Amman Kovil Kizhakale
From Sakalakala Vallavan 1982 · 1982
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Thandhana thandhana thandhana | Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana thandhana) |
| Thandhana thandhana thandhana thaa | Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana thandhana thaa) |
| Thandhana thandhana thandhana | Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana thandhana) |
| Thandhana thandhana thandhana thaa | Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana thandhana thaa) |
| Thandhana thandhana thandhana | Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana thandhana) |
| Thandhana thandhana | Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana) |
| Thandhana thandhana thaa | Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana thaa) |
| Male | |
| Amman koyil kizhakkaalae | The goddess temple is to the east |
| Anna vayal merkkaalae…eyyyy | The paddy field is to the west... hey! |
| Amman koyil kizhakkaalae | The goddess temple is to the east |
| Anna vayal merkkaalae | The paddy field is to the west |
| Male | |
| Namma ooru naduvaalae | Right in the middle of our village |
| Nikkudhadi | It stands, my girl! |
| Naattu sanam namma kandu | Seeing us, the people of the land |
| Sokkudhadi | Are mesmerized! |
| Male | |
| Amman koyil kizhakkaalae | The goddess temple is to the east |
| Anna vayal merkkaalae | The paddy field is to the west |
| Namma ooru naduvaalae | Right in the middle of our village |
| Nikkudhadi adiyae | It stands, hey girl! |
| Naattu sanam namma kandu | Seeing us, the people of the land |
| Sokkudhadi | Are mesmerized! |
| Amman koyil kizhakkaalae hey… | The goddess temple is to the east, hey... |
| Chorus | |
| Thandhana thandhaa | Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana thandhaa) |
| Thandhana naa | Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana naa) |
| Thandhana thandhaa | Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana thandhaa) |
| Thandhana naa | Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana naa) |
| Thandhana thandhana | Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana thandhana) |
| Thandhana thandhana | Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana thandhana) |
| Thandhana thandhana | Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana thandhana) |
| Thandhana naaa…… | Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana naaa...) |
| Male | |
| Thookkanaang kuruviyellaam | All the weaver birds |
| Thaanarinja bhaashaiyilae | In the language known only to them |
| Thookkanaang kuruviyellaam | All the weaver birds |
| Thaanarinja bhaashaiyilae | In the language known only to them |
| Male | |
| Mookkodu mookku vachchu | Placing beak against beak |
| Munu mununnu pesaiyilae | When they whisper and talk |
| Mookkodu mookku vachchu | Placing beak against beak |
| Munu mununnu pesaiyilae | When they whisper and talk |
| Male | |
| Madaiya thorandhu vittaa | If the sluice gate is opened |
| Mazhai thanni niranju varum | Rainwater will flow and fill the field |
| Madaiya thorandhu vittaa | If the sluice gate is opened |
| Mazhai thanni niranju varum | Rainwater will flow and fill the field |
| Male | |
| Maanam paaththirukkum | Awaiting the rain from the sky |
| Manja kaani vilanju varum | The golden turmeric land will flourish |
| Male | |
| Amman koyil kizhakkaalae | The goddess temple is to the east |
| Anna vayal merkkaalae | The paddy field is to the west |
| Namma ooru naduvaalae | Right in the middle of our village |
| Nikkudhadi adiyae | It stands, hey girl! |
| Naattu sanam namma kandu | Seeing us, the people of the land |
| Sokkudhadi | Are mesmerized! |
| Chorus | |
| Ulluuuu…luuulluuullluuu | Folk ululation sound (Ulluuuu...) |
| Male | |
| Anghaala ammanukku | For Goddess Angaala Amman |
| Aadiyila pongha vachcha | If sweet rice offering is made in the month of Aadi |
| Anghaala ammanukku | For Goddess Angaala Amman |
| Aadiyila pongha vachcha | If sweet rice offering is made in the month of Aadi |
