Pothumada Sami Ponnu
From Kann Malar · 1970
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Kann Malar1970
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Theviyadi mariyamma | Goddess Mariyamma, |
| Sirippa sirikkiraaye | You are smiling mockingly! |
| Ennai sirippaa sirikka vaikka | To make a mockery out of me, |
| Silaiya nikkiriye | You stand there motionless as a stone idol! |
| Female | |
| Pothumada sami | Enough, oh Lord! |
| Ponnupatta paadu | The suffering this woman has endured! |
| Pothumada sami | Enough, oh Lord! |
| Ponnupatta paadu | The suffering this woman has endured! |
| Female | |
| Naathiyillaa boomi | A land with no savior, |
| Ithu nanmaiyilla naadu | This is a nation devoid of goodness! |
| Pothumada sami | Enough, oh Lord! |
| Ponnupatta paadu | The suffering this woman has endured! |
| Female | |
| Naathiyillaa boomi | A land with no savior, |
| Ithu nanmaiyilla naadu | This is a nation devoid of goodness! |
| Pothumada sami | Enough, oh Lord! |
| Ponnupatta paadu | The suffering this woman has endured! |
| Female | |
| Pasithapothu soreduthu | When hungry, taking the rice, |
| Kodutha kaiyai | The hand that offered it, |
| Kadithu paarkum janangale | You people bite that very hand! |
| Female | |
| Pathungi paayum | Pouncing stealthily, |
| Mirugamellaam ungalodu | All wild beasts are your kin, |
| Piranthu vantha inangale | Born right alongside you! |
| Female | |
| Pasithapothu soreduthu | When hungry, taking the rice, |
| Kodutha kaiyai | The hand that offered it, |
| Kadithu paarkum janangale | You people bite that very hand! |
| Female | |
| Pathungi paayum | Pouncing stealthily, |
| Mirugamellaam ungalodu | All wild beasts are your kin, |
| Piranthu vantha inangale | Born right alongside you! |
| Female | |
| Poojai seiveere | You perform worship rituals, |
| Pennai thevi enbeere | You proclaim a woman to be a goddess, |
| Vaazhvillaatha penninathai | Yet the woman destitute of a life, |
| Paavi enbeere | You brand as a sinner! |
| Female | |
| Pothumada sami | Enough, oh Lord! |
| Ponnupatta paadu | The suffering this woman has endured! |
| Female | |
| Idamillamal koyil katti | Building temples everywhere without space, |
| Madangal katti | Building monasteries, |
| Kulangal vetti podungal | Digging ponds and leaving them, |
| Female | |
| Irandu kaiyil vilakkeduthu | Holding lamps in both hands, |
| Irakkamendraal | What compassion actually means, |
| Ennavendru thedungal | Go search and find out! |
| Female | |
| Idamillamal koyil katti | Building temples everywhere without space, |
| Madangal katti | Building monasteries, |
| Kulangal vetti podungal | Digging ponds and leaving them, |
| Female | |
| Irandu kaiyil vilakkeduthu | Holding lamps in both hands, |
| Irakkamendraal | What compassion actually means, |
| Ennavendru thedungal | Go search and find out! |
| Female | |
| Kannai vaithaane irandu | He gave two eyes, |
| Kaiyai vaithaane | He gave two hands, |
| Avan manasai mattum eduthu vaikka | To place a heart inside, |
| Maranthu vittaane | He forgot! |
| Female | |
| Pothumada sami | Enough, oh Lord! |
| Ponnupatta paadu | The suffering this woman has endured! |
| Female | |
| Antha kaalam bakthanuku | In those ancient times, to devotees, |
| Vanthu vanthu kaatchi thantha | Appearing again and again to grant visions, |
| Kadavule | Oh God! |
| Female | |
| Intha kaalam neengalellam | In this modern age, |
| Irukkumidam engalukku | Where all of you reside, |
| Theriyala | We do not know! |
| Female | |
| Antha kaalam bakthanuku | In those ancient times, to devotees, |
| Vanthu vanthu kaatchi thantha | Appearing again and again to grant visions, |
| Kadavule | Oh God! |
| Female | |
| Intha kaalam neengalellam | In this modern age, |
| Irukkumidam engalukku | Where all of you reside, |
| Theriyala | We do not know! |
| Female | |
| Pothumada sami | Enough, oh Lord! |
| Ponnupatta paadu | The suffering this woman has endured! |
| Female | |
| Kallaithaan kandom verum | We only saw stone, |
| Sembaithaan kandom iru | We only saw mere copper metal, |
| Kan thiranthu pennai paarkum | Opening eyes to look upon a woman, |
| Karunaiyai kaanom | That mercy we do not see! |
| Female | |
| Iraivanukke kan koduthaan | He offered his own eye to God Himself, |
| Engalaipol manithanaana | A mere mortal human like us, |
| Kannappa | Kannappa! |
| Female | |
| Manithanukku kan kodukka | Yet to give vision to a human being, |
| Iraivanaalum mudiyalaiye | Even God could not accomplish, |
| Yenappaa | Why, oh Lord? |
| Female | |
| Saathiram poyyo.. | Are the scriptures a lie? |
| Ketta sarithiram poyyo.. | Is the tragic history a lie? |
| Naangal aathirathil padaithukonda | Is the God we created in our desperation, |
| Aandavan poyyo.. | Also a lie? |
தேவியடி மாரியம்மா
சிரிப்பா சிரிக்கிறியே......!
