Kaalam Kalikaalam
From Amarkalam · 1999
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Bharathwaj
- Music director
- Bharathwaj
- Details
- Amarkalam1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kaalam kalikkaalam | Time has become the age of Kali Yuga, |
| Aagippochudaa | It has become so, my friend! |
| Computer kadavulaaga | The computer has transformed |
| Maarippochudaa | Into God! |
| Male | |
| Aambalaiyae theriyaama | Without even needing a man, |
| Kozhandha porakkudhu | A child is born. |
| Pombalainga serndhu inga | Women join together here |
| Kudumbam nadakkudhu | And run a family. |
| Male | |
| Dabbu mattum | Just having money |
| Vechirundhaa podhum | Is enough, |
| Neengha thappu gippu | Even if you commit a wrong, |
| Senjaalum gnyaayam | It will be treated as justice. |
| Male | |
| Poiyum saththiyam seiyum | Lies act as truth; |
| Indha boomi yeppadi uiyum | How will this earth survive? |
| Idha paakka paakka | Seeing all this over and over, |
| Manushan konda bhakthi koraiyudhu | Human devotion is diminishing. |
| Vinai theerkka vandha | Even the God who came to remove sins |
| Saami kooda aaththil karaiyudhu | Dissolves away in the river! |
| Chorus | |
| Mahaaganapathi mahaaganapathi | O Lord Maha Ganapathi! Maha Ganapathi! |
| Mahaaganapathi mahaaganapathi | O Lord Maha Ganapathi! Maha Ganapathi! |
| Male | |
| Kannagikku koyil kattum | This is a chaste land that built a temple for Kannagi, |
| Karpu mikka naadidhu | A land rich in virtue and chastity. |
| Karpunnaa yethana litre | "How many liters is chastity?" |
| Pudhupponnu ketkkudhu | Asks the modern bride! |
| Male | |
| Ada sela paavaada | Ah, the traditional saree and petticoat, |
| Adhu malaiyerippochu | Have vanished into history! |
| Midiyodu chudidhaarum | Midiskirts and chudidars |
| Podhu udaiyaaghippochu | Have become common everyday wear! |
| Male | |
| Pozhi punnaakku | Why have schools |
| Palli edhukku | That sell mere husk and waste? |
| Dd thandhaalae | If you pay cash, |
| Pattam irukku | You get a degree! |
| Male | |
| Yettil ulladhu ozhukkam | Discipline exists inside textbooks, |
| Andhu rottil vandhadhum vazhukkum | But slips away as soon as it hits the road! |
| Idha paakka paakka | Seeing all this over and over, |
| Manushan konda bhakthi koraiyudhu | Human devotion is diminishing. |
| Vinai theerkka vandha | Even the God who came to remove sins |
| Saami kooda aaththil karaiyudhu | Dissolves away in the river! |
| Chorus | |
| Mahaaganapathi mahaaganapathi | O Lord Maha Ganapathi! Maha Ganapathi! |
| Annanukku jae | Hail to the elder brother! |
| Kaadhal mannanukku jae | Hail to the king of romance! |
| Mara thamizhanukku jae | Hail to the brave Tamilian! |
| Namma thalaivanukku jae jae | Hail to our leader, victory! |
| Thalaivanukku jae jae | Victory to the leader, victory! |
| Thalaivanukku jae jae | Victory to the leader, victory! |
| Male | |
| Thiraiyila poigala sonnaa | If lies are portrayed on screen, |
| Saadhisanam nambudhu | The common folk believe it. |
| Karuthulla kavinjan sonnaa | If a wise poet speaks meaningful truth, |
| Kaadha dhooram odudhu | They run miles away! |
| Male | |
| Ada saththulla dhaaniyam | Oh, nutritious traditional grains |
| Adhu kaanaama pochu | Have disappeared! |
| Verum pokkulla arisi | Hollow and empty rice |
| Podhu unavaagi pochu | Has become the staple food! |
| Male | |
| Paasam kanneeru pazhaiya tholla | Affection and tears are old burdens; |
| Thaayae seththaalum azhuvadhilla | Even if the mother dies, nobody cries! |
| Ada yezhukundalavaada | Oh, Lord of the Seven Hills! |
| Idhu innaikku thirundhum naadaa | Is this a country that will ever reform today? |
