Mariyamma Mariyamma
From Karagattakaran · 1989
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Karagattakaran1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Maariyammaa maariyamma | Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma |
| Thiri sooliyamma neeliyamma | Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma |
| Female | |
| Maariyammaa maariyamma | Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma |
| Thiri sooliyamma neeliyamma | Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma |
| Male | |
| Thalai mela mani magudam | A gem-studded crown upon the head |
| En thaayi thandha poong karagam | The flower-adorned Karagam pot given by my mother |
| Female | |
| Nilaiyaaga nilaikka vaikkum | It will make things stay firm and steady |
| Ninachchadhellaam palikka vaikkum | It will fulfill everything that is wished for |
| Male | |
| Unna nenachchapadi | As I meditate upon you |
| Unmai jeyikkumbadi | So that truth shall prevail |
| Vendum varam thaa maariyammaa | Grant us the desired boon, O Goddess Mariyamma |
| Female :Kaaval needhaan kaaliyamma | Female: You are the guardian, O Goddess Kaliyamma |
| Male | |
| Maariyammaa maariyamma | Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma |
| Thiri sooliyamma neeliyamma | Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma |
| Female | |
| Maariyammaa maariyamma | Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma |
| Thiri sooliyamma neeliyamma | Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma |
| Female | |
| Mannukkul nee nalla | Beneath the earth, you are good |
| Neerammaa | Water, O Mother |
| Kaaththum kanalum neeyamma | You are the wind and the fire, O Mother |
| Male | |
| Vaanathapol ninnu paaramma | Stand like the vast sky and look upon us, O Mother |
| Vandhen thedi naanamma | I came searching for you, O Mother |
| Female | |
| Indha manam muzhudhum | All across this heart |
| Needhaanae | It is only you |
| Vandha vazhi thunaiyum needhaanae | You are the companion along the path I came |
| Male | |
| Thanga thiruvadiya thozhudhomae | We worshipped your golden sacred feet |
| Ingu manam uruga azhudhomae | Here we wept with heart-melting devotion |
| Female | |
| Seeraeswari kaameswari | Goddess of prosperity, Goddess of desires |
| Veraaru needhaanae kaappu | Who else is there? You alone are our protection |
| Male | |
| Maariyammaa maariyamma | Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma |
| Thiri sooliyamma neeliyamma | Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma |
| Female | |
| Karu maariyammaa maariyamma | Dark Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma |
| Thiri sooliyamma neeliyamma | Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma |
| Male | |
| Vaanellaam vazhthathaan | Let the entire sky hear |
| Ketkattum | The praise |
| Vaazhvae valamae paakkattum | Let life witness prosperity |
| Female | |
| Nee enga thaai endru | That you are our mother |
| Kaanattum | Let all see |
| Nizhalum nijamaa maarattum | Let the shadow turn into reality |
| Male | |
| Sakthi muzhudhum thandhu | Granting all divine power |
| Kaappaayae | You will protect us |
| Mukthi nilaiyai thandhu serppaayae | You will grant the state of liberation and join us to it |
| Female | |
| Bakthi manam virumbum | Desired by the heart filled with devotion |
| En thaaiyae | O my Mother |
| Niththam parithavikkum un seiyae | Your child who suffers daily |
| Male | |
| Saatchi sollum thaaiyae thunai | O Mother who stands as witness, you are my refuge |
| Theeyellaam poovaaga maarattum | Let all the fire turn into flowers |
| Female | |
| Maariyammaa maariyamma | Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma |
| Thiri sooliyamma neeliyamma | Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma |
| Male | |
| Karu maariyammaa maariyamma | Dark Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma |
| Thiri sooliyamma neeliyamma | Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma |
| Female | |
| Thalai mela mani magudam | A gem-studded crown upon the head |
| En thaayi thandha poong karagam | The flower-adorned Karagam pot given by my mother |
| Male | |
| Nilaiyaaga nilaikka vaikkum | It will make things stay firm and steady |
| Ninachchadhellaam palikka vaikkum | It will fulfill everything that is wished for |
| Female | |
| Unna nenachchapadi | As I meditate upon you |
| Unmai jeyikkumbadi | So that truth shall prevail |
| Vendum varam thaa maariyammaa | Grant us the desired boon, O Goddess Mariyamma |
