Nangaai
From Engeyum Kadhal · 2011
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Richard, Rahul Nambiar, Naveen Madhav
- Music director
- Harris Jayaraj
- Details
- Engeyum Kadhal2011
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Valliyae chakkaravalliyae | Oh Valli, sweet as sweet potato! |
| Malliyae sandhana malliyae | Oh Jasmine, sandalwood-scented jasmine! |
| Palliyae bangana palliyae | Oh lizard, my precious golden lizard! |
| Chorus | |
| Oh maamaa maamaa vippaamalaama | Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant) |
| Oh maamaa maamaa vippaakshaamalaama | Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant) |
| Oh maamaa maamaa vippaamalaama | Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant) |
| Awwwwww……oooooo….. | Awwwwww......oooooo..... |
| Oh maamaa maamaa vippaakshaamalaama | Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant) |
| Male | |
| Nangai nilaavin thangai | Oh maiden, sister of the moon! |
| Mangai needhaanae sengai | Are you not the young girl with rosy hands? |
| Paavaai yen thozhi aavaai | Oh maiden, become my companion! |
| Poovaai nirkaadhae theevaai | Do not stand delicate like a flower, be ablaze like a fiery island! |
| Male | |
| Mandhagini mangaanani | Oh Mandakini, sweet mango-like girl! |
| Sindhaamani vaa vaa amsaveni | Oh Chintamani, come come, Oh Amsaveni! |
| Nee pournami vaa radhi nee | You are the full moon, come, my goddess Rathi! |
| Mrinaalini nee en swapna raani | Oh Mrinalini, you are my dream queen! |
| Male | |
| Nangai nilaavin thangai | Oh maiden, sister of the moon! |
| Mangai needhaanae sengai | Are you not the young girl with rosy hands? |
| Paavaai yen thozhi aavaai | Oh maiden, become my companion! |
| Poovaai nirkaadhae theevaai | Do not stand delicate like a flower, be ablaze like a fiery island! |
| Chorus | |
| Oh maamaa maamaa vippaamalaama | Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant) |
| Oh maamaa maamaa vippaakshaamalaama | Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant) |
| Oh maamaa maamaa heyyy | Oh uncle, uncle... hey! |
| Vippaamalaama haaaa…. | rhythmic chant... haaaa... |
| Oh maamaa maamaa vippaakshaamalaama | Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant) |
| Chorus | |
| …………………………………… | ............................... |
| Male | |
| Unnai paarthadhum | The moment I looked at you, |
| Ooraivittu aangilam | Why did the English language |
| Odi ponadhenna | Flee away from this town? |
| Serraai semmozhi | Why did pure, classical Tamil |
| Sendhamildhaan enmozhi | Become my true mother tongue? |
| Endrae aanadhenna | Why on earth did that happen? |
| Male | |
| Munaalae Mount jone harry | Earlier I was like Mount, John, and Harry, |
| Unaalae ippo muthumaari | Now because of you, I have turned into Muthumaari! |
| Munaalae Mount jone harry | Earlier I was like Mount, John, and Harry, |
| Unaalae ippo muththumaari | Now because of you, I have turned into Muthumaari! |
| Male | |
| Unna naa uppu kandamma | I view you like a prized side-dish, |
| Thottukka oppu kolammaa | Agree to let me touch/taste your love! |
| Unnaalla thamma thundamma | Because of you, into tiny shattered pieces, |
| Odanjennn… | I have broken down... |
| Male | |
| Nangai nilaavin thangai | Oh maiden, sister of the moon! |
| Mangai needhaanae sengai | Are you not the young girl with rosy hands? |
