Kottravai Veriyattam
From Kottravai · 2023
- Lyricist
- Kadhirmozhi
- Music director
- Ghibran
- Details
- Kottravai2023
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Neeli enga sooli | Neeli, our trident-bearer, |
| Emai kaaka vandha kaali | The Kaali who arrived to protect us, |
| Saali mela eri | Mounting upon her ride, |
| Vadham seiya neeyum vaadi | Come forward to vanquish evil! |
| Male | |
| Aadu kozhi vetti | Slaughtering goats and chickens, |
| Bali kodupom yethukkadi | We offer sacrifices, please accept them! |
| Theedhai patravaikkum | Igniting the fire that destroys evil, |
| Engal aadhi kotravaiyae | Oh our ancient goddess Kottravai! |
| Female | |
| Un sandi thanam paarthu | Seeing your fierce temperament, |
| Mandiyidum kaathu | Even the wind kneels down in fear. |
| Idhu maanam kaatha boomi | This is a land that protected honor, |
| Nee kaaka vandha saami | You are the deity who came to guard it. |
| Female | |
| Andha sooriyana kooda | Even at that scorching sun, |
| Sutterikkum paarva | Your gaze burns hotter. |
| Kadung kaanagatha aala | Ruling over the dense forest, |
| Nee eesanukum mela | You stand higher than Lord Shiva himself. |
| Male | |
| Neeli enga sooli | Neeli, our trident-bearer, |
| Emai kaaka vandha kaali | The Kaali who arrived to protect us, |
| Saali mela eri | Mounting upon her ride, |
| Vadham seiya neeyum vaadi | Come forward to vanquish evil! |
| Male | |
| Aadu kozhi vetti | Slaughtering goats and chickens, |
| Bali kodupom yethukkadi | We offer sacrifices, please accept them! |
| Theedhai patravaikkum | Igniting the fire that destroys evil, |
| Engal aadhi kotravaiyae | Oh our ancient goddess Kottravai! |
| Female | |
| Nee nilam kakkum bothu | When you guard this land, |
| Oru thee vinai ingu yedhu | What evil deed can occur here? |
| Aanmaiyum anjum maadhu | A woman whom even masculinity fears, |
| Un thaaimaikku eedu yedhu | What can equal your motherhood? |
| Chorus | |
| Yereduthu nee paaru pothum | Just look up at us, that is enough. |
| Urumikkum udukkaikkum | To the sound of roaring drums and udukkai, |
| Veriyaadum kootam | The crowd dances in a frenzy. |
| Un per solli oolavaikkum ooru | Calling your name, the village howls in devotion. |
| Kari soorum karuvaadum | Meat rice and dried fish, |
| Mana manakkum paaru | See how fragrant they smell! |
| Female | |
| Iru kaadhil kundalam | Earrings in both ears, |
| Karanda magudamum | A crowned head, |
| Por alangaramum pannithaan | And adorned with armor for war, |
| Poosa vaipomae | We will perform the ritual worship! |
| Perasa veipomae | We will offer a grand feast! |
| En kaaval deivamae | Oh my guardian deity! |
| Male | |
| Neeli enga sooli | Neeli, our trident-bearer, |
| Emai kaaka vandha kaali | The Kaali who arrived to protect us, |
| Saali mela eri | Mounting upon her ride, |
| Vadham seiya neeyum vaadi | Come forward to vanquish evil! |
| Male | |
| Aadu kozhi vetti | Slaughtering goats and chickens, |
| Bali kodupom yethukkadi | We offer sacrifices, please accept them! |
| Theedhai patravaikkum | Igniting the fire that destroys evil, |
| Engal aadhi kotravaiyae | Oh our ancient goddess Kottravai! |
| Female | |
| Un sandi thanam paarthu | Seeing your fierce temperament, |
