Maegam Thiraludhadi
From Thanneer Thanneer · 1981
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- S. Janaki, Malaysia Vasudevan, Vijayaramani
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Thanneer Thanneer1981
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Maegam thiraludhadi | Clouds are gathering, my dear |
| Minniruttu kammudhadi | Lightning and darkness are surrounding us |
| Innum karukkudhadi | It is growing even darker |
| Eesaana moolaiyilae | In the northeastern corner |
| Chorus | |
| Naam kumbittomae | We prayed to you |
| Female | |
| Mandhaiyilae maariyaayi | O Mariyamman at the village common |
| Mala maela maayavarae | O Vishnu atop the hill |
| Indhirarae sooriyarae | O Lord Indra, O Sun God |
| Ippa mazhai peiya vaenum | Now rain must fall |
| Chorus | |
| Ippa mazhai peiya vaenum | Now rain must fall |
| Male | |
| Maegam thiraludhadi | Clouds are gathering, my dear |
| Minniruttu kammudhadi | Lightning and darkness are surrounding us |
| Innum karukkudhadi | It is growing even darker |
| Eesaana moolaiyilae | In the northeastern corner |
| Chorus | |
| Naam kumbittomae | We prayed to you |
| Female | |
| Chittiraiyil paarthu vittom | We watched during the month of Chittirai |
| Chella mazhai peiyavillae | The precious rain did not pour |
| Chorus | |
| Chella mazhai peiyavillae | The precious rain did not pour |
| Male | |
| Aippasiyil paarthuvittom | We watched during the month of Aippasi |
| Adai mazhai peiyavillae | The heavy pouring rain did not fall |
| Chorus | |
| Adai mazhai peiyavillae | The heavy pouring rain did not fall |
| Chorus | |
| Ammaavae jekkammaavae | O Mother, O Jekkamma |
| Un kannu pattaa | If your compassionate glance falls upon us |
| Summaavae peiyum paaraen | Look, it will rain effortlessly |
| Chorus | |
| Maegam thiraludhadi | Clouds are gathering, my dear |
| Minniruttu kammudhadi | Lightning and darkness are surrounding us |
| Innum karukkudhadi | It is growing even darker |
| Eesaana moolaiyilae | In the northeastern corner |
| Eesaana moolaiyilae | In the northeastern corner |
| Male | |
| Aa…. matta malai aiyanaarae | Ah... Lord Ayyanar of Matta Mountain |
| Maavootthu vaelavarae | Lord Murugan of Maavootthu |
| Mazhaiya yerakki vidu vandha | Send down the rain |
| Pasi theertthu vaikka | To quench our hunger |
| Ammaadi muthu maari un kannu pattaa | O Mother, precious Mari, if your eye falls on us |
| Maasathukku moonu maari | Three rainfalls every month will shower |
| Chorus | |
| Un kannu pattaa | If your eye falls on us |
| Maasathukku moonu maari | Three rainfalls every month will shower |
| Chorus | |
| Maegam thiraludhadi | Clouds are gathering, my dear |
| Minniruttu kammudhadi | Lightning and darkness are surrounding us |
| Innum karukkudhadi | It is growing even darker |
| Eesaana moolaiyilae | In the northeastern corner |
| Eesaana moolaiyilae | In the northeastern corner |
| Female | |
| Oosi pola minni minni | Flashing bright like needles |
| Oor sezhikka peiyum mazhai | Rain that brings prosperity to the village |
| Vaasalilae peiya vaiyammaa | Make it pour right at our doorstep, O Mother |
| Yae jekkammaa vaanam paartha | O Jekkamma, this land relies entirely on the sky |
| Bhoomi idhammaa | This land relies entirely on the sky |
| Chorus | |
| Yae jekkammaa vaanam paartha | O Jekkamma, this land relies entirely on the sky |
| Bhoomi idhammaa | This land relies entirely on the sky |
| Female | |