| Male :Kaaval needhaan kaaliyamma | Male: You are the guardian, O Goddess Kaliyamma |
மாரியம்மா மாரியம்மா
திரி சூலியம்மா நீலியம்மா
Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma
Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma
மாரியம்மா மாரியம்மா
திரி சூலியம்மா நீலியம்மா
Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma
Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma
தலை மேல மணி மகுடம்
என் தாயி தந்த பூங் கரகம்
A gem-studded crown upon the head
The flower-adorned Karagam pot given by my mother
நிலையாக நிலைக்க வைக்கும்
நினைச்சதெல்லாம் பலிக்க வைக்கும்
It will make things stay firm and steady
It will fulfill everything that is wished for
உன்ன நெனச்சபடி
உண்மை ஜெயிக்கும்படி
வேண்டும் வரம் தா மாரியம்மா
காவல் நீதான் காளியம்மா
As I meditate upon you
So that truth shall prevail
Grant us the desired boon, O Goddess Mariyamma
Female: You are the guardian, O Goddess Kaliyamma
மாரியம்மா மாரியம்மா
திரி சூலியம்மா நீலியம்மா
Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma
Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma
மாரியம்மா மாரியம்மா
திரி சூலியம்மா நீலியம்மா
Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma
Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma
மண்ணுக்குள் நீ நல்ல
நீரம்மா
காத்தும் கனலும் நீயம்மா
Beneath the earth, you are good
Water, O Mother
You are the wind and the fire, O Mother
வானத்தபோல் நின்னு பாரம்மா
வந்தேன் தேடி நானம்மா
Stand like the vast sky and look upon us, O Mother
I came searching for you, O Mother
இந்த மனம் முழுதும் நீதானே
வந்த வழி துணையும் நீதானே
All across this heart
It is only you
You are the companion along the path I came
தங்க திருவடிய தொழுதோமே
இங்கு மனம் உருக அழுதோமே
We worshipped your golden sacred feet
Here we wept with heart-melting devotion
சீரேஸ்வரி காமேஸ்வரி
வேறாரு நீதானே காப்பு
Goddess of prosperity, Goddess of desires
Who else is there? You alone are our protection
மாரியம்மா மாரியம்மா
திரி சூலியம்மா நீலியம்மா
Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma
Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma
கரு மாரியம்மா மாரியம்மா
திரி சூலியம்மா நீலியம்மா
Dark Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma
Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma
வானெல்லாம் வாழ்த்துத்தான்
கேட்கட்டும்
வாழ்வே வளமே பாக்கட்டும்
Let the entire sky hear
The praise
Let life witness prosperity
நீ எங்க தாய் என்று காணட்டும்
நிழலும் நிஜமா மாறட்டும்
That you are our mother
Let all see
Let the shadow turn into reality
சக்தி முழுதும் தந்து காப்பாயே
முக்தி நிலையை தந்து சேர்ப்பாயே
Granting all divine power
You will protect us
You will grant the state of liberation and join us to it
பக்தி மனம் விரும்பும் என் தாயே
நித்தம் பரிதவிக்கும் உன் சேயே
Desired by the heart filled with devotion
O my Mother
Your child who suffers daily
சாட்சி சொல்லும் தாயே துணை
தீயெல்லாம் பூவாக மாறட்டும்
O Mother who stands as witness, you are my refuge
Let all the fire turn into flowers
மாரியம்மா மாரியம்மா
திரி சூலியம்மா நீலியம்மா
Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma
Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma
கரு மாரியம்மா மாரியம்மா
திரி சூலியம்மா நீலியம்மா
Dark Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma
Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma
தலை மேல மணி மகுடம்
என் தாயி தந்த பூங் கரகம்
A gem-studded crown upon the head
The flower-adorned Karagam pot given by my mother
நிலையாக நிலைக்க வைக்கும்
நினைச்சதெல்லாம் பலிக்க வைக்கும்
It will make things stay firm and steady
It will fulfill everything that is wished for
உன்ன நெனச்சபடி
உண்மை ஜெயிக்கும்படி
வேண்டும் வரம் தா மாரியம்மா
காவல் நீதான் காளியம்மா
As I meditate upon you
So that truth shall prevail
Grant us the desired boon, O Goddess Mariyamma
Male: You are the guardian, O Goddess Kaliyamma
ஆண் மற்றும் பெண் :
{மாரியம்மா மாரியம்மா
திரி சூலியம்மா நீலியம்மா} (2)
Maariyammaa maariyamma
Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma
Thiri sooliyamma neeliyamma
Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma
Maariyammaa maariyamma
Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma
Thiri sooliyamma neeliyamma
Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma
Thalai mela mani magudam
A gem-studded crown upon the head
En thaayi thandha poong karagam
The flower-adorned Karagam pot given by my mother
Nilaiyaaga nilaikka vaikkum
It will make things stay firm and steady
Ninachchadhellaam palikka vaikkum
It will fulfill everything that is wished for
Unna nenachchapadi
As I meditate upon you
Unmai jeyikkumbadi
So that truth shall prevail
Vendum varam thaa maariyammaa
Grant us the desired boon, O Goddess Mariyamma
