Saravana Samaiyal
From Seedan · 2011
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Om rudra nethraya vidhmagae | Let us meditate on the one with Rudra's third eye |
| Sakthi hasthaaya dheemagi | We contemplate the one who holds power/Shakti in hand |
| Thanno agni prajodhayathh | May Agni (fire) inspire and illuminate us |
| Male | |
| Ahaaa…aaa….aaaa… | Ahaaa…aaa….aaaa… |
| Sa ma ga ma pa ne dha | Swaras: Sa Ma Ga Ma Pa Ni Dha |
| Ma ni dha ni sa ma ni dha ni sa | Swaras: Ma Ni Dha Ni Sa Ma Ni Dha Ni Sa |
| Ma ni dha ni sa…..aaa…… | Swaras: Ma Ni Dha Ni Sa… aaa… |
| Male | |
| {Saravana samaiyal | Saravana's cooking |
| Idhu sarva yogini | This is like the goddess of all yogis |
| Arusuvai tharuvaal | She provides six tastes |
| Aval anna poorani} (2) | She is Annapoorani (Goddess of food) |
| Male | |
| Ovvoru kaiyilum | Saravana's cooking |
| Rusigal maarum | This is like the goddess of all yogis |
| Ovvoru rusiyilum | She provides six tastes |
| Pasiyum aarum | She is Annapoorani (Goddess of food) |
| Male | |
| Samayal aaruvagai | In every person's hands |
| Kalaiyallavaa | Tastes vary |
| Dheera dheeranaa | In every taste |
| Ma ni dha pa ma ga ri sa | Hunger is satisfied |
| Male | |
| Saravana samaiyal | Cooking with six kinds of taste |
| Idhu sarva yogini | Is it not an art form? |
| Arusuvai tharuvaal | Dheera dheeranaa (vocal rhythm) |
| Aval anna poorani | Swaras: Ma Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Ri Sa |
| Chorus | |
| ………………………… | Saravana's cooking |
| Male | |
| Edhilum undu kannukku | This is like the goddess of all yogis |
| Nee neruppai kurachu vanakku | She provides six tastes |
| Paruppu vendhadhum | She is Annapoorani |
| Vaasam vandhadhum | ………………………… |
| Paasam serthu erakku | There is something in everything for the eye |
| Male | |
| Mahaa indha masaalaava | Reduce the flame and saute gently |
| Mixiyila araikaama | Once the lentils are cooked |
| Konjam ammiyila arachittu vaamaa | And aroma fills the air |
| Muththannae konjam | Add love and take it off the heat |
| Thengaavam odaichi | Maha, this spice blend |
| Thuruvittu vaangalen | Instead of grinding in a mixer |
| Aiya kaaikariya narukki | Please grind it on the traditional stone mortar, dear |
| Kazhuvakkoodaadhu | Brother Muthu, please |
| Kazhuvi narukkanum (Dialogue) | Break a coconut |
| Male | |
| Aaaah….. aaaah…..aaaa… | And grate it for us |
| Ammaa seiyum samayal | Sir, after chopping vegetables |
| Anbai ootti valarkkum | You shouldn't wash them |
| Paatti seiyum samayal | You should wash first and then chop (Dialogue) |
| Maruthuvam irukkum | Aaaah….. aaaah…..aaaa… |
| Male | |
| Thaayai ninaivoottinaal | The food cooked by a mother |
| Thangaiyoda samayal | Nurtures us with love |
| Pudhuchuvai koodinal | The food cooked by a grandmother |
| Anniyoda samayal | Contains medicinal qualities |
| Male | |
| Manaivi samaippadhilum | If it reminds you of mother |
| Manasu irukkum | It is younger sister's cooking |
| Thoazhi samaiyal thappum | If a new taste is added |
| Pidiththu irukkum | It is sister-in-law's cooking |
| Male | |
| Ovvoru suvaiyum | Even in the food a wife cooks |
| Ovvoru uravum | There is deep devotion and care |
| Maruthuvam irundhaal | A friend's cooking might have flaws |
| Magathuva unavu | Yet it will still be beloved |
| Male | |
| Theera theeranaa | Every single taste |
| Theera theeranaa | And every relationship |
| Theera theeranaa | If it has healing essence |
