Salam Gulamu
From Hello · 1999
- Lyricist
- Na. Muthu Kumar
- Singer
- Sukhwinder Singh
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Hello1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Thana nanana thanaana | Rhythm vocalization |
| Thana nanana | Rhythm vocalization |
| Thana nana thana nana | Rhythm vocalization |
| Thana nanana | Rhythm vocalization |
| Male | |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Gulamu | Slave |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Ennai sight adikira shaliniku | To Shalini who checks me out |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Male | |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Gulamu | Slave |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Kannil dive adikira | Who dives in eyes |
| Dolphinuku | To the dolphin |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Male | |
| Un mummykum solven | I will tell your mummy |
| Daddykum solven | I will tell your daddy |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Unnai boomiku thandha | To the God who sent you to Earth |
| Saamikum solven | I will say greeting, slave |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Male | |
| L boarda naan irunthen | I was like a learner driver |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Ennai love bird-ah maathiputta | You turned me into a love bird |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Oh..ho… | Oh..ho… |
| Male | |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Gulamu | Slave |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Ennai sight adikira shaliniku | To Shalini who checks me out |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Chorus | |
| Gulam salamu salamu | Slave greetings greetings |
| Salam salamu | Greetings greetings |
| Nee salam salam salam salam | You are greetings greetings greetings greetings |
| Salam salamu | Greetings greetings |
| Male | |
| Hey golden beachula | Hey, at Golden Beach |
| Cola vaangi | Buying a Cola |
| Fifty fifty | Fifty-fifty |
| Andha santhome beachula | At that Santhome beach |
| Fanta vaangi | Buying a Fanta |
| Fifty fifty | Fifty-fifty |
| Chorus | |
| Hei hei..heheheheh | Hey hey..heheheheh |
| Hei hei..heheheheh | Hey hey..heheheheh |
| Male | |
| Hey parakum rayilil | Hey, in the flying train |
| Jannal seatil | At the window seat |
| Fifty fifty | Fifty-fifty |
| Andha maadi bussil | In that double-decker bus |
| Saayum tholil | On the leaning shoulder |
| Fifty fifty | Fifty-fifty |
| Male | |
| Drive-in il dutya | Is it duty at the drive-in? |
| Pizza corner beautya | Is it beauty at the pizza corner? |
| Strawberry udhatil venum | I want in your strawberry lips |
| Fifty fifty | Fifty-fifty |
| Male | |
| Church park babya | Church Park baby |
| Love unakku hobbyaa | Is love a hobby for you? |
| Holidayin jollyilum | Even in holiday fun |
| Fifty fifty | Fifty-fifty |
| Male | |
| Tholil thoongum thuppatavil | In the dupatta sleeping on your shoulders |
| Fifty fifty | Fifty-fifty |
| Unnai varudi pogum | In the song that caresses you and goes |
| Paatil vendum | I want |
| Fifty fifty | Fifty-fifty |
| Male | |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Gulamu | Slave |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Ennai sight adikira shaliniku | To Shalini who checks me out |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Chorus | |
| Tharatha thatha tharatha thatha | Rhythm vocalization |
| Tharatha thatha na | Rhythm vocalization |
| Tharatha thatha tharatha thatha | Rhythm vocalization |
| Tharatha thatha na | Rhythm vocalization |
| Male | |
| Nee anaichi pogum | In the books you hug |
| Booksil venum | And walk with, I want |
| Fifty fifty | Fifty-fifty |
| Kannil koduthu pogum | In the fax you send |
