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Lyrics & meaning

Karandha Paalaiyum

From Veerapandiya Kattabomman · 1959

Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Chorus
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Veerapandiya Kattabomman1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vettrivel veeravelVictorious spear, courageous spear!
Chorus :Vettrivel veeravelChorus: Victorious spear, courageous spear!
Male
Haa..aaa..aaa..aa..Haa..aaa..aaa..aa..
Karandha paalaiyum kaagam kudiyadhuEven a crow will not drink freshly milked milk,
Kattabommu durai peru sonnaIf the name of King Kattabomman is uttered.
Chorus :Karandha paalaiyum kaagam kudiyadhuChorus: Even a crow will not drink freshly milked milk,
Kattabommu durai peru sonnaIf the name of King Kattabomman is uttered.
Male :Varamdharuvaale veeramalluGoddess Veeramallu will bestow boons,
Thiru vaakkarul seivaale sakkadeviGoddess Sakkadevi will grant holy predictions and blessings.
Chorus :Varamdharuvaale veeramalluChorus: Goddess Veeramallu will bestow boons,
Thiru vaakkarul seivaale sakkadeviGoddess Sakkadevi will grant holy predictions and blessings.
Male
Musalum naayai kadithidumamEven a hare will bite a hunting dog,
Vegu munaiyulla paanjaala naatinilaeIn the fiercely courageous land of Panjalankurichi!
Chorus :Musalum naayai kadithidumamChorus: Even a hare will bite a hunting dog,
Vegu munaiyulla paanjaala naatinilaeIn the fiercely courageous land of Panjalankurichi!
Male :Pasuvum puliyum or thuraiyilThe cow and the tiger at the same riverbank,
Oru pakkamaai nindru thanneer arundhumStand side by side and drink water together.
Chorus :Pasuvum puliyum or thuraiyilChorus: The cow and the tiger at the same riverbank,
Oru pakkamaai nindru thanneer arundhumStand side by side and drink water together.
Male
Kattiyang kooriyae verrarellamAs heralds proclaim praises and warriors,
Veghu kambeeramaaga nadai podaMarch forward with immense majesty,
Chorus :Kattiyang kooriyae verrarellamChorus: As heralds proclaim praises and warriors,
Veghu kambeeramaaga nadai podaMarch forward with immense majesty,
Male :Pattathu yaanaiyin meedhamarndhuSeated atop the royal state elephant,
Miga paangudanae singm poguthu paarLook at the lion among men riding with supreme grace!
Chorus :Pattathu yaanaiyin meedhamarndhuChorus: Seated atop the royal state elephant,
Miga paangudanae singm poguthu paarLook at the lion among men riding with supreme grace!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This majestic song praises the heroism of King Veerapandiya Kattabomman and the heroic spirit of his realm, Panjalankurichi. Through vivid folkloric imagery, the lyrics illustrate how his righteous and powerful rule inspires fearlessness in his people and harmony in nature. It portrays a land where even gentle creatures like hares turn brave enough to fight hounds, and natural enemies like cows and tigers drink side by side in peace, all protected by local guardian deities like Jakkamma (Sakkadevi).

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Hyperbali / Atiyukti (Hyperbole)

Musalum naayai kadithidumam

Extravagant exaggeration used to depict the extraordinary bravery of the land, where even hares bite hunting dogs.

Uruvam (Metaphor)

Miga paangudanae singm poguthu paar

Comparing King Kattabomman directly to a lion riding atop an elephant.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Vettrivel veeravel

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'V' across the line.

Did you know?

Trivia

According to local folklore, the city of Panjalankurichi was built on the exact spot where Kattabomman's ancestors witnessed a small hare chasing away hunting dogs, symbolizing that the soil itself instills immense courage.

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