Nandri Unakku
From Uthama Raasa · 1993
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Uthama Raasa1993
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Nandri unakku cholla | To express my gratitude to you, |
| Vaarttai illai maariyae | There are no words, Oh Mariamman! |
| Nenjil neranju nikkum | Standing completely filled in my heart, |
| Aayiram kan sooliyae | Oh trident-bearing Goddess with a thousand eyes! |
| Manja neer thelikkudhammaa | Turmeric water is sprinkled, |
| Oor sananga koodiyae | As the village people gather together, |
| Mangalam koduppavalae | Oh Goddess who bestows auspiciousness! |
| Kunguma chingaariyae | Oh beauty adorned with vermilion! |
| Thottiyam kaali endru thulangidum thaayae | Oh Mother who shines brilliantly as Thottiyam Kaali! |
| Soolakkal maari endru pugazh padaithaayae | Oh Mother who gained fame as Soolakkal Maari! |
| Male | |
| Adichu pudichu kidandha oorukkullae | Inside the village that was fighting and divided, |
| Nalla arivai koduthu inaicha umaiyavalae | Oh Goddess Uma who granted good wisdom and united everyone! |
| Male | |
| Manushan nenachu edhu thaan nadakkumadi | What will happen merely if a human desires it? |
| Undhan nenappu edhuvo adhu thaan nigazhumadi | Whatever is your divine thought, only that shall come to pass! |
| Male | |
| Nallorkku theengizhachaa kaappaval neeyae | If evil is done to the righteous, you are their savior, |
| Pollaadha kobam kondu pongidum thaayae | Oh Mother who rises with fierce anger! |
| Kodaanu kodiyilae naanum un saeyae | Among millions and millions, I too am your child, |
| Kai pillai kai vanangum sakthiyae maayae | Oh divine Sakthi and Maya, whom this child worships with folded hands! |
| Chorus | |
| Veappilaiyil aadai katti veetrirukkum ambigaiyae | Oh Goddess Ambigai who sits enthroned wearing garments of neem leaves! |
| Mukkonathil ukkaandhidum magamaayi | Oh Goddess Magamaayi who resides in the sacred triangle! |
| Male | |
| Nandri unakku cholla | To express my gratitude to you, |
| Vaarttai illai maariyae | There are no words, Oh Mariamman! |
| Nenjil neranju nikkum | Standing completely filled in my heart, |
| Aayiram kan sooliyae | Oh trident-bearing Goddess with a thousand eyes! |
| Manja neer thelikkudhammaa | Turmeric water is sprinkled, |
| Oor sananga koodiyae | As the village people gather together, |
| Mangalam koduppavalae | Oh Goddess who bestows auspiciousness! |
| Kunguma chingaariyae | Oh beauty adorned with vermilion! |
| Male | |
| Padathai virithu paambum kudai pidikkum | Spreading its hood, even a serpent holds an umbrella over you, |
| Kilai padarndhu adarndha vaembum nizhal kodukkum | Spreading its dense branches, the neem tree offers shade to you, |
| Male | |
| Adadaa azhagin azhagaai koluvirukkum | Aha, you sit enthroned as the epitome of all beauty! |
| Undhan adiyai panindhae vanangi ulagirukkum | The whole world bows down and worships at your sacred feet! |
| Male | |
| Panneeru sandhanathil theerthamum aadi | Bathing in holy water mixed with rosewater and sandalwood paste, |
| Annaadam elumichaiyil maalaiyum soodi | Adorned every day with a garland of lemons, |
| Karpoora jothiyai thaan yaetridum dhevi | Oh Goddess for whom the camphor flame is lit, |
| Kan vendum kaanbadharkku aayiram kodi | One needs a thousand crore eyes just to behold your beauty! |
| Chorus | |
| Kaalam vandhaal kan thirappaai | When the time arrives, you will open your eyes, |
| Theeyavarai nee erippaai | You will burn down the wicked and evil-doers, |
| Aangaariyae ongaariyae maakaali | Oh fierce one, Oh divine embodiment of Om, Oh Mahakali! |
| Male | |
| Nandri unakku cholla | To express my gratitude to you, |
| Vaarttai illai maariyae | There are no words, Oh Mariamman! |
| Nenjil neranju nikkum | Standing completely filled in my heart, |
| Aayiram kan sooliyae | Oh trident-bearing Goddess with a thousand eyes! |
| Manja neer thelikkudhammaa | Turmeric water is sprinkled, |
| Oor sananga koodiyae | As the village people gather together, |
| Mangalam koduppavalae | Oh Goddess who bestows auspiciousness! |
| Kunguma chingaariyae | Oh beauty adorned with vermilion! |
| Thottiyam kaali endru thulangidum thaayae | Oh Mother who shines brilliantly as Thottiyam Kaali! |
| Soolakkal maari endru pugazh padaithaayae | Oh Mother who gained fame as Soolakkal Maari! |
நன்றி உனக்குச் சொல்ல
வார்த்தை இல்லை மாரியே
நெஞ்சில் நெறஞ்சு நிக்கும்
ஆயிரம் கண் சூலியே
மஞ்ச நீர் தெளிக்குதம்மா
ஊர் சனங்க கூடியே
மங்கலம் கொடுப்பவளே
குங்குமச் சிங்காரியே
தொட்டியம் காளி என்று துலங்கிடும் தாயே....ஹேய்
சூலக்கல் மாரி என்று புகழ் படைத்தாயே......