| Mandiyidum kaathu | Even the wind kneels down in fear. |
| Idhu maanam kaatha boomi | This is a land that protected honor, |
| Nee kaaka vandha saami | You are the deity who came to guard it. |
| Female | |
| Andha sooriyana kooda | Even at that scorching sun, |
| Sutterikkum paarva | Your gaze burns hotter. |
| Kadung kaanagatha aala | Ruling over the dense forest, |
| Nee eesanukum mela | You stand higher than Lord Shiva himself. |
| Male | |
| Neeli enga sooli | Neeli, our trident-bearer, |
| Emai kaaka vandha kaali | The Kaali who arrived to protect us, |
| Saali mela eri | Mounting upon her ride, |
| Vadham seiya neeyum vaadi | Come forward to vanquish evil! |
| Male | |
| Aadu kozhi vetti | Slaughtering goats and chickens, |
| Bali kodupom yethukkadi | We offer sacrifices, please accept them! |
| Theedhai patravaikkum | Igniting the fire that destroys evil, |
| Engal aadhi kotravaiyae | Oh our ancient goddess Kottravai! |
| Female | |
| Aaralai kalvar soola | Surrounded by highway robbers, |
| Vetri vaagaiyai soodi vanthaai | You returned crowned with the garland of victory. |
| Thaai tamil unnathandro | Is not Mother Tamil supreme? |
| Marapor vazhi kandu kondom | We discovered the path of righteous warfare. |
| Chorus | |
| Emmann mela | Upon our soil, |
| Pon mela kaya vecha | If anyone lays a hand on our wealth, |
| Ava urumala pottunna | She will let out a roar, |
| Uruviduvaa | And skin them alive! |
| Iru kanmoodi paarthalum | Even if you look with closed eyes, |
| Iruttukkulla | In the pitch darkness, |
| Sudaraaga ozhiyaaga | As a flame and a light, |
| Therinchiduva | She will appear clearly. |
| Female | |
| Muppogam velanchida | For triple crops to flourish, |
| Mum maari tharubaval | She gives the three seasonal rains. |
| Ini thotathellaam vetriyaaga | From now on, everything touched will turn to victory, |
| Tholangum paaruda | Look, it will shine bright! |
| Inga kaali irukkavae | When Kaali is here, |
| Oru kavalai illada… | There is no worry at all... |
நீலி எங்க சூலி
எமை காக்க வந்த காளி
சாலி மேல எறி
வதம் செய்ய நீயும் வாடி
Neeli, our trident-bearer,
The Kaali who arrived to protect us,
Mounting upon her ride,
Come forward to vanquish evil!
ஆடு கோழி வெட்டி
பலி கொடுப்போம் ஏத்துக்கடி
தீதை பற்றவைக்கும்
எங்கள் ஆதி கொற்றவையே
Slaughtering goats and chickens,
We offer sacrifices, please accept them!
Igniting the fire that destroys evil,
Oh our ancient goddess Kottravai!
உன் சண்டி தனம் பார்த்து
மண்டியிடும் காத்து
இது மானம் காத்த பூமி
நீ காக்க வந்த சாமி
Seeing your fierce temperament,
Even the wind kneels down in fear.
This is a land that protected honor,
You are the deity who came to guard it.
அந்த சூரியன கூட
சுட்டெரிக்கும் பார்வ
கடுங் கானகத்த ஆள
நீ ஈசனுக்கும் மேல
Even at that scorching sun,
Your gaze burns hotter.
Ruling over the dense forest,
You stand higher than Lord Shiva himself.
நீலி எங்க சூலி
எமை காக்க வந்த காளி
சாலி மேல எறி
வதம் செய்ய நீயும் வாடி
Neeli, our trident-bearer,
The Kaali who arrived to protect us,
Mounting upon her ride,
Come forward to vanquish evil!
ஆடு கோழி வெட்டி
பலி கொடுப்போம் ஏத்துக்கடி
தீதை பற்றவைக்கும்
எங்கள் ஆதி கொற்றவையே
Slaughtering goats and chickens,
We offer sacrifices, please accept them!
Igniting the fire that destroys evil,
Oh our ancient goddess Kottravai!
