Potri Paadadi Penne
From Thevar Magan · 1992
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Mano, T. K. S. Kalaivanan, Shruti Haasan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Thevar Magan1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Pottri paadadi ponnae.. | Sing in praise, my dear girl... |
| Devar kaaladi mannae.. | To the soil at the feet of the Devar... |
| Male | |
| Thekku thisai aanda | Who ruled the southern direction, |
| Mannar inamthaan hoi.. | They belong to the kingly lineage, hoi! |
| Mukkulaththa serndha | Belonging to the Mukkulam clan, |
| Devar maganthaan hoi.. | He is the son of Devar, hoi! |
| Male | |
| Pottri paadadi ponnae.. | Sing in praise, my dear girl... |
| Devar kaaladi mannae.. | To the soil at the feet of the Devar... |
| Male | |
| Enna solla mannu valam.. | What can I say about the fertility of this land... |
| Chorus :Ding dong ding dong | Chorus: Ding dong ding dong |
| Ding dong do.. | Ding dong do.. |
| Male :Maaththavanga kannu padum | Male: Others will look upon it with envy |
| Chorus :Ding dong ding dong | Chorus: Ding dong ding dong |
| Ding dong do.. | Ding dong do.. |
| Male | |
| Enna solla mannu valam | What can I say about the land's prosperity, |
| Mathavanga kannu padum | It attracts the envious eyes of others. |
| Antha kadhai ippa ulla | That story needs to be heard now |
| Sandhadhinga ketka venum | By the current generation. |
| Male | |
| Nammuyirkku mela | More precious than our very life itself |
| Maanam mariyaathai | Are honor and respect. |
| Maanam izhandhaalae | If honor is lost, |
| Vazha theriyaathae | We do not know how to live. |
| Male | |
| Perisellaam sonnaanga | The elders spoke these principles, |
| Sonnabadi ninnaanga | And lived strictly by their word. |
| Gunaththaal manaththaal | In character and in heart, |
| Kalai maan aanaanga | They were gentle as spotted deer. |
| Female | |
| Pottri paadadi ponnae.. | Sing in praise, my dear girl... |
| Devar kaaladi mannae.. | To the soil at the feet of the Devar... |
| Female | |
| Thekku thisai aanda | Who ruled the southern direction, |
| Mannar inamthaan hoi.. | They belong to the kingly lineage, hoi! |
| Mukkulaththa serndha | Belonging to the Mukkulam clan, |
| Devar maganthaan hoi.. | He is the son of Devar, hoi! |
| Female | |
| Pottri paadadi ponnae.. | Sing in praise, my dear girl... |
| Devar kaaladi mannae.. | To the soil at the feet of the Devar... |
| Male | |
| Munnorukku munnorellaam.. | To all the ancestors of our ancestors... |
| Chorus :Ding dong ding dong | Chorus: Ding dong ding dong |
| Ding dong do.. | Ding dong do.. |
| Male :Innaarunnu kandu kolla | Male: To identify who they specifically were, |
| Chorus :Ding dong ding dong | Chorus: Ding dong ding dong |
| Ding dong do.. | Ding dong do.. |
| Male | |
| Munnorukku munnorellaam | To all the ancestors of our ancestors, |
| Innaarunnu kandu kolla | To identify who they specifically were, |
| Yededuththu ezhuthi solla | To document and write it down in palm leaves, |
| Onnu rendu moonu alla | It is not just one, two, or three stories. |
| Male | |
| Mukkulaththor kalyaanandhen | The weddings of the Mukkulam clan, |
| Muthu muthu kambalandhen | Are like carpets woven with precious pearls. |
| Yekkulamum vaazhththu sollum | Every community offers its blessings, |
| Engalukku ekkaalamdhen | And trumpets sound joyfully for us. |
| Male | |
| Azhagaana sarisodi | Beautifully matched couples, |
| Aanaimela ambaari | Riding atop royal elephant howdahs, |
| Kanakkaa vazhakkaa | Traditions and customs, |
| Kadalpol yeraalam | Are as abundant as the ocean. |
| Female | |
| Pottri paadadi ponnae.. | Sing in praise, my dear girl... |
| Devar kaaladi mannae.. | To the soil at the feet of the Devar... |
| Female | |
| Thekku thisai aanda | Who ruled the southern direction, |
| Mannar inamthaan hoi.. | They belong to the kingly lineage, hoi! |
| Mukkulaththa serndha | Belonging to the Mukkulam clan, |
| Devar maganthaan hoi.. | He is the son of Devar, hoi! |
| Female | |
| Pottri paadadi ponnae.. | Sing in praise, my dear girl... |
| Devar kaaladi mannae.. | To the soil at the feet of the Devar... |
மற்றும் ஷ்ருதி ஹாசன்
Sing in praise, my dear girl...
To the soil at the feet of the Devar...
போற்றிப் பாடடி பொண்ணே...
தேவர் காலடி மண்ணே....