| Faxila venum | With your eyes, I want |
| Fifty fifty | Fifty-fifty |
| Chorus | |
| Hei hei..heheheheh | Hey hey..heheheheh |
| Hei hei..heheheheh | Hey hey..heheheheh |
| Male | |
| Nee styla | You stylishly |
| Ottum scootyilum | In the Scooty you drive |
| Fifty fifty | Fifty-fifty |
| Unnai follow pannum | In the shadow that follows you |
| Nizhalil venum | I want |
| Fifty fifty | Fifty-fifty |
| Male | |
| Queen marys queen nee | You are the Queen of Queen Mary's College |
| Kicku yethum wine nee | You are the wine that intoxicates |
| Colgate siripula thaan | In your Colgate smile |
| Fifty fifty | Fifty-fifty |
| Male | |
| Hei.. | Hey.. |
| Rummy serum jokera | Are you the joker joining a rummy game? |
| Azhaghirukkum lockeraa | Are you a safe locker of beauty? |
| Accountila enakku venum | In your account, I want |
| Fifty fifty | Fifty-fifty |
| Male | |
| Endhan heart channelila | In my heart channel |
| Fifty fifty | Fifty-fifty |
| Adi intha vaaram | Hey girl, this week |
| Undhan vaaram | Is your week |
| Fifty fifty | Fifty-fifty |
| Male | |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Gulamu | Slave |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Ennai sight adikira shaliniku | To Shalini who checks me out |
| Male | |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Gulamu | Slave |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Kannil dive adikira | Who dives in eyes |
| Dolphinuku | To the dolphin |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Male | |
| Un mummykum solven | I will tell your mummy |
| Daddykum solven | I will tell your daddy |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Unnai boomiku thandha | To the God who sent you to Earth |
| Saamikum solven | I will say greeting, slave |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Male | |
| L boarda naan irunthen | I was like a learner driver |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Ennai love bird-ah maathiputta | You turned me into a love bird |
| Salam gulamu | Greetings, slave |
| Chorus | |
| Gulam salamu salamu | Slave greetings greetings |
| Salam salamu | Greetings greetings |
| Nee salam salam salam salam | You are greetings greetings greetings greetings |
| Salam salamu | Greetings greetings |
| Male :Ae…heiiii…….. | Hey... |
..............................
Rhythm vocalization
Rhythm vocalization
Rhythm vocalization
Rhythm vocalization
சலாம் குலாமு
குலாமு சலாம் குலாமு
என்னை சைட் அடிக்கிற
ஷாலினிக்கு சலாம்
குலாமு
Greetings, slave
Slave
Greetings, slave
To Shalini who checks me out
Greetings, slave
சலாம் குலாமு
குலாமு சலாம் குலாமு
என்னை டைவ் அடிக்கிற
டால்பின்க்கு சலாம்
குலாமு
Greetings, slave
Slave
Greetings, slave
Who dives in eyes
To the dolphin
Greetings, slave
உன் மம்மிக்கும்
சொல்வேன் டடிக்கும்
சொல்வேன் சலாம் குலாமு
உன்னை பூமிக்கு தந்த
சாமிக்கும் சொல்வேன்
சலாம் குலாமு
I will tell your mummy
I will tell your daddy
Greetings, slave
To the God who sent you to Earth
I will say greeting, slave
Greetings, slave
எல் போர்டா நான்
இருந்தேன் சலாம் குலாமு
என்னை லவ் ப்ர்ட்டா மாத்தி
புட்ட சலாம் குலாமு ஓ
ஹோ
I was like a learner driver
Greetings, slave
You turned me into a love bird
Greetings, slave
Oh..ho…
சலாம் குலாமு
குலாமு சலாம் குலாமு
என்னை சைட் அடிக்கிற
ஷாலினிக்கு சலாம்
குலாமு
Greetings, slave
Slave
Greetings, slave
To Shalini who checks me out
Greetings, slave
குலாம் சலாமு
சலாமு சலாம் சலாமு
நீ சலாம் சலாம் சலாம்
சலாம் சலாம் சலாமு
Slave greetings greetings
Greetings greetings
You are greetings greetings greetings greetings
Greetings greetings
ஹே கோல்டன்
பீச்சுல கோலா வாங்கி
பிப்டி பிப்டி அந்த சாந்தோம்
பீச்சுல பேண்டா வாங்கி
பிப்டி பிப்டி
Hey, at Golden Beach
Buying a Cola
Fifty-fifty
At that Santhome beach
Buying a Fanta
Fifty-fifty
................................