| Male | |
| Aayiram paattukkava | For a thousand songs |
| Adiyeduththu koduppaalae | She will provide the opening line |
| Aayiram paattukkava | For a thousand songs |
| Adiyeduththu koduppaalae | She will provide the opening line |
| Male | |
| Singhaara ammanukku | For the beautiful Goddess |
| Siththiraiyil vadam pudichcha | If you pull the temple chariot rope in Chithirai |
| Singhaara ammanukku | For the beautiful Goddess |
| Siththiraiyil vadam pudichcha | If you pull the temple chariot rope in Chithirai |
| Male | |
| Sangeedham padikka solli | To learn and practice music |
| Saareeram koduppaalae | She will grant a beautiful vocal voice |
| Male | |
| Amman koyil kizhakkaalae | The goddess temple is to the east |
| Anna vayal merkkaalae | The paddy field is to the west |
| Namma ooru naduvaalae | Right in the middle of our village |
| Nikkudhadi adiyae | It stands, hey girl! |
| Naattu sanam namma kandu | Seeing us, the people of the land |
| Sokkudhadi | Are mesmerized! |
| Naattu sanam namma kandu | Seeing us, the people of the land |
| Sokkudhadi….. | Are mesmerized! |
தந்தன தந்தன தந்தன
தந்தன தந்தன தந்தன தா
தந்தன தந்தன தந்தன
தந்தன தந்தன தந்தன தா
தந்தன தந்தன தந்தன
தந்தன தந்தன தந்தன
தந்தன தா
Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana thandhana)
Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana thandhana thaa)
Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana thandhana)
Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana thandhana thaa)
Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana thandhana)
Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana)
Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana thaa)
அம்மன் கோயில்
கிழக்காலே அன்ன வயல்
மேற்காலே அம்மன் கோயில்
கிழக்காலே அன்ன வயல்
மேற்காலே
The goddess temple is to the east
The paddy field is to the west... hey!
The goddess temple is to the east
The paddy field is to the west
நம்ம ஊரு நடுவாலே
நிக்குதடி நாட்டு சனம் நம்ம
கண்டு சொக்குதடி
Right in the middle of our village
It stands, my girl!
Seeing us, the people of the land
Are mesmerized!
அம்மன் கோயில்
கிழக்காலே அன்ன வயல்
மேற்காலே நம்ம ஊரு
நடுவாலே நிக்குதடி அடியே
நாட்டு சனம் நம்ம கண்டு
சொக்குதடி அம்மன் கோயில்
கிழக்காலே ஹே
The goddess temple is to the east
The paddy field is to the west
Right in the middle of our village
It stands, hey girl!
Seeing us, the people of the land
Are mesmerized!
The goddess temple is to the east, hey...
தந்தன தந்தா
தந்தன நா தந்தன தந்தா
தந்தன நா தந்தன தந்தன
தந்தன தந்தன தந்தன தந்தன
தந்தன நா
Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana thandhaa)
Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana naa)
Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana thandhaa)
Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana naa)
Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana thandhana)
Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana thandhana)
Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana thandhana)
Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana naaa...)
தூக்கனாங் குருவியெல்லாம்
தானறிஞ்ச பாஷையிலே
தூக்கனாங் குருவியெல்லாம்
தானறிஞ்ச பாஷையிலே
All the weaver birds
In the language known only to them
All the weaver birds
In the language known only to them
மூக்கோடு மூக்கு
வச்சு முனு முனுன்னு
பேசையிலே மூக்கோடு
மூக்கு வச்சு முனு முனுன்னு
பேசையிலே
Placing beak against beak
When they whisper and talk
Placing beak against beak
When they whisper and talk
மடைய தொறந்து
விட்டா மழை தண்ணி
நெறஞ்சு வரும் மடைய
தொறந்து விட்டா மழை
தண்ணி நெறஞ்சு வரும்
If the sluice gate is opened
Rainwater will flow and fill the field
If the sluice gate is opened
Rainwater will flow and fill the field
மாமன் பாத்திருக்கும்
மஞ்ச காணி விளைஞ்சு வரும்
Awaiting the rain from the sky
The golden turmeric land will flourish
அம்மன் கோயில்
கிழக்காலே அன்ன வயல்
மேற்காலே நம்ம ஊரு
நடுவாலே நிக்குதடி அடியே
நாட்டு சனம் நம்ம கண்டு
சொக்குதடி
The goddess temple is to the east
The paddy field is to the west
Right in the middle of our village
It stands, hey girl!