| Thira thira naa | It becomes grand, wholesome food |
| Chorus | |
| …………………….. | Theera theeranaa |
| Male | |
| Vendakkaa poriyalla konjam | Theera theeranaa |
| Tthayir vittu erakkunna vaiyi | Theera theeranaa |
| Vazhavazhappaana vendakka | Thira thira naa |
| Morumorunnu irukkum (Dialogue) | …………………….. |
| Male | |
| Nanban veettu unavu | In okra fry, if you add a bit of |
| Urimaiyaaga irukkum | Curd just before taking it off the stove |
| Pillaipodum unavu | The slimy okra |
| Kadamaicholli kodukkum | Will turn out nice and crispy (Dialogue) |
| Male | |
| Rasam kodhikkiradhukku | Food at a friend's house |
| Munnaadi erakkanum (Dialogue) | Feels like our own right |
| Male | |
| Panbaattai unarththidumae | Food served by children |
| Vizhaakkaala unavu | Teaches us sense of duty |
| Nam aayulaiyae koottumammaa | Before rasam starts boiling heavily |
| Mann paanai unavu | You must remove it from heat (Dialogue) |
| Male | |
| Keerai neram maaraama | It teaches us our rich culture |
| Irukkanumnnaa | The festive season feast |
| Konjoondu vellaththa serthukkanum | It extends our lifespan, dear |
| Konjandhaan (Dialogue) | Food cooked in an earthen pot |
| Male | |
| Ovvoru unavum | For greens to retain their vibrant color |
| Thaniththani sirappu | If that is required |
| Samayalil vaazhkai | You should add a tiny bit of jaggery |
| Thaththuvam irukku | Just a little bit (Dialogue) |
| Male | |
| Theera theeranaa | Every dish |
| Theera theeranaa | Has its own unique excellence |
| Theera theeranaa | In cooking lies life's |
| Thira thira naa | Deep philosophy |
| Male | |
| Saravana samaiyal | Theera theeranaa |
| Idhu sarva yogini | Theera theeranaa |
| Arusuvai tharuvaal | Theera theeranaa |
| Aval anna poorani | Thira thira naa |
| Male | |
| Ovvoru kaiyilum | Saravana's cooking |
| Rusigal maarum | This is like the goddess of all yogis |
| Ovvoru rusiyilum | She provides six tastes |
| Pasiyum aarum | She is Annapoorani |
| Male | |
| Samayal aaruvagai | In every person's hands |
| Kalaiyallavaa | Tastes vary |
| Dheera dheeranaa | In every taste |
| Ma ni dha pa ma ga ri sa | Hunger is satisfied |
| Male | |
| Saravana samaiyal | Cooking with six kinds of taste |
| Idhu sarva yogini | Is it not an art form? |
| Arusuvai tharuvaal | Dheera dheeranaa |
| Aval anna poorani | Swaras: Ma Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Ri Sa |
ஓம் ருத்ர நேத்ராய
வித்மகே சக்தி ஹஸ்தாய
தீமகி தன்னோ அக்னி
ப்ரஜோதயாத்
Let us meditate on the one with Rudra's third eye
We contemplate the one who holds power/Shakti in hand
May Agni (fire) inspire and illuminate us
ஆஹா ஆஆ
ஆஆ ச ம க ம ப நி த
ம நி த நி ச ம நி த நி
ச ம நி த நி ச ஆஆ
Ahaaa…aaa….aaaa…
Swaras: Sa Ma Ga Ma Pa Ni Dha
Swaras: Ma Ni Dha Ni Sa Ma Ni Dha Ni Sa
Swaras: Ma Ni Dha Ni Sa… aaa…
{ சரவண சமையல்
இது சர்வ யோகினி
அறுசுவை தருவாள்
அவள் அன்னபூரணி } (2)
Saravana's cooking
This is like the goddess of all yogis
She provides six tastes
She is Annapoorani (Goddess of food)
ஒவ்வொரு கையிலும்
ருசிகள் மாறும் ஒவ்வொரு
ருசியிலும் பசியும் ஆரும்
Saravana's cooking
This is like the goddess of all yogis
She provides six tastes
She is Annapoorani (Goddess of food)
சமையல் ஆறுவகை
கலையல்லவா தீர தீரனா
ம நி த ப ம க ரி ச
In every person's hands
Tastes vary
In every taste
Hunger is satisfied
சரவண சமையல்
இது சர்வ யோகினி
அறுசுவை தருவாள்
அவள் அன்னபூரணி
Cooking with six kinds of taste
Is it not an art form?
Dheera dheeranaa (vocal rhythm)
Swaras: Ma Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Ri Sa
..........................