| Paavaai yen thozhi aavaai | Oh maiden, become my companion! |
| Poovaai nirkaadhae theevaai | Do not stand delicate like a flower, be ablaze like a fiery island! |
| Male | |
| Wovuva wovuva vaavuvaava | Wovuva wovuva vaavuvaava |
| Wovuva wovuva vaavuvaava | Wovuva wovuva vaavuvaava |
| Please smile heyhi haha | Please smile hey hi haha |
| Please smile heyhi haha | Please smile hey hi haha |
| Male | |
| Soolam puththiri | Daughter with eyes like a trident, |
| Suttum vizhighal kaththiri | Your sharp, piercing eyes act like scissors, |
| Veiyil polakkaaya | Basking and burning like the hot sun! |
| Kambhan pillaidhaan | I am a child of poet Kamban, |
| Kaadhal ullam vellaidhaan | My loving heart is pure and innocent, |
| Naalum vendhu saaya | Yet it burns and melts every single day! |
| Male | |
| Kannamma naam ottalaama | Kannamma, shall we unite and stick together? |
| Kannamma… | Kannamma... |
| Engamma un aththai dhaama | Isn't my mother your maternal aunt? |
| Aththai dhaama | Your aunt indeed! |
| Male | |
| Kannamma naam ottalaama ..heyy | Kannamma, shall we unite and stick together? Hey! |
| Engamma un aththai dhaama | Isn't my mother your maternal aunt? |
| Male | |
| Valliyae chakkaravalliyae | Oh Valli, sweet as sweet potato! |
| Malliyae sandhana malliyae | Oh Jasmine, sandalwood-scented jasmine! |
| Palliyae bangana palliyae | Oh lizard, my precious golden lizard! |
| Unnai thaaannn… | I want only you... |
| Male | |
| Nangai nilaavin thangai | Oh maiden, sister of the moon! |
| Mangai needhaanae sengai | Are you not the young girl with rosy hands? |
| Paavaai yen thozhi aavaai | Oh maiden, become my companion! |
| Poovaai nirkaadhae theevaai | Do not stand delicate like a flower, be ablaze like a fiery island! |
| Male | |
| Mandhagini mangaanani | Oh Mandakini, sweet mango-like girl! |
| Sindhaamani vaa vaa amsaveni | Oh Chintamani, come come, Oh Amsaveni! |
| Nee pournami vaa radhi nee | You are the full moon, come, my goddess Rathi! |
| Mrinaalini you my swapna raani | Oh Mrinalini, you are my dream queen! |
| Chorus | |
| Oh maamaa maamaa vippaamalaama | Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant) |
| Oh maamaa maamaa vippaakshaamalaama | Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant) |
| Oh maamaa maamaa vippaamalaama | Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant) |
| Oh maamaa maamaa vippaakshaamalaama | Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant) |
வள்ளியே சக்கர
வள்ளியே மல்லியே
சந்தன மல்லியே பள்ளியே
பங்கன பள்ளியே
Oh Valli, sweet as sweet potato!
Oh Jasmine, sandalwood-scented jasmine!
Oh lizard, my precious golden lizard!
ஓ மாமா மாமா
விப்பாமலாமா ஓ மாமா
மாமா விப்பாக்ஷாமலாமா
ஓ மாமா மாமா விப்பாமலாமா
அவ்வ்வ் .....ஓஓஓஓஓ ஓ மாமா
மாமா விப்பாக்ஷாமலாமா
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
Awwwwww......oooooo.....
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
நங்காய் நிலாவின்
தங்காய் மங்கை நீதானே
செங்கை பாவாய் என் தோழி
ஆவாய் பூவாய் நிற்காதே
தீவாய்
Oh maiden, sister of the moon!
Are you not the young girl with rosy hands?
Oh maiden, become my companion!
Do not stand delicate like a flower, be ablaze like a fiery island!
மந்தாகினி மாங்கனினி
சிந்தாமணி வா வா அம்சவேணி
நீ பௌர்ணமி வா ரதி நீ மிருனாளினி
நீ என் ஸ்வப்ன ராணி
Oh Mandakini, sweet mango-like girl!
Oh Chintamani, come come, Oh Amsaveni!
You are the full moon, come, my goddess Rathi!
Oh Mrinalini, you are my dream queen!