Seeing us, the people of the land
Are mesmerized!
..................................
Folk ululation sound (Ulluuuu...)
அங்காள அம்மனுக்கு
ஆடியில பொங்க வச்சா
அங்காள அம்மனுக்கு
ஆடியில பொங்க வச்சா
For Goddess Angaala Amman
If sweet rice offering is made in the month of Aadi
For Goddess Angaala Amman
If sweet rice offering is made in the month of Aadi
ஆயிரம் பாட்டுக்கவ
அடியெடுத்து கொடுப்பாளே
ஆயிரம் பாட்டுக்கவ
அடியெடுத்து கொடுப்பாளே
For a thousand songs
She will provide the opening line
For a thousand songs
She will provide the opening line
சிங்கார அம்மனுக்கு
சித்திரையில் வடம் புடிச்சா
சிங்கார அம்மனுக்கு
சித்திரையில் வடம் புடிச்சா
For the beautiful Goddess
If you pull the temple chariot rope in Chithirai
For the beautiful Goddess
If you pull the temple chariot rope in Chithirai
சங்கீதம் படிக்க
சொல்லி சாரீரம்
கொடுப்பாலே
To learn and practice music
She will grant a beautiful vocal voice
அம்மன் கோயில்
கிழக்காலே அன்ன வயல்
மேற்காலே நம்ம ஊரு
நடுவாலே நிக்குதடி அடியே
நாட்டு சனம் நம்ம கண்டு
சொக்குதடி நாட்டு சனம்
நம்ம கண்டு சொக்குதடி
The goddess temple is to the east
The paddy field is to the west
Right in the middle of our village
It stands, hey girl!
Seeing us, the people of the land
Are mesmerized!
Seeing us, the people of the land
Are mesmerized!
Thandhana thandhana thandhana
Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana thandhana)
Thandhana thandhana thandhana thaa
Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana thandhana thaa)
Thandhana thandhana thandhana
Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana thandhana)
Thandhana thandhana thandhana thaa
Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana thandhana thaa)
Thandhana thandhana thandhana
Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana thandhana)
Thandhana thandhana
Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana)
Thandhana thandhana thaa
Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhana thandhana thaa)
Amman koyil kizhakkaalae
The goddess temple is to the east
Anna vayal merkkaalae…eyyyy
The paddy field is to the west... hey!
Amman koyil kizhakkaalae
The goddess temple is to the east
Anna vayal merkkaalae
The paddy field is to the west
Namma ooru naduvaalae
Right in the middle of our village
Nikkudhadi
It stands, my girl!
Naattu sanam namma kandu
Seeing us, the people of the land
Sokkudhadi
Are mesmerized!
Amman koyil kizhakkaalae
The goddess temple is to the east
Anna vayal merkkaalae
The paddy field is to the west
Namma ooru naduvaalae
Right in the middle of our village
Nikkudhadi adiyae
It stands, hey girl!
Naattu sanam namma kandu
Seeing us, the people of the land
Sokkudhadi
Are mesmerized!
Amman koyil kizhakkaalae hey…
The goddess temple is to the east, hey...
Thandhana thandhaa
Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana thandhaa)
Thandhana naa
Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana naa)
Thandhana thandhaa
Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana thandhaa)
Thandhana naa
Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana naa)
Thandhana thandhana
Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana thandhana)
Thandhana thandhana
Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana thandhana)
Thandhana thandhana
Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana thandhana)
Thandhana naaa……
Rhythmic refrain (Thandhana naaa...)