To express my gratitude to you,
There are no words, Oh Mariamman!
Standing completely filled in my heart,
Oh trident-bearing Goddess with a thousand eyes!
Turmeric water is sprinkled,
As the village people gather together,
Oh Goddess who bestows auspiciousness!
Oh beauty adorned with vermilion!
Oh Mother who shines brilliantly as Thottiyam Kaali!
Oh Mother who gained fame as Soolakkal Maari!
பெண் குழு :
நன்றி உனக்குச் சொல்ல
வார்த்தை இல்லை மாரியே
நெஞ்சில் நெறஞ்சு நிக்கும்
ஆயிரம் கண் சூலியே
மஞ்ச நீர் தெளிக்குதம்மா
ஊர் சனங்க கூடியே
மங்கலம் கொடுப்பவளே
குங்குமச் சிங்காரியே
Inside the village that was fighting and divided,
Oh Goddess Uma who granted good wisdom and united everyone!
அடிச்சு புடிச்சு கிடந்த ஊருக்குள்ளே
நல்ல அறிவை கொடுத்து இணைச்ச உமையவளே
What will happen merely if a human desires it?
Whatever is your divine thought, only that shall come to pass!
பெண் குழு :
உமையவளே
If evil is done to the righteous, you are their savior,
Oh Mother who rises with fierce anger!
Among millions and millions, I too am your child,
Oh divine Sakthi and Maya, whom this child worships with folded hands!
மனுஷன் நெனச்சு எது தான் நடக்குமடி
உந்தன் நெனப்பு எதுவோ அது தான் நிகழுமடி
Oh Goddess Ambigai who sits enthroned wearing garments of neem leaves!
Oh Goddess Magamaayi who resides in the sacred triangle!
பெண் குழு :
நிகழுமடி
To express my gratitude to you,
There are no words, Oh Mariamman!
Standing completely filled in my heart,
Oh trident-bearing Goddess with a thousand eyes!
Turmeric water is sprinkled,
As the village people gather together,
Oh Goddess who bestows auspiciousness!
Oh beauty adorned with vermilion!
நல்லோர்க்கு தீங்கிழச்சா காப்பவள் நீயே
பொல்லாத கோபம் கொண்டு பொங்கிடும் தாயே
கோடானு கோடியிலே நானும் உன் சேயே
கைப் பிள்ளை கை வணங்கும் சக்தியே மாயே
Spreading its hood, even a serpent holds an umbrella over you,
Spreading its dense branches, the neem tree offers shade to you,
வேப்பிலையில் ஆடை கட்டி
வீற்றிருக்கும் அம்பிகையே
முக்கோணத்தில் உக்காந்திடும் மகமாயி
Aha, you sit enthroned as the epitome of all beauty!
The whole world bows down and worships at your sacred feet!
நன்றி உனக்குச் சொல்ல
வார்த்தை இல்லை மாரியே
நெஞ்சில் நெறஞ்சு நிக்கும்
ஆயிரம் கண் சூலியே
மஞ்ச நீர் தெளிக்குதம்மா
ஊர் சனங்க கூடியே
மங்கலம் கொடுப்பவளே
குங்குமச் சிங்காரியே
Bathing in holy water mixed with rosewater and sandalwood paste,
Adorned every day with a garland of lemons,
Oh Goddess for whom the camphor flame is lit,
One needs a thousand crore eyes just to behold your beauty!
