall
Look at him brushing past closely as he comes
நகரு நகரு நகரு நகரு
வருது வருது தஞ்சாவூரு தேறு
இவரு இவரு சுவரு சுவரு
ஒரச ஒரச வந்தாரு பாரு
A background song while singing a song...
Chorus: Shall we sing along?
A cymbals beat while dancing...
Chorus: Shall we play it for you?
பாட்டு பாடரப்போ பின் பாட்டு
குழு :
நாங்க பாடட்டுமா
ஆட்டம் ஆடரப்போ ஒரு ஜால்ரா
குழு :
நாங்க போடட்டுமா
Clap and beat the rhythm to match the beat!
Drum and strike the drums with energy!
Clap and beat the rhythm to match the beat!
Drum and strike the drums with energy!
தட்டுங்கள் தட்ட தட்ட தாளம்
கொட்டுங்கள் கொட்ட கொட்ட மேளம்
தட்டுங்கள் தட்ட தட்ட தாளம்
கொட்டுங்கள் கொட்ட கொட்ட மேளம்
You all...
Chorus: ...are our new cousins/groom candidates!
Something...
Chorus: ...they have brought along!
I am...
Chorus: ...like the Courtallam waterfalls!
You all...
Chorus: ...are like an army battalion!
Go away, old uncle, tell me if I can even touch you!
நீங்க
குழு :
புது மச்சானுங்க
ஏதோ
குழு :
கொண்டு வந்தானுங்க
பெண் : நான்தான்
குழு :
ஒரு குத்தாளந்தான்
பெண் : நீங்க
குழு :
ஒரு பட்டாளன்தான்
போயா பல மாமா
தொடலாமா சொல்
Cover, cover, cover, cover!
Look at the income and joy arriving!
Female: Shortage, shortage, shortage, shortage!
Which covers are different from what?
கவரு கவரு கவரு கவரு
வரவு வரவு உள்ளாசம் பாரு
கொரவு கொரவு
கொரவு கொரவு
கவரு கவரு ஏதேது வேறு
What is it really?
If you tell me just a bit,
Hey girl, wouldn't I give it to you right now?
அத என்னான்னு
கொஞ்சம் நீ சொன்னா
அடி இப்போதே தர மாட்டேனா
What is it really?
If you tell me just a bit,
Hey girl, wouldn't I give it to you right now?
அத என்னான்னு
கொஞ்சம் நீ சொன்னா
அடி இப்போதே தர மாட்டேனா
Move aside, move aside, move aside, move aside
Here comes the grand Tanjore temple chariot!
This man, this man is like a solid wall
Look at him brushing past closely as he comes
நகரு நகரு நகரு நகரு
வருது வருது தஞ்சாவூரு தேறு
இவரு இவரு சுவரு சுவரு
ஒரச ஒரச வந்தாரு பாரு
[Rhythmic beat vocables: Tha... tha... thath...]
[Rhythmic beat vocables: Thath... thaththa...]
[Rhythmic beat vocables: Thaththathathaththa tha tha thaththa]
[Rhythmic beat vocables: Thaththathathaththa]
[Rhythmic beat vocables: Thaththath thaa dhaa thathath thadhaa]
[Rhythmic beat vocables: Thathth... thaththadhatha... thathth]
.............................................
Are you testing my depth with your eyes?
Chorus: We couldn't catch a glimpse!
Female: Are you yearning for me every day?
Chorus: We have no other way!
ஆழம் பாக்குறியா கண்ணாலே
குழு :
பாக்க முடியலியே
நாளும் ஏங்குறியா என்னாலே
குழு :
வேற வழி இல்லியே
There are many roosters in the neighborhood,
Which guy is there to guard a woman?
There are many roosters in the neighborhood,
Which guy is there to guard a woman?
பெட்டைக்கு எத்தனையோ சேவல்
பெண்ணுக்கு எந்த பைய காவல்
பெட்டைக்கு எத்தனையோ சேவல்
பெண்ணுக்கு எந்த பைய காவல்
You are...
Chorus: ...a temple tank!
And I am...
Chorus: ...the red lotus in it!
Mouth...
Chorus: ...shall I come and pluck it?
Honey...
Chorus: ...shall I scoop some up?
