Seerkazhi Govindarajan and P. Leela perform ‘Gama Gama’ for the album ‘Pattaliyin Vetri.’ Lyricist Udumalai Narayanakavi and composer S. Rajeswararao create a lively marketplace duel between perfume sellers. The track bursts with competitive energy and playful boasts about wild civet musk.
Gama Gama
P. Leela | Seerkazhi Govindarajan • From “Pattaliyin Vetri”
Gama Gama Lyrics Translation (from “Pattaliyin Vetri”)
Udumalai Narayanakavi’s lyrics show both vendors claiming superior products. One asserts the perfume excludes penny-pinchers with ‘This luxury just isn’t meant for the miser counting every cent.’ The other counters by pricing musk lower due to direct sourcing methods.
JavvaathuMusk! Pure Musk!
JavvaathuMusk! Pure Musk!
GamagamagamagamagamanguthuIt’s wafting, drifting, rich and sweet
Kaattu Poonai JavvaathuThis wild cat’s musk, a jungle treat
GamagamagamagamagamanguthuIt’s wafting, drifting, rich and sweet
Kaattu Poonai JavvaathuThis wild cat’s musk, a jungle treat
Kaasai Enni Kanakku PaarkumFor the miser counting every cent
Aasaamikku OvvaathuThis luxury just isn’t meant
JamajamajamajamajamanguthuIt’s dazzling, sparkling, grand and fine
Jaathi Poonai JavvaathuMusk from a cat of noble line
JamajamajamajamajamanguthuIt’s dazzling, sparkling, grand and fine
Jaathi Poonai JavvaathuMusk from a cat of noble line
Thadavikkittaa Vervai NaaththaamJust dab it on, and sweat’s foul smell
Aduththa Pakkam ThavaathuWon’t dare approach where you might dwell
JamaJama
KamaKama
JamJam
KamKam
GamagamagamagamagamanguthuIt’s wafting, drifting, rich and sweet
Kaattu Poonai JavvaathuThis wild cat’s musk, a jungle treat
Kaasai Enni Kanakku PaarkumFor the miser counting every cent
Aasaamikku OvvaathuThis luxury just isn’t meant
Singapore-U KaattukkullaeDeep inside the Singapore wilds
Thaedi PonaenaiyyaaI went searching for miles, sir
Naan Thaedi PonaenaiyyaaI went hunting for miles, sir
Singapore-U KaattukkullaeDeep inside the Singapore wilds
Thaedi PonaenaiyyaaI went searching for miles, sir
Siruththa Pola Aala PaarththuEyed me up like a leopard bold
Seerichchu Oru MiyyaaAnd hissed a ‘Meow’ pure and cold
Kuzhi Thondi Manna ParichchuDug a pit, clawed out the sand
En Koni Paiya VirichchuSpread my gunny sack on the land
Ippadi Kuninju Appadi ValainjuStooped like this, arched like that
Ippadi Sulinju Appuram OlinjiSwirled around, hid from the cat
Ippadi Kuninju Appadi ValainjuStooped like this, arched like that
Ippadi Sulinju Appuram OlinjiSwirled around, hid from the cat
Naan Kuppura Pottu Amukki PudichchiI flung myself down, pinned it tight
Kodainjeduththa Javvaathu JavvaathuAnd scooped out this musk, sheer delight!
Kollimalai KaattukkullaeIn Kollimalai’s forest deep
Sulli Porukka PonaenI went to gather wood
Naan Sulli Porukka PonaenYes, I went to gather wood
Kollimalai KaattukkullaeIn Kollimalai’s forest deep
Sulli Porukka PonaenI went to gather wood
Mullaan Panniyai PaaththukittuStaring down a porcupine
Morachchuthu Oru PoonaiA cat glared, eyes malign
Vaan Kozhik Kudala ErachchiTook some turkey guts for bait
Adhai Kurukka Marukka ErachchiScattered them across straight
Vaaya Adakki Kaala ModakkiShut my mouth, bent my knee
Ippadi Kuththi Melae EkkiStabbed it low, hoisted free
Vaaya Adakki Kaala ModakkiShut my mouth, bent my knee
Ippadi Kuththi Melae EkkiStabbed it low, hoisted free
En Koodaiya Pottu Moodi PudichchaSlammed my basket, trapped it fast
Thedi Eduththa Javvaathu JavvaathuHunted down this musk at last!