படத்தை விரித்து பாம்பும் குடை பிடிக்கும்
கிளை படர்ந்து அடர்ந்த வேம்பும்
நிழல் கொடுக்கும்
When the time arrives, you will open your eyes,
You will burn down the wicked and evil-doers,
Oh fierce one, Oh divine embodiment of Om, Oh Mahakali!
பெண் குழு :
நிழல் கொடுக்கும்
To express my gratitude to you,
There are no words, Oh Mariamman!
Standing completely filled in my heart,
Oh trident-bearing Goddess with a thousand eyes!
Turmeric water is sprinkled,
As the village people gather together,
Oh Goddess who bestows auspiciousness!
Oh beauty adorned with vermilion!
Oh Mother who shines brilliantly as Thottiyam Kaali!
Oh Mother who gained fame as Soolakkal Maari!
அடடா அழகின் அழகாய் கொலுவிருக்கும்
உந்தன் அடியை பணிந்தே
வணங்கி உலகிருக்கும்
பெண் குழு :
உலகிருக்கும்
பன்னீரு சந்தனத்தில் தீர்த்தமும் ஆடி
அன்னாடம் எலுமிச்சையில் மாலையும் சூடி
கற்பூர ஜோதியைத்தான் ஏற்றிடும் தேவி
கண் வேண்டும் காண்பதற்கு ஆயிரம் கோடி
காலம் வந்தால் கண் திறப்பாய்
தீயவரை நீ எரிப்பாய்
ஆங்காரியே ஓங்காரியே மாகாளி
நன்றி உனக்குச் சொல்ல
வார்த்தை இல்லை மாரியே
நெஞ்சில் நெறஞ்சு நிக்கும்
ஆயிரம் கண் சூலியே
மஞ்ச நீர் தெளிக்குதம்மா
ஊர் சனங்க கூடியே
மங்கலம் கொடுப்பவளே
குங்குமச் சிங்காரியே
தொட்டியம் காளி என்று துலங்கிடும் தாயே.....
சூலக்கல் மாரி என்று புகழ் படைத்தாயே
பெண் குழு :
நன்றி உனக்குச் சொல்ல
வார்த்தை இல்லை மாரியே
நெஞ்சில் நெறஞ்சு நிக்கும்
ஆயிரம் கண் சூலியே
மஞ்ச நீர் தெளிக்குதம்மா
ஊர் சனங்க கூடியே
மங்கலம் கொடுப்பவளே
குங்குமச் சிங்காரியே
Nandri unakku cholla
To express my gratitude to you,
Vaarttai illai maariyae
There are no words, Oh Mariamman!
Nenjil neranju nikkum
Standing completely filled in my heart,
Aayiram kan sooliyae
Oh trident-bearing Goddess with a thousand eyes!
Manja neer thelikkudhammaa
Turmeric water is sprinkled,
Oor sananga koodiyae
As the village people gather together,
Mangalam koduppavalae
Oh Goddess who bestows auspiciousness!
Kunguma chingaariyae
Oh beauty adorned with vermilion!
Thottiyam kaali endru thulangidum thaayae
Oh Mother who shines brilliantly as Thottiyam Kaali!
Soolakkal maari endru pugazh padaithaayae
Oh Mother who gained fame as Soolakkal Maari!
Adichu pudichu kidandha oorukkullae
Inside the village that was fighting and divided,
Nalla arivai koduthu inaicha umaiyavalae
Oh Goddess Uma who granted good wisdom and united everyone!
Manushan nenachu edhu thaan nadakkumadi
What will happen merely if a human desires it?
Undhan nenappu edhuvo adhu thaan nigazhumadi
Whatever is your divine thought, only that shall come to pass!
Nallorkku theengizhachaa kaappaval neeyae
If evil is done to the righteous, you are their savior,
Pollaadha kobam kondu pongidum thaayae
Oh Mother who rises with fierce anger!
Kodaanu kodiyilae naanum un saeyae
Among millions and millions, I too am your child,
Kai pillai kai vanangum sakthiyae maayae
Oh divine Sakthi and Maya, whom this child worships with folded hands!
Veappilaiyil aadai katti veetrirukkum ambigaiyae
Oh Goddess Ambigai who sits enthroned wearing garments of neem leaves!