Will I, being fresh honey,
Refuse to give it to you?
நீநோ
குழு :
ஒரு தெப்பக்குளம்
நான்தான்
குழு :
அதில் செங்கமளம்
வாயா
குழு :
வந்து கிள்ளட்டுமா
தேனை
குழு :
கொஞ்சம் அள்ளட்டுமா
நானா புது தேனா தறமாட்டேனா
Move aside, move aside, move aside, move aside
Here comes the grand Tanjore temple chariot!
This man, this man is like a solid wall
Look at him brushing past closely as he comes
நகரு நகரு நகரு நகரு
வருது வருது தஞ்சாவூரு தேறு
இவரு இவரு சுவரு சுவரு
ஒரச ஒரச வந்தாரு பாரு
[Rhythmic percussion vocables: Dagada... dagadaa dagadaa dagadaa]
[Rhythmic percussion vocables: Daa... daa... daa daaa]
[Rhythmic percussion vocables: Dagada... dagadaa dagadaa dagadaa]
[Rhythmic percussion vocables: Daa... daa... daa daaa]
டகடா… டகடா… டகடா…டகடா…
டா…டா…டா…டா
டகடா… டகடா… டகடா…டகடா…
டா…டா…டா…டா
Nagaru nagaru nagaru nagaru
Move aside, move aside, move aside, move aside
Varudhu varudhu thanjaavur thaeru
Here comes the grand Tanjore temple chariot!
Ivaru ivaru suvaru suvaru
This man, this man is like a solid wall
Orasa orasa vandhaaru paaru
Look at him brushing past closely as he comes
Idhu raavaanaa
If night arrives,
Oru poovaagum
It blooms like a flower;
Siru poovaanaa pala vandaadum
If it turns into a small flower, many bees will buzz around it
Nagaru nagaru nagaru nagaru
Move aside, move aside, move aside, move aside
Varudhu varudhu thanjaavur thaeru
Here comes the grand Tanjore temple chariot!
Ivaru ivaru suvaru suvaru
This man, this man is like a solid wall
Orasa orasa vandhaaru paaru
Look at him brushing past closely as he comes
Paatu paadurappo pin paattu
A background song while singing a song...
Chorus :Naanga paadattumaa
Chorus: Shall we sing along?
Female :Aattam aadarapo oru jaalraa
A cymbals beat while dancing...
Chorus :Naanga podattumaa
Chorus: Shall we play it for you?
Thattungal thatta thatta thaalam
Clap and beat the rhythm to match the beat!
Kottungal kotta kotta melam
Drum and strike the drums with energy!
Thattungal thatta thatta thaalam
Clap and beat the rhythm to match the beat!
Kottungal kotta kotta melam
Drum and strike the drums with energy!
Neenga
You all...
Chorus :Pudhu machchaanunga
Chorus: ...are our new cousins/groom candidates!
Female :Yedho
Something...
Chorus :Kondu vandhaanungha
Chorus: ...they have brought along!
Female :Naandhaan
I am...
Chorus :Oru kuthaalandhaan
Chorus: ...like the Courtallam waterfalls!
Female : Neenga
You all...
Chorus :Oru pattaalandhaa
Chorus: ...are like an army battalion!
Female :Poyaa pala maamaa thodalaamaa sol
Go away, old uncle, tell me if I can even touch you!
Coveru coveru coveru coveru
Cover, cover, cover, cover!
Varavu varavu ullaasam paaru
Look at the income and joy arriving!
Female :Koravu koravu koravu koravu
Female: Shortage, shortage, shortage, shortage!
Coveru coveru yedhyedhu veru
Which covers are different from what?
Adha ennaannu
What is it really?
Konjam nee sonnaa
If you tell me just a bit,
Adi ippodhae thara maattenaa
Hey girl, wouldn't I give it to you right now?
Adha ennaannu
What is it really?
Konjam nee sonnaa
If you tell me just a bit,
Adi ippodhae thara maattenaa
Hey girl, wouldn't I give it to you right now?
Nagaru nagaru nagaru nagaru
Move aside, move aside, move aside, move aside
Varudhu varudhu thanjaavur thaeru
Here comes the grand Tanjore temple chariot!
