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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Namma Bossu

From Naangal · 1992

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Ilayaraja, Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Naangal1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Namma bossu… dhevadhaasuOur boss is Devadas...
Namma bossu dhevadhaasuOur boss is Devadas
Naan sonnaa kettukkoListen to what I say
Namma case u.. moonu aasuOur hand holds three aces...
Namma case u moonu aasuOur hand holds three aces
Naan sonnaa paathukkoMark my words and see
Male
Namma raajaangam thaanThis is our kingdom
Ingu raathiri pagalum thaanHere, both night and day
Pazhanguppaiyum koolamumOld trash and leftover food
Kottura thottigalBins into which they are dumped
Namakku edhukku daaWhy do we need those, man?
Male
Namma bossu dhevadhaasuOur boss is Devadas
Naan sonnaa kettukkoListen to what I say
Namma case u moonu aasuOur hand holds three aces
Naan sonnaa paathukkoMark my words and see
Male
{Nithamum suthum boomi{The earth rotates daily
Adhu unnaiyum ennaiyum kettaaDoes it ask you or me?
Nikkudhu koyil saamiThe deity stands in the temple
Adhu nambura perukku thaan} (2)That is only for those who believe}
Male
Ulladha chonnaaIf the truth is spoken
OththukkadaaAccept it, man
Ada nalladha senjaaIf something good is done
Konjam kandukkadaaPay a little attention to it, man
Male
Makkalil paadhi aattukkadaaHalf of the people are like butcher shops
Muttida vandhaa oththikkadaaIf they come to butt heads, move aside
Male
Ippo aadu yesa paaduNow dance and sing along
Namma kaalamum koodattumLet our time also align
Nalla kaalam varum neramThe time for good days to arrive
Romba dhoorathil dhoorathil illaeIs not very far away, not far away
Male
Namma bossuOur boss
Male :Ae haeiMale: Ae haei
Male :DaevadhaasuMale: Devadas
Male :Aa hoiMale: Aa hoi
Male :Namma bossu dhevadhaasuMale: Our boss is Devadas
Naan sonnaa kettukko hoiListen to what I say, hoi
Chorus
…………………………….....................
Male
Nithamum ingae neechalEvery day here is a swim for survival
Ingae yethana yethana teacherHow many teachers are here?
Mothatthil ellaam koochalIn total, everything is just noise
Idhu sathiyam sathiyam thaanThis is absolute truth, absolute truth
Male
AamappoiYes, or a lie
Male
Nithamum ingae neechalEvery day here is a swim for survival
Ingae yethana yethana teacherHow many teachers are here?
Mothatthil ellaam koochalIn total, everything is just noise
Idhu sathiyam sathiyam thaanThis is absolute truth, absolute truth
Male
Kathukka thambi sondhathulaLearn on your own strength, brother
Male :AamaamaaMale: Yes, yes
Male :Suthuradhendaa vattathula aeiMale: Why run in circles, hey?
Male :Aei vittadha ellaam thottu pidiMale: Hey, catch up on whatever you left behind
Male :PidiMale: Catch it
Male :Thottadha ellaam katti pidiMale: Embrace everything you touch
Male
Nalla paattu sudhi pottuSet the pitch for a good song
Makkal maththiyil paadikkoSing in the midst of the people
Idha kettu namma rateHearing this, our popularity rate
Innum uchiyil uchiyil yerumWill climb higher and higher to the peak
Male
Namma bossuOur boss
Male :Aa haaMale: Aa haa
Male :DhevadhaasuMale: Devadas
Namma bossu dhevadhaasuOur boss is Devadas
Naan sonnaa kettukkoListen to what I say
Male :Namma case uMale: Our case
Male :Aa haaMale: Aa haa
Male :Moonu aasuMale: Three aces
Male :Yehhe haeiMale: Yehhe haei
Male
Namma case u moonu aasuOur hand holds three aces
Naan sonnaa paathukkoMark my words and see
Namma raajaangam thaanThis is our kingdom
Ingu raathiri pagalum thaanHere, both night and day
Pazhanguppaiyum koolamumOld trash and leftover food
Kottura thottigalBins into which they are dumped
Namakku edhukku daaWhy do we need those, man?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Namma Bossu Dhevadhaasu' from 'Naangal' (1992) is a lively, upbeat street-style energetic track celebrating camaraderie, optimism, and self-reliance among streetwise companions. The singer praises their leader/friend ('Boss Devadas'), comparing their strong position to holding three aces ('Moonu Aasu') and viewing the world around them as their own kingdom regardless of humble circumstances.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme / Monorhyme (Aasaai / Ethukai)

Ulladha chonnaa / Oththukkadaa / Ada nalladha senjaa / Konjam kandukkadaa / Makkalil paadhi aattukkadaa / Muttida vandhaa oththikkadaa bazaar-style rhythm with repeated '-kadaa' endings for emphasis and catchy cadence.

Metaphor

Namma case u.. moonu aasu (Comparing their life situation/hand in life to three aces in card games, representing high odds of victory).

Rhyme (Monorhyme in Stanza)

Nithamum ingae neechal / Ingae yethana yethana teacher / Mothatthil ellaam koochal (Use of rhyming end words 'neechal', 'teacher', 'koochal').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Naangal' (1992) features an ensemble cast including Prabhu, Sivaji Ganesan, Deepika, and others. The song's lyrics written by Gangai Amaran reflect typical 90s Tamil cinema street-folk genre (Gaana influence) emphasizing brotherhood and optimism in the face of life's struggles.

Keep listening

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