என்னை சிரிப்பா சிரிக்க வைத்து
சிலையா நிக்கிறியே....!
Goddess Mariyamma,
You are smiling mockingly!
To make a mockery out of me,
You stand there motionless as a stone idol!
போதுமடா சாமி
பொண்ணுப்பட்ட பாடு
போதுமடா சாமி
பொண்ணுப்பட்ட பாடு
Enough, oh Lord!
The suffering this woman has endured!
Enough, oh Lord!
The suffering this woman has endured!
நாதியில்லா பூமி
இது நன்மையில்லா நாடு
போதுமடா சாமி
பொண்ணுப்பட்ட பாடு
A land with no savior,
This is a nation devoid of goodness!
Enough, oh Lord!
The suffering this woman has endured!
நாதியில்லா பூமி
இது நன்மையில்லா நாடு.....
போதுமடா சாமி
பொண்ணுப்பட்ட பாடு
A land with no savior,
This is a nation devoid of goodness!
Enough, oh Lord!
The suffering this woman has endured!
பசித்தபோது சோறெடுத்துக்
கொடுத்த கையைக்
கடித்துப் பார்க்கும் ஜனங்களே
When hungry, taking the rice,
The hand that offered it,
You people bite that very hand!
பதுங்கிப் பாயும் மிருகமெல்லாம்
உங்களோடு
பிறந்து வந்த இனங்களே
Pouncing stealthily,
All wild beasts are your kin,
Born right alongside you!
பசித்தபோது சோறெடுத்துக்
கொடுத்த கையைக்
கடித்துப் பார்க்கும் ஜனங்களே
When hungry, taking the rice,
The hand that offered it,
You people bite that very hand!
பதுங்கிப் பாயும் மிருகமெல்லாம்
உங்களோடு
பிறந்து வந்த இனங்களே
Pouncing stealthily,
All wild beasts are your kin,
Born right alongside you!
பூஜை செய்வீரே
பெண்ணை தேவி என்பீரே
வாழ்வில்லாத பெண்ணினத்தைப்
பாவி என்பீரே
You perform worship rituals,
You proclaim a woman to be a goddess,
Yet the woman destitute of a life,
You brand as a sinner!
போதுமடா சாமி
பொண்ணுப்பட்ட பாடு
Enough, oh Lord!
The suffering this woman has endured!
இடமில்லாமல் கோயில் கட்டி
மடங்கள் கட்டி
குளங்கள் வெட்டிப் போடுங்கள்
Building temples everywhere without space,
Building monasteries,
Digging ponds and leaving them,
இரண்டு கையில்
விளக்கெடுத்து
இரக்கமென்றால் என்னவென்று தேடுங்கள்
Holding lamps in both hands,
What compassion actually means,
Go search and find out!
இடமில்லாமல் கோயில் கட்டி
மடங்கள் கட்டி
குளங்கள் வெட்டிப் போடுங்கள்
Building temples everywhere without space,
Building monasteries,
Digging ponds and leaving them,
இரண்டு கையில்
விளக்கெடுத்து
இரக்கமென்றால் என்னவென்று தேடுங்கள்
Holding lamps in both hands,
What compassion actually means,
Go search and find out!
கண்ணை வைத்தானே இரண்டு
கையை வைத்தானே - அவன்
மனசை மட்டும் எடுத்து வைக்க
மறந்து விட்டானே............
