Subbammaa
From Roja Kootam · 2002
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Malgudi Subha, Manikka Vinayagam
- Music director
- Bharathwaj
- Details
- Roja Kootam2002
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Subbamma eyyy… | Oh Subbamma... |
| Subbamma…aaa…. | Subbamma... |
| Subbamma… | Subbamma... |
| Subbamma… | Subbamma... |
| Subbamma… | Subbamma... |
| Chorus | |
| Subbamma…(3) | Subbamma... |
| Sub sub sub sub subbamma… | Sub sub sub sub Subbamma... |
| Male | |
| Subbamma… | Subbamma... |
| Subbamma… | Subbamma... |
| Ae soolooru subbamma | Hey Soolooru Subbamma |
| Nee cheppamma cheppamma | You tell me, tell me |
| Oru nalvaaku cheppamma | Tell me a word of wisdom |
| Male | |
| Aanidam ponnuku | What does a woman |
| Enna pudikkum | Like in a man? |
| Athai acham madam | Shaking off fear, shyness |
| Naanam vittu sollikaatamma | And modesty, please explain to us! |
| Female | |
| Pookala thirakkindra | Does she like a kiss |
| Muththam pudikkumaa | That makes flowers bloom? |
| Illa poongodi saaikindra | Or does she like a battle |
| Yutham pudikkumaa | That bends the flowering vine? |
| Kaadhal panna pudikkumaa | Does she like making love? |
| Illa kannum thinna pudikkumaa | Or devouring with her eyes? |
| Chorus | |
| Pipiri pipiri pi | Pipiri pipiri pi |
| Piri pipiri pipiri pi | Piri pipiri pipiri pi |
| Pipiri pipiri pi | Pipiri pipiri pi |
| Piri pipiri pipiri pi | Piri pipiri pipiri pi |
| Male | |
| Subbamma subbamma | Subbamma Subbamma |
| Chorus :Subbamma | Chorus: Subbamma |
| Male :Ae soolooru subbamma | Male: Hey Soolooru Subbamma |
| Chorus :Subbamma | Chorus: Subbamma |
| Male :Nee cheppamma cheppamma | Male: You tell me, tell me |
| Oru nalvaaku cheppamma | Tell me a word of wisdom |
| Male | |
| Madurai malligaiyum | If you buy her Madurai jasmine |
| Nellai alvaavum | And Tirunelveli halwa, |
| Vaangi thanthaal thaan | Only then will she like a man? |
| Aala pudikkumaa | Will her liking be bought? |
| Female | |
| Lanjam nee thanthu | If you give a bribe |
| Manjam kudi vandhaa | And enter the bed, |
| Panjam en panjam | Will my romantic poverty |
| Unnaal theerumaa | Be cured by you? |
| Male | |
| Ae pullangulal vaasikira | Does she like the gentleness |
| Menmai pudikkumaa | Of playing the flute? |
| Illa sangeduthu oodhugindra | Or does she like the force |
| Vanmai pudikkumaa | Of blowing a conch shell? |
| Female | |
| Nee eppodhumae muppogamaa | Are you always harvesting three crops a year? |
| Kattil thaan pennukku uthyogamaa | Is the bed a woman's full-time job? |
| Oorthaangumaa | Can the town bear this? |
| Male | |
| Subbamma… | Subbamma... |
| Subbamma… | Subbamma... |
| Ae soolooru subbamma | Hey Soolooru Subbamma |
| Nee cheppamma cheppamma | You tell me, tell me |
| Oru nalvaaku cheppamma | Tell me a word of wisdom |
| Chorus | |
| Pambara kannaalae kaadhal | With spinning top eyes, love |
| Sangathi sonnaalae | Was expressed by her |
| Thanga chilai poal vandhu | Coming like a golden statue, |
| Manathai thavikka vittaalae | She left my heart yearning |
| Thanga chilai poal vandhu | Coming like a golden statue, |