Saravana's cooking
எதிலும் உண்டு
கணக்கு நீ நெருப்பை
குறைச்சு வணக்கு
பருப்பு வெந்ததும்
வாசம் வந்ததும்
பாசம் சேர்த்து இறக்கு
This is like the goddess of all yogis
She provides six tastes
She is Annapoorani
…………………………
There is something in everything for the eye
மகா இந்த
மசாலாவ மிக்ஸியில
அரைக்காம கொஞ்சம்
அம்மியில அரைச்சிட்டு
வாமா முத்தன்ன கொஞ்சம்
தேங்காவும் உடைச்சி
துருவிட்டு வாங்களேன்
அய்ய காய்கறிய நறுக்கி
கழுவக் கூடாது கழுவி
நறுக்கணும்
Reduce the flame and saute gently
Once the lentils are cooked
And aroma fills the air
Add love and take it off the heat
Maha, this spice blend
Instead of grinding in a mixer
Please grind it on the traditional stone mortar, dear
Brother Muthu, please
Break a coconut
ஆஆ ஆஆ
ஆஆ அம்மா செய்யும்
சமையல் அன்பை
ஊட்டி வளர்க்கும்
பாட்டி செய்யும் சமையல்
மருத்துவம் இருக்கும்
And grate it for us
Sir, after chopping vegetables
You shouldn't wash them
You should wash first and then chop (Dialogue)
Aaaah….. aaaah…..aaaa…
தாயை நினைவூட்டினால்
தங்கையோட சமையல்
புதுச் சுவை கூடினால்
அண்ணியோட சமையல்
The food cooked by a mother
Nurtures us with love
The food cooked by a grandmother
Contains medicinal qualities
மனைவி சமைப்பதிலும்
மனசு இருக்கும் தோழி
சமையல் தப்பும்
பிடித்திருக்கும்
If it reminds you of mother
It is younger sister's cooking
If a new taste is added
It is sister-in-law's cooking
ஒவ்வொரு சுவையும்
ஒவ்வொரு உறவும்
மருத்துவம் இருந்தால்
மகத்துவ உணவு
Even in the food a wife cooks
There is deep devotion and care
A friend's cooking might have flaws
Yet it will still be beloved
......................
Every single taste
And every relationship
If it has healing essence
It becomes grand, wholesome food
சரவண சமையல்
இது சர்வ யோகினி
அறுசுவை தருவாள்
அவள் அன்னபூரணி
Theera theeranaa
......................
Theera theeranaa
Theera theeranaa
Thira thira naa
……………………..
வெண்டக்காய்
பொரியல கொஞ்சம்
தயிர் விட்டு இறக்குன்ன
வையி வழவழப்பான
வெண்டக்கா மொறு
மொறுன்னு இருக்கும்
In okra fry, if you add a bit of
Curd just before taking it off the stove
The slimy okra
Will turn out nice and crispy (Dialogue)
நண்பன்வீட்டு
உணவு உரிமையாக
இருக்கும் பிள்ளை
போடும் உணவு கடமை
சொல்லி கொடுக்கும்
Food at a friend's house
Feels like our own right
ஏற்றத் தாழ்வை
போக்கும் சமபந்தி உணவு
பகையை நட்பாக்குமே
எதிரி வீட்டு உணவு
Food served by children
Teaches us sense of duty
Before rasam starts boiling heavily
You must remove it from heat (Dialogue)
ரசம் கொதிக்கிறதுக்கு
முன்னாடி இறக்கணும்
It teaches us our rich culture
The festive season feast
It extends our lifespan, dear
Food cooked in an earthen pot
பண்பாட்டை
உணர்த்திடுமே விழாக்கால
உணவு நம் ஆயுளையே
கூட்டுமம்மா மண்பானை
உணவு
For greens to retain their vibrant color
If that is required
You should add a tiny bit of jaggery
Just a little bit (Dialogue)
கீரை நிறம்
மாறாம இருக்கணும்னா
கொஞ்சுண்டு வெல்லத்த
சேத்துக்கணும் கொஞ்சம்
தான்
Every dish
Has its own unique excellence
In cooking lies life's
Deep philosophy
ஒவ்வொரு
உணவும் தனித்தனிச்
சிறப்பு சமையலில்
வாழ்க்கை தத்துவம்
இருக்கு
Theera theeranaa
Theera theeranaa
Theera theeranaa
Thira thira naa
......................