| Yaer pidikkum thambi ellaam | All our brothers who hold the plough |
| Yaengi yaengi nikkaaga | Are standing with deep longing and yearning |
| Chorus | |
| Aang….yaengi yaengi nikkakaaga | Yes... standing with deep longing and yearning |
| Female | |
| Kaar velaiya seiya vaenumae | Cultivation work must begin |
| Yae jekkammaa karisakkaadu velaiya vaenumae | O Jekkamma, the black soil fields need to yield crops |
| Chorus | |
| Yae jekkammaa karisakkaadu | O Jekkamma, the black soil fields |
| Velaiya vaenumae | Need to yield crops |
| Female | |
| Vaeliyila kala parichu | Weeding out thorns along the fences |
| Veral neraiya koppalangal | Blisters filling our fingers |
| Yaezhiyaiyum thoonga vittomae | Will you leave the poor without sleep? |
| Yae jekkammaa veragu vetti vaazha vandhomae | O Jekkamma, we came here to survive by cutting firewood |
| Chorus | |
| Yae jekkammaa veragu vetti | O Jekkamma, we came here cutting firewood |
| Vaazha vandhomae | To survive |
| Male | |
| Pathu varushamadi | It has been ten years |
| Pachcha thanni paarthadhillae | Since we even saw fresh water |
| Muthu muthaa peiya venumae yae jekkammaa | It must pour like pearls, O Jekkamma |
| Yaeri kulam neraiya vaenumae | The lakes and ponds must fill up |
| Chorus | |
| Yae jekkammaa yaeri kulam | O Jekkamma, the lakes and ponds |
| Neraiya vaenumae | Must fill up |
| Female | |
| Maegam thiraludhadi | Clouds are gathering, my dear |
| Minniruttu kammudhadi | Lightning and darkness are surrounding us |
| Innum karukkudhadi | It is growing even darker |
| Eesaana moolaiyilae | In the northeastern corner |
| Chorus | |
| Eesaana moolaiyilae | In the northeastern corner |
| Male | |
| Panjan keda paavan keda | Destitution and suffering should vanish |
| Yengun kodi manjal vara | Let prosperity and happiness flourish everywhere |
| Pongum nadhi vellam varanum | Surging river floods must arrive |
| Nalla maanam madhi dhaanam keda | Good honor and wise generosity must remain |
| Maarum kalai gnaanam kedum | Changing arts and wisdom would perish otherwise |
| Thonumbadi vellam varanum….m | Floods must pour forth as imagined |
| Thonumbadi vellam varanum | Floods must pour forth as imagined |
| Chorus | |
| Thonumbadi vellam varanum…. | Floods must pour forth as imagined |
| Thonumbadi vellam varanum | Floods must pour forth as imagined |
| Female | |
| Adi amma unai kaettomadi | O Mother, we begged of you |
| Kammaakkarai neerodida | So that water flows along the tank banks |
| Un paarvaiyum ingae varanum | Your graceful look must reach here |
| Nee thottaa sugam vittaa pasi | Your touch brings relief, your absence brings hunger |
| Kottaa vidu kittaadhadi | Do not let hardship overcome us |
| Kottum mazhai kondae tharanum | You must shower torrential rain upon us |
| Kottum mazhai kondae tharanum | You must shower torrential rain upon us |
| Chorus | |
| Kottum mazhai kondae tharanum | You must shower torrential rain upon us |
| Kottum mazhai kondae tharanum | You must shower torrential rain upon us |
| Female | |
| Maegam thiraludhadi | Clouds are gathering, my dear |
| Minniruttu kammudhadi | Lightning and darkness are surrounding us |
| Innum karukkudhadi | It is growing even darker |
| Eesaana moolaiyilae | In the northeastern corner |
| Chorus | |
| Naam kumbittomae | We prayed to you |
| Mandhaiyilae maariyaayi | O Mariyamman at the village common |
| Mala maela maayavarae | O Vishnu atop the hill |
| Indhirarae sooriyarae | O Lord Indra, O Sun God |