| Manathai thavikka vittaalae | She left my heart yearning |
| Chorus | |
| Naa naa naa naa | Naa naa naa naa |
| Sukka potta navaabu | O dry-dusted Nawab, |
| Sellaathu un javaabu | Your response won't hold water! |
| Sukka potta navaabu | O dry-dusted Nawab, |
| Sellaathu un javaabu | Your response won't hold water! |
| Female | |
| Kattil sevaigalum | Bedtime services |
| Kaadhal thevaigalum | And physical desires |
| Endrum pennukku | Will never give a woman |
| Inbam tharaathu | True ultimate joy! |
| Chorus | |
| Ye ye ye yeah | Ye ye ye yeah |
| Ye ye ye yeah | Ye ye ye yeah |
| Ye ye ye yeah | Ye ye ye yeah |
| Female | |
| Sevai mudintha pinnum | Even after physical love is done, |
| Serthae anaithapadi | Hold her close in your arms, |
| Sevigal varudi kodu | Caress her ears softy, |
| Thoonga vidaathae | And do not let her sleep! |
| Male | |
| Aa madiya mattum | To fill up her lap with gifts, |
| Neraya veikka iravu podhumadi | A single night is enough |
| Un manasu ellaam | To melt her entire heart, |
| Karaiya veikka aayul venumadi | A whole lifetime is needed! |
| Female | |
| Naanam thaakum | A man who protects the honor |
| Paedhai pennin | Of an innocent woman |
| Maanam kaakum | Overcome by shyness— |
| Manithan thalaivan thaandaa | He is the true leader! He is God! |
| Kadavul thaandaa | Subbamma Subbamma |
| Female | |
| Subbamma subbamma | I am Soolooru Subbamma |
| Naan soolooru subbamma | You tell me, tell me |
| Male | |
| Nee cheppamma cheppamma | Tell me a word of wisdom |
| Oru nalvaaku cheppamma | What does a woman like in a man? |
| Aanidam ponnuku enna pudikkum | Shaking off fear, shyness |
| Athai acham madam | And modesty, please explain to us! |
| Naanam vittu sollikaatamma | Does she like a kiss |
| Female | |
| Pookala thirakkindra | That makes flowers bloom? |
| Muththam pudikkumaa | Or does she like a battle |
| Illa poongodi saaikindra | That bends the flowering vine? |
| Yutham pudikkumaa | Does she like making love? |
| Kaadhal panna pudikkumaa | Or devouring with her eyes? |
| Illa kannum thinna pudikkumaa | Pipiri pipiri pi |
| Chorus | |
| Pipiri pipiri pi | Piri pipiri pipiri pi |
| Piri pipiri pipiri pi | Subbamma... |
| Chorus | |
| Subbamma….(8) | Whistling... |
| Whistling :…………………… | |
சுப்பம்மா
ஏய் சுப்பம்மா ஆ
சுப்பம்மா சுப்பம்மா
சுப்பம்மா
Oh Subbamma...
Subbamma...
Subbamma...
Subbamma...
Subbamma...
சுப்பம்மா (3)
சுப் சுப் சுப் சுப்
சுப்பம்மா
Subbamma...
Sub sub sub sub Subbamma...
சுப்பம்மா சுப்பம்மா
யே சூலூரு சுப்பம்மா நீ
செப்பம்மா செப்பம்மா
ஒரு நல்வாக்கு செப்பம்மா
Subbamma...
Subbamma...
Hey Soolooru Subbamma
You tell me, tell me
Tell me a word of wisdom
ஆணிடம் பொண்ணுக்கு
என்ன புடிக்கும் அதை அச்சம்
மடம் நாணம் விட்டு சொல்லி
காட்டம்மா
What does a woman
Like in a man?
Shaking off fear, shyness
And modesty, please explain to us!
பூக்கள திறக்கின்ற
முத்தம் புடிக்குமா இல்ல
பூங்கொடி சாய்கின்ற
யுத்தம் புடிக்குமா காதல்
பண்ண புடிக்குமா இல்ல
கன்னம் தின்ன புடிக்குமா
Does she like a kiss
That makes flowers bloom?
Or does she like a battle
That bends the flowering vine?
Does she like making love?
Or devouring with her eyes?