Female :Kaaval needhaan kaaliyamma
Female: You are the guardian, O Goddess Kaliyamma
Maariyammaa maariyamma
Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma
Thiri sooliyamma neeliyamma
Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma
Maariyammaa maariyamma
Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma
Thiri sooliyamma neeliyamma
Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma
Mannukkul nee nalla
Beneath the earth, you are good
Neerammaa
Water, O Mother
Kaaththum kanalum neeyamma
You are the wind and the fire, O Mother
Vaanathapol ninnu paaramma
Stand like the vast sky and look upon us, O Mother
Vandhen thedi naanamma
I came searching for you, O Mother
Indha manam muzhudhum
All across this heart
Needhaanae
It is only you
Vandha vazhi thunaiyum needhaanae
You are the companion along the path I came
Thanga thiruvadiya thozhudhomae
We worshipped your golden sacred feet
Ingu manam uruga azhudhomae
Here we wept with heart-melting devotion
Seeraeswari kaameswari
Goddess of prosperity, Goddess of desires
Veraaru needhaanae kaappu
Who else is there? You alone are our protection
Maariyammaa maariyamma
Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma
Thiri sooliyamma neeliyamma
Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma
Karu maariyammaa maariyamma
Dark Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma
Thiri sooliyamma neeliyamma
Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma
Vaanellaam vazhthathaan
Let the entire sky hear
Ketkattum
The praise
Vaazhvae valamae paakkattum
Let life witness prosperity
Nee enga thaai endru
That you are our mother
Kaanattum
Let all see
Nizhalum nijamaa maarattum
Let the shadow turn into reality
Sakthi muzhudhum thandhu
Granting all divine power
Kaappaayae
You will protect us
Mukthi nilaiyai thandhu serppaayae
You will grant the state of liberation and join us to it
Bakthi manam virumbum
Desired by the heart filled with devotion
En thaaiyae
O my Mother
Niththam parithavikkum un seiyae
Your child who suffers daily
Saatchi sollum thaaiyae thunai
O Mother who stands as witness, you are my refuge
Theeyellaam poovaaga maarattum
Let all the fire turn into flowers
Maariyammaa maariyamma
Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma
Thiri sooliyamma neeliyamma
Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma
Karu maariyammaa maariyamma
Dark Goddess Mariyamma, Goddess Mariyamma
Thiri sooliyamma neeliyamma
Holder of the trident, Goddess Neeliyamma
Thalai mela mani magudam
A gem-studded crown upon the head
En thaayi thandha poong karagam
The flower-adorned Karagam pot given by my mother
Nilaiyaaga nilaikka vaikkum
It will make things stay firm and steady
Ninachchadhellaam palikka vaikkum
It will fulfill everything that is wished for
Unna nenachchapadi
As I meditate upon you
Unmai jeyikkumbadi
So that truth shall prevail
Vendum varam thaa maariyammaa
Grant us the desired boon, O Goddess Mariyamma
Male :Kaaval needhaan kaaliyamma
Male: You are the guardian, O Goddess Kaliyamma
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Maariyammaa Maariyamma is a soul-stirring Tamil devotional folk song from the iconic 1989 film Karagattakaran. Composed by Ilaiyaraaja and written by Gangai Amaran, the song serves as a central hymn sung during Karagattam, a traditional Tamil folk dance where performative ritual pots are balanced on the dancers' heads in honor of Goddess Mariyamma. The lyrics glorify the deity as the supreme mother and embodiment of the five natural elements, praying for protection, divine justice, and the transformation of hardship into joy.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Mannukkul nee nalla Neerammaa Kaaththum kanalum neeyamma”
The deity is directly equated to the core elements of life—underground water, wind, fire, and sky.
Visual Contrast / Symbolism
“Theeyellaam poovaaga maarattum”
The transformation of fire into flowers symbolizes how divine intervention converts unbearable hardship into soft blessings.
Edhugai and Monai (Rhyme and Rhythm)
“Maariyammaa maariyamma Thiri sooliyamma neeliyamma”
Uses repetitive end-rhymes ('-yamma') and rhythmic meter, typical of traditional South Indian Amman devotional folk ballads.
Did you know?
Trivia
Karagattakaran (1989) is one of the highest-grossing blockbuster Tamil movies of all time, running for over 1 year in theaters. It revitalized public interest in Tamil folk dance forms like Karagattam, and Ilaiyaraaja's soundtrack remains a milestone in Tamil film music history.
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