Oh Nanba
From Lingaa · 2014
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Lingaa2014
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Hey hey..nana nana nana nana naa.. | Hey hey.. nana nana nana nana naa.. |
| Naa naa na na na… | Naa naa na na na… |
| Hey hey ho ho ho hey hey… | Hey hey ho ho ho hey hey… |
| Chorus | |
| Hoo..ho… | Hoo.. ho… |
| Male | |
| Oh nanba nanba nanba | Oh friend, friend, friend |
| Vaa kalakalaamaChorus :Hoo..ho… | Come, shall we make merry? Chorus: Hoo.. ho… |
| Hey nanba nanba nanba | Hey friend, friend, friend |
| Vaan thirakalaama.. | Shall we open up the sky? |
| Male | |
| Aasai irunthaal nanba | If you have desire, my friend |
| Sorgam thirakkum nanba | Heaven will open up, my friend |
| Naam athanaikkum | For everything |
| Aasai pattu muthedupom nanba | Let us desire and dive for pearls, my friend |
| Male | |
| Vaanam valathu kaiyil | The sky in our right hand |
| Bhoomi idathu kaiyil | The earth in our left hand |
| Vaazhvae namathu paiyil | Life itself is inside our bag |
| Male | |
| Oh nanba nanba nanba | Oh friend, friend, friend |
| Vaa kalakalaama | Come, shall we make merry? |
| Hey nanba nanba nanba | Hey friend, friend, friend |
| Vaan thirakalaama.. | Shall we open up the sky? |
| Male | |
| Oh nanba | Oh friend |
| Chorus :Edukka edukka | Chorus: To take, to take |
| Ada edu edukka | Ah, take it, take it |
| Male :Hey nanba | Male: Hey friend |
| Chorus :Manakka manakka | Chorus: To smell fragrant, to smell fragrant |
| Ada mana manakka | Ah, let it be fragrant |
| Male | |
| Oh nanba | Oh friend |
| Chorus :Kalakka kalakka | Chorus: To stir up fun, to stir up fun |
| Ada kala kalakka | Ah, let's stir it up and rock |
| Male :Hey nanba | Male: Hey friend |
| Chorus :Gamakka gamakkka | Chorus: To spread rich scent, to spread rich scent |
| Ada gama gamakka | Ah, let the rich scent spread |
| Male | |
| Oh nanbaa | Oh friend |
| Hey nanbaa | Hey friend |
| Chorus :Idikka idikka | Chorus: To strike like thunder, to strike |
| Ada idi idikka | Ah, let thunder strike |
| Male | |
| Oh nanba | Oh friend |
| Chorus :Manakka manakka | Chorus: To smell fragrant, to smell fragrant |
| Ada mana manakka | Ah, let it be fragrant |
| Male :Hey nanba | Male: Hey friend |
| Chorus :Kalakka kalakka | Chorus: To stir up fun, to stir up fun |
| Ada kala kalakka | Ah, let's stir it up and rock |
| Male | |
| Oh nanba | Oh friend |
| Chorus :Parakka parakka | Chorus: To fly, to fly |
| Ada anal parakka | Ah, let sparks fly like fire |
| Male | |
| Kaadhal pennum | A beloved woman |
| Rasikathaanae | Is meant to be enjoyed |
| Kinnam rusikathaanae rendum | And a cup of wine is meant to be tasted, but both |
| Alavu thaandi sellathae | Should not be taken beyond limits |
| Male | |
| Unn ellai arinthukondal | If you know your limits |
| Thollai unakku illai | You will have no trouble |
| Meenae thannerai thaandi thullathae | Oh fish, do not leap out beyond the water |
| Male | |
| Unnodu selvam | Keep all your wealth |
| Ellam serthukoo | Gathered with you |
| Kondaada nanban | But make sure you have a friend |
| Venum paarthukkoo.. | To celebrate it with, remember that |
| Male | |
| Hey munnorgal | Hey, what elders |
| Sonnal sonnal yethukkoo | Have said, accept it if it is good |
| Velaikku aagathendraal | If it is of no use or harmful |
| Mathikkooo… | Change your way |
| Male | |
| Oh nanba nanba nanba | Oh friend, friend, friend |
