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Lyrics & meaning

Paadu Kolavaiyittu

From Thilagam · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, Vani Jairam
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Thilagam1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Paadu kolavaiyittuSing with joyful ululation
Bampai udukkai thattu pannaari ammanukkuththaanBeat the Pambai and Udukkai drums specifically for Goddess Bannari Amman
Female :Ava namakku arula pozhiyiravaFemale: She is the divine mother who showers grace upon us
Porula vazhangurava aayirangkann ammanavathaanShe who bestows prosperity is the thousand-eyed Goddess herself
Male
Peththa thaai polae bhoomiyin malaeJust like a birth mother upon this earth
Makkalukku kaaval intha muththumaarithaanThis Muthumaari Goddess stands as a guardian for the people
Male
Paadu kolavaiyittuSing with joyful ululation
Bampai udukkai thattu pannaari ammanukkuththaanBeat the Pambai and Udukkai drums specifically for Goddess Bannari Amman
Female :Ava namakku arula pozhiyiravaFemale: She is the divine mother who showers grace upon us
Porula vazhangurava aayirangkann ammanavathaanShe who bestows prosperity is the thousand-eyed Goddess herself
Chorus
……………..
Male
Ammanae nerila vanthaaIf the Goddess were to come in person
Aiyyaavu aiyyaa polaeShe would come like our revered elder, Aiyyaavu
Nammavooru vaasala thedi singappur kappalilaeSeeking out our village shores, coming via a ship from Singapore
Yaezhai naan en padippu neengal ingu potta pitchaiPoor as I am, my education is the alms that you bestowed here
Nandrithaan naan uraikkaFor me to voice my heartfelt gratitude
Yaetrathoru vaarthaiyillaThere are no words adequate enough
Chorus
Yaezhaigal sananga naangal vanangaSo that we poor folk may bow and worship you
Vaazhanum eenga nooraanduMay you live here amongst us for a hundred years
Male
Paadu kolavaiyittuSing with joyful ululation
Bampai udukkai thattu pannaari ammanukkuththaanBeat the Pambai and Udukkai drums specifically for Goddess Bannari Amman
Female :Ava namakku arula pozhiyiravaFemale: She is the divine mother who showers grace upon us
Porula vazhangurava aayirangkann ammanavathaanShe who bestows prosperity is the thousand-eyed Goddess herself
Chorus
……………..
Female
Paambuthaan pookkudaiyaagaWith the sacred serpent acting as a floral umbrella
Vembuthaan ponnudayaagaAnd the holy neem tree serving as golden attire
Thaaikellaam thaaikulamaagaAs the grand maternal lineage to all mothers
Thondridum naayagiyaeO supreme heroine Goddess who manifests!
Female
Oorellaam vaazha vendiSo that the whole town may prosper and live well
Moonu mazhai peiya venumThree generous seasonal rains ought to pour
Naalellaam nee medaiyaeriEvery day you must ascend the sacred altar
Nalla kuri solla venumAnd deliver auspicious omens and prophecies
Chorus
Nenaichcha edhuvum nallavidhamaaWhatever good intentions we hold in mind
Aaganum ammaa unnaalaeMust turn out successfully through your grace, Mother
Male
Paadu kolavaiyittuSing with joyful ululation
Bampai udukkai thattu pannaari ammanukkuththaanBeat the Pambai and Udukkai drums specifically for Goddess Bannari Amman
Female :Ava namakku arula pozhiyiravaFemale: She is the divine mother who showers grace upon us
Porula vazhangurava aayirangkann ammanavathaanShe who bestows prosperity is the thousand-eyed Goddess herself
Male
Peththa thaai polae bhoomiyin malaeJust like a birth mother upon this earth
Makkalukku kaaval intha muththumaarithaanThis Muthumaari Goddess stands as a guardian for the people
Male
Paadu kolavaiyittuSing with joyful ululation
Bampai udukkai thattu pannaari ammanukkuththaanBeat the Pambai and Udukkai drums specifically for Goddess Bannari Amman
Female :Ava namakku arula pozhiyiravaFemale: She is the divine mother who showers grace upon us
Porula vazhangurava aayirangkann ammanavathaanShe who bestows prosperity is the thousand-eyed Goddess herself

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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).

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