நீ நிலம் காக்கும் போது
ஒரு தீ வினை இங்கு ஏது
ஆண்மையும் அஞ்சும் மாது
உன் தாய்மைக்கு ஈடு ஏது
When you guard this land,
What evil deed can occur here?
A woman whom even masculinity fears,
What can equal your motherhood?
ஏறெடுத்து நீ பாரு போதும்
உறுமிக்கும் உடுக்கைக்கும்
வெறியாடும் கூட்டம்
உன் பேர் சொல்லி ஒலவைக்கும் ஊரு
கரி சோறும் கருவாடும்
மண மணக்கும் பாரு
Just look up at us, that is enough.
To the sound of roaring drums and udukkai,
The crowd dances in a frenzy.
Calling your name, the village howls in devotion.
Meat rice and dried fish,
See how fragrant they smell!
இரு காதில் குண்டலமும்
கரண்ட மகுடமும்
போர் அலங்காரம் பண்ணித்தான்
பூச வைப்போமே
பேராசா வைய்போமே
என் காவல் தெய்வமே
Earrings in both ears,
A crowned head,
And adorned with armor for war,
We will perform the ritual worship!
We will offer a grand feast!
Oh my guardian deity!
நீலி எங்க சூலி
எமை காக்க வந்த காளி
சாலி மேல எறி
வதம் செய்ய நீயும் வாடி
Neeli, our trident-bearer,
The Kaali who arrived to protect us,
Mounting upon her ride,
Come forward to vanquish evil!
ஆடு கோழி வெட்டி
பலி கொடுப்போம் ஏத்துக்கடி
தீதை பற்றவைக்கும்
எங்கள் ஆதி கொற்றவையே
Slaughtering goats and chickens,
We offer sacrifices, please accept them!
Igniting the fire that destroys evil,
Oh our ancient goddess Kottravai!
உன் சண்டி தனம் பார்த்து
மண்டியிடும் காத்து
இது மானம் காத்த பூமி
நீ காக்க வந்த சாமி
Seeing your fierce temperament,
Even the wind kneels down in fear.
This is a land that protected honor,
You are the deity who came to guard it.
அந்த சூரியன கூட
சுட்டெரிக்கும் பார்வ
கடுங் கானகத்த ஆள
நீ ஈசனுக்கும் மேல
Even at that scorching sun,
Your gaze burns hotter.
Ruling over the dense forest,
You stand higher than Lord Shiva himself.
நீலி எங்க சூலி
எமை காக்க வந்த காளி
சாலி மேல எறி
வதம் செய்ய நீயும் வாடி
Neeli, our trident-bearer,
The Kaali who arrived to protect us,
Mounting upon her ride,
Come forward to vanquish evil!
ஆடு கோழி வெட்டி
பலி கொடுப்போம் ஏத்துக்கடி
தீதை பற்றவைக்கும்
எங்கள் ஆதி கொற்றவையே
Slaughtering goats and chickens,
We offer sacrifices, please accept them!
Igniting the fire that destroys evil,
Oh our ancient goddess Kottravai!
ஆஆ..ஆரலை கள்வர் சூழ
வெற்றி வாகையை சூடி வந்தாய்
தாய் தமிழ் உன்னதன்றோ
மறபோர் வழி கண்டு கொண்டோம்
Surrounded by highway robbers,
You returned crowned with the garland of victory.
Is not Mother Tamil supreme?
We discovered the path of righteous warfare.
எம் மண் மேல
பொன் மேல கைய வச்சா
அவ உருமல
போட்டு உருவிடுவா
இரு கண்மூடி பார்த்தாலும்
இருட்டுக்குள்ள சுடராக
ஒழியாக தெரிஞ்சிடுவா
Upon our soil,
If anyone lays a hand on our wealth,
She will let out a roar,
And skin them alive!
Even if you look with closed eyes,
In the pitch darkness,
As a flame and a light,
She will appear clearly.