| Vaa kalakalaama | Come, shall we make merry? |
| Hey nanba nanba nanba | Hey friend, friend, friend |
| Vaan thirakalaama.. | Shall we open up the sky? |
| Chorus | |
| Oh sambo kondattama | Oh Sambo, is it a celebration? |
| Oh sambo santhosama | Oh Sambo, is it happiness? |
| Oh sambo paadalaama | Oh Sambo, shall we sing? |
| Oh sambo vilayadalaama | Oh Sambo, shall we play? |
| Oh sambo aadalaama | Oh Sambo, shall we dance? |
| Oh sambo thulalaama | Oh Sambo, shall we leap with joy? |
| Male | |
| Mannil inbam iyarkaithaanae | Happiness on earth is natural, right? |
| Thunbam seyarkaithaanae | Sorrow is artificial, isn't it? |
| Mullil nee meththai | Do not stitch a mattress |
| Thaithu thoongaathae | Upon thorns to sleep on |
| Male | |
| Munbu inbam kuduthathellam | Whatever gave pleasure in the past |
| Pinnal thunbam tharum | Might bring pain later |
| Kannaa nee kattupaadu | Dear one, do not cross |
| Thaandathae..ae… | Your boundaries |
| Male | |
| Idhayam perithaaga | Try living with a big heart |
| Vaazhnthu paar | And see |
| Inbam perithaagi theerumae | Joy will surely multiply |
| Hey unnai ellarkkum | Hey, try giving yourself |
| Thanthu paar | To everyone |
| Ulagam unathaagi pogumae | The world will become yours |
| Male | |
| Oh nanba nanba nanba | Oh friend, friend, friend |
| Vaa kalakalaama | Come, shall we make merry? |
| Chorus :Kalakka kalakka | Chorus: To stir up fun, to stir up fun |
| Ada kala kalakka | Ah, let's stir it up and rock |
| Chorus :Kalakka kalakka | Chorus: To stir up fun, to stir up fun |
| Ada kala kalakka | Ah, let's stir it up and rock |
| Male :Hey nanba nanba nanba | Male: Hey friend, friend, friend |
| Vaan thirakalaama.. | Vaan thirakalaama.. |
| Chorus :Gamakka gamakkka | Chorus: To spread rich scent, to spread rich scent |
| Ada gama gamakka | Ah, let the rich scent spread |
| Chorus :Gamakka gamakkka | Chorus: To spread rich scent, to spread rich scent |
| Ada gama gamakka | Ah, let the rich scent spread |
| Male | |
| Aasai irunthaal nanba | If you have desire, my friend |
| Sorgam thirakkum nanba | Heaven will open up, my friend |
| Naam athanaikkum | For everything |
| Aasai pattu muthedupom nanba | Let us desire and dive for pearls, my friend |
| Male | |
| Vaanam valathu kaiyil | The sky in our right hand |
| Bhoomi idathu kaiyil | The earth in our left hand |
| Vaazhvae namathu paiyil | Life itself is inside our bag |
| Male | |
| Oh nanba nanba nanba | Oh friend, friend, friend |
| Vaa kalakalaama | Come, shall we make merry? |
..........................
Hey hey.. nana nana nana nana naa..
Naa naa na na na…
Hey hey ho ho ho hey hey…
..........................
Hoo.. ho…
ஓ நண்பா நண்பா
நண்பா வா கலக்கலாமா
குழு :
ஹோ ஹோ
ஹே நண்பா நண்பா நண்பா
வான் திறக்கலாமா
Oh friend, friend, friend
Come, shall we make merry? Chorus: Hoo.. ho…
Hey friend, friend, friend
Shall we open up the sky?
ஆசை இருந்தால்
நண்பா சொர்க்கம் திறக்கும்
நண்பா நாம் அத்தனைக்கும்
ஆசைப்பட்டு முத்தெடுப்போம்
நண்பா
If you have desire, my friend
Heaven will open up, my friend
For everything
Let us desire and dive for pearls, my friend
வானம் வலது
கையில் பூமி இடது
கையில் வாழ்வே
நமது பையில்
The sky in our right hand
The earth in our left hand
Life itself is inside our bag
ஓ நண்பா நண்பா
நண்பா வா கலக்கலாமா
ஹே நண்பா நண்பா நண்பா
வான் திறக்கலாமா
Oh friend, friend, friend
Come, shall we make merry?
Hey friend, friend, friend
Shall we open up the sky?
