Komatha Engal Kulamatha
From Saraswathi Sabatham · 1966
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Saraswathi Sabatham1966
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Kalai vaazhga malar vaazhga | Long live art, long live the flower, |
| Kalaimagalin thiruvaazhga | Long live the divine presence of Goddess Saraswathi, |
| Pulavar thirunaavir porundhum | Residing upon the holy tongue of poets, |
| Thamizh vaazhga | Long live the Tamil language! |
| Kanni thamizhodu kalandha | Blended with pure, maiden Tamil, |
| Narkavi vaazhga | Long live good poetry! |
| Annai kalaivaani | Mother Saraswathi, |
| Vanna peyar vaazhga vaazhgavae | Long live her colorful name, long live! |
| Female | |
| Komaadhaa engal kulamaadhaa | Mother Cow, you are the matriarch of our clan, |
| Kulamaadhar nalam kaakum gunamaadhaa | A virtuous mother who protects the well-being of women, |
| Aaaaa…..aaa…..aaaa……aaaaa……. | Aaaaa…..aaa…..aaaa……aaaaa……. |
| Female | |
| {Komaadhaa engal kulamaadhaa | {Mother Cow, you are the matriarch of our clan, |
| Komaadhaa engal kulamaadhaa | Mother Cow, you are the matriarch of our clan, |
| Kulamaadhar nalam kaakum gunamaadhaa | A virtuous mother who protects the well-being of women, |
| Puvi vaazhvil arul pongum thirumadhaa | A sacred mother whose grace overflows in earthly life, |
| Vanna komaadhaa….} (2) | Beautiful Mother Cow….} (2) |
| Female | |
| Komaadhaa | Mother Cow |
| Chorus :Komaadhaa | Chorus: Mother Cow |
| Female :Engal kulamaadhaa | Female: Matriarch of our clan |
| Chorus :Kulamaadhaa | Chorus: Matriarch of our clan |
| Female | |
| Paalootum anbilae annai neeyae | In the love of feeding milk, you are a mother, |
| Pazhagum uravilae pillai neeyae | In affectionate bond, you are a child, |
| Paalootum anbilae annai neeyae | In the love of feeding milk, you are a mother, |
| Pazhagum uravilae pillai neeyae | In affectionate bond, you are a child, |
| Female | |
| Karunai manadhilae gangai neeyae | In a compassionate heart, you are the holy Ganges, |
| Karunai manadhilae gangai neeyae | In a compassionate heart, you are the holy Ganges, |
| Kallaarkkum katravarkkum deivam neeyae | To the uneducated as well as the learned, you are God, |
| Kallaarkkum katravarkkum deivam neeyae | To the uneducated as well as the learned, you are God, |
| Female | |
| Komaadhaa engal kulamaadhaa | Mother Cow, you are the matriarch of our clan, |
| Kulamaadhar nalam kaakum gunamaadhaa | A virtuous mother who protects the well-being of women, |
| Puvi vaazhvil arul pongum thirumadhaa | A sacred mother whose grace overflows in earthly life, |
| Vanna komaadhaa…. | Beautiful Mother Cow…. |
| Female | |
| Komaadhaa | Mother Cow |
| Chorus :Komaadhaa | Chorus: Mother Cow |
| Female :Engal kulamaadhaa | Female: Matriarch of our clan |
| Chorus :Kulamaadhaa | Chorus: Matriarch of our clan |
| Female | |
| Inangaadhor manam kooda inangum | Even the hearts of those who disagree will bow, |
| Nee edhir vandhaal edhir kaalam thulangum | If you appear before us, the future will shine bright, |
| Inangaadhor manam kooda inangum | Even the hearts of those who disagree will bow, |
| Nee edhir vandhaal edhir kaalam thulangum | If you appear before us, the future will shine bright, |
| Female | |
| Vanangaadhaaa….aaaa | Unbending….aaaa |
| Vanangaadhor siram unnai vanangum | Even heads that refuse to bow will bow to you, |
| Vanangaadhor siram unnai vanangum | Even heads that refuse to bow will bow to you, |