Saravana's cooking
This is like the goddess of all yogis
She provides six tastes
She is Annapoorani
சரவண சமையல்
இது சர்வ யோகினி
அறுசுவை தருவாள்
அவள் அன்னபூரணி
In every person's hands
Tastes vary
In every taste
Hunger is satisfied
ஒவ்வொரு கையிலும்
ருசிகள் மாறும் ஒவ்வொரு
ருசியிலும் பசியும் ஆரும்
Cooking with six kinds of taste
Is it not an art form?
Dheera dheeranaa
Swaras: Ma Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Ri Sa
சமையல் ஆறுவகை
கலையல்லவா தீர தீரனா
ம நி த ப ம க ரி ச
சரவண சமையல்
இது சர்வ யோகினி
அறுசுவை தருவாள்
அவள் அன்னபூரணி
Om rudra nethraya vidhmagae
Let us meditate on the one with Rudra's third eye
Sakthi hasthaaya dheemagi
We contemplate the one who holds power/Shakti in hand
Thanno agni prajodhayathh
May Agni (fire) inspire and illuminate us
Ahaaa…aaa….aaaa…
Ahaaa…aaa….aaaa…
Sa ma ga ma pa ne dha
Swaras: Sa Ma Ga Ma Pa Ni Dha
Ma ni dha ni sa ma ni dha ni sa
Swaras: Ma Ni Dha Ni Sa Ma Ni Dha Ni Sa
Ma ni dha ni sa…..aaa……
Swaras: Ma Ni Dha Ni Sa… aaa…
{Saravana samaiyal
Saravana's cooking
Idhu sarva yogini
This is like the goddess of all yogis
Arusuvai tharuvaal
She provides six tastes
Aval anna poorani} (2)
She is Annapoorani (Goddess of food)
Ovvoru kaiyilum
Saravana's cooking
Rusigal maarum
This is like the goddess of all yogis
Ovvoru rusiyilum
She provides six tastes
Pasiyum aarum
She is Annapoorani (Goddess of food)
Samayal aaruvagai
In every person's hands
Kalaiyallavaa
Tastes vary
Dheera dheeranaa
In every taste
Ma ni dha pa ma ga ri sa
Hunger is satisfied
Saravana samaiyal
Cooking with six kinds of taste
Idhu sarva yogini
Is it not an art form?
Arusuvai tharuvaal
Dheera dheeranaa (vocal rhythm)
Aval anna poorani
Swaras: Ma Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Ri Sa
…………………………
Saravana's cooking
Edhilum undu kannukku
This is like the goddess of all yogis
Nee neruppai kurachu vanakku
She provides six tastes
Paruppu vendhadhum
She is Annapoorani
Vaasam vandhadhum
…………………………
Paasam serthu erakku
There is something in everything for the eye
Mahaa indha masaalaava
Reduce the flame and saute gently
Mixiyila araikaama
Once the lentils are cooked
Konjam ammiyila arachittu vaamaa
And aroma fills the air
Muththannae konjam
Add love and take it off the heat
Thengaavam odaichi
Maha, this spice blend
Thuruvittu vaangalen
Instead of grinding in a mixer
Aiya kaaikariya narukki
Please grind it on the traditional stone mortar, dear
Kazhuvakkoodaadhu
Brother Muthu, please
Kazhuvi narukkanum (Dialogue)
Break a coconut
Aaaah….. aaaah…..aaaa…
And grate it for us
Ammaa seiyum samayal
Sir, after chopping vegetables
Anbai ootti valarkkum
You shouldn't wash them
Paatti seiyum samayal
You should wash first and then chop (Dialogue)
Maruthuvam irukkum
Aaaah….. aaaah…..aaaa…
Thaayai ninaivoottinaal
The food cooked by a mother
Thangaiyoda samayal
Nurtures us with love
Pudhuchuvai koodinal
The food cooked by a grandmother
Anniyoda samayal
Contains medicinal qualities
Manaivi samaippadhilum
If it reminds you of mother
Manasu irukkum
It is younger sister's cooking
Thoazhi samaiyal thappum
If a new taste is added
Pidiththu irukkum
It is sister-in-law's cooking
Ovvoru suvaiyum
Even in the food a wife cooks
Ovvoru uravum
There is deep devotion and care
Maruthuvam irundhaal
A friend's cooking might have flaws
Magathuva unavu
Yet it will still be beloved
Theera theeranaa
Every single taste
Theera theeranaa
And every relationship
Theera theeranaa
If it has healing essence
Thira thira naa
It becomes grand, wholesome food
……………………..