பிபிரி பிபிரி பி
பிரி பிபிரி பிபிரி பி
பிபிரி பிபிரி பி பிரி
பிபிரி பிபிரி பி
Pipiri pipiri pi
Piri pipiri pipiri pi
Pipiri pipiri pi
Piri pipiri pipiri pi
சுப்பம்மா சுப்பம்மா
குழு :
சுப்பம்மா
யே சூலூரு சுப்பம்மா
குழு :
சுப்பம்மா
நீ செப்பம்மா செப்பம்மா
ஒரு நல்வாக்கு செப்பம்மா
Subbamma Subbamma
Chorus: Subbamma
Male: Hey Soolooru Subbamma
Chorus: Subbamma
Male: You tell me, tell me
Tell me a word of wisdom
மதுரை மல்லிகையும்
நெல்லை அல்வாவும் வாங்கி
தந்தால் தான் ஆள புடிக்குமா
If you buy her Madurai jasmine
And Tirunelveli halwa,
Only then will she like a man?
Will her liking be bought?
லஞ்சம் நீ தந்து
மஞ்சம் குடி வந்தா பஞ்சம்
என் பஞ்சம் உன்னால்
தீருமா
If you give a bribe
And enter the bed,
Will my romantic poverty
Be cured by you?
யே புல்லாங்குழல்
வாசிக்கிற மென்மை
புடிக்குமா இல்ல
சங்கெடுத்து ஊதுகின்ற
வன்மை புடிக்குமா
Does she like the gentleness
Of playing the flute?
Or does she like the force
Of blowing a conch shell?
நீ எப்போதுமே
முப்போகமா கட்டில்
தான் பெண்ணுக்கு
உத்யோகமா ஊர்
தாங்குமா
Are you always harvesting three crops a year?
Is the bed a woman's full-time job?
Can the town bear this?
சுப்பம்மா சுப்பம்மா
யே சூலூரு சுப்பம்மா நீ
செப்பம்மா செப்பம்மா
ஒரு நல்வாக்கு செப்பம்மா
Subbamma...
Subbamma...
Hey Soolooru Subbamma
You tell me, tell me
Tell me a word of wisdom
பம்பர கண்ணாலே
காதல் சங்கதி சொன்னாலே
தங்க சிலை போல் வந்து
மனதை தவிக்க விட்டாலே
தங்க சிலை போல் வந்து
மனதை தவிக்க விட்டாலே
With spinning top eyes, love
Was expressed by her
Coming like a golden statue,
She left my heart yearning
Coming like a golden statue,
She left my heart yearning
நா நா நா நா சுக்க
போட்ட நவாபு செல்லாது
உன் ஜவாபு சுக்க போட்ட
நவாபு செல்லாது உன்
ஜவாபு
Naa naa naa naa
O dry-dusted Nawab,
Your response won't hold water!
O dry-dusted Nawab,
Your response won't hold water!
கட்டில் சேவைகளும்
காதல் தேவைகளும் என்றும்
பெண்ணுக்கு இன்பம் தராது
Bedtime services
And physical desires
Will never give a woman
True ultimate joy!
யே யே யே யே யே
யே யே யே யே யே யே
யே
Ye ye ye yeah
Ye ye ye yeah
Ye ye ye yeah
சேவை முடிந்த
பின்னும் சேர்த்தே
அணைத்த படி செவிகள்
வருடி கொண்டு தூங்க
விடாதே
Even after physical love is done,
Hold her close in your arms,
Caress her ears softy,
And do not let her sleep!
ஆ மடிய மட்டும்
நெறைய வைக்க இரவு
போதுமடி உன் மனசு
எல்லாம் கரைய வெய்க்க
ஆயுள் வேணுமடி
To fill up her lap with gifts,
A single night is enough
To melt her entire heart,
A whole lifetime is needed!
நாணம் தாக்கும்
பேதை பெண்ணின் மானம்
காக்கும் மனிதன் தலைவன்
தான்டா கடவுள் தான்டா
A man who protects the honor
Of an innocent woman
Overcome by shyness—
He is the true leader! He is God!
Subbamma Subbamma
சுப்பம்மா சுப்பம்மா
நான் சூலூரு சுப்பம்மா
I am Soolooru Subbamma
You tell me, tell me
நீ செப்பம்மா
செப்பம்மா ஒரு நல்வாக்கு
செப்பம்மா ஆணிடம்
பொண்ணுக்கு என்ன
புடிக்கும் அதை அச்சம்
மடம் நாணம் விட்டு
சொல்லி காட்டம்மா
Tell me a word of wisdom
What does a woman like in a man?