| Unnai valam vandhaal nalamelaam vilangum | If one circumambulates you, all goodness will manifest, |
| Vanna komaadhaa…aaaa…. | Beautiful Mother Cow…aaaa…. |
| Female | |
| Komaadhaa engal kulamaadhaa | Mother Cow, you are the matriarch of our clan, |
| Kulamaadhar nalam kaakum gunamaadhaa | A virtuous mother who protects the well-being of women, |
| Puvi vaazhvil arul pongum thirumadhaa | A sacred mother whose grace overflows in earthly life, |
| Vanna komaadhaa…. | Beautiful Mother Cow…. |
| Female | |
| Komaadhaa | Mother Cow |
| Chorus :Komaadhaa | Chorus: Mother Cow |
| Female :Engal kulamaadhaa | Female: Engal kulamaadhaa |
| Chorus :Kulamaadhaa | Chorus: Matriarch of our clan |
| Chorus | |
| Nalam neeyae | You are goodness, |
| Female :Balam neeyae | Female: You are strength, |
| Chorus :Nadhi neeyae | Chorus: You are the river, |
| Female :Kadal neeyae | Female: You are the ocean, |
| Female | |
| Arul neeyae | You are grace, |
| Chorus :Arul neeyae | Chorus: You are grace, |
| Female :Porul neeyae | Female: You are wealth, |
| Chorus :Porul neeyae | Chorus: You are wealth, |
| Female | |
| Oli neeyae | You are light, |
| Chorus :Oli neeyae | Chorus: You are light, |
| Female :Uyir neeyae | Female: You are life, |
| Chorus :Uyir neeyae | Chorus: You are life, |
| Female | |
| Ulagam yaavum karunaiyodu | May you grant grace so that the entire world |
| Perugi vaazha arulvaayae | Thrives abundantly with compassion! |
கலை வாழ்க
மலர் வாழ்க கலை
மகளின் திருவாழ்க
புலவர் திருநாவிற்
பொருந்தும் தமிழ்
வாழ்க கன்னி தமிழோடு
கலந்த நற்கவி வாழ்க
அன்னை கலைவாணி
வண்ண பெயர் வாழ்க
வாழ்கவே
Long live art, long live the flower,
Long live the divine presence of Goddess Saraswathi,
Residing upon the holy tongue of poets,
Long live the Tamil language!
Blended with pure, maiden Tamil,
Long live good poetry!
Mother Saraswathi,
Long live her colorful name, long live!
கோமாதா
எங்கள் குலமாதா
குலமாதர் நாளும்
காக்கும் குணமாதா
ஆஆஆ ஆஆ ஆஆஆ
ஆஆஆ
Mother Cow, you are the matriarch of our clan,
A virtuous mother who protects the well-being of women,
Aaaaa…..aaa…..aaaa……aaaaa…….
{ கோமாதா எங்கள்
குலமாதா கோமாதா எங்கள்
குலமாதா குலமாதர் நாளும்
காக்கும் குணமாதா புவி
வாழ்வில் அருள் பொங்கும்
திருமாதா வண்ண கோமாதா } (2)
{Mother Cow, you are the matriarch of our clan,
Mother Cow, you are the matriarch of our clan,
A virtuous mother who protects the well-being of women,
A sacred mother whose grace overflows in earthly life,
Beautiful Mother Cow….} (2)
கோமாதா
குழு :
கோமாதா
எங்கள்
குலமாதா
குழு :
குலமாதா
Mother Cow
Chorus: Mother Cow
Female: Matriarch of our clan
Chorus: Matriarch of our clan
பாலூட்டும்
அன்பிலே அன்னை
நீயே பழகும் உறவிலே
பிள்ளை நீயே பாலூட்டும்
அன்பிலே அன்னை நீயே
பழகும் உறவிலே பிள்ளை
நீயே
In the love of feeding milk, you are a mother,
In affectionate bond, you are a child,
In the love of feeding milk, you are a mother,
In affectionate bond, you are a child,
கருணை மனதிலே
கங்கை நீயே கருணை
மனதிலே கங்கை நீயே
கல்லார்க்கும் கற்றவர்க்கும்
தெய்வம் நீயே கல்லார்க்கும்
கற்றவர்க்கும் தெய்வம் நீயே
In a compassionate heart, you are the holy Ganges,
In a compassionate heart, you are the holy Ganges,
To the uneducated as well as the learned, you are God,
To the uneducated as well as the learned, you are God,
கோமாதா எங்கள்
குலமாதா குலமாதர் நாளும்
காக்கும் குணமாதா புவி
வாழ்வில் அருள் பொங்கும்
திருமாதா வண்ண கோமாதா
Mother Cow, you are the matriarch of our clan,
A virtuous mother who protects the well-being of women,
A sacred mother whose grace overflows in earthly life,
Beautiful Mother Cow….
