Idli Saambaar
From Kathanayaki · 1955
- Lyricist
- Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
- Singer
- S. C. Krishnan
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Details
- Kathanayaki1955
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Idly saambhar namma idly saambhar | Idli sambar, our idli sambar |
| Idly saambhar namma idly saambhar | Idli sambar, our idli sambar |
| Endrum rushiyaaga thindru pasiyaarum | Always satisfying hunger with delicious taste |
| Idly sambhar | Idli sambar |
| Endrum rushiyaaga thindru pasiyaarum | Always satisfying hunger with delicious taste |
| Male | |
| Idly saambhar namma idly saambhar | Idli sambar, our idli sambar |
| Male | |
| Idlyai paarththu poori masaalae | Looking down at idli, poori masala |
| Izhivaai pesuthu thozharkalae | Speaks disrespectfully, my comrades |
| Idlyai paarththu poori masaalae | Looking down at idli, poori masala |
| Izhivaai pesuthu thozharkalae | Speaks disrespectfully, my comrades |
| Male | |
| Idly magaththuvam poorikku lesaai | The greatness of idli, to poori, gently |
| Eduththu solluvaen kelungalae | I shall explain and tell, please listen |
| Idly magaththuvam poorikku lesaai | The greatness of idli, to poori, gently |
| Eduththu solluvaen kelungalae | I shall explain and tell, please listen |
| Male | |
| Kallukadaiyai moodi arasiyin | Closing down liquor shops and taking up government's |
| Control kadaiyai eduthathu | Ration control store system |
| Gandhi sonnathai thalaimel vaiththu | Holding Mahatma Gandhi's words above all |
| Gowravam thanthu kaaththathu | Honored and preserved it |
| Male | |
| Kallukadaiyai moodi arasiyin | Closing down liquor shops and taking up government's |
| Control kadaiyai eduthathu | Ration control store system |
| Gandhi sonnathai thalaimel vaiththu | Holding Mahatma Gandhi's words above all |
| Gowravam thanthu kaaththathu | Honored and preserved it |
| Male | |
| Paattikkoruvan bharathiyendrea | Praising Bharathi as a poet for every verse |
| Paadum pulavanai thanthathedhu | Who gave us that singing bard? |
| Saattai kodukkum kaaviyam | Creating whip-sharp legendary poetry |
| Bharathidasanai ingae thanthathu | Who gave us Bharathidasan here? |
| Saattai kodukkum kaaviyam | Creating whip-sharp legendary poetry |
| Bharathidasanai ingae thanthathu | Who gave us Bharathidasan here? |
| Male | |
| Idly saambhar namma idly saambhar | Idli sambar, our idli sambar |
| Male | |
| Ayalnaattil hindhu matham nilai naattavae | To establish Hinduism in foreign lands |
| Adhi viveganandharai seyalodu | With active vigor, Swami Vivekananda |
| America desam sendru vara | To travel to the nation of America |
| Selavu seithittathu edhu | Who bore all the expenses? |
| Male | |
| Yaarappaa selavu senjathu theriyaathaa | Don't you know who paid for the trip? |
| Namma ramanathapuram rajathaan | It was our Raja of Ramanathapuram! |
| Male | |
| Deiva thirukkural senjilappathikaaram | Divine Thirukkural and ancient Silappathikaram |
| Selvamaai thanthathu edhu | What gave them to us as eternal treasures? |
| Seeraana jothidam sangeetha vinnyaana | Excellent astrology, music, and science |
| Seelarai thanthathu edhu | What gave us such noble scholars? |
| Male | |
| Madharas vaala idly sambhar | Madras-style idli sambar |
| Mandai karvam kollaathu | Does not get arrogant or swollen-headed |
| Madharas vaala idly sambhar | Madras-style idli sambar |
| Mandai karvam kollaathu | Does not get arrogant or swollen-headed |
| Male | |
| Mathiyillaamae evaraiyum yaesi | Without wisdom, insulting anyone |
| Madamaiyinaalae thullaathu | Does not leap out of sheer ignorance |
| Mathiyillaamae evaraiyum yaesi | Without wisdom, insulting anyone |
| Madamaiyinaalae thullaathu | Does not leap out of sheer ignorance |
| Male | |
| Idly saambhar namma idly saambhar | Idli sambar, our idli sambar |
இட்லி சாம்பார் நம்ம இட்லி சாம்பார்
இட்லி சாம்பார் நம்ம இட்லி சாம்பார்
என்றும் ருசியாகத் தின்று பசியாறும்
இட்லி சாம்பார்
என்றும் ருசியாகத் தின்று பசியாறும்
Idli sambar, our idli sambar
Idli sambar, our idli sambar
Always satisfying hunger with delicious taste
Idli sambar
Always satisfying hunger with delicious taste
இட்லி சாம்பார் நம்ம இட்லி சாம்பார்
Idli sambar, our idli sambar
இட்லியைப் பார்த்து பூரி மசாலே
இழிவாய்ப் பேசுது தோழர்களே
இட்லியைப் பார்த்து பூரி மசாலே
இழிவாய்ப் பேசுது தோழர்களே
Looking down at idli, poori masala
Speaks disrespectfully, my comrades
Looking down at idli, poori masala
Speaks disrespectfully, my comrades
இட்லி மகத்துவம் பூரிக்கு லேசாய்
எடுத்துச் சொல்லுவேன் கேளுங்களே....
