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Thilagam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Paadu Kolavaiyittu

From Thilagam · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, Vani Jairam
Music director
Chandrabose
Movie name
Thilagam
Movie release year
1992
Lyrics added on
26 Mar 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Paadu kolavaiyittu
Bampai udukkai thattu pannaari ammanukkuththaan
Female :Ava namakku arula pozhiyirava
Porula vazhangurava aayirangkann ammanavathaan
Peththa thaai polae bhoomiyin malae
Makkalukku kaaval intha muththumaarithaan
Paadu kolavaiyittu
Bampai udukkai thattu pannaari ammanukkuththaan
Female :Ava namakku arula pozhiyirava
Porula vazhangurava aayirangkann ammanavathaan
……………..
Ammanae nerila vanthaa
Aiyyaavu aiyyaa polae
Nammavooru vaasala thedi singappur kappalilae
Yaezhai naan en padippu neengal ingu potta pitchai
Nandrithaan naan uraikka
Yaetrathoru vaarthaiyilla
Yaezhaigal sananga naangal vananga
Vaazhanum eenga nooraandu
Paadu kolavaiyittu
Bampai udukkai thattu pannaari ammanukkuththaan
Female :Ava namakku arula pozhiyirava
Porula vazhangurava aayirangkann ammanavathaan
……………..
Paambuthaan pookkudaiyaaga
Vembuthaan ponnudayaaga
Thaaikellaam thaaikulamaaga
Thondridum naayagiyae
Oorellaam vaazha vendi
Moonu mazhai peiya venum
Naalellaam nee medaiyaeri
Nalla kuri solla venum
Nenaichcha edhuvum nallavidhamaa
Aaganum ammaa unnaalae
Paadu kolavaiyittu
Bampai udukkai thattu pannaari ammanukkuththaan
Female :Ava namakku arula pozhiyirava
Porula vazhangurava aayirangkann ammanavathaan
Peththa thaai polae bhoomiyin malae
Makkalukku kaaval intha muththumaarithaan
Paadu kolavaiyittu
Bampai udukkai thattu pannaari ammanukkuththaan
Female :Ava namakku arula pozhiyirava
Porula vazhangurava aayirangkann ammanavathaan
Sing and sound the ululation,
Beat the pambai and udukkai drums for Goddess Bannari!
Female: She is the one who showers her grace on us,
She is the thousand-eyed Goddess who bestows wealth!
Like a birth mother upon this earth,
This Muthu Maari is the guardian of the people.
Sing and sound the ululation,
Beat the pambai and udukkai drums for Goddess Bannari!
Female: She is the one who showers her grace on us,
She is the thousand-eyed Goddess who bestows wealth!
...
If the Goddess herself came in person,
She would come just like our respected master.
Seeking our village doorstep in a ship from Singapore,
Poor as I am, my education is the alms you gave me here;
To express my gratitude,
There are no suitable words.
For us poor folk to bow before and worship,
May you live here for a hundred years!
Sing and sound the ululation,
Beat the pambai and udukkai drums for Goddess Bannari!
Female: She is the one who showers her grace on us,
She is the thousand-eyed Goddess who bestows wealth!
...
With the serpent as her flower umbrella,
With neem leaves as her golden attire,
As the motherly sanctuary to all mothers,
O Goddess who manifests before us!
For the whole village to flourish,
Three timely rains must fall.
Every day, mounting the sacred platform,
You must tell good fortunes.
Whatever is wished, in a good way,
Must come to pass, O Mother, through you!
Sing and sound the ululation,
Beat the pambai and udukkai drums for Goddess Bannari!
Female: She is the one who showers her grace on us,
She is the thousand-eyed Goddess who bestows wealth!
Like a birth mother upon this earth,
This Muthu Maari is the guardian of the people.
Sing and sound the ululation,
Beat the pambai and udukkai drums for Goddess Bannari!
Female: She is the one who showers her grace on us,
She is the thousand-eyed Goddess who bestows wealth!
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Chorus
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Chorus
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Chorus
Female
Female
Chorus
Male
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Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This folk-style devotional track from 'Thilagam' (1992) praises Goddess Bannari Amman and Muthumaari while equating a benevolent village patron with the deity itself. The lyrics weave traditional village rituals—such as playing traditional percussion instruments like the pambai and udukkai, ululating (kolavai), and seeking favorable prophecies (kuri)—with expressions of deep gratitude for charity, education, and protection. The song highlights the divine motherly aspect of Goddess Amman, depicting her with classic iconography like snakes and neem leaves, while praying for seasonal rainfall, community prosperity, and long life for the benefactor who helped the underprivileged village folk.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upama (Simile)

“Peththa thaai polae bhoomiyin malae”

Compares Goddess Muthumaari's protective nature directly to that of a biological mother ('Peththa thaai polae').

Rupaka (Metaphor)

“Paambuthaan pookkudaiyaaga / Vembuthaan ponnudayaaga”

Metaphorically describes the serpent as a canopy of flowers ('pookkudai') and the neem tree as golden garments ('ponnudai').

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Bampai udukkai thattu pannaari ammanukkuththaan”

The second consonant 'm' rhymes across adjacent lines ('Bampai' / 'Ammanae').

Anaphora / Refrain

“Paadu kolavaiyittu”

Repetition of chorus lines ('Paadu kolavaiyittu...') throughout the song to establish rhythmic ritualistic energy.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song uses folk ritual imagery centered on Mariamman and Bannari Amman traditions, popular in rural Tamil Nadu. Instruments like the 'pambai' and 'udukkai' are specifically associated with Amman temple festivals (Thiruvizha) and oracle chanting (kuri solladhal).

Keep listening

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