Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaliamman Koyilile Ponga

From Pattanam Pogalam Vaa · 1981

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. Janaki, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Pattanam Pogalam Vaa1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaaliyamman koyililaeTo the Kaliyamman temple
Ponga veikka naanga vandhomWe have come to cook the sacred pongal offering
Chorus
Kaaliyamman koyililaeTo the Kaliyamman temple
Ponga veikka naanga vandhomWe have come to cook the sacred pongal offering
Female
Azhagaana kannigalaamBeautiful young maidens
Siru vaazhai thandugalaamLike slender tender banana stems
Chorus
Azhagaana kannigalaamBeautiful young maidens
Siru vaazhai thandugalaamLike slender tender banana stems
Kaaliyamman koyililaeTo the Kaliyamman temple
Ponga veikka naanga vandhomWe have come to cook the sacred pongal offering
Female
Vaanam boomi ava thaan padaichaaShe created the sky and the earth
Valarum thadaiyai avathaan azhichaaShe destroyed all growing obstacles
Chorus :Vaanam boomi ava thaan padaichaaChorus: She created the sky and the earth
Valarum thadaiyai avathaan azhichaaChorus: She destroyed all growing obstacles
Female
Vaeli varappu unakku koduthu kaali kaathiruppaaGiving you fences and field boundaries, Kali stands guard
Chorus :Ava podum kottellaam nee thandi ponaakkaaChorus: If you cross the boundaries she sets
Vazhi sollum maakaaali thaayaeGreat Mother Mahakali will show the true path
Chorus
Kaaliyamman koyililaeTo the Kaliyamman temple
Ponga veikka naanga vandhomWe have come to cook the sacred pongal offering
Chorus
……………………………………..
Female
Saadhi sanathai sugamaa irukkumKith and kin will live in peace and happiness
Needhi nilaikka ninaichaa nadakkumIf she wills justice to prevail, it shall happen
Chorus
Saadhi sanathai sugamaa irukkumKith and kin will live in peace and happiness
Needhi nilaikka ninaichaa nadakkumIf she wills justice to prevail, it shall happen
Female
Kanni manasu konjam azhudhaaIf a young maiden's heart sheds a tear
Thaali thandha aathaaShe is the mother who grants the sacred wedding thread
Chorus :Needhaanae ellamum neraaga thaaraayaeChorus: You are everything, grant us blessings directly
Namooru mahakaali thaayaeMother Mahakali of our village
Chorus
Kaaliyaamman koyililaeTo the Kaliyamman temple
Ponga veikka naanga vandhomWe have come to cook the sacred pongal offering
Azhagaana kannigalaamBeautiful young maidens
Siru vaazhai thandugalaamLike slender tender banana stems
Chorus
Thaanaanaanae thaanaanaanae thaanaanaanae thaanaanaanae…(3)Thaanaanaanae thaanaanaanae thaanaanaanae thaanaanaanae...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a vibrant Tamil village folk devotional track sung during a temple festival dedicated to Goddess Kaliyamman. Village women gather at the deity's shrine to prepare the ritual Pongal offering while celebrating the community's bond, rural lifestyle, and faith in Goddess Kali as their supreme protector.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uwamai)

Siru vaazhai thandugalaam

Comparing young village maidens to tender banana stems ('Siru vaazhai thandugalaam') to highlight their grace, beauty, and youth.

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Vaanam boomi ava thaan padaichaa / Valarum thadaiyai avathaan azhichaa

Matching second consonants across lines ('Vaanam' and 'Valarum', 'padaichaa' and 'azhichaa') enhancing the rhythmic folk flow.

Refrain / Repetition (Anaphora)

Kaaliyamman koyililae / Ponga veikka naanga vandhom

Repetition of chorus lines to capture the communal call-and-response dynamic of traditional Tamil Gramiya Paattu (village folk songs).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilayaraja for the 1981 film 'Pattanam Pogalam Vaa', this song captures authentic Tamil rural folk rhythm and temple festival atmosphere, rendered powerfully by S. Janaki alongside a chorus.

Keep listening

More from Pattanam Pogalam Vaa