இட்லி மகத்துவம் பூரிக்கு லேசாய்
எடுத்துச் சொல்லுவேன் கேளுங்களே....
The greatness of idli, to poori, gently
I shall explain and tell, please listen
The greatness of idli, to poori, gently
I shall explain and tell, please listen
கள்ளுக் கடையை மூடி அரிசியின்
கண்ட்ரோல் கடையை எடுத்ததெது
காந்தி சொன்னதைத் தலைமேல் வைத்துக்
கௌரவம் தந்து காத்ததது
Closing down liquor shops and taking up government's
Ration control store system
Holding Mahatma Gandhi's words above all
Honored and preserved it
கள்ளுக் கடையை மூடி அரிசியின்
கண்ட்ரோல் கடையை எடுத்ததெது
காந்தி சொன்னதைத் தலைமேல் வைத்துக்
கௌரவம் தந்து காத்ததது
Closing down liquor shops and taking up government's
Ration control store system
Holding Mahatma Gandhi's words above all
Honored and preserved it
பாட்டுக்கொருவன் பாரதியென்றே
பாடும் புலவனை தந்ததெது
சாட்டை கொடுக்கும் காவியம்
பாரதிதாசனை இங்கே தந்ததது
சாட்டை கொடுக்கும் காவியம்
பாரதிதாசனை இங்கே தந்ததது
Praising Bharathi as a poet for every verse
Who gave us that singing bard?
Creating whip-sharp legendary poetry
Who gave us Bharathidasan here?
Creating whip-sharp legendary poetry
Who gave us Bharathidasan here?
இட்லி சாம்பார் நம்ம இட்லி சாம்பார்
Idli sambar, our idli sambar
அயல்நாட்டில் இந்து மதம் நிலை நாட்டவே
அதி விவேகானந்தரை செயலோடு
அமெரிக்கா தேசம் சென்று வர
செலவு செய்திட்டது எது......
To establish Hinduism in foreign lands
With active vigor, Swami Vivekananda
To travel to the nation of America
Who bore all the expenses?
யாரப்பா செலவு செஞ்சது தெரியாதா...
நம்ம ராமநாதபுரம் ராஜாதான்....
Don't you know who paid for the trip?
It was our Raja of Ramanathapuram!
தெய்வத் திருக்குறள் செஞ்சிலப்பதிகாரம்
செல்வமாய்த் தந்தது எது
சீரான ஜோதிடம் சங்கீத விஞ்ஞான
சீலரைத் தந்தது எது....
Divine Thirukkural and ancient Silappathikaram
What gave them to us as eternal treasures?
Excellent astrology, music, and science
What gave us such noble scholars?
மதராஸ் வாலா இட்லி சாம்பார்
மண்டைக் கர்வம் கொள்ளாது
மதராஸ் வாலா இட்லி சாம்பார்
மண்டைக் கர்வம் கொள்ளாது
Madras-style idli sambar
Does not get arrogant or swollen-headed
Madras-style idli sambar
Does not get arrogant or swollen-headed
மதியில்லாமே எவரையும் ஏசி
மடமையினாலே துள்ளாது...
மதியில்லாமே எவரையும் ஏசி
மடமையினாலே துள்ளாது...