| Ippa mazhai peiya vaenum | Now rain must fall |
| Ippa mazhai peiya vaenum | Now rain must fall |
| Chorus | |
| Lu lu lu lu lu lu…. | Lu lu lu lu lu lu... |
| Lu lu lu lu lu lu…. | Lu lu lu lu lu lu... |
மேகம் திரளுதடி
மின்னிருட்டுக் கம்முதடி
இன்னும் கருக்குதடி
ஈசான மூலையிலே
Clouds are gathering, my dear
Lightning and darkness are surrounding us
It is growing even darker
In the northeastern corner
நாம் கும்பிட்டோமே
We prayed to you
மந்தையிலே மாரியாயி
மலை மேலே மாயவரே
இந்திரரே சூரியரே
இப்ப மழை பெய்ய வேணும்
O Mariyamman at the village common
O Vishnu atop the hill
O Lord Indra, O Sun God
Now rain must fall
இப்ப மழை பெய்ய வேணும்
Now rain must fall
மேகம் திரளுதடி
மின்னிருட்டுக் கம்முதடி
இன்னும் கருக்குதடி
ஈசான மூலையிலே
Clouds are gathering, my dear
Lightning and darkness are surrounding us
It is growing even darker
In the northeastern corner
நாம் கும்பிட்டோமே
We prayed to you
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
மந்தையிலே மாரியாயி
மலை மேலே மாயவரே
இந்திரரே சூரியரே
இப்ப மழை பெய்ய வேணும்
We watched during the month of Chittirai
The precious rain did not pour
சித்திரையில் பார்த்துவிட்டோம்
செல்ல மழை பெய்யவில்லே
The precious rain did not pour
செல்ல மழை பெய்யவில்லே
We watched during the month of Aippasi
The heavy pouring rain did not fall
ஐப்பசியில் பார்த்துவிட்டோம்
அடை மழை பெய்யவில்லே
The heavy pouring rain did not fall
அடை மழை பெய்யவில்லே
O Mother, O Jekkamma
If your compassionate glance falls upon us
Look, it will rain effortlessly
அம்மாவே ஜெக்கம்மாவே
உன் கண்ணுப்பட்டா
சும்மாவே பெய்யும் பாரேன்
Clouds are gathering, my dear
Lightning and darkness are surrounding us
It is growing even darker
In the northeastern corner
In the northeastern corner
அம்மாவே ஜெக்கம்மாவே
உன் கண்ணுப்பட்டா
சும்மாவே பெய்யும் பாரேன்
Ah... Lord Ayyanar of Matta Mountain
Lord Murugan of Maavootthu
Send down the rain
To quench our hunger
O Mother, precious Mari, if your eye falls on us
Three rainfalls every month will shower
மேகம் திரளுதடி
மின்னிருட்டுக் கம்முதடி
இன்னும் கருக்குதடி
ஈசான மூலையிலே
ஈசான மூலையிலே
If your eye falls on us
Three rainfalls every month will shower
ஆ....மட்ட மலை ஐய்யனாரே
மாவூத்து வேலவரே
மழைய எறக்கிவிடு வந்த
பசி தீர்த்து வைக்க
அம்மாடி முத்துமாரி உன் கண்ணுபட்டா
மாசத்துக்கு மூணு மாரி
Clouds are gathering, my dear
Lightning and darkness are surrounding us
It is growing even darker
In the northeastern corner
In the northeastern corner
உன் கண்ணுபட்டா
மாசத்துக்கு மூணுமாரி
Flashing bright like needles
Rain that brings prosperity to the village
Make it pour right at our doorstep, O Mother
O Jekkamma, this land relies entirely on the sky
This land relies entirely on the sky
மேகம் திரளுதடி
மின்னிருட்டுக் கம்முதடி
இன்னும் கருக்குதடி
ஈசான மூலையிலே
ஈசான மூலையிலே
O Jekkamma, this land relies entirely on the sky
This land relies entirely on the sky
ஊசி போல மின்னி மின்னி
ஊர் செழிக்க பெய்யும் மழை
வாசலிலே பெய்ய வைய்யம்மா
ஏ ஜெக்கம்மா வானம் பார்த்த
பூமி இதம்மா
All our brothers who hold the plough
Are standing with deep longing and yearning
ஏ ஜெக்கம்மா வானம் பார்த்த
பூமி இதம்மா
Yes... standing with deep longing and yearning
ஏர் பிடிக்கும் தம்பியெல்லாம்
ஏங்கி ஏங்கி நிக்காக
Cultivation work must begin
O Jekkamma, the black soil fields need to yield crops
ஆங்.... ஏங்கி ஏங்கி நிக்காக
O Jekkamma, the black soil fields
Need to yield crops
கார் வெளைய செய்ய வேணுமே
ஏ ஜெக்கம்மா கரிசக்காடு வெளைய வேணுமே
Weeding out thorns along the fences
Blisters filling our fingers
Will you leave the poor without sleep?