தெக்கு திசை ஆண்ட
மன்னர் இனம்தான் ஹோய்...
முக்குலத்த சேர்ந்த
தேவர் மகன்தான் ஹோய்...
Who ruled the southern direction,
They belong to the kingly lineage, hoi!
Belonging to the Mukkulam clan,
He is the son of Devar, hoi!
போற்றிப் பாடடி பொண்ணே...
தேவர் காலடி மண்ணே....
Sing in praise, my dear girl...
To the soil at the feet of the Devar...
என்ன சொல்ல மண்ணு வளம்....
குழு :
டிங் டாங் டிங் டாங் டிங் டாங் டோ...
மத்தவங்க கண்ணு படும்
குழு :
டிங் டாங் டிங் டாங் டிங் டாங் டோ...
What can I say about the fertility of this land...
Chorus: Ding dong ding dong
Ding dong do..
Male: Others will look upon it with envy
Chorus: Ding dong ding dong
Ding dong do..
என்ன சொல்ல மண்ணு வளம்
மத்தவங்க கண்ணு படும்
அந்த கதை இப்ப உள்ள
சந்ததிங்க கேட்க வேணும்
What can I say about the land's prosperity,
It attracts the envious eyes of others.
That story needs to be heard now
By the current generation.
நம்முயிர்க்கு மேல
மானம் மரியாதை
மானம் இழந்தாலே வாழ தெரியாதே
பெரிசல்லாம் சொன்னாங்க
சொன்னபடி நின்னாங்க
குணத்தால் மனத்தால்
கலை மான் ஆனாங்க
More precious than our very life itself
Are honor and respect.
If honor is lost,
We do not know how to live.
போற்றிப் பாடடி பொண்ணே...
தேவர் காலடி மண்ணே....
தெக்கு திசை ஆண்ட
மன்னர் இனம்தான் ஹோய்...
முக்குலத்த சேர்ந்த
தேவர் மகன்தான் ஹோய்...
The elders spoke these principles,
And lived strictly by their word.
In character and in heart,
They were gentle as spotted deer.
போற்றிப் பாடடி பொண்ணே...
தேவர் காலடி மண்ணே....
Sing in praise, my dear girl...
To the soil at the feet of the Devar...
முன்னோருக்கு முன்னோரெல்லாம்.....
குழு :
டிங் டாங் டிங் டாங் டிங் டாங் டோ...
இன்னாருன்னு கண்டு கொள்ள
குழு :
டிங் டாங் டிங் டாங் டிங் டாங் டோ...
Who ruled the southern direction,
They belong to the kingly lineage, hoi!
Belonging to the Mukkulam clan,
He is the son of Devar, hoi!
முன்னோருக்கு முன்னோரெல்லாம்
இன்னாருன்னு கண்டு கொள்ள
ஏடெடுத்து எழுதி சொல்ல
ஒண்ணு ரெண்டு மூணு அல்ல
Sing in praise, my dear girl...
To the soil at the feet of the Devar...
முக்குலத்தோர் கல்யானந்தேன்
முத்து முத்து கம்பலந்தேன்
எக்குலமும் வாழ்த்து சொல்லும்
எங்களுக்கு எக்காளம்தேன்
அழகான சரிஜோடி
ஆணைமேல அம்பாரி
கணக்கா வழக்கா கடல்போல் ஏராளம்
To all the ancestors of our ancestors...
Chorus: Ding dong ding dong
Ding dong do..
Male: To identify who they specifically were,
Chorus: Ding dong ding dong
Ding dong do..
போற்றிப் பாடடி பொண்ணே...
தேவர் காலடி மண்ணே....
தெக்கு திசை ஆண்ட
மன்னர் இனம்தான் ஹோய்...
முக்குலத்த சேர்ந்த
தேவர் மகன்தான் ஹோய்...
To all the ancestors of our ancestors,
To identify who they specifically were,
To document and write it down in palm leaves,
It is not just one, two, or three stories.
போற்றிப் பாடடி பொண்ணே...
தேவர் காலடி மண்ணே....
The weddings of the Mukkulam clan,
Are like carpets woven with precious pearls.
Every community offers its blessings,
And trumpets sound joyfully for us.
Beautifully matched couples,
Riding atop royal elephant howdahs,
Traditions and customs,
Are as abundant as the ocean.
Sing in praise, my dear girl...
To the soil at the feet of the Devar...
Who ruled the southern direction,
They belong to the kingly lineage, hoi!
Belonging to the Mukkulam clan,
He is the son of Devar, hoi!
Sing in praise, my dear girl...
To the soil at the feet of the Devar...
Pottri paadadi ponnae..
Sing in praise, my dear girl...
Devar kaaladi mannae..
To the soil at the feet of the Devar...
Thekku thisai aanda
Who ruled the southern direction,
Mannar inamthaan hoi..
They belong to the kingly lineage, hoi!