ஓ நண்பா
குழு :
எடுக்க எடுக்க
அட எடு எடுக்க
ஹே நண்பா
குழு :
மணக்க மணக்க
அட மண மணக்க
Oh friend
Chorus: To take, to take
Ah, take it, take it
Male: Hey friend
Chorus: To smell fragrant, to smell fragrant
Ah, let it be fragrant
ஓ நண்பா
குழு :
கலக்க கலக்க
அட கல கலக்க
ஹே நண்பா
குழு :
கமக்க கமக்க
அட கம கமக்க
Oh friend
Chorus: To stir up fun, to stir up fun
Ah, let's stir it up and rock
Male: Hey friend
Chorus: To spread rich scent, to spread rich scent
Ah, let the rich scent spread
ஓ நண்பா
ஹே நண்பா
குழு :
இடிக்க இடிக்க
அட இடி இடிக்க
Oh friend
Hey friend
Chorus: To strike like thunder, to strike
Ah, let thunder strike
ஓ நண்பா
குழு :
மணக்க மணக்க
அட மண மணக்க
ஹே நண்பா
குழு :
கலக்க கலக்க
அட கல கலக்க
Oh friend
Chorus: To smell fragrant, to smell fragrant
Ah, let it be fragrant
Male: Hey friend
Chorus: To stir up fun, to stir up fun
Ah, let's stir it up and rock
ஓ நண்பா
குழு :
பறக்க பறக்க
அட அனல் பறக்க
Oh friend
Chorus: To fly, to fly
Ah, let sparks fly like fire
காதல் பெண்ணும்
ரசிக்க தானே கிண்ணம்
ருசிக்க தானே ரெண்டும்
அளவு தாண்டி செல்லாதே
A beloved woman
Is meant to be enjoyed
And a cup of wine is meant to be tasted, but both
Should not be taken beyond limits
உன் எல்லை
அறிந்து கொண்டால்
தொல்லை உனக்கு
இல்லை மீனே தண்ணீரை
தாண்டி துள்ளாதே
If you know your limits
You will have no trouble
Oh fish, do not leap out beyond the water
உன்னோடு
செல்வம் எல்லாம்
சேர்த்துக்கோ கொண்டாட
நண்பன் வேணும்
பார்த்துக்கோ
Keep all your wealth
Gathered with you
But make sure you have a friend
To celebrate it with, remember that
ஹே முன்னோர்கள்
சொன்னால் சொன்னால்
ஏத்துக்கோ வேலைக்கு
ஆகாதென்றால் மாத்திக்கோ
Hey, what elders
Have said, accept it if it is good
If it is of no use or harmful
Change your way
ஓ நண்பா நண்பா
நண்பா வா கலக்கலாமா
ஹே நண்பா நண்பா நண்பா
வான் திறக்கலாமா
Oh friend, friend, friend
Come, shall we make merry?
Hey friend, friend, friend
Shall we open up the sky?
ஓ சம்போ
கொண்டாட்டமா
ஓ சம்போ சந்தோசமா
ஓ சம்போ பாடலாமா
ஓ சம்போ விளையாடலாமா
ஓ சம்போ ஆடலாமா ஓ
சம்போ துள்ளலாமா
Oh Sambo, is it a celebration?
Oh Sambo, is it happiness?
Oh Sambo, shall we sing?
Oh Sambo, shall we play?
Oh Sambo, shall we dance?
Oh Sambo, shall we leap with joy?
மண்ணில் இன்பம்
இயற்கைதானே துன்பம்
செயற்கை தானே
முள்ளில் நீ மெத்தை
தைத்து தூங்காதே
Happiness on earth is natural, right?
Sorrow is artificial, isn't it?
Do not stitch a mattress
Upon thorns to sleep on
முன்பு இன்பம்
குடுத்ததெல்லாம்
பின்னால் துன்பம் தரும்
கண்ணா நீ கட்டுப்பாடு
தாண்டாதே
Whatever gave pleasure in the past
Might bring pain later
Dear one, do not cross
Your boundaries
இதயம் பெரிதாக
வாழ்ந்து பார் இன்பம்
பெரிதாகி தீருமே ஹே
உன்னை எல்லார்க்கும்
தந்து பார் உலகம்
உனதாகி போகுமே
Try living with a big heart
And see
Joy will surely multiply
Hey, try giving yourself
To everyone
The world will become yours
ஓ நண்பா நண்பா
நண்பா வா கலக்கலாமா
குழு :
கலக்க கலக்க
அட கல கலக்க
குழு :
கலக்க கலக்க
அட கல கலக்க
ஹே நண்பா
நண்பா நண்பா வான்
திறக்கலாமா
குழு :
கமக்க கமக்க
அட கம கமக்க
குழு :
கமக்க கமக்க
அட கம கமக்க
Oh friend, friend, friend
Come, shall we make merry?