முப் போகம் வெளஞ்சிட
மும் மாரி தருபவள்
இனி தோட்டதெல்லாம் வெற்றியாக
தொலங்கும் பாருடா
இங்க காளி இருக்கவே
ஒரு கவலை இல்லடா…
For triple crops to flourish,
She gives the three seasonal rains.
From now on, everything touched will turn to victory,
Look, it will shine bright!
When Kaali is here,
There is no worry at all...
நீலி எங்க சூலி
எமை காக்க வந்த காளி
சாலி மேல எறி
வதம் செய்ய நீயும் வாடி
ஆடு கோழி வெட்டி
பலி கொடுப்போம் ஏத்துக்கடி
தீதை பற்றவைக்கும்
எங்கள் ஆதி கொற்றவையே
உன் சண்டி தனம் பார்த்து
மண்டியிடும் காத்து
இது மானம் காத்த பூமி
நீ காக்க வந்த சாமி
அந்த சூரியன கூட
சுட்டெரிக்கும் பார்வ
கடுங் கானகத்த ஆள
நீ ஈசனுக்கும் மேல
நீலி எங்க சூலி
எமை காக்க வந்த காளி
சாலி மேல எறி
வதம் செய்ய நீயும் வாடி
ஆடு கோழி வெட்டி
பலி கொடுப்போம் ஏத்துக்கடி
தீதை பற்றவைக்கும்
எங்கள் ஆதி கொற்றவையே
Neeli enga sooli
Neeli, our trident-bearer,
Emai kaaka vandha kaali
The Kaali who arrived to protect us,
Saali mela eri
Mounting upon her ride,
Vadham seiya neeyum vaadi
Come forward to vanquish evil!
Aadu kozhi vetti
Slaughtering goats and chickens,
Bali kodupom yethukkadi
We offer sacrifices, please accept them!
Theedhai patravaikkum
Igniting the fire that destroys evil,
Engal aadhi kotravaiyae
Oh our ancient goddess Kottravai!
Un sandi thanam paarthu
Seeing your fierce temperament,
Mandiyidum kaathu
Even the wind kneels down in fear.
Idhu maanam kaatha boomi
This is a land that protected honor,
Nee kaaka vandha saami
You are the deity who came to guard it.
Andha sooriyana kooda
Even at that scorching sun,
Sutterikkum paarva
Your gaze burns hotter.
Kadung kaanagatha aala
Ruling over the dense forest,
Nee eesanukum mela
You stand higher than Lord Shiva himself.
Neeli enga sooli
Neeli, our trident-bearer,
Emai kaaka vandha kaali
The Kaali who arrived to protect us,
Saali mela eri
Mounting upon her ride,
Vadham seiya neeyum vaadi
Come forward to vanquish evil!
Aadu kozhi vetti
Slaughtering goats and chickens,
Bali kodupom yethukkadi
We offer sacrifices, please accept them!
Theedhai patravaikkum
Igniting the fire that destroys evil,
Engal aadhi kotravaiyae
Oh our ancient goddess Kottravai!
Nee nilam kakkum bothu
When you guard this land,
Oru thee vinai ingu yedhu
What evil deed can occur here?
Aanmaiyum anjum maadhu
A woman whom even masculinity fears,
Un thaaimaikku eedu yedhu
What can equal your motherhood?
Yereduthu nee paaru pothum
Just look up at us, that is enough.
Urumikkum udukkaikkum
To the sound of roaring drums and udukkai,
Veriyaadum kootam
The crowd dances in a frenzy.
Un per solli oolavaikkum ooru
Calling your name, the village howls in devotion.
Kari soorum karuvaadum
Meat rice and dried fish,
Mana manakkum paaru
See how fragrant they smell!
Iru kaadhil kundalam
Earrings in both ears,
Karanda magudamum
A crowned head,
Por alangaramum pannithaan
And adorned with armor for war,
Poosa vaipomae
We will perform the ritual worship!
Perasa veipomae
We will offer a grand feast!