O Jekkamma, we came here to survive by cutting firewood
ஏ ஜெக்கம்மா கரிசக்காடு
வெளைய வேணுமே
O Jekkamma, we came here cutting firewood
To survive
வேலியில களைபறிச்சு
வெரல் நெறைய கொப்பளங்கள்
ஏழியையும் தூங்க விட்டோமே
ஏ ஜெக்கம்மா வெறகு வெட்டி வாழ வந்தோமே
It has been ten years
Since we even saw fresh water
It must pour like pearls, O Jekkamma
The lakes and ponds must fill up
ஏ ஜெக்கம்மா வெறகு வெட்டி
வாழ வந்தோமே
O Jekkamma, the lakes and ponds
Must fill up
பத்து வருஷமடி
பச்ச தண்ணி பாத்ததில்லே
முத்து முத்தா பெய்ய வேணுமே ஏ ஜெக்கம்மா
ஏரி குளம் நெறைய வேணுமே
Clouds are gathering, my dear
Lightning and darkness are surrounding us
It is growing even darker
In the northeastern corner
ஏ ஜெக்கம்மா
ஏரி குளம் நெறைய வேணுமே
In the northeastern corner
மேகம் திரளுதடி
மின்னிருட்டுக் கம்முதடி
இன்னும் கருக்குதடி
ஈசான மூலையிலே
Destitution and suffering should vanish
Let prosperity and happiness flourish everywhere
Surging river floods must arrive
Good honor and wise generosity must remain
Changing arts and wisdom would perish otherwise
Floods must pour forth as imagined
Floods must pour forth as imagined
ஈசான மூலையிலே
Floods must pour forth as imagined
Floods must pour forth as imagined
பஞ்சங் கெட பாவங் கெட
எங்குங் கொடி மஞ்சள் வர
பொங்கும் நதி வெள்ளம் வரணும்
நல்ல மானம் மதி தானம் கெட
மாறும் கலை ஞானம் கெடும்
தோணும் படி வெள்ளம் வரணும்....ம்
தோணும் படி வெள்ளம் வரணும்
O Mother, we begged of you
So that water flows along the tank banks
Your graceful look must reach here
Your touch brings relief, your absence brings hunger
Do not let hardship overcome us
You must shower torrential rain upon us
You must shower torrential rain upon us
தோணும் படி வெள்ளம் வரணும்....ம்
தோணும் படி வெள்ளம் வரணும்
You must shower torrential rain upon us
You must shower torrential rain upon us
அடி அம்மா உனைக் கேட்டோமடி
கம்மாக்கர நீரோடிட
உன் பார்வையும் இங்கே வரணும்
நீ தொட்டா சுகம் விட்டா பசி
கொட்டா விடு கிட்டாதடி
கொட்டும் மழை கொண்டே தரணும்
கொட்டும் மழை கொண்டே தரணும்
Clouds are gathering, my dear
Lightning and darkness are surrounding us
It is growing even darker
In the northeastern corner
கொட்டும் மழை கொண்டே தரணும்
கொட்டும் மழை கொண்டே தரணும்
We prayed to you
O Mariyamman at the village common
O Vishnu atop the hill
O Lord Indra, O Sun God
Now rain must fall
Now rain must fall
மேகம் திரளுதடி
மின்னிருட்டுக் கம்முதடி
இன்னும் கருக்குதடி
ஈசான மூலையிலே
Lu lu lu lu lu lu...
Lu lu lu lu lu lu...
நாம் கும்பிட்டோமே
மந்தையிலே மாரியாயி
மலை மேலே மாயவரே
இந்திரரே சூரியரே
இப்ப மழை பெய்ய வேணும்
இப்ப மழை பெய்ய வேணும்
லு லு லு லு லு லு....