Chorus: To stir up fun, to stir up fun
Ah, let's stir it up and rock
Chorus: To stir up fun, to stir up fun
Ah, let's stir it up and rock
Male: Hey friend, friend, friend
Vaan thirakalaama..
Chorus: To spread rich scent, to spread rich scent
Ah, let the rich scent spread
Chorus: To spread rich scent, to spread rich scent
Ah, let the rich scent spread
ஆசை இருந்தால்
நண்பா சொர்க்கம் திறக்கும்
நண்பா நாம் அத்தனைக்கும்
ஆசைப்பட்டு முத்தெடுப்போம்
நண்பா
If you have desire, my friend
Heaven will open up, my friend
For everything
Let us desire and dive for pearls, my friend
வானம் வலது
கையில் பூமி இடது
கையில் வாழ்வே
நமது பையில்
The sky in our right hand
The earth in our left hand
Life itself is inside our bag
ஓ நண்பா நண்பா
நண்பா வா கலக்கலாமா
Oh friend, friend, friend
Come, shall we make merry?
Hey hey..nana nana nana nana naa..
Hey hey.. nana nana nana nana naa..
Naa naa na na na…
Naa naa na na na…
Hey hey ho ho ho hey hey…
Hey hey ho ho ho hey hey…
Hoo..ho…
Hoo.. ho…
Oh nanba nanba nanba
Oh friend, friend, friend
Vaa kalakalaamaChorus :Hoo..ho…
Come, shall we make merry? Chorus: Hoo.. ho…
Hey nanba nanba nanba
Hey friend, friend, friend
Vaan thirakalaama..
Shall we open up the sky?
Aasai irunthaal nanba
If you have desire, my friend
Sorgam thirakkum nanba
Heaven will open up, my friend
Naam athanaikkum
For everything
Aasai pattu muthedupom nanba
Let us desire and dive for pearls, my friend
Vaanam valathu kaiyil
The sky in our right hand
Bhoomi idathu kaiyil
The earth in our left hand
Vaazhvae namathu paiyil
Life itself is inside our bag
Oh nanba nanba nanba
Oh friend, friend, friend
Vaa kalakalaama
Come, shall we make merry?
Hey nanba nanba nanba
Hey friend, friend, friend
Vaan thirakalaama..
Shall we open up the sky?
Oh nanba
Oh friend
Chorus :Edukka edukka
Chorus: To take, to take
Ada edu edukka
Ah, take it, take it
Male :Hey nanba
Male: Hey friend
Chorus :Manakka manakka
Chorus: To smell fragrant, to smell fragrant
Ada mana manakka
Ah, let it be fragrant
Oh nanba
Oh friend
Chorus :Kalakka kalakka
Chorus: To stir up fun, to stir up fun
Ada kala kalakka
Ah, let's stir it up and rock
Male :Hey nanba
Male: Hey friend
Chorus :Gamakka gamakkka
Chorus: To spread rich scent, to spread rich scent
Ada gama gamakka
Ah, let the rich scent spread
Oh nanbaa
Oh friend
Hey nanbaa
Hey friend
Chorus :Idikka idikka
Chorus: To strike like thunder, to strike
Ada idi idikka
Ah, let thunder strike
Oh nanba
Oh friend
Chorus :Manakka manakka
Chorus: To smell fragrant, to smell fragrant
Ada mana manakka
Ah, let it be fragrant
Male :Hey nanba
Male: Hey friend
Chorus :Kalakka kalakka
Chorus: To stir up fun, to stir up fun
Ada kala kalakka
Ah, let's stir it up and rock
Oh nanba
Oh friend
Chorus :Parakka parakka
Chorus: To fly, to fly
Ada anal parakka
Ah, let sparks fly like fire
Kaadhal pennum
A beloved woman
Rasikathaanae
Is meant to be enjoyed
Kinnam rusikathaanae rendum
And a cup of wine is meant to be tasted, but both
Alavu thaandi sellathae
Should not be taken beyond limits
Unn ellai arinthukondal
If you know your limits
Thollai unakku illai
You will have no trouble
Meenae thannerai thaandi thullathae
Oh fish, do not leap out beyond the water
Unnodu selvam
Keep all your wealth
Ellam serthukoo
Gathered with you
Kondaada nanban
But make sure you have a friend
Venum paarthukkoo..
To celebrate it with, remember that
Hey munnorgal
Hey, what elders
Sonnal sonnal yethukkoo
Have said, accept it if it is good
Velaikku aagathendraal
If it is of no use or harmful
Mathikkooo…
Change your way
Oh nanba nanba nanba
Oh friend, friend, friend
Vaa kalakalaama
Come, shall we make merry?
