Maari Muthumaari
From Durga · 1990
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Shailaja
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Durga1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi | Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi! |
| Puttru mannai nethiyilae poosipom | We shall smear the sacred anthill soil upon our foreheads. |
| Pambaigalai thatti thatti vaasippom | We shall play the traditional pambai drums by tapping rhythmically. |
| Un paadhathila vendiyatha yaasippom | We shall beg at your divine feet for all that we desire. |
| Female | |
| Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi | Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi! |
| Puttru mannai nethiyilae poosipom | We shall smear the sacred anthill soil upon our foreheads. |
| Pambaigalai thatti thatti vaasippom | We shall play the traditional pambai drums by tapping rhythmically. |
| Un paadhathila vendiyatha yaasippom | We shall beg at your divine feet for all that we desire. |
| Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi | Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi! |
| Female | |
| Thillai kaaliyadi nee durga deviyadi | You are Thillai Kali, you are Goddess Durga! |
| Devarum devi un kaavaladi | Even the Gods and Goddesses serve as your guard! |
| Sandi saamundiye sivasakthi saambaviye | Oh fierce Chandi, Chamundi, Siva-Shakthi, and Sambhavi! |
| Sreedharan maadhavan sodhariyae | Oh sister of Sridhara and Madhava (Lord Vishnu)! |
| Female | |
| Thai maasam poosathil koodum | Crowds gather during the Thai Poosam festival, |
| Thee meedhu kaal vaithu oodum | And run barefoot across burning coals. |
| Thaayae un per sollum neram | Oh Mother, the moment your name is chanted, |
| Thee vannam poo vannam aagum | The fiery red color turns gentle like flowers! |
| Female | |
| Ponnaaththaa poovaathathaa | Oh Golden Mother, Flower Mother! |
| Mundakkanni muppaaththaa | Oh Goddess Mundakkanni, the ancient mother! |
| Sendaadum vandattam | Moving around like swarming bees, |
| Aayiram kodi kannaaththaaa | Oh Mother with a thousand crore eyes! |
| Female | |
| Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi | Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi! |
| Puttru mannai nethiyilae poosipom | We shall smear the sacred anthill soil upon our foreheads. |
| Pambaigalai thatti thatti vaasippom | We shall play the traditional pambai drums by tapping rhythmically. |
| Un paadhathila vendiyatha yaasippom | We shall beg at your divine feet for all that we desire. |
| Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi | Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi! |
| Female | |
| Pachai veppilai thaan un | Fresh green neem leaves are indeed your... |
| Pattu selaigalaam | ...fine silk sarees! |
| Ainthalai naagam un kaikudaiyaam | The five-headed serpent is the handheld umbrella over you! |
| Ichai aabaranam | Desired ornaments and... |
| Elumichai maalaigalaam | ...garlands made of fresh lemons, |
| Vaasanai kungumam archanaiyaam | Along with fragrant kumkum are offered in worship to you! |
| Female | |
| Poovittu maavittu unnai | Offering flowers and sweet flour mixture, |
| Koopitta perukku annai | Mother, you answer all who call out to you! |
| Pullukkum poondukkum pachai | The lush green vibrant life in grass and plants, |
| Ammaadi neeyitta pichai | Oh Mother, is the alms given by your grace! |
| Female | |
| Ullae thaan un paasam | Deep within you lies immense love, |
| Vandhadhu paaru aavesam | Yet look, a fierce divine wrath has risen! |
| Un perai sonnaalae | If your powerful name is uttered, |
| Anjidum andha aagasam | Even the vast sky trembles in fear! |
| Female | |
| Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi | Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi! |
| Puttru mannai nethiyilae poosipom | We shall smear the sacred anthill soil upon our foreheads. |
| Pambaigalai thatti thatti vaasippom | We shall play the traditional pambai drums by tapping rhythmically. |
| Un paadhathila vendiyatha yaasippom | We shall beg at your divine feet for all that we desire. |
| Chorus | |
| Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi | Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi! |
| Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi | Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi! |
முனங்கல் :
குலவ சத்தம்
Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi!
We shall smear the sacred anthill soil upon our foreheads.
We shall play the traditional pambai drums by tapping rhythmically.
We shall beg at your divine feet for all that we desire.
மாரி முத்துமாரி தாயி மகமாயி
புற்று மண்ணை நெத்தியிலே பூசிப்போம்
பம்பைகள தட்டித் தட்டி வாசிப்போம்
உன் பாதத்தில வேண்டியத யாசிப்போம்
Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi!
We shall smear the sacred anthill soil upon our foreheads.
We shall play the traditional pambai drums by tapping rhythmically.
We shall beg at your divine feet for all that we desire.
Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi!