He gave two eyes,
He gave two hands,
To place a heart inside,
He forgot!
போதுமடா சாமி
பொண்ணுப்பட்ட பாடு
Enough, oh Lord!
The suffering this woman has endured!
அந்தக் காலம் பக்தனுக்கு
வந்து வந்து காட்சி தந்த கடவுளே
In those ancient times, to devotees,
Appearing again and again to grant visions,
Oh God!
இந்தக் காலம் நீங்களெல்லாம்
இருக்குமிடம் எங்களுக்குத் தெரியல்ல
In this modern age,
Where all of you reside,
We do not know!
அந்தக் காலம் பக்தனுக்கு
வந்து வந்து காட்சி தந்த கடவுளே
In those ancient times, to devotees,
Appearing again and again to grant visions,
Oh God!
இந்தக் காலம் நீங்களெல்லாம்
இருக்குமிடம் எங்களுக்குத் தெரியல்ல
In this modern age,
Where all of you reside,
We do not know!
கல்லைத்தான் கண்டோம் வெறும்
செம்பைத்தான் கண்டோம் – இரு
கண் திறந்து பெண்ணைப் பார்க்கும்
கருணையைக் காணோம்
Enough, oh Lord!
The suffering this woman has endured!
போதுமடா சாமி
பொண்ணுப்பட்ட பாடு
We only saw stone,
We only saw mere copper metal,
Opening eyes to look upon a woman,
That mercy we do not see!
இறைவனுக்கே கண் கொடுத்தான்
எங்களைப்போல் மனிதனான கண்ணப்பா
He offered his own eye to God Himself,
A mere mortal human like us,
Kannappa!
மனிதனுக்குக் கண் கொடுக்க
இறைவனாலும் முடியலையே ஏனப்பா
Yet to give vision to a human being,
Even God could not accomplish,
Why, oh Lord?
சாத்திரம் பொய்யோ
கேட்ட சரித்திரம் பொய்யோ
நாங்கள் ஆத்திரத்தில் படைத்துக் கொண்ட
ஆண்டவன் பொய்யோ
Are the scriptures a lie?
Is the tragic history a lie?
Is the God we created in our desperation,
Also a lie?
Theviyadi mariyamma
Goddess Mariyamma,
Sirippa sirikkiraaye
You are smiling mockingly!
Ennai sirippaa sirikka vaikka
To make a mockery out of me,
Silaiya nikkiriye
You stand there motionless as a stone idol!
Pothumada sami
Enough, oh Lord!
Ponnupatta paadu
The suffering this woman has endured!
Pothumada sami
Enough, oh Lord!
Ponnupatta paadu
The suffering this woman has endured!
Naathiyillaa boomi
A land with no savior,
Ithu nanmaiyilla naadu
This is a nation devoid of goodness!
Pothumada sami
Enough, oh Lord!
Ponnupatta paadu
The suffering this woman has endured!
Naathiyillaa boomi
A land with no savior,
Ithu nanmaiyilla naadu
This is a nation devoid of goodness!
Pothumada sami
Enough, oh Lord!
Ponnupatta paadu
The suffering this woman has endured!
Pasithapothu soreduthu
When hungry, taking the rice,
Kodutha kaiyai
The hand that offered it,
Kadithu paarkum janangale
You people bite that very hand!
Pathungi paayum
Pouncing stealthily,
Mirugamellaam ungalodu
All wild beasts are your kin,
Piranthu vantha inangale
Born right alongside you!
Pasithapothu soreduthu
When hungry, taking the rice,
Kodutha kaiyai
The hand that offered it,
Kadithu paarkum janangale
You people bite that very hand!
Pathungi paayum
Pouncing stealthily,
Mirugamellaam ungalodu
All wild beasts are your kin,
Piranthu vantha inangale
Born right alongside you!
Poojai seiveere
You perform worship rituals,
Pennai thevi enbeere
You proclaim a woman to be a goddess,
Vaazhvillaatha penninathai
Yet the woman destitute of a life,
Paavi enbeere
You brand as a sinner!
Pothumada sami
Enough, oh Lord!
Ponnupatta paadu
The suffering this woman has endured!
Idamillamal koyil katti
Building temples everywhere without space,
Madangal katti
Building monasteries,
Kulangal vetti podungal
Digging ponds and leaving them,
Irandu kaiyil vilakkeduthu
Holding lamps in both hands,
Irakkamendraal
What compassion actually means,
Ennavendru thedungal
Go search and find out!
