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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaaya Vaaya

From Japanil Kalyanaraman · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Japanil Kalyanaraman1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Kulukulukulu kulukulukulu kulooKulu kulu kulu kulu kulu kuloo (Rhythmic vocalization)
Kulukulukulu kulukulukulu kulooKulu kulu kulu kulu kulu kuloo (Rhythmic vocalization)
Kulukulukulu kulukulukulu kulooKulu kulu kulu kulu kulu kuloo (Rhythmic vocalization)
Kulukulukulu kulukulukulu kulooKulu kulu kulu kulu kulu kuloo (Rhythmic vocalization)
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa..aa..Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa..aa..
Male
Askaa laskaa buskaaAskaa laskaa buskaa (Playful nonsensical refrain)
Male
Vaayaa vaayaa poyaa poyaaCome along, go along, come along, go along
Vaayaa vaayaa poyaa poyaaCome along, go along, come along, go along
Male
BoologamaaIs this the Earth?
Chorus :HoiyaaChorus: Hoiyaa!
Male :MelogamaaMale: Is this the Heavens?
Chorus :HoiyaaChorus: Hoiyaa!
Male :AaagaayamaaMale: Is this the Sky?
Chorus :HoiyaaChorus: Hoiyaa!
Male :PaadhaalamaaMale: Is this the Underworld?
Chorus :HoiyaaChorus: Hoiyaa!
Male
Ammaadi aathaadiyoOh my goodness, oh dear mother!
Vetti varinju kattuTightly tuck in your dhoti!
Paatta polandhu kattuSing the song with full blast and energy!
Vetti varinju kattuTightly tuck in your dhoti!
Paatta polandhu kattuSing the song with full blast and energy!
Male
Vaayaa vaayaa poyaa poyaaCome along, go along, come along, go along
Vaayaa vaayaa poyaa poyaaCome along, go along, come along, go along
Chorus
Yaahuyaahuyaahu yaahuyaahuyaahuYaahu yaahu yaahu yaahu yaahu yaahu
Yaahuyaahuyaahu yaahuyaahuyaahuYaahu yaahu yaahu yaahu yaahu yaahu
Male
Murunga maram kidaikkaamaeFailing to find a drumstick tree (to hang onto like a ghost)
Naan ingae vandhenI came over here
Uranga idam kidaichaadhuAnd ended up finding a place to sleep
Yei machaan machaanHey friend, my brother!
Male
Padukka thunai kidaikkaamaeFailing to find a sleeping companion
Naan ingae vandhenI came over here
Pala per arimugamaachuAnd got acquainted with so many people
Yei machaan machaanHey friend, my brother!
Male
Ullaasam undaachuJoy was born
Sandhosam vandhaachuHappiness arrived
Ellaarum ennodaEveryone here is like
Annaachi thaan hahaaMy own elder brother, haha!
Male
Ooru urangurappoWhen the whole town sleeps
Ai naama mattum muzhichiruppomHey, we alone will stay wide awake!
…………………………..…………………………..
Yaaru kekkuradhuWho is going to question us?
Namma paakkuradhuWhatever we see
Oyaadha peyaattam thaanIs an unceasing wild demonic dance!
Male
Vetti varinju kattuTightly tuck in your dhoti!
Ada paatta polandhu kattuHey, sing the song with full blast and energy!
Male
Vaayaa vaayaa poyaa poyaaCome along, go along, come along, go along
Vaayaa vaayaa yaaa…aa…Come along, go along, yaaa…aa…
Chorus
Aaa…aaa….aaa…Aaa…aaa….aaa…
Aaa…aaa….aaa….Aaa…aaa….aaa….
Aaaa…aaa….aaa….aaa….aa….Aaaa…aaa….aaa….aaa….aa….
Male
Vaazhum varaiyila thaandaaOnly as long as we live
Veen jaadhi chandaiAre there useless caste conflicts!
Seththaa pirivugal yedhuOnce dead, where are the divisions?
Yei machaan machaanHey friend, my brother!
Male
Pesum varaiyila thaandaaOnly as long as we speak
Veen baashai chandaiAre there pointless language disputes!
Namakku adhu kidaiyaadhuWe do not have any of that
Hoi machaan machaanHoi friend, my brother!
Male
Naadaedhu veedaedhuWhich country is ours, which home is ours?
Naam vaazha koodaedhuWhere is our nest to live?
Naam pogum oorellaamEvery town we travel to
Nam ooru thaanIs our very own town!
Sondham namakkedhukkuWhy do we need relations?
Asku dhaskaa busku buskuAsku dhaskaa busku busku (Playful refrain)
Soththu sugam namakkedhukkuWhy do we need wealth and comfort?
Aiyo aa haa haaOh my, ah ha ha!
Male
Ponaa pona idamWherever we go, that's our place
vandhaa vandha idamWherever we land, that's our place
Innaalum ennaalum thaanToday and for all time!
Male
Vetti varinju kattuTightly tuck in your dhoti!
Paatta polandhu kattuSing the song with full blast and energy!
Male
Vaayaa vaayaa poyaa poyaaCome along, go along, come along, go along
Vaayaa vaayaa poyaa poyaaCome along, go along, come along, go along
Male
BoologamaaIs this the Earth?
Chorus :HoiyaaChorus: Hoiyaa!
Male :MelogamaaMale: Is this the Heavens?
Chorus :HoiyaaChorus: Hoiyaa!
Male:AaagaayamaaMale: Is this the Sky?
Chorus :HoiyaaChorus: Hoiyaa!
Male :PaadhaalamaaMale: Is this the Underworld?
Chorus :HoiyaaChorus: Hoiyaa!
Male
Ammaadi aathaadiyo oooOh my goodness, oh dear mother, ooo!
Vetti varinju kattuTightly tuck in your dhoti!
Paatta polandhu kattuSing the song with full blast and energy!
Chorus :Laalaa lalala lallaa…Chorus: Laalaa lalala lallaa…
Laalaa lalala lallaa…Chorus: Laalaa lalala lallaa…
Male
Aiyo aiyo asku buskuOh dear, oh dear, asku busku!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This upbeat, eccentric song from 'Japanil Kalyanaraman' features a ghost protagonist (played by Kamal Haasan) who wanders around expressing joy, freedom, and a lighthearted approach to life after death. Combining playful gibberish, energetic chants, and folk-style dance cues, the song turns a spooky concept into a festive celebration of camaraderie.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Cultural Allusion

Murunga maram kidaikkaamae

The line 'Murunga maram kidaikkaamae' references the classic Indian folklore of Vikramaditya and Vetal, where the ghost/spirit hangs from a drumstick (Murungai) tree.

Iyaibu (Rhyme / End Rhyme)

Vetti varinju kattu / Paatta polandhu kattu

Repetition of ending rhyming words ('kattu' / 'kattu') to create rhythmic momentum in folk singing.

Philosophical Irony

Vaazhum varaiyila thaandaa / Veen jaadhi chandai

The lyrics contrast human obsession with caste, language, and property during life against the absolute equality and freedom experienced after death.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Japanil Kalyanaraman' (1985) was the sequel to the 1979 blockbuster 'Kalyanaraman'. It was notable for being one of the early Tamil films extensively shot on location in Japan, blends fantasy comedy elements with music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja.

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