நங்காய் நிலாவின்
தங்காய் மங்கை நீதானே
செங்கை பாவாய் என் தோழி
ஆவாய் பூவாய் நிற்காதே
தீவாய்
Oh maiden, sister of the moon!
Are you not the young girl with rosy hands?
Oh maiden, become my companion!
Do not stand delicate like a flower, be ablaze like a fiery island!
ஓ மாமா மாமா
விப்பாமலாமா ஓ மாமா
மாமா விப்பாக்ஷாமலாமா
ஓ மாமா மாமா ஹே
விப்பாமலாமா ஹா
ஓ மாமா மாமா
விப்பாக்ஷாமலாமா
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
Oh uncle, uncle... hey!
rhythmic chant... haaaa...
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
...............................
...............................
உன்னை பார்த்ததும்
ஊரைவிட்டு ஆங்கிலம்
ஓடி போனதென்ன சேர்ராய்
செம்மொழி செந்தமிழ்தான்
என் மொழி என்றே
ஆனதென்ன
The moment I looked at you,
Why did the English language
Flee away from this town?
Why did pure, classical Tamil
Become my true mother tongue?
Why on earth did that happen?
முன்னாலே மவுண்ட்
ஜோன் ஹரி உன்னாலே
இப்போ முத்துமாரி முன்னாலே
மவுண்ட் ஜோன் ஹரி உன்னாலே
இப்போ முத்துமாரி
Earlier I was like Mount, John, and Harry,
Now because of you, I have turned into Muthumaari!
Earlier I was like Mount, John, and Harry,
Now because of you, I have turned into Muthumaari!
உன்ன நா உப்பு
கண்டமா தொட்டுக்க
ஒப்பு கொள்ளம்மா
உன்னால தம்மா
துண்டம்மா ஒடஞ்சேன்
I view you like a prized side-dish,
Agree to let me touch/taste your love!
Because of you, into tiny shattered pieces,
I have broken down...
நங்காய் நிலாவின்
தங்காய் மங்கை நீதானே
செங்கை பாவாய் என் தோழி
ஆவாய் பூவாய் நிற்காதே
தீவாய்
Oh maiden, sister of the moon!
Are you not the young girl with rosy hands?
Oh maiden, become my companion!
Do not stand delicate like a flower, be ablaze like a fiery island!
..........................
Wovuva wovuva vaavuvaava
Wovuva wovuva vaavuvaava
Please smile hey hi haha
Please smile hey hi haha
சூலம் புத்திரி
சுட்டும் விழிகள் கத்திரி
வெயில் போல காய
கம்பன் பிள்ளைதான்
காதல் உள்ளம் வெள்ளைதான்
நாளும் வெந்து சாய
Daughter with eyes like a trident,
Your sharp, piercing eyes act like scissors,
Basking and burning like the hot sun!
I am a child of poet Kamban,
My loving heart is pure and innocent,
Yet it burns and melts every single day!
கண்ணம்மா நாம்
ஒட்டலாமா கண்ணம்மா
எங்கம்மா உன் அத்தை
தாமா அத்தை தாமா
Kannamma, shall we unite and stick together?
Kannamma...
Isn't my mother your maternal aunt?
Your aunt indeed!
கண்ணம்மா நாம்
ஒட்டலாமா ஹே எங்கம்மா
உன் அத்தை தாமா
Kannamma, shall we unite and stick together? Hey!
Isn't my mother your maternal aunt?
வள்ளியே சக்கர
வள்ளியே மல்லியே
சந்தன மல்லியே பள்ளியே
பங்கன பள்ளியே
Oh Valli, sweet as sweet potato!
Oh Jasmine, sandalwood-scented jasmine!
Oh lizard, my precious golden lizard!
I want only you...
நங்காய் நிலாவின்
தங்காய் மங்கை நீதானே
செங்கை பாவாய் என் தோழி
ஆவாய் பூவாய் நிற்காதே
தீவாய்
Oh maiden, sister of the moon!
Are you not the young girl with rosy hands?
Oh maiden, become my companion!