மாரி முத்துமாரி தாயி மகமாயி
புற்று மண்ணை நெத்தியிலே பூசிப்போம்
பம்பைகள தட்டித் தட்டி வாசிப்போம்
உன் பாதத்தில வேண்டியத யாசிப்போம்
மாரி முத்துமாரி தாயி மகமாயி
You are Thillai Kali, you are Goddess Durga!
Even the Gods and Goddesses serve as your guard!
Oh fierce Chandi, Chamundi, Siva-Shakthi, and Sambhavi!
Oh sister of Sridhara and Madhava (Lord Vishnu)!
பெண் குழு :
ஓம் சக்தி ஓம் சக்தி ஓம் சக்தி ஓம்
ஓம் சக்தி ஓம் சக்தி ஓம் சக்தி ஓம்
Crowds gather during the Thai Poosam festival,
And run barefoot across burning coals.
Oh Mother, the moment your name is chanted,
The fiery red color turns gentle like flowers!
தில்லைக் காளியடி நீ துர்க்கா தேவியடி
தேவரும் தேவி உன் காவலடி
சண்டி சாமுண்டியே சிவசக்தி சாம்பவியே
ஸ்ரீதரன் மாதவன் சோதரியே
Oh Golden Mother, Flower Mother!
Oh Goddess Mundakkanni, the ancient mother!
Moving around like swarming bees,
Oh Mother with a thousand crore eyes!
தை மாசம் பூசத்தில் கூடும்
தீ மீது கால் வைத்து ஓடும்
தாயே உன் பேர் சொல்லும் நேரம்
தீ வண்ணம் பூவண்ணம் ஆகும்
Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi!
We shall smear the sacred anthill soil upon our foreheads.
We shall play the traditional pambai drums by tapping rhythmically.
We shall beg at your divine feet for all that we desire.
Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi!
பொன்னாத்தா பூவாத்தா
முண்டகக்கண்ணி முப்பாத்தா
செண்டாடும் வண்டாட்டம்
ஆயிரம் கோடி கண்ணாத்தா
Fresh green neem leaves are indeed your...
...fine silk sarees!
The five-headed serpent is the handheld umbrella over you!
Desired ornaments and...
...garlands made of fresh lemons,
Along with fragrant kumkum are offered in worship to you!
மாரி முத்துமாரி தாயி மகமாயி
புற்று மண்ணை நெத்தியிலே பூசிப்போம்
பம்பைகள தட்டித் தட்டி வாசிப்போம்
உன் பாதத்தில வேண்டியத யாசிப்போம்
மாரி முத்துமாரி தாயி மகமாயி
Offering flowers and sweet flour mixture,
Mother, you answer all who call out to you!
The lush green vibrant life in grass and plants,
Oh Mother, is the alms given by your grace!
தந்தானே தானதானே தந்தானே தானதானே
தந்தானே தானதானேனோ னா
தந்தானே தானதானே தந்தானே தானதானே
தந்தானே தானதானேனோ
Deep within you lies immense love,
Yet look, a fierce divine wrath has risen!
If your powerful name is uttered,
Even the vast sky trembles in fear!
பச்சை வேப்பிலை தான் உன்
பட்டுச் சேலைகளாம்
ஐந்தலை நாகம் உன் கைக்குடையாம்
இச்சை ஆபரணம்
எலுமிச்சை மாலைகளாம்
வாசனை குங்குமம் அர்ச்சனையாம்
Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi!
We shall smear the sacred anthill soil upon our foreheads.
We shall play the traditional pambai drums by tapping rhythmically.
We shall beg at your divine feet for all that we desire.
பூவிட்டு மாவிட்டு உன்னை
கூப்பிட்ட பேருக்கு அன்னை
புல்லுக்கும் பூண்டுக்கும் பச்சை
அம்மாடி நீயிட்ட பிச்சை
Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi!
Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi!
உள்ளேதான் உன் பாசம்
வந்தது பாரு ஆவேசம்
உன் பேரை சொன்னாலே
அஞ்சிடும் அந்த ஆகாசம்
மாரி முத்துமாரி தாயி மகமாயி
புற்று மண்ணை நெத்தியிலே பூசிப்போம்
பம்பைகள தட்டித் தட்டி வாசிப்போம்
உன் பாதத்தில வேண்டியத யாசிப்போம்
மாரி முத்துமாரி தாயி மகமாயி
மாரி முத்துமாரி தாயி மகமாயி....
Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi
Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi!
Puttru mannai nethiyilae poosipom
We shall smear the sacred anthill soil upon our foreheads.
Pambaigalai thatti thatti vaasippom
We shall play the traditional pambai drums by tapping rhythmically.
Un paadhathila vendiyatha yaasippom
We shall beg at your divine feet for all that we desire.
Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi
Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi!
Puttru mannai nethiyilae poosipom
We shall smear the sacred anthill soil upon our foreheads.
Pambaigalai thatti thatti vaasippom
We shall play the traditional pambai drums by tapping rhythmically.