Shaking off fear, shyness
And modesty, please explain to us!
Does she like a kiss
பூக்கள திறக்கின்ற
முத்தம் புடிக்குமா இல்ல
பூங்கொடி சாய்கின்ற யுத்தம்
புடிக்குமா காதல் பண்ண
புடிக்குமா இல்ல கன்னம்
தின்ன புடிக்குமா
That makes flowers bloom?
Or does she like a battle
That bends the flowering vine?
Does she like making love?
Or devouring with her eyes?
Pipiri pipiri pi
பிபிரி பிபிரி
பி பிரி பிபிரி பிபிரி
பி
Piri pipiri pipiri pi
Subbamma...
சுப்பம்மா (8)
விஷ்லிங் :
...................
Whistling...
Subbamma eyyy…
Oh Subbamma...
Subbamma…aaa….
Subbamma...
Subbamma…
Subbamma...
Subbamma…
Subbamma...
Subbamma…
Subbamma...
Subbamma…(3)
Subbamma...
Sub sub sub sub subbamma…
Sub sub sub sub Subbamma...
Subbamma…
Subbamma...
Subbamma…
Subbamma...
Ae soolooru subbamma
Hey Soolooru Subbamma
Nee cheppamma cheppamma
You tell me, tell me
Oru nalvaaku cheppamma
Tell me a word of wisdom
Aanidam ponnuku
What does a woman
Enna pudikkum
Like in a man?
Athai acham madam
Shaking off fear, shyness
Naanam vittu sollikaatamma
And modesty, please explain to us!
Pookala thirakkindra
Does she like a kiss
Muththam pudikkumaa
That makes flowers bloom?
Illa poongodi saaikindra
Or does she like a battle
Yutham pudikkumaa
That bends the flowering vine?
Kaadhal panna pudikkumaa
Does she like making love?
Illa kannum thinna pudikkumaa
Or devouring with her eyes?
Pipiri pipiri pi
Pipiri pipiri pi
Piri pipiri pipiri pi
Piri pipiri pipiri pi
Pipiri pipiri pi
Pipiri pipiri pi
Piri pipiri pipiri pi
Piri pipiri pipiri pi
Subbamma subbamma
Subbamma Subbamma
Chorus :Subbamma
Chorus: Subbamma
Male :Ae soolooru subbamma
Male: Hey Soolooru Subbamma
Chorus :Subbamma
Chorus: Subbamma
Male :Nee cheppamma cheppamma
Male: You tell me, tell me
Oru nalvaaku cheppamma
Tell me a word of wisdom
Madurai malligaiyum
If you buy her Madurai jasmine
Nellai alvaavum
And Tirunelveli halwa,
Vaangi thanthaal thaan
Only then will she like a man?
Aala pudikkumaa
Will her liking be bought?
Lanjam nee thanthu
If you give a bribe
Manjam kudi vandhaa
And enter the bed,
Panjam en panjam
Will my romantic poverty
Unnaal theerumaa
Be cured by you?
Ae pullangulal vaasikira
Does she like the gentleness
Menmai pudikkumaa
Of playing the flute?
Illa sangeduthu oodhugindra
Or does she like the force
Vanmai pudikkumaa
Of blowing a conch shell?
Nee eppodhumae muppogamaa
Are you always harvesting three crops a year?
Kattil thaan pennukku uthyogamaa
Is the bed a woman's full-time job?
Oorthaangumaa
Can the town bear this?
Subbamma…
Subbamma...
Subbamma…
Subbamma...
Ae soolooru subbamma
Hey Soolooru Subbamma
Nee cheppamma cheppamma
You tell me, tell me
Oru nalvaaku cheppamma
Tell me a word of wisdom
Pambara kannaalae kaadhal
With spinning top eyes, love
Sangathi sonnaalae
Was expressed by her
Thanga chilai poal vandhu
Coming like a golden statue,
Manathai thavikka vittaalae
She left my heart yearning
Thanga chilai poal vandhu
Coming like a golden statue,
Manathai thavikka vittaalae
She left my heart yearning
Naa naa naa naa
Naa naa naa naa
Sukka potta navaabu
O dry-dusted Nawab,
Sellaathu un javaabu
Your response won't hold water!