JamaJama
KamaKama
JamJam
KamKam
Aah KamakamakamakamakamanguthuAh, it’s wafting, drifting, rich and sweet
Kaattu Poonai JavvaathuThis wild cat’s musk, a jungle treat
Kaasai Enni Kanakku PaarkumFor the miser counting every cent
Aasaamikku OvvaathuThis luxury just isn’t meant
Kumbakonam KadaitheruvilOn Kumbakonam’s market street
Kozhuththa Vilaikku VikkirathuIt’s selling at a heavy price
Kozhuththa Vilaikku VikkirathuSelling at a heavy price
Naan Kondu Vanthu KoduppathaalaeBut since I bring it to your feet
Korainja Valaikku VikkirathuI’m offering it at half the slice
Sangeethakaararellaam Thadavi PaaththathuAll the musicians have dabbed it on
Kaiyaalae Thadavi PaaththathuTested with their very hands
Idha Tanjavoorukaararellaam SabaashnunnuthuEven Thanjavur folks cheer ‘Bravo!’ upon the lands
Oh Aiyaaso Yae SaamingoOh sirs! Hey Swamis!
Inthaanga Konjam Vaangi PaarungaHere, buy a little, take a chance
Saami Vaangi PaarungaSwami, just give it a glance
Oh Esamaangi Oh RaasaangoOh Masters! Oh Kings!
Vaada Pudichchu PaarungiCatch the scent, breathe it in
Konjam Vaangi PaarungoBuy some, let the joy begin
KamakamakamakamakamanguthuIt’s wafting, drifting, rich and sweet
Kaattu Poonai JavvaathuThis wild cat’s musk, a jungle treat
Kaasai Enni Kanakku PaarkumFor the miser counting every cent
Aasaamikku OvvaathuThis luxury just isn’t meant
JamajamajamajamajamanguthuIt’s dazzling, sparkling, grand and fine
Jaathi Poonai JavvaathuMusk from a cat of noble line
Thadavikkittaa Vervai NaaththaamJust dab it on, and sweat’s foul smell
Aduththa Pakkam ThavaathuWon’t dare approach where you might dwell
Saamiyonnu IrukkurathunnuBelieving there is a God above
Saththiyamaa Ninai AnnaaHold that truth, brother, with love
Raama Latchmanaa Ramaa LatchumanaaRama, Lakshmana, Rama, Lakshmana
Kazhuththila Eduththu MaattikannaaWear it round your neck, brother dear
Ramannaa LatchumanaaRama, brother, Lakshmana
Kaalaal Nadanam SeiyyungannaDance with your feet, cast off fear
Ramannaa Latchumanaa Ramannaa LatchumanaaRama, brother, Lakshmana… Rama, brother, Lakshmana
Govintham Hari GovinthamGovindam Hari Govindam
Govintham Hari GovinthamGovindam Hari Govindam
Govintham Hari GovinthamGovindam Hari Govindam
Govintham Hari GovinthamGovindam Hari Govindam
Govintham Hari GovinthamGovindam Hari Govindam
Govinthaa GovinthaaGovinda! Govinda!
Govinthaa GovinthaaGovinda! Govinda!
Hari GovinthaaHari Govinda!
Gama Gama Music Video
Market rivalry humor drives the Gama Gama lyrics meaning. Seerkazhi Govindarajan and P. Leela’s vocal sparring mirrors Udumalai Narayanakavi’s scripted haggling. A lyrics translation reveals exaggerated hunting tales from Singapore jungles to local forests.