Hey hey..heheheheh
Hey hey..heheheheh
ஹே பறக்கும்
ரயிலில் ஜன்னல் சீட்டில்
பிப்டி பிப்டி அந்த மாடி
பஸ்ஸில் சாயும் தோளில்
பிப்டி பிப்டி
Hey, in the flying train
At the window seat
Fifty-fifty
In that double-decker bus
On the leaning shoulder
Fifty-fifty
டிரைவ் இன் இல்
டுயூட்டியா பீசா கார்னர்
பியூட்டியா ஸ்ட்ராபெர்ரி
உதட்டில் வேணும் பிப்டி
பிப்டி
Is it duty at the drive-in?
Is it beauty at the pizza corner?
I want in your strawberry lips
Fifty-fifty
சர்ச் பார்க் பேபியா
லவ் உனக்கு ஹாபியா
ஹாலிடேயின் ஜாலியிலும்
பிப்டி பிப்டி
Church Park baby
Is love a hobby for you?
Even in holiday fun
Fifty-fifty
தோளில் தூங்கும்
துப்பட்டாவில் பிப்டி பிப்டி
உன்னை வருடி போகும்
பாட்டில் வேண்டும் பிப்டி
பிப்டி
In the dupatta sleeping on your shoulders
Fifty-fifty
In the song that caresses you and goes
I want
Fifty-fifty
சலாம் குலாமு
குலாமு சலாம் குலாமு
என்னை சைட் அடிக்கிற
ஷாலினிக்கு சலாம்
குலாமு
Greetings, slave
Slave
Greetings, slave
To Shalini who checks me out
Greetings, slave
................................
Rhythm vocalization
Rhythm vocalization
Rhythm vocalization
Rhythm vocalization
நீ அணைச்சி
போகும் புக்சில் வேணும்
பிப்டி பிப்டி கண்ணில்
கொடுத்து போகும்
பேக்ஸில வேணும்
பிப்டி பிப்டி
In the books you hug
And walk with, I want
Fifty-fifty
In the fax you send
With your eyes, I want
Fifty-fifty
.................................
Hey hey..heheheheh
Hey hey..heheheheh
நீ ஸ்டைலா ஓட்டும்
ஸ்கூட்டியிலும் பிப்டி பிப்டி
உன்னை பாலோ பண்ணும்
நிழலில் வேணும் பிப்டி பிப்டி
You stylishly
In the Scooty you drive
Fifty-fifty
In the shadow that follows you
I want
Fifty-fifty
குயின் மேரிஸ்
குயின் நீ கிக்கு ஏத்தும்
ஒயின் நீ கோல்கேட்
சிரிப்புல தான் பிப்டி
பிப்டி
You are the Queen of Queen Mary's College
You are the wine that intoxicates
In your Colgate smile
Fifty-fifty
ஹேய் ரம்மி
சேரும் ஜோக்கரா
அழகிருக்கும் லாக்கரா
அக்கௌன்ட்டில எனக்கு
வேணும் பிப்டி பிப்டி
Hey..
Are you the joker joining a rummy game?
Are you a safe locker of beauty?