Mukkonathil ukkaandhidum magamaayi
Oh Goddess Magamaayi who resides in the sacred triangle!
Nandri unakku cholla
To express my gratitude to you,
Vaarttai illai maariyae
There are no words, Oh Mariamman!
Nenjil neranju nikkum
Standing completely filled in my heart,
Aayiram kan sooliyae
Oh trident-bearing Goddess with a thousand eyes!
Manja neer thelikkudhammaa
Turmeric water is sprinkled,
Oor sananga koodiyae
As the village people gather together,
Mangalam koduppavalae
Oh Goddess who bestows auspiciousness!
Kunguma chingaariyae
Oh beauty adorned with vermilion!
Padathai virithu paambum kudai pidikkum
Spreading its hood, even a serpent holds an umbrella over you,
Kilai padarndhu adarndha vaembum nizhal kodukkum
Spreading its dense branches, the neem tree offers shade to you,
Adadaa azhagin azhagaai koluvirukkum
Aha, you sit enthroned as the epitome of all beauty!
Undhan adiyai panindhae vanangi ulagirukkum
The whole world bows down and worships at your sacred feet!
Panneeru sandhanathil theerthamum aadi
Bathing in holy water mixed with rosewater and sandalwood paste,
Annaadam elumichaiyil maalaiyum soodi
Adorned every day with a garland of lemons,
Karpoora jothiyai thaan yaetridum dhevi
Oh Goddess for whom the camphor flame is lit,
Kan vendum kaanbadharkku aayiram kodi
One needs a thousand crore eyes just to behold your beauty!
Kaalam vandhaal kan thirappaai
When the time arrives, you will open your eyes,
Theeyavarai nee erippaai
You will burn down the wicked and evil-doers,
Aangaariyae ongaariyae maakaali
Oh fierce one, Oh divine embodiment of Om, Oh Mahakali!
Nandri unakku cholla
To express my gratitude to you,
Vaarttai illai maariyae
There are no words, Oh Mariamman!
Nenjil neranju nikkum
Standing completely filled in my heart,
Aayiram kan sooliyae
Oh trident-bearing Goddess with a thousand eyes!
Manja neer thelikkudhammaa
Turmeric water is sprinkled,
Oor sananga koodiyae
As the village people gather together,
Mangalam koduppavalae
Oh Goddess who bestows auspiciousness!
Kunguma chingaariyae
Oh beauty adorned with vermilion!
Thottiyam kaali endru thulangidum thaayae
Oh Mother who shines brilliantly as Thottiyam Kaali!
Soolakkal maari endru pugazh padaithaayae
Oh Mother who gained fame as Soolakkal Maari!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a deeply devotional Tamil village hymn dedicated to Goddess Mariamman (an incarnation of Goddess Sakthi/Kali). The singer expresses overwhelming gratitude to the deity for bringing peace, unity, and wisdom to a once-divided village. The lyrics highlight the absolute power of divine will over human desire, proclaiming that nothing moves without the Goddess's grace. Throughout the hymn, vivid rural ritualistic imagery is invoked—sprinkling turmeric water, lighting camphor, offering lemon garlands, and worshipping the deity adorned with neem leaves and vermilion. The song portrays the Goddess both as a benevolent protector of the righteous and a fierce, fiery annihilator of evil.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moonaal / Initial Alliteration (Monai)
“Nandri unakku cholla / Nenjil neranju nikkum”
Matching initial consonant/vowel sounds in lines like 'Nandri' and 'Nenjil', which creates a rhythmic flow in Tamil poetry.
Edukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Padathai virithu paambum kudai pidikkum / Kilai padarndhu adarndha vaembum nizhal kodukkum”
Rhyming of the second letter across consecutive lines, such as 'Padathai' and 'Kilai' ('da' / 'la' soft consonant harmony) or 'Thottiyam' / 'Soolakkal'.
Devotional Metaphor & Imagery (Uvamaani)
“Padathai virithu paambum kudai pidikkum”
Vivid visual imagery describing nature and animals revering the divine mother, such as the snake spreading its hood like an umbrella.
Did you know?
Trivia
This iconic devotional song features in the 1993 Tamil movie 'Uthama Raasa' starring Prabhu and Kushboo. The music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, and the song became a staple track played during temple festivals across rural Tamil Nadu.
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