Thookkanaang kuruviyellaam
All the weaver birds
Thaanarinja bhaashaiyilae
In the language known only to them
Thookkanaang kuruviyellaam
All the weaver birds
Thaanarinja bhaashaiyilae
In the language known only to them
Mookkodu mookku vachchu
Placing beak against beak
Munu mununnu pesaiyilae
When they whisper and talk
Mookkodu mookku vachchu
Placing beak against beak
Munu mununnu pesaiyilae
When they whisper and talk
Madaiya thorandhu vittaa
If the sluice gate is opened
Mazhai thanni niranju varum
Rainwater will flow and fill the field
Madaiya thorandhu vittaa
If the sluice gate is opened
Mazhai thanni niranju varum
Rainwater will flow and fill the field
Maanam paaththirukkum
Awaiting the rain from the sky
Manja kaani vilanju varum
The golden turmeric land will flourish
Amman koyil kizhakkaalae
The goddess temple is to the east
Anna vayal merkkaalae
The paddy field is to the west
Namma ooru naduvaalae
Right in the middle of our village
Nikkudhadi adiyae
It stands, hey girl!
Naattu sanam namma kandu
Seeing us, the people of the land
Sokkudhadi
Are mesmerized!
Ulluuuu…luuulluuullluuu
Folk ululation sound (Ulluuuu...)
Anghaala ammanukku
For Goddess Angaala Amman
Aadiyila pongha vachcha
If sweet rice offering is made in the month of Aadi
Anghaala ammanukku
For Goddess Angaala Amman
Aadiyila pongha vachcha
If sweet rice offering is made in the month of Aadi
Aayiram paattukkava
For a thousand songs
Adiyeduththu koduppaalae
She will provide the opening line
Aayiram paattukkava
For a thousand songs
Adiyeduththu koduppaalae
She will provide the opening line
Singhaara ammanukku
For the beautiful Goddess
Siththiraiyil vadam pudichcha
If you pull the temple chariot rope in Chithirai
Singhaara ammanukku
For the beautiful Goddess
Siththiraiyil vadam pudichcha
If you pull the temple chariot rope in Chithirai
Sangeedham padikka solli
To learn and practice music
Saareeram koduppaalae
She will grant a beautiful vocal voice
Amman koyil kizhakkaalae
The goddess temple is to the east
Anna vayal merkkaalae
The paddy field is to the west
Namma ooru naduvaalae
Right in the middle of our village
Nikkudhadi adiyae
It stands, hey girl!
Naattu sanam namma kandu
Seeing us, the people of the land
Sokkudhadi
Are mesmerized!
Naattu sanam namma kandu
Seeing us, the people of the land
Sokkudhadi…..
Are mesmerized!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Amman Koyil Kizhakkaalae is a vibrant, energetic folk duet from the 1982 Tamil film Sakalakala Vallavan. Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and written by Vaali, the song celebrates village life, nature, rural faith, and joyful romance. The lyrics describe the geography of a quintessential Tamil village anchored by its eastern temple and western lush paddy fields, capturing how local villagers admire the couple's bond. Using vivid countryside imagery—such as weaver birds nuzzling beak-to-beak, irrigation sluice gates opening to rainwater, and field crops blossoming—the song highlights the natural rhythm and rich agricultural traditions of rural Tamil Nadu. Devotional references to Angaala Amman and festival traditions like Aadi Pongal and Chithirai chariot pulling express faith that divine grace inspires music, poetry, and sweet voices.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Amman koyil kizhakkaalae / Anna vayal merkkaalae”
Repetition of identical or similar initial consonants across consecutive lines, such as 'Amman' and 'Anna' or 'Thookkanaang' and 'Thaanarinja'.
Etuhaai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Amman koyil kizhakkaalae / Anna vayal merkkaalae / Namma ooru naduvaalae”
Matching of second consonants across lines, such as 'kizhakkaalae', 'merkkaalae', and 'naduvaalae'.
Imagery & Onomatopoeia
“Mookkodu mookku vachchu / Munu mununnu pesaiyilae”
Use of whisper sound mimicry ('munu mununnu') and intimate natural imagery ('mookkodu mookku vachchu') to portray romance through bird behavior.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by Malaysia Vasudevan and S. Janaki, this high-energy song features a iconic dance performance by Kamal Haasan and Ambika. Sakalakala Vallavan became one of the biggest commercial blockbusters of 1982, running for over 175 days in theaters and establishing new box-office records.
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