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Bombay Mail 109 album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Naidu Mama Naidu Mama

From Bombay Mail 109 · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Bombay Mail 109
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
9 May 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Naaidu mama naaidu mama
Nallaa enna paarththukko
Aayiram roopaai nottai veesi
Aasai thannai theerththukko
Naaidu mama naaidu mama
Nallaa enna paarththukko
Aayiram roopaai nottai veesi
Aasai thannai theerththukko
Vanthathu enna ponathu enna
Nindrathu enna nilaiththu ninaiththu paarththaayaa
Kondathu enna thanthathu enna
Kandathu enna kazhiththu kanakku paarththaayaa
Vanthathu enna ponathu enna
Nindrathu enna nilaiththu ninaiththu paarththaayaa
Kondathu enna thanthathu enna
Kandathu enna kazhiththu kanakku paarththaayaa
Kaalamum ponnaagum kaariyam kannaagum
Naalaikku ennaagum nadapathu veraagum
Vanjaga ennam anjana vannam
Nenjinil minnum neruppu veliyil theriyaathu
Nanban polae naadagam aadum
Vambanodu sirippu elithil puriyaathu
Vanjaga ennam anjana vannam
Nenjinil minnum neruppu veliyil theriyaathu
Nanban polae naadagam aadum
Vambanodu sirippu elithil puriyaathu
Sollum seyalgalum veveru dhinusu
Soodhu vaathugal seivorukku mavusu
Ellai kodugal illatha manasu
Ulla manithargal ellorukkum parisu
Kaalamum ponaagum kaariyam kannagum
Naalaikkum ennagum nadappathu veraagum
Naaidu mama naaidu mama
Nallaa enna paarththukko
Aayiram roopaai nottai veesi
Aasai thannai theerththukko
Uncle Naidu, Uncle Naidu,
Take a good look at me!
Toss a thousand-rupee note,
And fulfill your desire!
Uncle Naidu, Uncle Naidu,
Take a good look at me!
Toss a thousand-rupee note,
And fulfill your desire!
What came, and what went away?
Have you paused to think about what truly lasts?
What did you take, and what did you give?
After subtracting everything, have you calculated what you truly gained?
What came, and what went away?
Have you paused to think about what truly lasts?
What did you take, and what did you give?
After subtracting everything, have you calculated what you truly gained?
Time is as precious as gold, and your goal is as vital as your eyes.
Who knows what tomorrow brings? What happens might be entirely different...
Deceitful intentions are as black as kohl,
The fire burning inside the heart is never visible on the outside.
Putting on a show just like a dear friend,
A troublemaker's smile is not easy to understand.
Deceitful intentions are as black as kohl,
The fire burning inside the heart is never visible on the outside.
Putting on a show just like a dear friend,
A troublemaker's smile is not easy to understand.
Words and actions are two completely different things;
Those who cheat and scheme are the ones in high demand!
A heart that has no selfish boundaries—
People who possess such a heart are a gift to everyone.
Time is as precious as gold, and your goal is as vital as your eyes.
Who knows what tomorrow brings? What happens might be entirely different...
Uncle Naidu, Uncle Naidu,
Take a good look at me!
Toss a thousand-rupee note,
And fulfill your desire!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This iconic cabaret-style item song sung by L. R. Eswari for the movie Bombay Mail 109 combines seduction with deep philosophical commentary typical of poet Kannadasan. On the surface, the dancer addresses 'Naaidu mama', alluring him to spend money to fulfill his desires. However, beneath the seductive exterior, the lyrics question human greed, moral hypocrisy, and the transient nature of material transactions. Kannadasan weaves deep life wisdom into a club dance track, asking the listener to calculate what truly remains in life after all gains and losses. He warns against deceitful friends who hide fire in their hearts while wearing a pleasant smile, emphasizing that time is golden and actions speak louder than empty words. M.S. Viswanathan's vibrant composition elevates this dual-layered song into a classic hit.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

“Naaidu mama naaidu mama / Nallaa enna paarththukko”

Repetition of the initial consonant 'N' sound in 'Naaidu mama' and 'Nallaa' creates a catchy rhythmic start.

Ethiray (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Vanthathu enna ponathu enna / Nindrathu enna nilaiththu ninaiththu paarththaayaa”

The second letter 'n' matches across 'Vanthathu' and 'Nindrathu', establishing a smooth poetic cadence.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Kaalamum ponnaagum kaariyam kannaagum”

Comparing time to gold ('Kaalamum ponnaagum') and duty to the eye ('kaariyam kannaagum') to highlight their ultimate value.

Contrast / Irony

“Vanjaga ennam anjana vannam / Nenjinil minnum neruppu veliyil theriyaathu”

Juxtaposing the external alluring appearance ('anjana vannam') with the hidden internal danger ('Nenjinil minnum neruppu').

Did you know?

Trivia

Playback singer L. R. Eswari and composer M. S. Viswanathan were famous for revolutionizing cabaret and club dance songs in Tamil cinema during the 1960s and 1970s. Lyricist Kannadasan was renowned for embedding deep philosophical philosophical life truths even inside sensual club numbers.

Keep listening

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