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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naidu Mama Naidu Mama

From Bombay Mail 109 · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Bombay Mail 1091980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Naaidu mama naaidu mamaNaaidu uncle, Naaidu uncle
Nallaa enna paarththukkoLook at me properly
Aayiram roopaai nottai veesiThrow a thousand rupee note
Aasai thannai theerththukkoAnd fulfill your desire
Female
Naaidu mama naaidu mamaNaaidu uncle, Naaidu uncle
Nallaa enna paarththukkoLook at me properly
Aayiram roopaai nottai veesiThrow a thousand rupee note
Aasai thannai theerththukkoAnd fulfill your desire
Female
Vanthathu enna ponathu ennaWhat came and what went away?
Nindrathu enna nilaiththu ninaiththu paarththaayaaDid you reflect and see what actually remained?
Kondathu enna thanthathu ennaWhat did you gain and what did you give away?
Kandathu enna kazhiththu kanakku paarththaayaaDid you deduct and tally the final account?
Female
Vanthathu enna ponathu ennaWhat came and what went away?
Nindrathu enna nilaiththu ninaiththu paarththaayaaDid you reflect and see what actually remained?
Kondathu enna thanthathu ennaWhat did you gain and what did you give away?
Kandathu enna kazhiththu kanakku paarththaayaaDid you deduct and tally the final account?
Female
Kaalamum ponnaagum kaariyam kannaagumTime is precious like gold, and work is vital like an eye
Naalaikku ennaagum nadapathu veraagumWhat will happen tomorrow, reality will unfold differently
Female
Vanjaga ennam anjana vannamDeceitful thoughts under a beautiful dark appearance
Nenjinil minnum neruppu veliyil theriyaathuThe fire flashing inside the heart cannot be seen outside
Nanban polae naadagam aadumActing out a drama masquerading as a good friend
Vambanodu sirippu elithil puriyaathuThe laughter of a troublemaker is not easily comprehended
Female
Vanjaga ennam anjana vannamDeceitful thoughts under a beautiful dark appearance
Nenjinil minnum neruppu veliyil theriyaathuThe fire flashing inside the heart cannot be seen outside
Nanban polae naadagam aadumActing out a drama masquerading as a good friend
Vambanodu sirippu elithil puriyaathuThe laughter of a troublemaker is not easily comprehended
Female
Sollum seyalgalum veveru dhinusuWords and actions are completely different things
Soodhu vaathugal seivorukku mavusuThose who engage in gambles and tricks enjoy high demand
Ellai kodugal illatha manasuA mind without ethical boundaries or limits
Ulla manithargal ellorukkum parisuIs a lesson/gift for all human beings
Kaalamum ponaagum kaariyam kannagumTime is precious like gold, and work is vital like an eye
Naalaikkum ennagum nadappathu veraagumWhat will happen tomorrow, reality will unfold differently
Female
Naaidu mama naaidu mamaNaaidu uncle, Naaidu uncle
Nallaa enna paarththukkoLook at me properly
Aayiram roopaai nottai veesiThrow a thousand rupee note
Aasai thannai theerththukkoAnd fulfill your desire

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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