Ivaru ivaru suvaru suvaru
This man, this man is like a solid wall
Orasa orasa vandhaaru paaru
Look at him brushing past closely as he comes
Tha…tha…thathth…
[Rhythmic beat vocables: Tha... tha... thath...]
Thathth…thaththa…
[Rhythmic beat vocables: Thath... thaththa...]
Thaththathathaththa thath tha thaththa
[Rhythmic beat vocables: Thaththathathaththa tha tha thaththa]
Thaththathathaththa
[Rhythmic beat vocables: Thaththathathaththa]
Thaththath thaa dhaa thathath thadhaa
[Rhythmic beat vocables: Thaththath thaa dhaa thathath thadhaa]
Thathth…thaththadhatha…thathth
[Rhythmic beat vocables: Thathth... thaththadhatha... thathth]
Aazham paakuriyaa kannaalae
Are you testing my depth with your eyes?
Chorus :Paakka mudiyaliyae
Chorus: We couldn't catch a glimpse!
Female :Naalum yenguriyaa ennaalae
Female: Are you yearning for me every day?
Chorus :Vera vazhi illiyae
Chorus: We have no other way!
Pettaikku eththanaiyo saeval
There are many roosters in the neighborhood,
Pennukku endha paya kaaval
Which guy is there to guard a woman?
Pettaikku eththanaiyo saeval
There are many roosters in the neighborhood,
Pennukku endha paya kaaval
Which guy is there to guard a woman?
Neeno
You are...
Chorus :Oru theppa kulam
Chorus: ...a temple tank!
Female :Naandhaan
And I am...
Chorus :Adhil sengamalam
Chorus: ...the red lotus in it!
Female :Vaaya
Mouth...
Chorus :Vandhu killattumaa
Chorus: ...shall I come and pluck it?
Female :Thaenai
Honey...
Chorus :Konjam allattumaa
Chorus: ...shall I scoop some up?
Female :Naanaa pudhu thaenaa
Will I, being fresh honey,
Tharamaattaenaa
Refuse to give it to you?
Nagaru nagaru nagaru nagaru
Move aside, move aside, move aside, move aside
Varudhu varudhu thanjaavur thaeru
Here comes the grand Tanjore temple chariot!
Ivaru ivaru suvaru suvaru
This man, this man is like a solid wall
Orasa orasa vandhaaru paaru
Look at him brushing past closely as he comes
Dagada…dagadaa dagadaa dagadaa
[Rhythmic percussion vocables: Dagada... dagadaa dagadaa dagadaa]
Daa…daa…daa daaa
[Rhythmic percussion vocables: Daa... daa... daa daaa]
Dagada…dagadaa dagadaa dagadaa
[Rhythmic percussion vocables: Dagada... dagadaa dagadaa dagadaa]
Daa…daa…daa daaa
[Rhythmic percussion vocables: Daa... daa... daa daaa]
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Nagaru Nagaru is a playful, high-energy folk-pop call-and-response song from the 1988 Tamil film Sathya. The female lead playfully challenges a group of men while asserting her independence and charm. She metaphorically compares herself to a majestic Tanjore temple chariot, Courtallam waterfalls, and fresh lotus honey, teasing the men who follow her like bees to a flower.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis / Anaphora)
“Nagaru nagaru nagaru nagaru”
Repeating words consecutively to emphasize swift movement and rhythmic pace.
Uvamai (Metaphor / Simile)
“Varudhu varudhu thanjaavur thaeru”
Comparing a grand persona to the iconic, majestic Tanjore temple chariot (Thanjaavur Thaeru).
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Thattungal thatta thatta thaalam / Kottungal kotta kotta melam”
Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'tt' between 'Thattungal' and 'Kottungal'.
Monaai (Alliteration)
“Pettaikku eththanaiyo saeval / Pennukku endha paya kaaval”
Repetition of the initial sound 'P' across words ('Pettaikku', 'Pennukku', 'Paya').
Did you know?
Trivia
Sathya (1988) starred Kamal Haasan and Amala, directed by Suresh Krissna with a legendary musical score composed by Ilaiyaraaja. Lyrics for this vibrant track were penned by Vaali and sung dynamically by S. Janaki alongside chorus performers.
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