Mukkulaththa serndha
Belonging to the Mukkulam clan,
Devar maganthaan hoi..
He is the son of Devar, hoi!
Pottri paadadi ponnae..
Sing in praise, my dear girl...
Devar kaaladi mannae..
To the soil at the feet of the Devar...
Enna solla mannu valam..
What can I say about the fertility of this land...
Chorus :Ding dong ding dong
Chorus: Ding dong ding dong
Ding dong do..
Ding dong do..
Male :Maaththavanga kannu padum
Male: Others will look upon it with envy
Chorus :Ding dong ding dong
Chorus: Ding dong ding dong
Ding dong do..
Ding dong do..
Enna solla mannu valam
What can I say about the land's prosperity,
Mathavanga kannu padum
It attracts the envious eyes of others.
Antha kadhai ippa ulla
That story needs to be heard now
Sandhadhinga ketka venum
By the current generation.
Nammuyirkku mela
More precious than our very life itself
Maanam mariyaathai
Are honor and respect.
Maanam izhandhaalae
If honor is lost,
Vazha theriyaathae
We do not know how to live.
Perisellaam sonnaanga
The elders spoke these principles,
Sonnabadi ninnaanga
And lived strictly by their word.
Gunaththaal manaththaal
In character and in heart,
Kalai maan aanaanga
They were gentle as spotted deer.
Pottri paadadi ponnae..
Sing in praise, my dear girl...
Devar kaaladi mannae..
To the soil at the feet of the Devar...
Thekku thisai aanda
Who ruled the southern direction,
Mannar inamthaan hoi..
They belong to the kingly lineage, hoi!
Mukkulaththa serndha
Belonging to the Mukkulam clan,
Devar maganthaan hoi..
He is the son of Devar, hoi!
Pottri paadadi ponnae..
Sing in praise, my dear girl...
Devar kaaladi mannae..
To the soil at the feet of the Devar...
Munnorukku munnorellaam..
To all the ancestors of our ancestors...
Chorus :Ding dong ding dong
Chorus: Ding dong ding dong
Ding dong do..
Ding dong do..
Male :Innaarunnu kandu kolla
Male: To identify who they specifically were,
Chorus :Ding dong ding dong
Chorus: Ding dong ding dong
Ding dong do..
Ding dong do..
Munnorukku munnorellaam
To all the ancestors of our ancestors,
Innaarunnu kandu kolla
To identify who they specifically were,
Yededuththu ezhuthi solla
To document and write it down in palm leaves,
Onnu rendu moonu alla
It is not just one, two, or three stories.
Mukkulaththor kalyaanandhen
The weddings of the Mukkulam clan,
Muthu muthu kambalandhen
Are like carpets woven with precious pearls.
Yekkulamum vaazhththu sollum
Every community offers its blessings,
Engalukku ekkaalamdhen
And trumpets sound joyfully for us.
Azhagaana sarisodi
Beautifully matched couples,
Aanaimela ambaari
Riding atop royal elephant howdahs,
Kanakkaa vazhakkaa
Traditions and customs,
Kadalpol yeraalam
Are as abundant as the ocean.
Pottri paadadi ponnae..
Sing in praise, my dear girl...
Devar kaaladi mannae..
To the soil at the feet of the Devar...
Thekku thisai aanda
Who ruled the southern direction,
Mannar inamthaan hoi..
They belong to the kingly lineage, hoi!
Mukkulaththa serndha
Belonging to the Mukkulam clan,
Devar maganthaan hoi..
He is the son of Devar, hoi!
Pottri paadadi ponnae..
Sing in praise, my dear girl...
Devar kaaladi mannae..
To the soil at the feet of the Devar...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Potri Paadadi Ponne is a traditional folk song from the iconic 1992 Tamil movie Thevar Magan. The song serves as a celebratory anthem highlighting the heritage, culture, and pride of the southern regional clans (Mukkulathor). It praises the fertility of the land, the nobility of ancestors who placed honor above life, and the grandeur of local traditions and celebrations. The lyrics emphasize that self-respect and integrity are core virtues passed down through generations, urging the youth to remember and honor their roots.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Alliteration)
“Pottri paadadi ponnae..”
Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'P' across the phrase creates a rhythmic and melodic folk quality.
Edhugai (Assonance)
“Perisellaam sonnaanga / Sonnabadi ninnaanga”
Second-letter rhyming across consecutive lines (na in 'Sonnaanga' and 'Ninnaanga') enhances the lyrical cadence.
Uvamai (Simile)
“Kanakkaa vazhakkaa / Kadalpol yeraalam”
The abundance of traditional customs and laws is explicitly compared to the vastness of an ocean ('Kadalpol').
Did you know?
Trivia
Although listed as unknown in the prompt context, this song was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by the celebrated poet Vaali. It was sung by veteran actors Sivaji Ganesan and Kamal Haasan along with a chorus. The song plays a central narrative role in introducing the cultural background and ancestral pride of the protagonist's family in the film.
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