| Idha paakka paakka | Seeing all this over and over, |
| Manushan konda bhakthi koraiyudhu | Human devotion is diminishing. |
| Vinai theerkka vandha | Even the God who came to remove sins |
| Saami kooda aaththil karaiyudhu | Dissolves away in the river! |
| Chorus | |
| Mahaaganapathi mahaaganapathi | O Lord Maha Ganapathi! Maha Ganapathi! |
| Male | |
| Kaalam kalikkaalam | Time has become the age of Kali Yuga, |
| Aagippochudaa | It has become so, my friend! |
| Computer kadavulaaga | The computer has transformed |
| Maarippochudaa | Into God! |
| Male | |
| Aambalaiyae theriyaama | Without even needing a man, |
| Kozhandha porakkudhu | A child is born. |
| Pombalainga serndhu inga | Women join together here |
| Kudumbam nadakkudhu | And run a family. |
| Male | |
| Dabbu mattum | Just having money |
| Vechirundhaa podhum | Is enough, |
| Neengha thappu gippu | Even if you commit a wrong, |
| Senjaalum gnyaayam | It will be treated as justice. |
| Male | |
| Poiyum saththiyam seiyum | Lies act as truth; |
| Indha boomi yeppadi uiyum | How will this earth survive? |
| Idha paakka paakka | Seeing all this over and over, |
| Manushan konda bhakthi koraiyudhu | Human devotion is diminishing. |
| Vinai theerkka vandha | Even the God who came to remove sins |
| Saami kooda aaththil karaiyudhu | Dissolves away in the river! |
| Chorus | |
| Mahaaganapathi mahaaganapathi | O Lord Maha Ganapathi! Maha Ganapathi! |
| Mahaaganapathi mahaaganapathi | O Lord Maha Ganapathi! Maha Ganapathi! |
காலம் கலிகாலம்
ஆகிப்போச்சுடா கம்ப்யூட்டர்
கடவுளாக மாறிப்போச்சுடா
Time has become the age of Kali Yuga,
It has become so, my friend!
The computer has transformed
Into God!
ஆம்பளையே தெரியாம
கொழந்த பொறக்குது
பொம்பளைங்க சேர்ந்து இங்க
குடும்பம் நடக்குது
Without even needing a man,
A child is born.
Women join together here
And run a family.
டப்பு மட்டும்
வெச்சிருந்தா போதும்
நீங்க தப்பு கிப்பு செஞ்சாலும்
நியாயம்
Just having money
Is enough,
Even if you commit a wrong,
It will be treated as justice.
பொய்யும் சத்தியம்
செய்யும் இந்த பூமி எப்படி
உய்யும் இத பாக்கப் பாக்க
மனுஷன் கொண்ட பக்தி
குறையுது வினை தீர்க்க
வந்த சாமி கூட ஆத்தில்
கரையுது
Lies act as truth;
How will this earth survive?
Seeing all this over and over,
Human devotion is diminishing.
Even the God who came to remove sins
Dissolves away in the river!
மஹாகணபதி
மஹாகணபதி மஹாகணபதி
மஹாகணபதி
O Lord Maha Ganapathi! Maha Ganapathi!
O Lord Maha Ganapathi! Maha Ganapathi!
கண்ணகிக்கு கோயில்
கட்டும் கற்பு மிக்க நாடிது
கற்புன்னா எத்தன லிட்டர்
புதுப்பொண்ணு கேட்குது
This is a chaste land that built a temple for Kannagi,
A land rich in virtue and chastity.
"How many liters is chastity?"
Asks the modern bride!
அட சேல பாவாட
அது மலையேறிப்போச்சு
மிடியோடு சுடிதாரும்
பொது உடையாகிப்போச்சு
Ah, the traditional saree and petticoat,
Have vanished into history!
Midiskirts and chudidars
Have become common everyday wear!
போழி புண்ணாக்கு
பள்ளி எதுக்கு டிடி தந்தாலே
பட்டம் இருக்கு
Why have schools
That sell mere husk and waste?
If you pay cash,
You get a degree!
ஏட்டில் உள்ளது
ஒழுக்கம் அந்து ரோட்டில்
வந்ததும் வழுக்கும் இத
பாக்கப் பாக்க மனுஷன்
கொண்ட பக்தி கொறையுது
வினை தீர்க்க வந்த சாமி
கூட ஆத்தில் கரையுது
Discipline exists inside textbooks,
But slips away as soon as it hits the road!
Seeing all this over and over,
Human devotion is diminishing.
Even the God who came to remove sins
Dissolves away in the river!
மஹாகணபதி
மஹாகணபதி அண்ணனுக்கு
ஜே காதல் மன்னனுக்கு ஜே
மரத் தமிழனுக்கு ஜே நம்ம
தலைவனுக்கு ஜே ஜே
தலைவனுக்கு ஜே ஜே
தலைவனுக்கு ஜே ஜே
O Lord Maha Ganapathi! Maha Ganapathi!
Hail to the elder brother!
Hail to the king of romance!
Hail to the brave Tamilian!
Hail to our leader, victory!
Victory to the leader, victory!
Victory to the leader, victory!