Theera theeranaa
Vendakkaa poriyalla konjam
Theera theeranaa
Tthayir vittu erakkunna vaiyi
Theera theeranaa
Vazhavazhappaana vendakka
Thira thira naa
Morumorunnu irukkum (Dialogue)
……………………..
Nanban veettu unavu
In okra fry, if you add a bit of
Urimaiyaaga irukkum
Curd just before taking it off the stove
Pillaipodum unavu
The slimy okra
Kadamaicholli kodukkum
Will turn out nice and crispy (Dialogue)
Rasam kodhikkiradhukku
Food at a friend's house
Munnaadi erakkanum (Dialogue)
Feels like our own right
Panbaattai unarththidumae
Food served by children
Vizhaakkaala unavu
Teaches us sense of duty
Nam aayulaiyae koottumammaa
Before rasam starts boiling heavily
Mann paanai unavu
You must remove it from heat (Dialogue)
Keerai neram maaraama
It teaches us our rich culture
Irukkanumnnaa
The festive season feast
Konjoondu vellaththa serthukkanum
It extends our lifespan, dear
Konjandhaan (Dialogue)
Food cooked in an earthen pot
Ovvoru unavum
For greens to retain their vibrant color
Thaniththani sirappu
If that is required
Samayalil vaazhkai
You should add a tiny bit of jaggery
Thaththuvam irukku
Just a little bit (Dialogue)
Theera theeranaa
Every dish
Theera theeranaa
Has its own unique excellence
Theera theeranaa
In cooking lies life's
Thira thira naa
Deep philosophy
Saravana samaiyal
Theera theeranaa
Idhu sarva yogini
Theera theeranaa
Arusuvai tharuvaal
Theera theeranaa
Aval anna poorani
Thira thira naa
Ovvoru kaiyilum
Saravana's cooking
Rusigal maarum
This is like the goddess of all yogis
Ovvoru rusiyilum
She provides six tastes
Pasiyum aarum
She is Annapoorani
Samayal aaruvagai
In every person's hands
Kalaiyallavaa
Tastes vary
Dheera dheeranaa
In every taste
Ma ni dha pa ma ga ri sa
Hunger is satisfied
Saravana samaiyal
Cooking with six kinds of taste
Idhu sarva yogini
Is it not an art form?
Arusuvai tharuvaal
Dheera dheeranaa
Aval anna poorani
Swaras: Ma Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Ri Sa
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Saravana Samaiyal from the film Seedan (2011) is a joyful, thematic song celebrating the art of cooking, family bonds, and traditional culinary wisdom. Opening with an invocation to Agni (the divine fire), the song equates the preparation of food to a spiritual art form and compares the cook to Goddess Annapoorani. It illustrates how different family members—mothers, grandmothers, sisters, wives, and friends—infuse food with unique love, care, and medicinal qualities. Beyond emotional themes, the lyricist Pa. Vijay ingeniously weaves practical cooking tips directly into the song—such as grinding spices on a traditional stone mortar, washing vegetables before chopping, using earthen pots, and adding jaggery to retain the green color of leafy vegetables. Ultimately, the song presents cooking not merely as a chore, but as a holistic life philosophy that brings health, longevity, and affection to a home.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Invocation / மங்கள வாழ்த்து
“Om rudra nethraya vidhmagae”
The song opens with a traditional Gayatri-style Vedic mantra invoking Agni (fire), sanctifying the act of cooking fire.
Metaphor / உருவகம் (Uruvagam)
“Arusuvai tharuvaal Aval anna poorani”
Comparing the cook/cooking process to Goddess Annapoorani (the Hindu goddess of food and nourishment).
Monai / மோனை (Initial Rhyme/Alliteration)
“Ovvoru suvaiyum / Ovvoru uravum”
Repetition of the initial letter 'O' in consecutive lines creating a rhythmic symmetry.
Edugai / எதுகை (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Vaasam vandhadhum / Paasam serthu erakku”
The second consonant sound 'saa' matches between 'Vaasam' and 'Paasam'.
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Trivia
Seedan (2011) is a Tamil drama film directed by Subramaniam Siva, starring Unni Mukundan and Ananya, with Dhanush playing an extended guest role as Saravanan (Lord Murugan in disguise). The music was composed by Dhina, and the lyrics were penned by Pa. Vijay. The song stands out in Tamil cinema for blend of Carnatic solkattu, Vedic chants, culinary dialogues, and practical cooking tips.
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