Do not stand delicate like a flower, be ablaze like a fiery island!
மந்தாகினி மாங்கனினி
சிந்தாமணி வா வா அம்சவேணி
நீ பௌர்ணமி வா ரதி நீ மிருனாளினி
யூ மை ஸ்வப்ன ராணி
Oh Mandakini, sweet mango-like girl!
Oh Chintamani, come come, Oh Amsaveni!
You are the full moon, come, my goddess Rathi!
Oh Mrinalini, you are my dream queen!
ஓ மாமா மாமா
விப்பாமலாமா ஓ மாமா
மாமா விப்பாக்ஷாமலாமா
ஓ மாமா மாமா விப்பாமலாமா
ஓ மாமா மாமா விப்பாக்ஷாமலாமா
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
Valliyae chakkaravalliyae
Oh Valli, sweet as sweet potato!
Malliyae sandhana malliyae
Oh Jasmine, sandalwood-scented jasmine!
Palliyae bangana palliyae
Oh lizard, my precious golden lizard!
Oh maamaa maamaa vippaamalaama
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
Oh maamaa maamaa vippaakshaamalaama
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
Oh maamaa maamaa vippaamalaama
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
Awwwwww……oooooo…..
Awwwwww......oooooo.....
Oh maamaa maamaa vippaakshaamalaama
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
Nangai nilaavin thangai
Oh maiden, sister of the moon!
Mangai needhaanae sengai
Are you not the young girl with rosy hands?
Paavaai yen thozhi aavaai
Oh maiden, become my companion!
Poovaai nirkaadhae theevaai
Do not stand delicate like a flower, be ablaze like a fiery island!
Mandhagini mangaanani
Oh Mandakini, sweet mango-like girl!
Sindhaamani vaa vaa amsaveni
Oh Chintamani, come come, Oh Amsaveni!
Nee pournami vaa radhi nee
You are the full moon, come, my goddess Rathi!
Mrinaalini nee en swapna raani
Oh Mrinalini, you are my dream queen!
Nangai nilaavin thangai
Oh maiden, sister of the moon!
Mangai needhaanae sengai
Are you not the young girl with rosy hands?
Paavaai yen thozhi aavaai
Oh maiden, become my companion!
Poovaai nirkaadhae theevaai
Do not stand delicate like a flower, be ablaze like a fiery island!
Oh maamaa maamaa vippaamalaama
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
Oh maamaa maamaa vippaakshaamalaama
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
Oh maamaa maamaa heyyy
Oh uncle, uncle... hey!
Vippaamalaama haaaa….
rhythmic chant... haaaa...
Oh maamaa maamaa vippaakshaamalaama
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
……………………………………
...............................
Unnai paarthadhum
The moment I looked at you,
Ooraivittu aangilam
Why did the English language
Odi ponadhenna
Flee away from this town?
Serraai semmozhi
Why did pure, classical Tamil
Sendhamildhaan enmozhi
Become my true mother tongue?
Endrae aanadhenna
Why on earth did that happen?
Munaalae Mount jone harry
Earlier I was like Mount, John, and Harry,
Unaalae ippo muthumaari
Now because of you, I have turned into Muthumaari!
Munaalae Mount jone harry
Earlier I was like Mount, John, and Harry,
Unaalae ippo muththumaari
Now because of you, I have turned into Muthumaari!
Unna naa uppu kandamma
I view you like a prized side-dish,
Thottukka oppu kolammaa
Agree to let me touch/taste your love!
Unnaalla thamma thundamma
Because of you, into tiny shattered pieces,
Odanjennn…
I have broken down...
Nangai nilaavin thangai
Oh maiden, sister of the moon!
Mangai needhaanae sengai
Are you not the young girl with rosy hands?
Paavaai yen thozhi aavaai
Oh maiden, become my companion!
Poovaai nirkaadhae theevaai
Do not stand delicate like a flower, be ablaze like a fiery island!