Idamillamal koyil katti
Building temples everywhere without space,
Madangal katti
Building monasteries,
Kulangal vetti podungal
Digging ponds and leaving them,
Irandu kaiyil vilakkeduthu
Holding lamps in both hands,
Irakkamendraal
What compassion actually means,
Ennavendru thedungal
Go search and find out!
Kannai vaithaane irandu
He gave two eyes,
Kaiyai vaithaane
He gave two hands,
Avan manasai mattum eduthu vaikka
To place a heart inside,
Maranthu vittaane
He forgot!
Pothumada sami
Enough, oh Lord!
Ponnupatta paadu
The suffering this woman has endured!
Antha kaalam bakthanuku
In those ancient times, to devotees,
Vanthu vanthu kaatchi thantha
Appearing again and again to grant visions,
Kadavule
Oh God!
Intha kaalam neengalellam
In this modern age,
Irukkumidam engalukku
Where all of you reside,
Theriyala
We do not know!
Antha kaalam bakthanuku
In those ancient times, to devotees,
Vanthu vanthu kaatchi thantha
Appearing again and again to grant visions,
Kadavule
Oh God!
Intha kaalam neengalellam
In this modern age,
Irukkumidam engalukku
Where all of you reside,
Theriyala
We do not know!
Pothumada sami
Enough, oh Lord!
Ponnupatta paadu
The suffering this woman has endured!
Kallaithaan kandom verum
We only saw stone,
Sembaithaan kandom iru
We only saw mere copper metal,
Kan thiranthu pennai paarkum
Opening eyes to look upon a woman,
Karunaiyai kaanom
That mercy we do not see!
Iraivanukke kan koduthaan
He offered his own eye to God Himself,
Engalaipol manithanaana
A mere mortal human like us,
Kannappa
Kannappa!
Manithanukku kan kodukka
Yet to give vision to a human being,
Iraivanaalum mudiyalaiye
Even God could not accomplish,
Yenappaa
Why, oh Lord?
Saathiram poyyo..
Are the scriptures a lie?
Ketta sarithiram poyyo..
Is the tragic history a lie?
Naangal aathirathil padaithukonda
Is the God we created in our desperation,
Aandavan poyyo..
Also a lie?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This powerful song from 'Kann Malar' (1970) serves as a poignant social critique and anguish-filled lamentation against divine inaction and societal hypocrisy. Penned by Kannadasan and set to tune by K. V. Mahadevan, the protagonist confronts Goddess Mariyamma and God Himself, asking why stone idols receive devotion while suffering, real-life women face cruelty and abandonment. She scorns a hypocritical society that idolizes womanhood in abstract rituals while branding helpless women as sinners and biting the hands that feed them. Drawing upon mythological references like Kannappa Nayanar—who sacrificed his eye for Shiva—the song highlights the tragic irony that while a human could sacrifice for God, God fails to grant mercy or empathy to human beings. Through raw emotion and philosophical questioning, the protagonist questions whether holy scriptures, history, and God Himself are mere illusions created out of human grief and desperation.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Aged / Monai (Initial Rhyme)
“Pothumada sami / Ponnupatta paadu”
The initial 'Po' sound repeats in 'Pothumada' and 'Ponnupatta', creating a rhythmic cadence of despair.
Irony / Contrast
“Poojai seiveere / Pennai thevi enbeere / Vaazhvillaatha penninathai / Paavi enbeere”
Juxtaposes society worshipping women as goddesses in rituals while condemning real, helpless women as sinners.
Mythological Allusion
“Iraivanukke kan koduthaan / Engalaipol manithanaana / Kannappa”
Refers to Kannappa Nayanar, the devotee who gouged out his own eye for Lord Shiva, to contrast intense human devotion against God's indifference.
Rhetorical Questioning (Anaphora/Apostrophe)
“Saathiram poyyo.. / Ketta sarithiram poyyo.. / Naangal aathirathil padaithukonda / Aandavan poyyo..”
Repeatedly questions the truth of scriptures, history, and God in a climax of existential agony.
Did you know?
Trivia
In 'Kann Malar' (1970), which emphasizes themes of sight and suffering, Kannadasan masterfully uses sight metaphors ('kan', 'vision') to tie into the title of the film. P. Susheela's vocal performance brings out deep pathos, making this one of Tamil cinema's most famous philosophical solos questioning social double standards.
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