Vaama Duraiamma
From Madhirasa Patinam · 2015
- Lyricist
- Na. Muthu Kumar
- Singers
- Udit Narayan, Amy Jackson, Cochin Hannefa
- Music directors
- Not listed
- Details
- Madhirasa Patinam2015
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vaama duraiyamma | Come on, white lady! |
| Female :Hmmmm ..Male :Come on white lady..(Dialogue) | Female: Hmmm... Male: Come on, white lady.. (Dialogue) |
| Male :Idhu vanga kariyamma… | Male: This is a coal-carrying vehicle, lady... |
| Female :What?Male :Paadraram singing..(Dialogue) | Female: What? Male: I am singing... (Dialogue) |
| Male | |
| Vaama Duraiyamma | Come on, white lady! |
| Idhu vanga lariyamma… | This is a Bengal lorry, lady... |
| Vanakam sollithan varaverkum ooramma | This is a town that welcomes everyone with a 'Vanakkam', lady! |
| Male :We welcome with vanakam ..(Dialogue) | Male: We welcome with vanakkam ..(Dialogue) |
| Female :Ohhh vanakkam ..(Dialogue) | Female: Ohhh vanakkam ..(Dialogue) |
| Male | |
| Kattavandiyilum povom, tramil eriyum povom | We can go in a bullock cart, or ride the tram. |
| Koovam padagilum povom, polamaaa…. | We can also ride a boat on the Cooum river, shall we go? |
| Magudi oodhida paambu aadudhey yamma .. | When the pungi plays, the snake dances, lady! |
| Male :Snake dance ..(Dialogue) | Male: Snake dance ..(Dialogue) |
| Male :Yaanai thumbikai aasirvadhangal yamma .. | The elephant gives blessings with its trunk, lady! |
| Male :Elephant hands..(Dialogue) | Male: Elephant hands..(Dialogue) |
| Male :Kodi athisayam inge yammamma… | There are millions of wonders here, oh lady! |
| Female :Wow ..(Dialogue) | Female: Wow ..(Dialogue) |
| Male | |
| Vaama Duraiyamma | Come on, white lady! |
| Idhu vanga lariyamma… | This is a Bengal lorry, lady... |
| Vanakam sollithan varaverkum ooramma | This is a town that welcomes everyone with a 'Vanakkam', lady! |
| Male | |
| Ohhhh pavai koothukal bommalatangal | Oh, puppet shows and doll dances, |
| Kovil sirpathil kalai valarpom | We nurture art in temple sculptures. |
| Dhinam vaasal kolathil arisi mavilae | Every day, with rice flour rangoli at the entrance, |
| Paravaikum erumbukum virundhu vaipom | We offer a feast to birds and ants. |
| Female :Whats this? (Dialogue) | Female: Whats this? (Dialogue) |
| Male :Food for kuruvi’s (Dialogue) | Male: Food for sparrows (Dialogue) |
| Female :Oh Really…Male :Yes ..(Dialogue) | Female: Oh Really… Male: Yes ..(Dialogue) |
| Male | |
| Kodi jadhigal inge ullapodhilum | Even though millions of communities exist here, |
| Annan thambiyaai nangal vaazhuvom | We live as brothers and sisters. |
| Male :All are brothers and sisters but parents different (Dialogue) | Male: All are brothers and sisters but parents different (Dialogue) |
| Female :Great…Male :Thank you thank you (Dialogue) | Female: Great… Male: Thank you thank you (Dialogue) |
| Male :Veetil thinnaigal kattuvom yamma… | Male: We build verandas at the front of our houses, lady... |
| Vazhipokan vandhudhan thoongi selluvan summa… | So a weary traveler can just rest and sleep for free... |
| Thayum deivamthan inge yammammaa… | A mother is considered equivalent to God here, oh lady! |
| Female: Lovely..(Dialogue) | Female: Lovely..(Dialogue) |
| Male | |
| Vaama Duraiyamma | Come on, white lady! |
| Idhu vanga lariyamma… | This is a Bengal lorry, lady... |