Wovuva wovuva vaavuvaava
Wovuva wovuva vaavuvaava
Wovuva wovuva vaavuvaava
Wovuva wovuva vaavuvaava
Please smile heyhi haha
Please smile hey hi haha
Please smile heyhi haha
Please smile hey hi haha
Soolam puththiri
Daughter with eyes like a trident,
Suttum vizhighal kaththiri
Your sharp, piercing eyes act like scissors,
Veiyil polakkaaya
Basking and burning like the hot sun!
Kambhan pillaidhaan
I am a child of poet Kamban,
Kaadhal ullam vellaidhaan
My loving heart is pure and innocent,
Naalum vendhu saaya
Yet it burns and melts every single day!
Kannamma naam ottalaama
Kannamma, shall we unite and stick together?
Kannamma…
Kannamma...
Engamma un aththai dhaama
Isn't my mother your maternal aunt?
Aththai dhaama
Your aunt indeed!
Kannamma naam ottalaama ..heyy
Kannamma, shall we unite and stick together? Hey!
Engamma un aththai dhaama
Isn't my mother your maternal aunt?
Valliyae chakkaravalliyae
Oh Valli, sweet as sweet potato!
Malliyae sandhana malliyae
Oh Jasmine, sandalwood-scented jasmine!
Palliyae bangana palliyae
Oh lizard, my precious golden lizard!
Unnai thaaannn…
I want only you...
Nangai nilaavin thangai
Oh maiden, sister of the moon!
Mangai needhaanae sengai
Are you not the young girl with rosy hands?
Paavaai yen thozhi aavaai
Oh maiden, become my companion!
Poovaai nirkaadhae theevaai
Do not stand delicate like a flower, be ablaze like a fiery island!
Mandhagini mangaanani
Oh Mandakini, sweet mango-like girl!
Sindhaamani vaa vaa amsaveni
Oh Chintamani, come come, Oh Amsaveni!
Nee pournami vaa radhi nee
You are the full moon, come, my goddess Rathi!
Mrinaalini you my swapna raani
Oh Mrinalini, you are my dream queen!
Oh maamaa maamaa vippaamalaama
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
Oh maamaa maamaa vippaakshaamalaama
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
Oh maamaa maamaa vippaamalaama
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
Oh maamaa maamaa vippaakshaamalaama
Oh uncle, uncle... (rhythmic chant)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Nangai' from the film 'Engeyum Kadhal' is an energetic, upbeat love track where the protagonist playfully praises andWoos his love interest using traditional Tamil metaphors mixed with modern, quirky expressions. He humorously describes how love transformed his Westernized lifestyle (represented by names like Mount, John, Harry) into a deeply rooted traditional Tamil persona (Muthumaari), as he shower classical titles and endearing names upon her. Written by legendary lyricist Vaali and set to dynamic beats by Harris Jayaraj, the song balances poetic Tamil imagery with catchy gibberish refrains. It highlights the playful desperation and complete infatuation of a young lover who pleads with the girl to accept his love and join him in a lifelong bond.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Yedhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Nangai nilaavin thangai / Mangai needhaanae sengai”
The second consonant 'nga' rhymes across consecutive lines (Nangai / Mangai).
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Valliyae chakkaravalliyae / Malliyae sandhana malliyae”
The lines end with rhyming phonetic sounds 'valliyae'.
Uvamaani / Metaphor
“Nangai nilaavin thangai”
Comparing the girl's beauty to celestial beings, classical heroines, and lunar beauty.
Contrast / Antithesis
“Munaalae Mount jone harry / Unaalae ippo muthumaari”
Juxtaposition of western names (Mount, John, Harry) with traditional Tamil identity (Muthumaari).
Did you know?
Trivia
Although the music director and singers were listed as unknown in the prompt, the song 'Nangai' from 'Engeyum Kadhal' (2011) was composed by Harris Jayaraj and sung by Richard together with Rahul Nambiar. Written by the veteran lyricist Vaali, the song pays homage to classic Tamil pop tropes while integrating modern western beats.
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