கோமாதா
குழு :
கோமாதா
எங்கள்
குலமாதா
குழு :
குலமாதா
Mother Cow
Chorus: Mother Cow
Female: Matriarch of our clan
Chorus: Matriarch of our clan
இணங்காதோர்
மனம் கூட இணங்கும்
நீ எதிர் வந்தால் எதிர்
காலம் துலங்கும்
இணங்காதோர் மனம்
கூட இணங்கும் நீ எதிர்
வந்தால் எதிர் காலம்
துலங்கும்
Even the hearts of those who disagree will bow,
If you appear before us, the future will shine bright,
Even the hearts of those who disagree will bow,
If you appear before us, the future will shine bright,
வணங்காதா
வணங்காதோர் சிரம்
உன்னை வணங்கும்
வணங்காதோர் சிரம்
உன்னை வணங்கும்
உன்னை வளம் வந்தால்
நலமெல்லாம் விளங்கும்
வண்ண கோமாதா
Unbending….aaaa
Even heads that refuse to bow will bow to you,
Even heads that refuse to bow will bow to you,
If one circumambulates you, all goodness will manifest,
Beautiful Mother Cow…aaaa….
கோமாதா எங்கள்
குலமாதா குலமாதர் நாளும்
காக்கும் குணமாதா புவி
வாழ்வில் அருள் பொங்கும்
திருமாதா வண்ண கோமாதா
Mother Cow, you are the matriarch of our clan,
A virtuous mother who protects the well-being of women,
A sacred mother whose grace overflows in earthly life,
Beautiful Mother Cow….
கோமாதா
குழு :
கோமாதா
எங்கள்
குலமாதா
குழு :
குலமாதா
Mother Cow
Chorus: Mother Cow
Female: Engal kulamaadhaa
Chorus: Matriarch of our clan
நலம் நீயே
பலம் நீயே
குழு :
நதி நீயே
கடல் நீயே
You are goodness,
Female: You are strength,
Chorus: You are the river,
Female: You are the ocean,
அருள் நீயே
குழு :
அருள் நீயே
பொருள் நீயே
குழு :
பொருள் நீயே
You are grace,
Chorus: You are grace,
Female: You are wealth,
Chorus: You are wealth,
ஒளி நீயே
குழு :
ஒளி நீயே
உயிர் நீயே
குழு :
உயிர் நீயே
You are light,
Chorus: You are light,
Female: You are life,
Chorus: You are life,
உலகம் யாவும்
கருணையோடு பெருகி
வாழ அருள்வாயே
May you grant grace so that the entire world
Thrives abundantly with compassion!
Kalai vaazhga malar vaazhga
Long live art, long live the flower,
Kalaimagalin thiruvaazhga
Long live the divine presence of Goddess Saraswathi,
Pulavar thirunaavir porundhum
Residing upon the holy tongue of poets,
Thamizh vaazhga
Long live the Tamil language!
Kanni thamizhodu kalandha
Blended with pure, maiden Tamil,
Narkavi vaazhga
Long live good poetry!
Annai kalaivaani
Mother Saraswathi,
Vanna peyar vaazhga vaazhgavae
Long live her colorful name, long live!
Komaadhaa engal kulamaadhaa
Mother Cow, you are the matriarch of our clan,
Kulamaadhar nalam kaakum gunamaadhaa
A virtuous mother who protects the well-being of women,
Aaaaa…..aaa…..aaaa……aaaaa…….
Aaaaa…..aaa…..aaaa……aaaaa…….
{Komaadhaa engal kulamaadhaa
{Mother Cow, you are the matriarch of our clan,
Komaadhaa engal kulamaadhaa
Mother Cow, you are the matriarch of our clan,
Kulamaadhar nalam kaakum gunamaadhaa
A virtuous mother who protects the well-being of women,
Puvi vaazhvil arul pongum thirumadhaa
A sacred mother whose grace overflows in earthly life,
Vanna komaadhaa….} (2)
Beautiful Mother Cow….} (2)
Komaadhaa
Mother Cow
Chorus :Komaadhaa
Chorus: Mother Cow
Female :Engal kulamaadhaa
Female: Matriarch of our clan
Chorus :Kulamaadhaa
Chorus: Matriarch of our clan
Paalootum anbilae annai neeyae
In the love of feeding milk, you are a mother,
Pazhagum uravilae pillai neeyae
In affectionate bond, you are a child,
Paalootum anbilae annai neeyae
In the love of feeding milk, you are a mother,
Pazhagum uravilae pillai neeyae
In affectionate bond, you are a child,
Karunai manadhilae gangai neeyae
In a compassionate heart, you are the holy Ganges,
Karunai manadhilae gangai neeyae
In a compassionate heart, you are the holy Ganges,
Kallaarkkum katravarkkum deivam neeyae
To the uneducated as well as the learned, you are God,
Kallaarkkum katravarkkum deivam neeyae
To the uneducated as well as the learned, you are God,
Komaadhaa engal kulamaadhaa
Mother Cow, you are the matriarch of our clan,
Kulamaadhar nalam kaakum gunamaadhaa
A virtuous mother who protects the well-being of women,
Puvi vaazhvil arul pongum thirumadhaa
A sacred mother whose grace overflows in earthly life,
Vanna komaadhaa….
