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Lyrics & meaning

Engamma Magaraasi

From Machanai Paartheengala · 1978

Lyricist
Ambikapathi
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Chandrabose
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Machanai Paartheengala1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ho… oo…oo…Ho… oo…oo…
Chorus
Aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa…
Male
Engammaa magaraasiOur mother, the queen of fortune,
Ellaam un kai raasiEverything prospering is due to your auspicious touch,
Arulmaari thara venumShower upon us the rain of grace,
Karumaari magamaayiOh Goddess Karumari, divine mother!
Chorus
Engammaa magaraasiOur mother, the queen of fortune,
Ellaam un kai raasiEverything prospering is due to your auspicious touch,
Arulmaari thara venumShower upon us the rain of grace,
Karumaari magamaayiOh Goddess Karumari, divine mother!
Male
Manjalukku uriyavalaeOh Goddess who owns the sacred turmeric,
Mannaalum umaiyavalaeOh Goddess Uma who rules the Earth,
Mangaiyarin kungumathilaeIn the sacred vermilion of women,
Endrum kudikondu vaazhbavalaeOh Goddess who resides forever,
Nambikkai kondorkku thunaiyaaga varubavalaeOh Goddess who comes as a protector for those who have faith!
Male
Manjalukku uriyavalaeOh Goddess who owns the sacred turmeric,
Mannaalum umaiyavalaeOh Goddess Uma who rules the Earth,
Mangaiyarin kungumathilaeIn the sacred vermilion of women,
Endrum kudikondu vaazhbavalaeOh Goddess who resides forever,
Nambikkai kondorkku thunaiyaaga varubavalaeOh Goddess who comes as a protector for those who have faith!
Male
Engammaa magaraasiOur mother, the queen of fortune,
Ellaam un kai raasiEverything prospering is due to your auspicious touch,
Arulmaari thara venumShower upon us the rain of grace,
Karumaari magamaayiOh Goddess Karumari, divine mother!
Chorus
Engammaa magaraasiOur mother, the queen of fortune,
Ellaam un kai raasiEverything prospering is due to your auspicious touch,
Arulmaari thara venumShower upon us the rain of grace,
Karumaari magamaayiOh Goddess Karumari, divine mother!
Male
Mannellaam thiruneeru amma un vaasalilaeAll the dust is holy ash at your doorstep, Mother,
Male
ThaayaeOh Mother!
Male
Maari varum ulagathilaeIn this constantly changing world,
Nee maaraadha maariyammaYou are the unchanging Mother Mariamma!
Male
Mannellaam thiruneeruAll the soil is sacred ash,
Amma un vaasalilaeAt your doorstep, Mother,
Male
ThaayaeOh Mother!
Male
Maari varum ulagathilaeIn this constantly changing world,
Nee maaraadha maariyammaYou are the unchanging Mother Mariamma!
Male
Vellai manam unnudaiya koilA pure heart is your temple,
Vaeppa maram unnudaiya vaasalThe neem tree is your threshold,
Chorus
Kannagiyae naayagiyae neeyaeYou are Kannagi, you are the supreme leader,
Unnai kai kooppi vanangugirom naangalWe bow to you with folded hands!
Male
Thaayae yae aathaaOh Mother, oh Divine Mother,
Un thaazh panindhu kumbidurom aathaaWe bow down at your feet and worship you, Mother,
Male
Thaayae yae aathaaOh Mother, oh Divine Mother,
Un thaazh panindhu kumbidurom aathaaWe bow down at your feet and worship you, Mother,
Male
{Karpoora oliyinilae{In the glow of the camphor light,
Kaatchi tharum thirisooliOh Goddess with the trident who manifests before us,
Male
ThaayaeOh Mother!
Male
Saambiraani vaasanaiyaiDrawn by the fragrance of sambrani incense,
Thaedi varum maakaali} (2)Oh Mahakali who comes searching!} (x2)
Male
Pambai oli kaettu varum thaayaeOh Mother who comes upon hearing the sound of the pambai drum,
Bakthargalai kaappavalum neeyaeYou are the one who protects all your devotees,
Chorus
Kaamatchi meenatchi thaayaeOh Mother Kamakshi, Mother Meenakshi,
Unnai kai kooppi vanangugirom naangalWe bow to you with folded hands!
Male
Engammaa magaraasiOur mother, the queen of fortune,
Ellaam un kai raasiEverything prospering is due to your auspicious touch,
Arulmaari thara venumShower upon us the rain of grace,
Karumaari magamaayiOh Goddess Karumari, divine mother!
Chorus
Engammaa magaraasiOur mother, the queen of fortune,
Ellaam un kai raasiEverything prospering is due to your auspicious touch,
Arulmaari thara venumShower upon us the rain of grace,
Karumaari magamaayiOh Goddess Karumari, divine mother!
Male
ThaayaeOh Mother!
Chorus
UlulullululullulululluluUlulullululullululullulu (traditional ululation),
Male
ThaayaeOh Mother!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Engamma Magaraasi is a devotional hymn dedicated to Goddess Karumari and Mariamman, invoking her protection, prosperity, and divine grace. The lyrics celebrate her auspicious presence in traditional rural Tamil worship, referencing sacred elements such as turmeric, vermilion, neem leaves, camphor fire, incense, and the rhythmic beat of the pambai drum. The song captures the deep devotion of villagers who view the Goddess as an unwavering guardian in a constantly changing world. It highlights that a pure and innocent heart is her true temple, emphasizing faith and surrender to the divine mother.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Manjalukku uriyavalae / Mannaalum umaiyavalae

Repetition of the initial 'M' sound in consecutive lines creates rhythmic flow.

Pun / Wordplay (Sledai)

Maari varum ulagathilae / Nee maaraadha maariyamma

Plays on the word 'maari' (changing) versus 'Maariyamma' (the unchanging divine goddess).

Metaphor

Vellai manam unnudaiya koil

Directly compares a pure/innocent heart ('vellai manam') to a sacred temple ('koil').

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Karpoora oliyinilae / Saambiraani vaasanaiyai

Use of rhyming end structures and musical cadence typical of traditional Amman songs.

Did you know?

Trivia

Machanai Paartheengala (1978) features lyrics by Ambikapathi. The song captures authentic Tamil folk-devotional rituals, including traditional instruments like the pambai and sacred ululation sounds (kulavai), which are central to village Mariamman festival celebrations.

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