Sukka potta navaabu
O dry-dusted Nawab,
Sellaathu un javaabu
Your response won't hold water!
Kattil sevaigalum
Bedtime services
Kaadhal thevaigalum
And physical desires
Endrum pennukku
Will never give a woman
Inbam tharaathu
True ultimate joy!
Ye ye ye yeah
Ye ye ye yeah
Ye ye ye yeah
Ye ye ye yeah
Ye ye ye yeah
Ye ye ye yeah
Sevai mudintha pinnum
Even after physical love is done,
Serthae anaithapadi
Hold her close in your arms,
Sevigal varudi kodu
Caress her ears softy,
Thoonga vidaathae
And do not let her sleep!
Aa madiya mattum
To fill up her lap with gifts,
Neraya veikka iravu podhumadi
A single night is enough
Un manasu ellaam
To melt her entire heart,
Karaiya veikka aayul venumadi
A whole lifetime is needed!
Naanam thaakum
A man who protects the honor
Paedhai pennin
Of an innocent woman
Maanam kaakum
Overcome by shyness—
Manithan thalaivan thaandaa
He is the true leader! He is God!
Kadavul thaandaa
Subbamma Subbamma
Subbamma subbamma
I am Soolooru Subbamma
Naan soolooru subbamma
You tell me, tell me
Nee cheppamma cheppamma
Tell me a word of wisdom
Oru nalvaaku cheppamma
What does a woman like in a man?
Aanidam ponnuku enna pudikkum
Shaking off fear, shyness
Athai acham madam
And modesty, please explain to us!
Naanam vittu sollikaatamma
Does she like a kiss
Pookala thirakkindra
That makes flowers bloom?
Muththam pudikkumaa
Or does she like a battle
Illa poongodi saaikindra
That bends the flowering vine?
Yutham pudikkumaa
Does she like making love?
Kaadhal panna pudikkumaa
Or devouring with her eyes?
Illa kannum thinna pudikkumaa
Pipiri pipiri pi
Pipiri pipiri pi
Piri pipiri pipiri pi
Piri pipiri pipiri pi
Subbamma...
Subbamma….(8)
Whistling...
Whistling :……………………
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Subbamma' from Roja Kootam (2002) is a playful yet insightful musical dialogue between the male protagonist and a fortune-teller/elderly figure named 'Soolooru Subbamma'. The protagonist asks what women truly desire in a man—whether it is material gifts like Madurai jasmine and Tirunelveli halwa, or purely physical intimacy and dominance. Subbamma responds with deep emotional wisdom: she explains that physical desires and bed service alone never satisfy a woman. True love lies in tenderness after intimacy—holding her close, caressing her, and giving her emotional devotion. While one night is enough to offer physical fulfillment, a whole lifetime is required to melt a woman's heart. A real man is one who protects a woman's dignity and cares for her emotional soul.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Pookala thirakkindra muththam pudikkumaa / Illa poongodi saaikindra yutham pudikkumaa”
Comparing soft, blooming love to a kissing flower ('Pookala thirakkindra muththam') and aggressive passion to a storm bending vines ('poongodi saaikindra yutham').
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Neraya veikka iravu podhumadi / Karaiya veikka aayul venumadi”
The second character 'r' matches across words ('Neraya' and 'Karaiya'), creating Tamil poetic harmony.
Contrast / Anthesis
“Neraya veikka iravu podhumadi... Karaiya veikka aayul venumadi”
Contrasting 'a single night' (iravu podhumadi) needed for physical pleasure versus 'a lifetime' (aayul venumadi) needed to win a woman's heart.
Did you know?
Trivia
Roja Kootam (2002) marked the directorial debut of Sashi and featured music composed by Bharathwaj. The song 'Subbamma' stands out for Vairamuthu's clever lyrics that blend folk-style questioning with deep philosophical commentary on relationships and feminine emotional needs.
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