Without wisdom, insulting anyone
Does not leap out of sheer ignorance
Without wisdom, insulting anyone
Does not leap out of sheer ignorance
இட்லி சாம்பார் நம்ம இட்லி சாம்பார்
Idli sambar, our idli sambar
Idly saambhar namma idly saambhar
Idli sambar, our idli sambar
Idly saambhar namma idly saambhar
Idli sambar, our idli sambar
Endrum rushiyaaga thindru pasiyaarum
Always satisfying hunger with delicious taste
Idly sambhar
Idli sambar
Endrum rushiyaaga thindru pasiyaarum
Always satisfying hunger with delicious taste
Idly saambhar namma idly saambhar
Idli sambar, our idli sambar
Idlyai paarththu poori masaalae
Looking down at idli, poori masala
Izhivaai pesuthu thozharkalae
Speaks disrespectfully, my comrades
Idlyai paarththu poori masaalae
Looking down at idli, poori masala
Izhivaai pesuthu thozharkalae
Speaks disrespectfully, my comrades
Idly magaththuvam poorikku lesaai
The greatness of idli, to poori, gently
Eduththu solluvaen kelungalae
I shall explain and tell, please listen
Idly magaththuvam poorikku lesaai
The greatness of idli, to poori, gently
Eduththu solluvaen kelungalae
I shall explain and tell, please listen
Kallukadaiyai moodi arasiyin
Closing down liquor shops and taking up government's
Control kadaiyai eduthathu
Ration control store system
Gandhi sonnathai thalaimel vaiththu
Holding Mahatma Gandhi's words above all
Gowravam thanthu kaaththathu
Honored and preserved it
Kallukadaiyai moodi arasiyin
Closing down liquor shops and taking up government's
Control kadaiyai eduthathu
Ration control store system
Gandhi sonnathai thalaimel vaiththu
Holding Mahatma Gandhi's words above all
Gowravam thanthu kaaththathu
Honored and preserved it
Paattikkoruvan bharathiyendrea
Praising Bharathi as a poet for every verse
Paadum pulavanai thanthathedhu
Who gave us that singing bard?
Saattai kodukkum kaaviyam
Creating whip-sharp legendary poetry
Bharathidasanai ingae thanthathu
Who gave us Bharathidasan here?
Saattai kodukkum kaaviyam
Creating whip-sharp legendary poetry
Bharathidasanai ingae thanthathu
Who gave us Bharathidasan here?
Idly saambhar namma idly saambhar
Idli sambar, our idli sambar
Ayalnaattil hindhu matham nilai naattavae
To establish Hinduism in foreign lands
Adhi viveganandharai seyalodu
With active vigor, Swami Vivekananda
America desam sendru vara
To travel to the nation of America
Selavu seithittathu edhu
Who bore all the expenses?
Yaarappaa selavu senjathu theriyaathaa
Don't you know who paid for the trip?
Namma ramanathapuram rajathaan
It was our Raja of Ramanathapuram!
Deiva thirukkural senjilappathikaaram
Divine Thirukkural and ancient Silappathikaram
Selvamaai thanthathu edhu
What gave them to us as eternal treasures?
Seeraana jothidam sangeetha vinnyaana
Excellent astrology, music, and science
Seelarai thanthathu edhu
What gave us such noble scholars?
Madharas vaala idly sambhar
Madras-style idli sambar
Mandai karvam kollaathu
Does not get arrogant or swollen-headed
Madharas vaala idly sambhar
Madras-style idli sambar
Mandai karvam kollaathu
Does not get arrogant or swollen-headed
Mathiyillaamae evaraiyum yaesi
Without wisdom, insulting anyone
Madamaiyinaalae thullaathu
Does not leap out of sheer ignorance
Mathiyillaamae evaraiyum yaesi
Without wisdom, insulting anyone
Madamaiyinaalae thullaathu
Does not leap out of sheer ignorance
Idly saambhar namma idly saambhar
Idli sambar, our idli sambar
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This humorous yet deeply patriotic song from the 1955 movie 'Kathanayaki' uses the playful rivalry between 'Idli Sambar' (symbolizing Tamil identity and culture) and 'Poori Masala' (representing foreign or non-local influences). In response to Poori's taunts, the song enumerates the immense cultural, historical, and intellectual achievements of Tamil Nadu to showcase humility and pride without arrogance. The lyrics highlight Tamil achievements such as enforcing prohibition in respect of Gandhi's ideals, giving birth to iconic poets like Subramania Bharati and Bharathidasan, producing immortal literature like Thirukkural and Silappathikaram, and the historic patronage of Raja Bhaskara Sethupathi of Ramanathapuram who funded Swami Vivekananda's trip to the Parliament of Religions in Chicago. Ultimately, the song celebrates the grounded, humble, and rich heritage of Madras and Tamil culture.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification and Allegory
“Idlyai paarththu poori masaalae Izhivaai pesuthu thozharkalae”
Food items 'Idly Sambar' and 'Poori Masala' are personified as debaters representing Tamil culture and rival influences.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Mathiyillaamae evaraiyum yaesi / Madamaiyinaalae thullaathu”
The second consonant 'th' matches across consecutive lines, creating a classic Tamil poetic rhythm.
Moonaai (Initial Syllable Alliteration)
“Madharas vaala idly sambhar / Mandai karvam kollaathu”
Repetition of the initial 'Ma' sound across words creates melodic harmony.
Did you know?
Trivia
This track is a classic example of social commentary disguised as a comedy song, a hallmark of lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. The historical reference to the Raja of Ramanathapuram (Bhaskara Sethupathi) funding Swami Vivekananda's trip to Chicago in 1893 is a rare historical fact featured in Tamil film music.
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