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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maalaiyittom Pongalittom

From Kaalam Vellum · 1970

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
L. R. Eswari, Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Movie name
Kaalam Vellum
Movie release year
1970
Lyrics added on
6 Feb 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Maalaiyittom pongalyittom
Manasaara poojaiyittom
Maalaiyittom pongalyittom
Manasaara poojaiyittom
Kaaval thara vendumadi gangaiyamma
Engal kaalam vella vendumadi gangaiyamma
Devi unnai paarkka thedi varum bothu
Thirayai pottu maraikkuraaru poosaari
Nee kodutha boomi vilanju varum bothu
Yeghabogam pannuraaru aasaami
Nee kodutha boomi vilanju varum bothu
Yeghabogam pannuraaru aasaami
Avan nelathukaranaam
Rombha balathukaranaam
Avan nelathukaranaam
Rombha balathukaranaam
Nee ninaichiyinna avanumippo
Pozhaichirupaana
Nee ninaichiyinna avanumippo
Pozhaichirupaana
Maalaiyittom pongalyittom
Manasaara poojaiyittom
Vettai naaigaloru kaattu muyalaiyae
Virattudhu gangaiyamma amma
Virattudhu gangaiyamma
Female :Andha kaattu muyalippo
Vettai naaigaalai thurathuthu
Gangaiyamma amma thurathuthu gangaiyamma
Indha sakthi vandhadhunaale
Undhan bakthiyulladhanaale
Indha sakthi vandhadhunaale
Undhan bakthiyulladhanaale
Male :Maalaiyittom pongalyittom
Manasaara poojaiyittom
Kattai kooda koluthumadi
Un karppora thattu kayavar kottam ozhiyumadi
Un kann jadai pattu pattu
Veettu pennai kakakum padi
Neeye soodiya malarmottu
Both :Vellum kaalam vellum enbom
Aanai un melyittu
Male :Aanai un melyittu
Thaai paartha paarvaiyai thaan
Partha ullame thannai marandhadhamma
Sharmathin deivamae sakthi un
Kannilae marmam purindhadhamma
Sivandha un kangalaalae
Seeruvaai enadhu thaaye
Nadanthathum unmai thaaye
Nadappadhum nanmai thaaye
Maalaiyittom pongalyittom
Manasaara poojaiyittom
Kaaval thara vendumadi gangaiyamma
Engal kaalam vella vendumadi gangaiyamma
We offered garlands, we cooked sweet pongal,
we worshipped you with all our hearts.
We offered garlands, we cooked sweet pongal,
we worshipped you with all our hearts.
You must protect us, Mother Gangaiamma!
Our time must triumph, Mother Gangaiamma!
When we come seeking to see you, Goddess,
the priest draws a curtain and hides you!
When the land you gave us yields a harvest,
that greedy man enjoys it all for himself!
When the land you gave us yields a harvest,
that greedy man enjoys it all for himself!
He claims to own all the land,
and boasts of mighty power!
He claims to own all the land,
and boasts of mighty power!
If you set your mind against him,
would he even stay alive now?
If you set your mind against him,
would he even stay alive now?
We offered garlands, we cooked sweet pongal,
we worshipped you with all our hearts.
A pack of hunting dogs is chasing a wild rabbit,
chasing it down, Mother Gangaiamma!
Chasing it down, Mother Gangaiamma!
Female: But now, that wild rabbit
is chasing away the hunting dogs,
Mother Gangaiamma, oh Mother Gangaiamma!
Because this new power has arrived,
and because of our devotion to you!
Because this new power has arrived,
and because of our devotion to you!
Male: We offered garlands, we cooked sweet pongal,
we worshipped you with all our hearts.
Even a dry log will catch fire
from your camphor plate, and the den of evil men will be ruined
by the fiery glance of your eyes!
To protect the young woman of this household,
you wear a fresh flower bud.
Both: We declare that our time will triumph,
swearing an oath upon you!
Male: Swearing an oath upon you!
The heart that saw the mother's loving gaze
was filled with awe and forgot itself, Mother!
O Goddess of living flesh, O Shakti,
the mystery in your eyes has become clear, Mother!
With your fiery red eyes,
you will strike with fury, my Mother!
What has happened is true, Mother,
and whatever happens next will be good, Mother!
We offered garlands, we cooked sweet pongal,
we worshipped you with all our hearts.
You must protect us, Mother Gangaiamma!
Our time must triumph, Mother Gangaiamma!
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a devotional and uplifting anthem dedicated to the village deity Gangaiyamma. The devotees pray to the goddess for justice, protection, and liberation from oppression caused by wealthy and ruthless landowners. Through metaphorical imagery like the hunted rabbit turning back to chase the hunting dogs, the lyrics symbolize the rise of the weak against powerful oppressors through divine strength and righteous devotion. The worshippers express faith that time ('Kaalam') will ultimately bring victory to truth and goodness. They affirm that divine intervention and righteousness will prevail over wickedness, ensuring that what happened was true and what lies ahead will bring good fortune.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Maalaiyittom pongalyittom / Manasaara poojaiyittom”

The second letters 'lai' in 'Maalaiyittom' and 'na' in 'Manasaara' maintain rhythmic harmony across devotional lines.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Vettai naaigaloru kaattu muyalaiyae / Virattudhu gangaiyamma”

'Kaattu muyal' (wild rabbit) and 'vettai naaigal' (hunting dogs) serve as metaphors for the oppressed weak villagers and the powerful ruthless oppressors respectively.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Kaaval thara vendumadi gangaiyamma / Engal kaalam vella vendumadi gangaiyamma”

Repetition of 'gangaiyamma' at the line ends creates a chant-like devotional cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Sankar Ganesh with lyrics by Kannadasan, this song from 'Kaalam Vellum' (1970) features a rare high-energy duet between Seerkazhi Govindarajan and L. R. Eswari, blending folk devotional fervor with social justice themes.

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