திரையில பொய்கள
சொன்னா சாதிசனம் நம்புது
கருத்துள்ள கவிஞன் சொன்னா
காத தூரம் ஓடுது
If lies are portrayed on screen,
The common folk believe it.
If a wise poet speaks meaningful truth,
They run miles away!
அட சத்துள்ள தானியம்
அது காணாமப் போச்சு
வெறும் பொக்குள்ள அரிசி
பொது உணவாகிப் போச்சு
Oh, nutritious traditional grains
Have disappeared!
Hollow and empty rice
Has become the staple food!
பாசம் கண்ணீரு
பழைய தொல்ல தாயே
செத்தாலும் அழுவதில்ல
அட ஏழுகுண்டலவாட இது
இன்னைக்குத் திருந்தும் நாடா
இத பாக்கப் பாக்க மனுஷன்
கொண்ட பக்தி கொறையுது
வினை தீர்க்க வந்த சாமி கூட
ஆத்தில் கரையுது
Affection and tears are old burdens;
Even if the mother dies, nobody cries!
Oh, Lord of the Seven Hills!
Is this a country that will ever reform today?
Seeing all this over and over,
Human devotion is diminishing.
Even the God who came to remove sins
Dissolves away in the river!
மஹாகணபதி
மஹாகணபதி
O Lord Maha Ganapathi! Maha Ganapathi!
காலம் கலிகாலம்
ஆகிப்போச்சுடா கம்ப்யூட்டர்
கடவுளாக மாறிப்போச்சுடா
Time has become the age of Kali Yuga,
It has become so, my friend!
The computer has transformed
Into God!
ஆம்பளையே தெரியாம
கொழந்த பொறக்குது
பொம்பளைங்க சேர்ந்து இங்க
குடும்பம் நடக்குது
Without even needing a man,
A child is born.
Women join together here
And run a family.
டப்பு மட்டும்
வெச்சிருந்தா போதும்
நீங்க தப்பு கிப்பு செஞ்சாலும்
நியாயம்
Just having money
Is enough,
Even if you commit a wrong,
It will be treated as justice.
பொய்யும் சத்தியம்
செய்யும் இந்த பூமி எப்படி
உய்யும் இத பாக்கப் பாக்க
மனுஷன் கொண்ட பக்தி
குறையுது வினை தீர்க்க
வந்த சாமி கூட ஆத்தில்
கரையுது
Lies act as truth;
How will this earth survive?
Seeing all this over and over,
Human devotion is diminishing.
Even the God who came to remove sins
Dissolves away in the river!
மஹாகணபதி
மஹாகணபதி மஹாகணபதி
மஹாகணபதி
O Lord Maha Ganapathi! Maha Ganapathi!
O Lord Maha Ganapathi! Maha Ganapathi!
Kaalam kalikkaalam
Time has become the age of Kali Yuga,
Aagippochudaa
It has become so, my friend!
Computer kadavulaaga
The computer has transformed
Maarippochudaa
Into God!
Aambalaiyae theriyaama
Without even needing a man,
Kozhandha porakkudhu
A child is born.
Pombalainga serndhu inga
Women join together here
Kudumbam nadakkudhu
And run a family.
Dabbu mattum
Just having money
Vechirundhaa podhum
Is enough,
Neengha thappu gippu
Even if you commit a wrong,
Senjaalum gnyaayam
It will be treated as justice.
Poiyum saththiyam seiyum
Lies act as truth;
Indha boomi yeppadi uiyum
How will this earth survive?
Idha paakka paakka
Seeing all this over and over,
Manushan konda bhakthi koraiyudhu
Human devotion is diminishing.
Vinai theerkka vandha
Even the God who came to remove sins
Saami kooda aaththil karaiyudhu
Dissolves away in the river!
Mahaaganapathi mahaaganapathi
O Lord Maha Ganapathi! Maha Ganapathi!
Mahaaganapathi mahaaganapathi
O Lord Maha Ganapathi! Maha Ganapathi!
Kannagikku koyil kattum
This is a chaste land that built a temple for Kannagi,
Karpu mikka naadidhu
A land rich in virtue and chastity.
Karpunnaa yethana litre
"How many liters is chastity?"
Pudhupponnu ketkkudhu
Asks the modern bride!
Ada sela paavaada
Ah, the traditional saree and petticoat,
Adhu malaiyerippochu
Have vanished into history!
Midiyodu chudidhaarum
Midiskirts and chudidars
Podhu udaiyaaghippochu
Have become common everyday wear!
Pozhi punnaakku
Why have schools
Palli edhukku
That sell mere husk and waste?
Dd thandhaalae
If you pay cash,
Pattam irukku
You get a degree!