Hey nanba nanba nanba
Hey friend, friend, friend
Vaan thirakalaama..
Shall we open up the sky?
Oh sambo kondattama
Oh Sambo, is it a celebration?
Oh sambo santhosama
Oh Sambo, is it happiness?
Oh sambo paadalaama
Oh Sambo, shall we sing?
Oh sambo vilayadalaama
Oh Sambo, shall we play?
Oh sambo aadalaama
Oh Sambo, shall we dance?
Oh sambo thulalaama
Oh Sambo, shall we leap with joy?
Mannil inbam iyarkaithaanae
Happiness on earth is natural, right?
Thunbam seyarkaithaanae
Sorrow is artificial, isn't it?
Mullil nee meththai
Do not stitch a mattress
Thaithu thoongaathae
Upon thorns to sleep on
Munbu inbam kuduthathellam
Whatever gave pleasure in the past
Pinnal thunbam tharum
Might bring pain later
Kannaa nee kattupaadu
Dear one, do not cross
Thaandathae..ae…
Your boundaries
Idhayam perithaaga
Try living with a big heart
Vaazhnthu paar
And see
Inbam perithaagi theerumae
Joy will surely multiply
Hey unnai ellarkkum
Hey, try giving yourself
Thanthu paar
To everyone
Ulagam unathaagi pogumae
The world will become yours
Oh nanba nanba nanba
Oh friend, friend, friend
Vaa kalakalaama
Come, shall we make merry?
Chorus :Kalakka kalakka
Chorus: To stir up fun, to stir up fun
Ada kala kalakka
Ah, let's stir it up and rock
Chorus :Kalakka kalakka
Chorus: To stir up fun, to stir up fun
Ada kala kalakka
Ah, let's stir it up and rock
Male :Hey nanba nanba nanba
Male: Hey friend, friend, friend
Vaan thirakalaama..
Vaan thirakalaama..
Chorus :Gamakka gamakkka
Chorus: To spread rich scent, to spread rich scent
Ada gama gamakka
Ah, let the rich scent spread
Chorus :Gamakka gamakkka
Chorus: To spread rich scent, to spread rich scent
Ada gama gamakka
Ah, let the rich scent spread
Aasai irunthaal nanba
If you have desire, my friend
Sorgam thirakkum nanba
Heaven will open up, my friend
Naam athanaikkum
For everything
Aasai pattu muthedupom nanba
Let us desire and dive for pearls, my friend
Vaanam valathu kaiyil
The sky in our right hand
Bhoomi idathu kaiyil
The earth in our left hand
Vaazhvae namathu paiyil
Life itself is inside our bag
Oh nanba nanba nanba
Oh friend, friend, friend
Vaa kalakalaama
Come, shall we make merry?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Oh Nanba' from the movie Lingaa (2014) is an energetic, philosophical anthem celebrating friendship, zest for life, and moral moderation. It urges the listener to embrace life with enthusiasm, aiming high to hold 'the sky in the right hand and the earth in the left.' However, amidst the celebratory mood, lyricist Vairamuthu weaves crucial life advice regarding self-restraint and boundaries. The protagonist reminds his friend that enjoying love or wine must remain within limits, comparing overreaching to a fish jumping out of water.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Aasai irunthaal nanba / Sorgam thirakkum nanba”
The second consonant sound 's' and 'r' (matching soft sound structures) aligns across consecutive lines to create rhythmic flow.
Metaphor
“Vaanam valathu kaiyil / Bhoomi idathu kaiyil / Vaazhvae namathu paiyil”
The lyrics metaphorically place the sky in the right hand, earth in the left, and life in a bag to symbolize ultimate confidence and mastery over destiny.
Metaphor / Analogy
“Meenae thannerai thaandi thullathae”
Compares human self-restraint to a fish staying within water, warning that jumping beyond limits leads to peril.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Oh sambo kondattama / Oh sambo santhosama / Oh sambo paadalaama”
Repeated use of the rhyming suffix '-ama' at the end of consecutive rhythmic phrases creates a musical cadence.
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Trivia
'Oh Nanba' was composed by Oscar-winning director A.R. Rahman and sung by the legendary S.P. Balasubrahmanyam alongside Aryan Dinesh. In Rajinikanth movies, opening track anthems sung by SPB were an iconic tradition spanning over three decades, and 'Oh Nanba' served as one of the standout high-energy intro tracks during their legendary collaboration.
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