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Lyrics & meaning

Romba Naalaga

From Namma Ooru Poovatha · 1990

Lyricist
Kalidasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Deva
Details
Namma Ooru Poovatha1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Naalaga maama naan thoongalaFor four days, uncle, I haven't slept.
Oru maathiri mayakkam manam thaangalaA strange daze has overcome me, my heart cannot bear it.
Female
Adikuthu vadakathuThe cold north wind is blowing.
Anachukka anachukka sethu sethuEmbrace me, embrace me, hold me tight.
Adikuthu vadakathuThe cold north wind is blowing.
Anachukka anachukka sethuEmbrace me, embrace me, hold me tight.
Naan achaani vaikaatha uchaani kiliyeI am a top-perched parrot without an axle pin holding me down.
Female
Naalaga maama naan thoongalaFor four days, uncle, I haven't slept.
Oru maathiri mayakkam manam thaangalaA strange daze has overcome me, my heart cannot bear it.
Male
Kovai pazham paathikattiLike half a sliced ivy gourd fruit,
Konjum uthatukullaWithin those tender lips,
Kondaadattuma muthangalaiShall I celebrate with kisses?
Kothikuthu mansu pullaMy heart is boiling with passion, girl.
Male
Kovai pazham paathikattiLike half a sliced ivy gourd fruit,
Konjum uthatukullaWithin those tender lips,
Kondaadattuma muthangalaiShall I celebrate with kisses?
Kothikuthu mansu pullaMy heart is boiling with passion, girl.
Female
Irukurathelaam unakena aachuEverything I have has become yours,
Kelvi varalaamaCan a question even arise now?
Elasukku elasu inikura vayasuWhen youth meets youth, it is a sweet age,
Yekkam yaen mamaWhy this longing then, my uncle?
Oru vellottoam nee poduRun a trial run,
Ullaasa kathaikuFor our joyful romantic tale!
Male
Nalaga maane naan thoongalaFor four days, my deer, I haven't slept.
Female : Haan haanFemale: Haan haan
Male :Oru maathiri mayakkam manam thaangalaMale: A strange daze has overcome me, my heart cannot bear it.
Hoi hoi hoiHoi hoi hoi
Female
Anjuvaga poovupattuDraped in five-patterned floral silk,
Odambu soodachuMy body has grown warm.
Anthi patta neramellaamAll the evening times that passed,
Idhu vara veenaachuHave been wasted until now.
Female
Hey anjuvaga poovupattuHey, draped in five-patterned floral silk,
Odambu soodachuMy body has grown warm.
Anthi patta neramellaamAll the evening times that passed,
Idhu vara veenaachuHave been wasted until now.
Male
Udambukulla irukkumResiding within the body,
Idupinai thaangiHolding onto the waist,
Oonjal aadavaShall I swing in joy?
Unakkoru paathi enakkoru pathiHalf for you, half for me,
Sugangal maathikkavaShall we exchange romantic pleasures?
Male
Adi ettu oorum kannu padumHey, envious eyes of eight towns will fall upon you,
kattaana azhageWell-sculpted beautiful girl!
Male
Naalaga maane naan thoongalaFor four days, my deer, I haven't slept.
Adi adikuthu vaada kaathuHey, the cold north wind is blowing!
Anachukka anachukka sethu sethuEmbrace me, embrace me, hold me tight.
Adikuthu vaada kaathuThe cold north wind is blowing!
Anachukka anachukka sethuEmbrace me, embrace me, hold me tight.
Naan acharam vependiI will place a token of promise on you, girl,
Uchaani kiliyeYou parrot perched up high!
Female
Naalaga maama naan thoongalaFor four days, uncle, I haven't slept.
Male :Oru maathiri mayakkam manam thaangalaMale: A strange daze has overcome me, my heart cannot bear it.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Naalaga Maama from the film Namma Ooru Poovatha (1990) is a lively, flirtatious Tamil folk duet between two lovers expressing their intense romantic yearning and restlessness. The cold northern wind ('vadakatu') acts as a traditional metaphor for physical longing, driving both lovers to seek warmth and comfort in each other's arms after sleepless nights.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Metaphor/Simile)

Kovai pazham paathikatti

Comparing the red, tender lips of the woman to a freshly sliced ivy gourd ('Kovai pazham paathikatti').

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Adikuthu vadakathu / Anachukka anachukka sethu sethu

Repetition of initial vowel sounds ('A') across adjacent words creating a rhythmic folk cadence.

Imagery & Cultural Symbolism

Adikuthu vadakathu

The mention of 'Vadakaathu' (North wind) is a classical Tamil literary motif symbolizing chilliness, solitude, and heightened romantic desire.

Did you know?

Trivia

Namma Ooru Poovatha (1990) featured music by Deva early in his career, starring Murali and Gautami. The song 'Naalaga Maama', sung brilliantly by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra, became a popular folk radio hit across rural Tamil Nadu for its catchy rhythm and expressive vocal delivery.

Keep listening

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