லு லு லு லு லு லு....
Maegam thiraludhadi
Clouds are gathering, my dear
Minniruttu kammudhadi
Lightning and darkness are surrounding us
Innum karukkudhadi
It is growing even darker
Eesaana moolaiyilae
In the northeastern corner
Naam kumbittomae
We prayed to you
Mandhaiyilae maariyaayi
O Mariyamman at the village common
Mala maela maayavarae
O Vishnu atop the hill
Indhirarae sooriyarae
O Lord Indra, O Sun God
Ippa mazhai peiya vaenum
Now rain must fall
Ippa mazhai peiya vaenum
Now rain must fall
Maegam thiraludhadi
Clouds are gathering, my dear
Minniruttu kammudhadi
Lightning and darkness are surrounding us
Innum karukkudhadi
It is growing even darker
Eesaana moolaiyilae
In the northeastern corner
Naam kumbittomae
We prayed to you
Chittiraiyil paarthu vittom
We watched during the month of Chittirai
Chella mazhai peiyavillae
The precious rain did not pour
Chella mazhai peiyavillae
The precious rain did not pour
Aippasiyil paarthuvittom
We watched during the month of Aippasi
Adai mazhai peiyavillae
The heavy pouring rain did not fall
Adai mazhai peiyavillae
The heavy pouring rain did not fall
Ammaavae jekkammaavae
O Mother, O Jekkamma
Un kannu pattaa
If your compassionate glance falls upon us
Summaavae peiyum paaraen
Look, it will rain effortlessly
Maegam thiraludhadi
Clouds are gathering, my dear
Minniruttu kammudhadi
Lightning and darkness are surrounding us
Innum karukkudhadi
It is growing even darker
Eesaana moolaiyilae
In the northeastern corner
Eesaana moolaiyilae
In the northeastern corner
Aa…. matta malai aiyanaarae
Ah... Lord Ayyanar of Matta Mountain
Maavootthu vaelavarae
Lord Murugan of Maavootthu
Mazhaiya yerakki vidu vandha
Send down the rain
Pasi theertthu vaikka
To quench our hunger
Ammaadi muthu maari un kannu pattaa
O Mother, precious Mari, if your eye falls on us
Maasathukku moonu maari
Three rainfalls every month will shower
Un kannu pattaa
If your eye falls on us
Maasathukku moonu maari
Three rainfalls every month will shower
Maegam thiraludhadi
Clouds are gathering, my dear
Minniruttu kammudhadi
Lightning and darkness are surrounding us
Innum karukkudhadi
It is growing even darker
Eesaana moolaiyilae
In the northeastern corner
Eesaana moolaiyilae
In the northeastern corner
Oosi pola minni minni
Flashing bright like needles
Oor sezhikka peiyum mazhai
Rain that brings prosperity to the village
Vaasalilae peiya vaiyammaa
Make it pour right at our doorstep, O Mother
Yae jekkammaa vaanam paartha
O Jekkamma, this land relies entirely on the sky
Bhoomi idhammaa
This land relies entirely on the sky
Yae jekkammaa vaanam paartha
O Jekkamma, this land relies entirely on the sky
Bhoomi idhammaa
This land relies entirely on the sky
Yaer pidikkum thambi ellaam
All our brothers who hold the plough
Yaengi yaengi nikkaaga
Are standing with deep longing and yearning
Aang….yaengi yaengi nikkakaaga
Yes... standing with deep longing and yearning
Kaar velaiya seiya vaenumae
Cultivation work must begin
Yae jekkammaa karisakkaadu velaiya vaenumae
O Jekkamma, the black soil fields need to yield crops
Yae jekkammaa karisakkaadu
O Jekkamma, the black soil fields
Velaiya vaenumae
Need to yield crops
Vaeliyila kala parichu
Weeding out thorns along the fences
Veral neraiya koppalangal
Blisters filling our fingers
Yaezhiyaiyum thoonga vittomae
Will you leave the poor without sleep?
