Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Rendu Pakkam Kaveri

From Kavi Raja Kalamegam · 1978

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Kavi Raja Kalamegam1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
……………...
Male
Rendu pakkam kaveriKaveri river flows on both sides
Enga ooru naduvilaeOur town lies right in the middle
Aahaa enga ooru naduvilaeAaha, our town lies right in the middle
Renganaatha saamiyoLord Ranganatha reposes
Aadhisheshan madiyilaeOn the lap of the serpent Adishesha
Renganaatha saamiyoLord Ranganatha reposes
Aadhisheshan madiyilaeOn the lap of the serpent Adishesha
Male
Rendu pakkam kaveriKaveri river flows on both sides
Enga ooru naduvilaeOur town lies right in the middle
Male
Chithiraiyil therottamChariot festival in the month of Chithirai
Maasiyilae padakottamBoat festival in the month of Maasi
Aa…..aa…aa….oohhhoo ohhooAa... aa... aa... oohhhoo ohhoo
Ithanaiyum kaana varumTo witness all these grand celebrations
Ethanaiyo janakoottamCountless crowds of people gather
Male
Bakthaalukku theriyaathoDon't the devotees know?
Perumaalin sangathiThe secret affair of Lord Perumal
Bakthaalukku theriyaathoDon't the devotees know?
Perumaalin sangathiThe secret affair of Lord Perumal
Ullooril rendirukkaWhile having two consorts in his own town
Uraiyooril innoruthiHe has another beloved in Uraiyur
Aahaa haa innoruthiAaha haa, another beloved
Ohho innoruthiOhho, another beloved
Male
Rendu pakkam kaveriKaveri river flows on both sides
Enga ooru naduvilaeOur town lies right in the middle
Renganaatha saamiyoLord Ranganatha reposes
Aadhisheshan madiyilaeOn the lap of the serpent Adishesha
Male
Kai vazhiya nei vazhiyumGhee drips down from the hand
Pongalundu kaalaiyilaeEating rich Pongal in the morning
Aa….aa….aa….oohho oohhoAa... aa... aa... oohho oohho
Chithiraanmai padaipathunduA lavish visual feast of food is prepared
Mathyaana velaiyilaeIn the afternoon time
Male
Oorukellaam soroottumHe feeds rice to the entire town
Saami engal samithaan…aa…aa…aa…Our Lord is truly supreme... aa... aa... aa...
Oorukellaam soroottumHe feeds rice to the entire town
Saami engal samithaan…Our Lord is truly supreme...
Naan samaichu podattaaIf I were the one to cook and serve food
Naal muzhukka pattinithaanIt would mean starvation the whole day
Male
Rendu pakkam kaveriKaveri river flows on both sides
Enga ooru naduvilaeOur town lies right in the middle
Renganaatha saamiyoLord Ranganatha reposes
Aadhisheshan madiyilaeOn the lap of the serpent Adishesha
Male
Renganaatha saamiyoLord Ranganatha reposes
Aadhisheshan madiyilaeOn the lap of the serpent Adishesha
Renganaatha saamiyoLord Ranganatha reposes
Aadhisheshan madiyilaeOn the lap of the serpent Adishesha
Renganaatha saamiyoLord Ranganatha reposes
Aadhisheshan madiyilaeOn the lap of the serpent Adishesha

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song vividly describes the holy island town of Srirangam, surrounded on both sides by the Kaveri river, where Lord Ranganatha resides upon Adishesha. It paints a lively picture of the temple's seasonal festivals, such as the Chithirai chariot festival and Maasi boat races, which draw immense crowds of devotees. In the classic tradition of Nindha Stuthi (praising God through apparent fault-finding), the lyricist playfully mocks Lord Ranganatha for having two consorts in Srirangam (Sridevi and Bhudevi) while visiting another beloved (Kamalavalli Thayar) in neighboring Uraiyur. The song further celebrates the temple's rich culinary traditions, specifically the sumptuous morning pongal loaded with dripping ghee and the vast afternoon meals served to all visitors, lightheartedly contrasting the Lord's endless generosity with the singer's own humble cooking skills.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Nindha Stuthi (Praise through Censure)

Ullooril rendirukka Uraiyooril innoruthi

Playfully teasing the deity's romantic exploits (having two wives in Srirangam and a beloved in Uraiyur) as a form of intimate devotion.

Sensory Imagery (Gustatory & Visual)

Kai vazhiya nei vazhiyum Pongalundu kaalaiyilae

Evokes a rich, mouth-watering image of eating temple prasadam with ghee dripping off the fingers.

Edukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Ithanaiyum kaana varum / Ethanaiyo janakoottam

The second consonant 'th' matches across adjacent lines ('Ithanaiyum' and 'Ethanaiyo').

Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Rendu pakkam kaveri ... Renganaatha saamiyo

Repetition of the initial sound 'R' across 'Rendu' and 'Renganaatha'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features in the 1978 biographical film 'Kavi Raja Kalamegam', which chronicles the life of Kalamega Pulavar, a legendary 15th-century Tamil poet famed for his wit, double meanings (Slesha), and satirical devotional verses. Lyricist Vaali crafted this song echoing Kalamegam's signature literary style, particularly referencing the annual temple ritual 'Mattayadi', where Lord Ranganatha travels to Uraiyur to visit Goddess Kamalavalli Thayar.

Keep listening

More from Kavi Raja Kalamegam