| Vanakam sollithan varaverkum ooramma | This is a town that welcomes everyone with a 'Vanakkam', lady! |
| Male | |
| Ohh kodi aandugal thaandi vaazhndhidum | Oh, living across millions of years, |
| Senthamizh engal mozhiyaagum | Pure Tamil is our mother language. |
| Ada kamban valluvan kavidhaiyil sonna | The way of life written by Kamban and Valluvar in poetry, |
| Vaazhkai engal neriyaagum.. | That principles-based life is our guide. |
| Female :Who is that? (Dialogue) | Female: Who is that? (Dialogue) |
| Male :Adhu yaarunnu sonna puriyuma (Dialogue) | Male: If I tell you who that is, will you understand? (Dialogue) |
| Male :Old poets written gold lines (Dialogue) | Male: Old poets written gold lines (Dialogue) |
| Male :Indha boomiyil neengal engum pogalam | Male: You can travel anywhere on this Earth, |
| Ingu mattume anbai kanalam | But only here can you see such true love. |
| Male :I love you (Dialogue) | Male: I love you (Dialogue) |
| Female :I beg your pardon (Dialogue) | Female: I beg your pardon (Dialogue) |
| Male :No no land of love, thapichenda sami (Dialogue) | Male: No no land of love, I escaped, thank God! (Dialogue) |
| Male :Veera mannargal vazhndha nadidhu yamma.. | Male: This is a land where heroic kings once lived, lady... |
| Idhai adimaiyaakithan kodumai seivadhu nyayama…. | Is it fair to enslave it and inflict atrocities... |
| Male :Yeah summa irappa enpolappa keduthiradha (Dialogue) | Male: Hey, keep quiet, don't ruin my livelihood! (Dialogue) |
| Male :Valiyil mazhayum than vizhudhadhu yammamma.. | Male: Rain fell along the way, oh lady... |
| Male :Ammamma (Dialogue) | Male: Oh lady (Dialogue) |
| Male | |
| Vaama Duraiyamma | Come on, white lady! |
| Idhu vanga lariyamma… | This is a Bengal lorry, lady... |
| Vanakam sollithan varaverkum ooramma | This is a town that welcomes everyone with a 'Vanakkam', lady! |
| Male | |
| Kattavandiyilum povom, tramil eriyum povom | We can go in a bullock cart, or ride the tram. |
| Koovam padagilum povom, polamaaa…. | We can also ride a boat on the Cooum river, shall we go? |
| Magudi oodhida paambu aadudhey yamma .. | When the pungi plays, the snake dances, lady! |
| Yaanai thumbikai aasirvadhangal yamma .. | The elephant gives blessings with its trunk, lady! |
| Kodi athisayam inge yammamma… | There are millions of wonders here, oh lady! |
வாமா துரையம்மா
ஹ்ம்ம்
கம் ஆன் ஒயிட் லேடி
இது வங்ககரையம்மா
வாட்
பாட்றாராம் சிங்கிங்
Come on, white lady!
Female: Hmmm... Male: Come on, white lady.. (Dialogue)
Male: This is a coal-carrying vehicle, lady...
Female: What? Male: I am singing... (Dialogue)
வாமா துரையம்மா
இது வங்ககரையம்மா
வணக்கம் சொல்லித்தான்
வரவேற்கும் ஊரம்மா
வி வெல்கம் வித்
வணக்கம்
ஓ வணக்கம்
Come on, white lady!
This is a Bengal lorry, lady...
This is a town that welcomes everyone with a 'Vanakkam', lady!
Male: We welcome with vanakkam ..(Dialogue)
Female: Ohhh vanakkam ..(Dialogue)
கட்டவண்டியிலும்
போவோம் ட்ரமில் ஏறியும்
போவோம் கூவம் படகிலும்
போவோம் போலாமா மகுடி
ஊதிட பாம்பு ஆடுதே யம்மா
ஸ்னேக் டான்ஸ்
யானை தும்பிக்கை
ஆசிர்வாதங்கள் யம்மா
எலிபென்ட் ஹன்ட்ஸ்
கோடி அதிசயம்
இங்கே யம்மம்மா
வாவ்
We can go in a bullock cart, or ride the tram.
We can also ride a boat on the Cooum river, shall we go?
When the pungi plays, the snake dances, lady!
Male: Snake dance ..(Dialogue)
The elephant gives blessings with its trunk, lady!
Male: Elephant hands..(Dialogue)
There are millions of wonders here, oh lady!