Yae jekkammaa veragu vetti vaazha vandhomae
O Jekkamma, we came here to survive by cutting firewood
Yae jekkammaa veragu vetti
O Jekkamma, we came here cutting firewood
Vaazha vandhomae
To survive
Pathu varushamadi
It has been ten years
Pachcha thanni paarthadhillae
Since we even saw fresh water
Muthu muthaa peiya venumae yae jekkammaa
It must pour like pearls, O Jekkamma
Yaeri kulam neraiya vaenumae
The lakes and ponds must fill up
Yae jekkammaa yaeri kulam
O Jekkamma, the lakes and ponds
Neraiya vaenumae
Must fill up
Maegam thiraludhadi
Clouds are gathering, my dear
Minniruttu kammudhadi
Lightning and darkness are surrounding us
Innum karukkudhadi
It is growing even darker
Eesaana moolaiyilae
In the northeastern corner
Eesaana moolaiyilae
In the northeastern corner
Panjan keda paavan keda
Destitution and suffering should vanish
Yengun kodi manjal vara
Let prosperity and happiness flourish everywhere
Pongum nadhi vellam varanum
Surging river floods must arrive
Nalla maanam madhi dhaanam keda
Good honor and wise generosity must remain
Maarum kalai gnaanam kedum
Changing arts and wisdom would perish otherwise
Thonumbadi vellam varanum….m
Floods must pour forth as imagined
Thonumbadi vellam varanum
Floods must pour forth as imagined
Thonumbadi vellam varanum….
Floods must pour forth as imagined
Thonumbadi vellam varanum
Floods must pour forth as imagined
Adi amma unai kaettomadi
O Mother, we begged of you
Kammaakkarai neerodida
So that water flows along the tank banks
Un paarvaiyum ingae varanum
Your graceful look must reach here
Nee thottaa sugam vittaa pasi
Your touch brings relief, your absence brings hunger
Kottaa vidu kittaadhadi
Do not let hardship overcome us
Kottum mazhai kondae tharanum
You must shower torrential rain upon us
Kottum mazhai kondae tharanum
You must shower torrential rain upon us
Kottum mazhai kondae tharanum
You must shower torrential rain upon us
Kottum mazhai kondae tharanum
You must shower torrential rain upon us
Maegam thiraludhadi
Clouds are gathering, my dear
Minniruttu kammudhadi
Lightning and darkness are surrounding us
Innum karukkudhadi
It is growing even darker
Eesaana moolaiyilae
In the northeastern corner
Naam kumbittomae
We prayed to you
Mandhaiyilae maariyaayi
O Mariyamman at the village common
Mala maela maayavarae
O Vishnu atop the hill
Indhirarae sooriyarae
O Lord Indra, O Sun God
Ippa mazhai peiya vaenum
Now rain must fall
Ippa mazhai peiya vaenum
Now rain must fall
Lu lu lu lu lu lu….
Lu lu lu lu lu lu...
Lu lu lu lu lu lu….
Lu lu lu lu lu lu...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poignant folk song from the landmark film 'Thanneer Thanneer' (1981) depicts the desperate prayers of drought-stricken villagers suffering from extreme water scarcity in rural Tamil Nadu. Addressing village deities like Mariyamman, Jekkamma, and Ayyanar, as well as elemental gods like Indra and Surya, the villagers plead for rain to revive their parched black-soil lands and fill their dried-up lakes. They describe the physical hardship of hard labor, blistered hands, and ten long years without clean water.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Repetition (Edupai / Adduku)
“Maegam thiraludhadi”
The line 'Maegam thiraludhadi / Minniruttu kammudhadi' serves as a recurring refrain emphasizing the gathering storm clouds and the desperate hope for rain.
Upamai (Simile)
“Oosi pola minni minni”
Comparing the sharp, bright flashes of lightning to fine needles ('Oosi pola minni minni').
Uruvagaim / Metaphor
“Muthu muthaa peiya venumae yae jekkammaa”
Describing raindrops metaphorically as precious pearls falling from the heavens ('Muthu muthaa peiya venumae').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Thanneer Thanneer' (1981), directed by K. Balachander based on Komal Swaminathan's play, is a critical classic addressing systemic drought, governmental neglect, and political corruption in rural Tamil Nadu. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by Kavinar Kannadasan.
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