En kaaval deivamae
Oh my guardian deity!
Neeli enga sooli
Neeli, our trident-bearer,
Emai kaaka vandha kaali
The Kaali who arrived to protect us,
Saali mela eri
Mounting upon her ride,
Vadham seiya neeyum vaadi
Come forward to vanquish evil!
Aadu kozhi vetti
Slaughtering goats and chickens,
Bali kodupom yethukkadi
We offer sacrifices, please accept them!
Theedhai patravaikkum
Igniting the fire that destroys evil,
Engal aadhi kotravaiyae
Oh our ancient goddess Kottravai!
Un sandi thanam paarthu
Seeing your fierce temperament,
Mandiyidum kaathu
Even the wind kneels down in fear.
Idhu maanam kaatha boomi
This is a land that protected honor,
Nee kaaka vandha saami
You are the deity who came to guard it.
Andha sooriyana kooda
Even at that scorching sun,
Sutterikkum paarva
Your gaze burns hotter.
Kadung kaanagatha aala
Ruling over the dense forest,
Nee eesanukum mela
You stand higher than Lord Shiva himself.
Neeli enga sooli
Neeli, our trident-bearer,
Emai kaaka vandha kaali
The Kaali who arrived to protect us,
Saali mela eri
Mounting upon her ride,
Vadham seiya neeyum vaadi
Come forward to vanquish evil!
Aadu kozhi vetti
Slaughtering goats and chickens,
Bali kodupom yethukkadi
We offer sacrifices, please accept them!
Theedhai patravaikkum
Igniting the fire that destroys evil,
Engal aadhi kotravaiyae
Oh our ancient goddess Kottravai!
Aaralai kalvar soola
Surrounded by highway robbers,
Vetri vaagaiyai soodi vanthaai
You returned crowned with the garland of victory.
Thaai tamil unnathandro
Is not Mother Tamil supreme?
Marapor vazhi kandu kondom
We discovered the path of righteous warfare.
Emmann mela
Upon our soil,
Pon mela kaya vecha
If anyone lays a hand on our wealth,
Ava urumala pottunna
She will let out a roar,
Uruviduvaa
And skin them alive!
Iru kanmoodi paarthalum
Even if you look with closed eyes,
Iruttukkulla
In the pitch darkness,
Sudaraaga ozhiyaaga
As a flame and a light,
Therinchiduva
She will appear clearly.
Muppogam velanchida
For triple crops to flourish,
Mum maari tharubaval
She gives the three seasonal rains.
Ini thotathellaam vetriyaaga
From now on, everything touched will turn to victory,
Tholangum paaruda
Look, it will shine bright!
Inga kaali irukkavae
When Kaali is here,
Oru kavalai illada…
There is no worry at all...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Kottravai' is a high-energy, fierce invocation dedicated to Kottravai, the ancient Tamil goddess of war, victory, and the arid Palai landscape. The song praises her fierce divinity, powerful gaze capable of out-burning the sun, and her supreme protection over the land and its people. Devotees offer animal sacrifices, rich meat feasts, and intense ritual drumming, asking for her blessings to destroy evil forces and bestow prosperity and victory.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Neeli enga sooli / Emai kaaka vandha kaali”
The second consonant sound matches across consecutive lines, creating rhythmic harmony.
Hyperbole (Atisayokti)
“Andha sooriyana kooda / Sutterikkum paarva”
Exaggeration of the deity's power, stating that her gaze burns brighter and hotter than the sun itself.
Personification
“Un sandi thanam paarthu / Mandiyidum kaathu”
Attributing human actions to the wind, describing it as kneeling down in fear of the goddess.
Did you know?
Trivia
Kottravai is one of the oldest worshipped deities in Tamil culture, prominently featured in ancient Sangam literature like 'Silappatikaram' and 'Pattinappalai'. She represents the mother goddess of the Palai (desert/arid land) region and is regarded as the archetype from which later forms like Durga and Kaali evolved.
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