Female: Wow ..(Dialogue)
வாமா துரையம்மா
இது வங்ககரையம்மா
வணக்கம் சொல்லித்தான்
வரவேற்கும் ஊரம்மா
Come on, white lady!
This is a Bengal lorry, lady...
This is a town that welcomes everyone with a 'Vanakkam', lady!
ஓ பாவை கூத்துக்கள்
பொம்மலாட்டங்கள் கோவில்
சிற்பத்தில் கலை வளர்ப்போம்
தினம் வாசல் கோலத்தில்
அரிசி மாவிலே பறவைக்கும்
எறும்புக்கும் விருந்து வைப்போம்
வாட்ஸ் திஸ்
புட் பார் குருவிஸ்
ஓ ரியலி
எஸ்
Oh, puppet shows and doll dances,
We nurture art in temple sculptures.
Every day, with rice flour rangoli at the entrance,
We offer a feast to birds and ants.
Female: Whats this? (Dialogue)
Male: Food for sparrows (Dialogue)
Female: Oh Really… Male: Yes ..(Dialogue)
கோடி ஜாதிகள்
இங்கே உள்ள போதிலும்
அண்ணன் தம்பியாய்
நாங்கள் வாழுவோம்
ஆல் ஆர் பிரதர்ஸ்
அண்ட் சிஸ்டர்ஸ் பட்
பேரன்ஸ் டிப்ரென்ட்
கிரேட்
தேங்க் யூ
தேங்க் யூ
வீட்டில் திண்ணைகள்
கட்டுவோம் யம்மா வழி
போக்கன் வந்து தான்
தூங்கி செல்லுவான் சும்மா
தாயும் தெய்வம்தான் இங்கே
யம்மம்மா
லவ்லி
Even though millions of communities exist here,
We live as brothers and sisters.
Male: All are brothers and sisters but parents different (Dialogue)
Female: Great… Male: Thank you thank you (Dialogue)
Male: We build verandas at the front of our houses, lady...
So a weary traveler can just rest and sleep for free...
A mother is considered equivalent to God here, oh lady!
Female: Lovely..(Dialogue)
வாமா துரையம்மா
இது வங்ககரையம்மா
வணக்கம் சொல்லித்தான்
வரவேற்கும் ஊரம்மா
Come on, white lady!
This is a Bengal lorry, lady...
This is a town that welcomes everyone with a 'Vanakkam', lady!
ஓ கோடி ஆண்டுகள்
தாண்டி வாழ்ந்திடும் செந்தமிழ்
எங்கள் மொழியாகும் அட
கம்பன் வள்ளுவன் கவிதையில்
சொன்ன வாழ்க்கை எங்கள்
நெறியாகும்
ஹூ இஸ் தட்
அது யாருன்னு
சொன்னா புரியுமா
ஓல்ட் பொயட்ஸ்
ரிட்டன் கோல்ட் லைன்ஸ்
இந்த பூமியில் நீங்கள்
எங்கும் போகலாம் இங்கு
மட்டுமே அன்பை காணலாம்
ஐ லவ் யூ
ஐ பெக் யுவர் பர்டன்
நோ நோ லேன்ட் ஆப்
லவ் தப்பிச்சேன்டா சாமி
வீர மன்னர்கள் வாழ்ந்த
நாடிது யம்மா இதை
அடிமையாக்கித் தான்
கொடுமை செய்வது நியாயமா
ஏ சும்மா இரப்பா என்
பொழப்ப கெடுத்திறாத
வழியில் மழையும்
தான் விழுந்தது யம்மம்மா
அம்மம்மா
Oh, living across millions of years,
Pure Tamil is our mother language.
The way of life written by Kamban and Valluvar in poetry,
That principles-based life is our guide.
Female: Who is that? (Dialogue)
Male: If I tell you who that is, will you understand? (Dialogue)
Male: Old poets written gold lines (Dialogue)
Male: You can travel anywhere on this Earth,
But only here can you see such true love.
Male: I love you (Dialogue)
Female: I beg your pardon (Dialogue)
Male: No no land of love, I escaped, thank God! (Dialogue)
Male: This is a land where heroic kings once lived, lady...
Is it fair to enslave it and inflict atrocities...