Beautiful Mother Cow….
Komaadhaa
Mother Cow
Chorus :Komaadhaa
Chorus: Mother Cow
Female :Engal kulamaadhaa
Female: Matriarch of our clan
Chorus :Kulamaadhaa
Chorus: Matriarch of our clan
Inangaadhor manam kooda inangum
Even the hearts of those who disagree will bow,
Nee edhir vandhaal edhir kaalam thulangum
If you appear before us, the future will shine bright,
Inangaadhor manam kooda inangum
Even the hearts of those who disagree will bow,
Nee edhir vandhaal edhir kaalam thulangum
If you appear before us, the future will shine bright,
Vanangaadhaaa….aaaa
Unbending….aaaa
Vanangaadhor siram unnai vanangum
Even heads that refuse to bow will bow to you,
Vanangaadhor siram unnai vanangum
Even heads that refuse to bow will bow to you,
Unnai valam vandhaal nalamelaam vilangum
If one circumambulates you, all goodness will manifest,
Vanna komaadhaa…aaaa….
Beautiful Mother Cow…aaaa….
Komaadhaa engal kulamaadhaa
Mother Cow, you are the matriarch of our clan,
Kulamaadhar nalam kaakum gunamaadhaa
A virtuous mother who protects the well-being of women,
Puvi vaazhvil arul pongum thirumadhaa
A sacred mother whose grace overflows in earthly life,
Vanna komaadhaa….
Beautiful Mother Cow….
Komaadhaa
Mother Cow
Chorus :Komaadhaa
Chorus: Mother Cow
Female :Engal kulamaadhaa
Female: Engal kulamaadhaa
Chorus :Kulamaadhaa
Chorus: Matriarch of our clan
Nalam neeyae
You are goodness,
Female :Balam neeyae
Female: You are strength,
Chorus :Nadhi neeyae
Chorus: You are the river,
Female :Kadal neeyae
Female: You are the ocean,
Arul neeyae
You are grace,
Chorus :Arul neeyae
Chorus: You are grace,
Female :Porul neeyae
Female: You are wealth,
Chorus :Porul neeyae
Chorus: You are wealth,
Oli neeyae
You are light,
Chorus :Oli neeyae
Chorus: You are light,
Female :Uyir neeyae
Female: You are life,
Chorus :Uyir neeyae
Chorus: You are life,
Ulagam yaavum karunaiyodu
May you grant grace so that the entire world
Perugi vaazha arulvaayae
Thrives abundantly with compassion!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a deep invocation and hymn of praise, beginning with salutations to Goddess Saraswathi (Kalaivaani) and the rich Tamil language, before transitioning into a reverent homage to 'Komaadhaa' (the sacred Mother Cow). The verses portray the cow not merely as a domestic animal, but as a divine maternal force that nurtures humanity with milk, embodies purity like the Ganges, and serves as a universal deity for both the unlettered and the learned alike.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Paalootum anbilae annai neeyae / Pazhagum uravilae pillai neeyae”
Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, such as 'Paalootum' / 'Pazhagum' and 'Kallaarkkum' / 'Katravarkkum'.
Anaphora / Repetition
“Nalam neeyae / Balam neeyae / Nadhi neeyae / Kadal neeyae”
Repeated line endings with 'neeyae' to emphasize the deity's omnipresence and divine qualities.
Metaphor
“Karunai manadhilae gangai neeyae”
Directly equating the holy cow to the river Ganges ('Gangai neeyae') and to universal life force ('Uyir neeyae').
Did you know?
Trivia
From the classical Tamil mythological film Saraswathi Sabatham (1966), directed by A. P. Nagarajan starring Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, and K. R. Vijaya. The music was composed by KV Mahadevan and sung by P. Susheela.
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