Yettil ulladhu ozhukkam
Discipline exists inside textbooks,
Andhu rottil vandhadhum vazhukkum
But slips away as soon as it hits the road!
Idha paakka paakka
Seeing all this over and over,
Manushan konda bhakthi koraiyudhu
Human devotion is diminishing.
Vinai theerkka vandha
Even the God who came to remove sins
Saami kooda aaththil karaiyudhu
Dissolves away in the river!
Mahaaganapathi mahaaganapathi
O Lord Maha Ganapathi! Maha Ganapathi!
Annanukku jae
Hail to the elder brother!
Kaadhal mannanukku jae
Hail to the king of romance!
Mara thamizhanukku jae
Hail to the brave Tamilian!
Namma thalaivanukku jae jae
Hail to our leader, victory!
Thalaivanukku jae jae
Victory to the leader, victory!
Thalaivanukku jae jae
Victory to the leader, victory!
Thiraiyila poigala sonnaa
If lies are portrayed on screen,
Saadhisanam nambudhu
The common folk believe it.
Karuthulla kavinjan sonnaa
If a wise poet speaks meaningful truth,
Kaadha dhooram odudhu
They run miles away!
Ada saththulla dhaaniyam
Oh, nutritious traditional grains
Adhu kaanaama pochu
Have disappeared!
Verum pokkulla arisi
Hollow and empty rice
Podhu unavaagi pochu
Has become the staple food!
Paasam kanneeru pazhaiya tholla
Affection and tears are old burdens;
Thaayae seththaalum azhuvadhilla
Even if the mother dies, nobody cries!
Ada yezhukundalavaada
Oh, Lord of the Seven Hills!
Idhu innaikku thirundhum naadaa
Is this a country that will ever reform today?
Idha paakka paakka
Seeing all this over and over,
Manushan konda bhakthi koraiyudhu
Human devotion is diminishing.
Vinai theerkka vandha
Even the God who came to remove sins
Saami kooda aaththil karaiyudhu
Dissolves away in the river!
Mahaaganapathi mahaaganapathi
O Lord Maha Ganapathi! Maha Ganapathi!
Kaalam kalikkaalam
Time has become the age of Kali Yuga,
Aagippochudaa
It has become so, my friend!
Computer kadavulaaga
The computer has transformed
Maarippochudaa
Into God!
Aambalaiyae theriyaama
Without even needing a man,
Kozhandha porakkudhu
A child is born.
Pombalainga serndhu inga
Women join together here
Kudumbam nadakkudhu
And run a family.
Dabbu mattum
Just having money
Vechirundhaa podhum
Is enough,
Neengha thappu gippu
Even if you commit a wrong,
Senjaalum gnyaayam
It will be treated as justice.
Poiyum saththiyam seiyum
Lies act as truth;
Indha boomi yeppadi uiyum
How will this earth survive?
Idha paakka paakka
Seeing all this over and over,
Manushan konda bhakthi koraiyudhu
Human devotion is diminishing.
Vinai theerkka vandha
Even the God who came to remove sins
Saami kooda aaththil karaiyudhu
Dissolves away in the river!
Mahaaganapathi mahaaganapathi
O Lord Maha Ganapathi! Maha Ganapathi!
Mahaaganapathi mahaaganapathi
O Lord Maha Ganapathi! Maha Ganapathi!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Mahaaganapathi from Amarkalam (1999) is a social satire and cultural commentary set during a Ganesh Chaturthi idol immersion procession. Written by Vairamuthu, the song laments the decline of moral values, ethics, and tradition in the modern age (Kali Yuga). The lyrics point out how technology, commercialization of education, worship of superficial cinema icons, money power, and loss of human empathy have corrupted contemporary society. The central motif highlights the irony that even the clay idol of Ganesha—meant to cleanse human sins—dissolves helplessly in the river while human corruption and cynicism continue unchecked.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Kaalam kalikkaalam / Aagippochudaa”
A traditional Tamil poetic device where the second letter of consecutive lines rhymes (e.g., 'Kaalam' and 'Aagippochudaa' or 'Computer' and 'Maarippochudaa').
Metaphor and Satire
“Computer kadavulaaga / Maarippochudaa”
Compares modern technological reliance directly to divine power, satirizing society's shift from spiritual devotion to technological worship.
Situational Irony
“Vinai theerkka vandha / Saami kooda aaththil karaiyudhu”
Highlights the paradox of people revering a clay idol meant to absorb and dissolve sins, while human morality itself is rapidly eroding.
Did you know?
Trivia
The music for Amarkalam (1999) was composed by Bharadwaj, and this track was sung energetically by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. Set against a Ganesha Chaturthi street rally, the song functions as a philosophical character-establishing track for Ajith Kumar's protagonist Vasu.
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