Male: Hey, keep quiet, don't ruin my livelihood! (Dialogue)
Male: Rain fell along the way, oh lady...
Male: Oh lady (Dialogue)
வாமா துரையம்மா
இது வங்ககரையம்மா
வணக்கம் சொல்லித்தான்
வரவேற்கும் ஊரம்மா
Come on, white lady!
This is a Bengal lorry, lady...
This is a town that welcomes everyone with a 'Vanakkam', lady!
கட்டவண்டியிலும்
போவோம் ட்ரமில் ஏறியும்
போவோம் கூவம் படகிலும்
போவோம் போலாமா மகுடி
ஊதிட பாம்பு ஆடுதே யம்மா
யானை தும்பிக்கை
ஆசிர்வாதங்கள் யம்மா
கோடி அதிசயம்
இங்கே யம்மம்மா
We can go in a bullock cart, or ride the tram.
We can also ride a boat on the Cooum river, shall we go?
When the pungi plays, the snake dances, lady!
The elephant gives blessings with its trunk, lady!
There are millions of wonders here, oh lady!
Vaama duraiyamma
Come on, white lady!
Female :Hmmmm ..Male :Come on white lady..(Dialogue)
Female: Hmmm... Male: Come on, white lady.. (Dialogue)
Male :Idhu vanga kariyamma…
Male: This is a coal-carrying vehicle, lady...
Female :What?Male :Paadraram singing..(Dialogue)
Female: What? Male: I am singing... (Dialogue)
Vaama Duraiyamma
Come on, white lady!
Idhu vanga lariyamma…
This is a Bengal lorry, lady...
Vanakam sollithan varaverkum ooramma
This is a town that welcomes everyone with a 'Vanakkam', lady!
Male :We welcome with vanakam ..(Dialogue)
Male: We welcome with vanakkam ..(Dialogue)
Female :Ohhh vanakkam ..(Dialogue)
Female: Ohhh vanakkam ..(Dialogue)
Kattavandiyilum povom, tramil eriyum povom
We can go in a bullock cart, or ride the tram.
Koovam padagilum povom, polamaaa….
We can also ride a boat on the Cooum river, shall we go?
Magudi oodhida paambu aadudhey yamma ..
When the pungi plays, the snake dances, lady!
Male :Snake dance ..(Dialogue)
Male: Snake dance ..(Dialogue)
Male :Yaanai thumbikai aasirvadhangal yamma ..
The elephant gives blessings with its trunk, lady!
Male :Elephant hands..(Dialogue)
Male: Elephant hands..(Dialogue)
Male :Kodi athisayam inge yammamma…
There are millions of wonders here, oh lady!
Female :Wow ..(Dialogue)
Female: Wow ..(Dialogue)
Vaama Duraiyamma
Come on, white lady!
Idhu vanga lariyamma…
This is a Bengal lorry, lady...
Vanakam sollithan varaverkum ooramma
This is a town that welcomes everyone with a 'Vanakkam', lady!
Ohhhh pavai koothukal bommalatangal
Oh, puppet shows and doll dances,
Kovil sirpathil kalai valarpom
We nurture art in temple sculptures.
Dhinam vaasal kolathil arisi mavilae
Every day, with rice flour rangoli at the entrance,
Paravaikum erumbukum virundhu vaipom
We offer a feast to birds and ants.
Female :Whats this? (Dialogue)
Female: Whats this? (Dialogue)
Male :Food for kuruvi’s (Dialogue)
Male: Food for sparrows (Dialogue)
Female :Oh Really…Male :Yes ..(Dialogue)
Female: Oh Really… Male: Yes ..(Dialogue)
Kodi jadhigal inge ullapodhilum
Even though millions of communities exist here,
Annan thambiyaai nangal vaazhuvom
We live as brothers and sisters.
Male :All are brothers and sisters but parents different (Dialogue)
Male: All are brothers and sisters but parents different (Dialogue)
Female :Great…Male :Thank you thank you (Dialogue)
Female: Great… Male: Thank you thank you (Dialogue)
Male :Veetil thinnaigal kattuvom yamma…
Male: We build verandas at the front of our houses, lady...
Vazhipokan vandhudhan thoongi selluvan summa…
So a weary traveler can just rest and sleep for free...