In your account, I want
Fifty-fifty
எந்தன் ஹார்ட்
சேனலில பிப்டி பிப்டி
அடி இந்த வாரம் உந்தன்
வாரம் பிப்டி பிப்டி
In my heart channel
Fifty-fifty
Hey girl, this week
Is your week
Fifty-fifty
சலாம் குலாமு
குலாமு சலாம் குலாமு
என்னை சைட் அடிக்கிற
ஷாலினிக்கு சலாம்
குலாமு
Greetings, slave
Slave
Greetings, slave
To Shalini who checks me out
சலாம் குலாமு
குலாமு சலாம் குலாமு
என்னை டைவ் அடிக்கிற
டால்பின்க்கு சலாம்
குலாமு
Greetings, slave
Slave
Greetings, slave
Who dives in eyes
To the dolphin
Greetings, slave
உன் மம்மிக்கும்
சொல்வேன் டடிக்கும்
சொல்வேன் சலாம் குலாமு
உன்னை பூமிக்கு தந்த
சாமிக்கும் சொல்வேன்
சலாம் குலாமு
I will tell your mummy
I will tell your daddy
Greetings, slave
To the God who sent you to Earth
I will say greeting, slave
Greetings, slave
எல் போர்டா நான்
இருந்தேன் சலாம் குலாமு
என்னை லவ் ப்ர்ட்டா மாத்தி
புட்ட சலாம் குலாமு
I was like a learner driver
Greetings, slave
You turned me into a love bird
Greetings, slave
குலாம் சலாமு
சலாமு சலாம் சலாமு
நீ சலாம் சலாம் சலாம்
சலாம் சலாம் சலாமு
யே ஹேய்
Slave greetings greetings
Greetings greetings
You are greetings greetings greetings greetings
Greetings greetings
Hey...
Thana nanana thanaana
Rhythm vocalization
Thana nanana
Rhythm vocalization
Thana nana thana nana
Rhythm vocalization
Thana nanana
Rhythm vocalization
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Gulamu
Slave
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Ennai sight adikira shaliniku
To Shalini who checks me out
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Gulamu
Slave
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Kannil dive adikira
Who dives in eyes
Dolphinuku
To the dolphin
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Un mummykum solven
I will tell your mummy
Daddykum solven
I will tell your daddy
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Unnai boomiku thandha
To the God who sent you to Earth
Saamikum solven
I will say greeting, slave
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
L boarda naan irunthen
I was like a learner driver
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Ennai love bird-ah maathiputta
You turned me into a love bird
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Oh..ho…
Oh..ho…
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Gulamu
Slave
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Ennai sight adikira shaliniku
To Shalini who checks me out
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Gulam salamu salamu
Slave greetings greetings
Salam salamu
Greetings greetings
Nee salam salam salam salam
You are greetings greetings greetings greetings
Salam salamu
Greetings greetings
Hey golden beachula
Hey, at Golden Beach
Cola vaangi
Buying a Cola
Fifty fifty
Fifty-fifty
Andha santhome beachula
At that Santhome beach
Fanta vaangi
Buying a Fanta
Fifty fifty
Fifty-fifty
Hei hei..heheheheh
Hey hey..heheheheh
Hei hei..heheheheh
Hey hey..heheheheh
Hey parakum rayilil
Hey, in the flying train
Jannal seatil
At the window seat
Fifty fifty
Fifty-fifty
Andha maadi bussil
In that double-decker bus
Saayum tholil
On the leaning shoulder
Fifty fifty
Fifty-fifty
Drive-in il dutya
Is it duty at the drive-in?
Pizza corner beautya
Is it beauty at the pizza corner?
Strawberry udhatil venum
I want in your strawberry lips
Fifty fifty
Fifty-fifty
Church park babya
Church Park baby
Love unakku hobbyaa
Is love a hobby for you?