Un paadhathila vendiyatha yaasippom
We shall beg at your divine feet for all that we desire.
Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi
Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi!
Thillai kaaliyadi nee durga deviyadi
You are Thillai Kali, you are Goddess Durga!
Devarum devi un kaavaladi
Even the Gods and Goddesses serve as your guard!
Sandi saamundiye sivasakthi saambaviye
Oh fierce Chandi, Chamundi, Siva-Shakthi, and Sambhavi!
Sreedharan maadhavan sodhariyae
Oh sister of Sridhara and Madhava (Lord Vishnu)!
Thai maasam poosathil koodum
Crowds gather during the Thai Poosam festival,
Thee meedhu kaal vaithu oodum
And run barefoot across burning coals.
Thaayae un per sollum neram
Oh Mother, the moment your name is chanted,
Thee vannam poo vannam aagum
The fiery red color turns gentle like flowers!
Ponnaaththaa poovaathathaa
Oh Golden Mother, Flower Mother!
Mundakkanni muppaaththaa
Oh Goddess Mundakkanni, the ancient mother!
Sendaadum vandattam
Moving around like swarming bees,
Aayiram kodi kannaaththaaa
Oh Mother with a thousand crore eyes!
Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi
Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi!
Puttru mannai nethiyilae poosipom
We shall smear the sacred anthill soil upon our foreheads.
Pambaigalai thatti thatti vaasippom
We shall play the traditional pambai drums by tapping rhythmically.
Un paadhathila vendiyatha yaasippom
We shall beg at your divine feet for all that we desire.
Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi
Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi!
Pachai veppilai thaan un
Fresh green neem leaves are indeed your...
Pattu selaigalaam
...fine silk sarees!
Ainthalai naagam un kaikudaiyaam
The five-headed serpent is the handheld umbrella over you!
Ichai aabaranam
Desired ornaments and...
Elumichai maalaigalaam
...garlands made of fresh lemons,
Vaasanai kungumam archanaiyaam
Along with fragrant kumkum are offered in worship to you!
Poovittu maavittu unnai
Offering flowers and sweet flour mixture,
Koopitta perukku annai
Mother, you answer all who call out to you!
Pullukkum poondukkum pachai
The lush green vibrant life in grass and plants,
Ammaadi neeyitta pichai
Oh Mother, is the alms given by your grace!
Ullae thaan un paasam
Deep within you lies immense love,
Vandhadhu paaru aavesam
Yet look, a fierce divine wrath has risen!
Un perai sonnaalae
If your powerful name is uttered,
Anjidum andha aagasam
Even the vast sky trembles in fear!
Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi
Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi!
Puttru mannai nethiyilae poosipom
We shall smear the sacred anthill soil upon our foreheads.
Pambaigalai thatti thatti vaasippom
We shall play the traditional pambai drums by tapping rhythmically.
Un paadhathila vendiyatha yaasippom
We shall beg at your divine feet for all that we desire.
Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi
Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi!
Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi
Oh Mari, Muthumari, Mother Mahamaayi!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This devotional song from the 1990 movie 'Durga' is a powerful ode to Goddess Mariamman (an avatar of Goddess Durga/Shakti). The lyrics express deep reverence, ritualistic traditions, and the omnipotent nature of the divine mother. Devotees honor her by applying sacred anthill clay, playing traditional folk percussion instruments like the pambai, and walking over embers during auspicious Tamil months like Thai. The song details her iconic iconography, including green neem leaves acting as silk robes and a five-headed cobra as her umbrella. Beyond her fierce outward presence (trance/aavesam) that terrifies evil, the lyricist emphasizes her innate maternal love. She is depicted as the ultimate provider who sustains all living beings, from tiny blades of grass to humanity. Chanting her name brings divine protection, transforming intense heat and hardship into sweet blessings.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Pambaigalai thatti thatti vaasippom”
Matching second consonant 'm' in 'Pambaigalai' and 'yaasippom' / 'poosipom' across verses.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Un paadhathila vendiyatha yaasippom”
Consistent rhyming endings using verbs ending in '-om' (poosipom, vaasippom, yaasippom).
Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“Pachai veppilai thaan un Pattu selaigalaam”
Comparing simple neem leaves to luxurious silk sarees (Pachai veppilai thaan un Pattu selaigalaam).
Repetition / Rhythm (Anaphora)
“Pambaigalai thatti thatti vaasippom”
Rhythmic repetition of 'thatti thatti' creating a percussion-like beat reflecting the drum playing.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Durga' was a major commercial hit in 1990 featuring Master Shamlee as a child artist protected by a loyal dog and a monkey. The devotional soundtrack composed by Shankar-Ganesh, featuring vocal renditions by S. P. Shailaja, became immensely popular across Tamil Nadu during temple festivals and amman worship seasons.
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