Thayum deivamthan inge yammammaa…
A mother is considered equivalent to God here, oh lady!
Female: Lovely..(Dialogue)
Female: Lovely..(Dialogue)
Vaama Duraiyamma
Come on, white lady!
Idhu vanga lariyamma…
This is a Bengal lorry, lady...
Vanakam sollithan varaverkum ooramma
This is a town that welcomes everyone with a 'Vanakkam', lady!
Ohh kodi aandugal thaandi vaazhndhidum
Oh, living across millions of years,
Senthamizh engal mozhiyaagum
Pure Tamil is our mother language.
Ada kamban valluvan kavidhaiyil sonna
The way of life written by Kamban and Valluvar in poetry,
Vaazhkai engal neriyaagum..
That principles-based life is our guide.
Female :Who is that? (Dialogue)
Female: Who is that? (Dialogue)
Male :Adhu yaarunnu sonna puriyuma (Dialogue)
Male: If I tell you who that is, will you understand? (Dialogue)
Male :Old poets written gold lines (Dialogue)
Male: Old poets written gold lines (Dialogue)
Male :Indha boomiyil neengal engum pogalam
Male: You can travel anywhere on this Earth,
Ingu mattume anbai kanalam
But only here can you see such true love.
Male :I love you (Dialogue)
Male: I love you (Dialogue)
Female :I beg your pardon (Dialogue)
Female: I beg your pardon (Dialogue)
Male :No no land of love, thapichenda sami (Dialogue)
Male: No no land of love, I escaped, thank God! (Dialogue)
Male :Veera mannargal vazhndha nadidhu yamma..
Male: This is a land where heroic kings once lived, lady...
Idhai adimaiyaakithan kodumai seivadhu nyayama….
Is it fair to enslave it and inflict atrocities...
Male :Yeah summa irappa enpolappa keduthiradha (Dialogue)
Male: Hey, keep quiet, don't ruin my livelihood! (Dialogue)
Male :Valiyil mazhayum than vizhudhadhu yammamma..
Male: Rain fell along the way, oh lady...
Male :Ammamma (Dialogue)
Male: Oh lady (Dialogue)
Vaama Duraiyamma
Come on, white lady!
Idhu vanga lariyamma…
This is a Bengal lorry, lady...
Vanakam sollithan varaverkum ooramma
This is a town that welcomes everyone with a 'Vanakkam', lady!
Kattavandiyilum povom, tramil eriyum povom
We can go in a bullock cart, or ride the tram.
Koovam padagilum povom, polamaaa….
We can also ride a boat on the Cooum river, shall we go?
Magudi oodhida paambu aadudhey yamma ..
When the pungi plays, the snake dances, lady!
Yaanai thumbikai aasirvadhangal yamma ..
The elephant gives blessings with its trunk, lady!
Kodi athisayam inge yammamma…
There are millions of wonders here, oh lady!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This lighthearted song from Madrasapattinam (2010) serves as a humorous and culturally rich tour of colonial-era Madras (now Chennai). A local native introduces a British lady to the daily life, traditions, art forms, and hospitality of Tamil culture, balancing tongue-in-cheek English explanations with pride in Tamil heritage.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhukai (Second letter rhyming)
“Kattavandiyilum povom... / Magudi oodhida paambu...”
The second consonant sound 'dd' rhymes across lines in 'Kattavandiyilum' and 'Magudi'.
Iyaibu (End rhyme)
“Vaama Duraiyamma / Idhu vanga lariyamma...”
Lines ending in 'ooramma', 'yammamma', and 'yamma' create a natural rhythmic refrain throughout the song.
Imagery & Visual Description
“Kattavandiyilum povom, tramil eriyum povom / Koovam padagilum povom...”
Paints vivid pictures of colonial Madras street life, including bullock carts, trams, Cooum boats, snake charmers, and rice-flour kolams.
Did you know?
Trivia
Set in pre-independence 1940s Madras, Madrasapattinam was directed by A. L. Vijay and featured British actress Amy Jackson in her debut film role alongside Arya. The song captures the vintage charm of old Madras, referencing historic transportation modes like trams and clean boat routes along the Cooum River.
Keep listening
More from Madhirasa Patinam
Madhirasa Patinam