Holidayin jollyilum
Even in holiday fun
Fifty fifty
Fifty-fifty
Tholil thoongum thuppatavil
In the dupatta sleeping on your shoulders
Fifty fifty
Fifty-fifty
Unnai varudi pogum
In the song that caresses you and goes
Paatil vendum
I want
Fifty fifty
Fifty-fifty
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Gulamu
Slave
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Ennai sight adikira shaliniku
To Shalini who checks me out
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Tharatha thatha tharatha thatha
Rhythm vocalization
Tharatha thatha na
Rhythm vocalization
Tharatha thatha tharatha thatha
Rhythm vocalization
Tharatha thatha na
Rhythm vocalization
Nee anaichi pogum
In the books you hug
Booksil venum
And walk with, I want
Fifty fifty
Fifty-fifty
Kannil koduthu pogum
In the fax you send
Faxila venum
With your eyes, I want
Fifty fifty
Fifty-fifty
Hei hei..heheheheh
Hey hey..heheheheh
Hei hei..heheheheh
Hey hey..heheheheh
Nee styla
You stylishly
Ottum scootyilum
In the Scooty you drive
Fifty fifty
Fifty-fifty
Unnai follow pannum
In the shadow that follows you
Nizhalil venum
I want
Fifty fifty
Fifty-fifty
Queen marys queen nee
You are the Queen of Queen Mary's College
Kicku yethum wine nee
You are the wine that intoxicates
Colgate siripula thaan
In your Colgate smile
Fifty fifty
Fifty-fifty
Hei..
Hey..
Rummy serum jokera
Are you the joker joining a rummy game?
Azhaghirukkum lockeraa
Are you a safe locker of beauty?
Accountila enakku venum
In your account, I want
Fifty fifty
Fifty-fifty
Endhan heart channelila
In my heart channel
Fifty fifty
Fifty-fifty
Adi intha vaaram
Hey girl, this week
Undhan vaaram
Is your week
Fifty fifty
Fifty-fifty
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Gulamu
Slave
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Ennai sight adikira shaliniku
To Shalini who checks me out
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Gulamu
Slave
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Kannil dive adikira
Who dives in eyes
Dolphinuku
To the dolphin
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Un mummykum solven
I will tell your mummy
Daddykum solven
I will tell your daddy
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Unnai boomiku thandha
To the God who sent you to Earth
Saamikum solven
I will say greeting, slave
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
L boarda naan irunthen
I was like a learner driver
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Ennai love bird-ah maathiputta
You turned me into a love bird
Salam gulamu
Greetings, slave
Gulam salamu salamu
Slave greetings greetings
Salam salamu
Greetings greetings
Nee salam salam salam salam
You are greetings greetings greetings greetings
Salam salamu
Greetings greetings
Male :Ae…heiiii……..
Hey...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Salam Gulamu' from the 1999 movie Hello is a high-energy youth romantic track featuring playful slang, Madras/Chennai pop-culture references, and contemporary English loanwords. The protagonist expresses his deep fascination with his crush, whom he affectionately compares to a dolphin diving into eyes and a queen of Queen Mary's College. He playfully declares that everything between them—from drinks at Golden Beach to window seats on the flying train and feelings in his heart—should be shared 'fifty-fifty'. Written by Na. Muthukumar with music composed by Deva, the song captures the late 90s Chennai college lifestyle, citing popular hangouts, pop culture elements like drive-ins, pizza corners, and Scootys, blending romantic submission ('Salam Gulamu' - greetings, slave) with urban youth banter.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monorhyme / Repetition (Emoni & Anaphora)
“Salam gulamu / Fifty fifty”
Frequent repetition of the catchphrase 'Salam gulamu' and 'Fifty fifty' throughout the stanzas to establish a rhythmic beat and catchy chorus.
Metaphor
“Kicku yethum wine nee / Kannil dive adikira Dolphinuku”
Comparing the girl to 'wine' ('Kicku yethum wine nee') and calling her eyes a 'dolphin' ('Kannil dive adikira Dolphinuku').
Imagery & Urban Allusions
“Hey golden beachula / Church park babya / Queen marys queen nee”
Use of local Chennai landmarks and 90s youth tropes like 'Golden Beach', 'Santhome beach', 'Church park', 'Queen Marys', 'L board', and 'Scooty' to build vivid context.
Alliteration (Monaai)
“Salam salamu / Drive-in il dutya”
Use of similar initial consonant sounds in phrases like 'Salam salamu' and 'Drive-in il dutya'.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Salam Gulamu' became a popular college youth anthem in Tamil Nadu during the late 90s due to its extensive use of modern Tanglish vocabulary and iconic Chennai venue references.
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