Thanga Kavadi
From Nedunalvaadai · 2017
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Mathichiyam Bala, Kalakkal Kavya, Suganthi
- Music director
- Jose Franklin
- Details
- Nedunalvaadai2017
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Lululululululu…………… | (Vocalizing / Ululation) |
| Lululululululu…………… | (Vocalizing / Ululation) |
| Male | |
| Thana thana thana thana thana thana | (Rhythmic vocal passage) |
| Thana thana thana thana thana thana | (Rhythmic vocal passage) |
| Thaana thana thana thana thana thana | (Rhythmic vocal passage) |
| Thaana thana thana thana thana thana | (Rhythmic vocal passage) |
| Thana thana thana thana thana thana | (Rhythmic vocal passage) |
| Thana thana thana thana thana thana | (Rhythmic vocal passage) |
| Male | |
| Thanga kaavadi edukkirom saami | We carry the golden Kaavadi offering, oh God! |
| Enga vaazhvukku varam kodunga | Grant a boon for our lives! |
| Saathi sanam ellaam pozhaikkanum saami | All our caste and kinsfolk must thrive, oh God! |
| Chinnan sirusukku vazhi vidunga | Make way for the young ones! |
| Chorus | |
| Suda suda mazhai adikkudhu | Scalding rain beats down |
| Sudalai maadan kaattukulla | Inside the forest of Sudalai Maadan deity |
| Chinnan siru kuruvi rendum | Two tiny little birds |
| Rekkai adikkuthu kootukulla | Flap their wings inside the nest |
| Paruvam kaninjirukkudhu | Youthfulness has ripened |
| Padi kadakkanum veetukkulla | They must cross the threshold inside the house |
| Thuninji mudivedukkanum | Decisions must be made with courage |
| Thuninja nenjil thukkamilla | There is no sorrow in a brave heart |
| Chorus | |
| Suda suda mazhai adikkudhu | Scalding rain beats down |
| Sudalai maadan kaattukulla | Inside the forest of Sudalai Maadan deity |
| Chinnan siru kuruvi rendum | Two tiny little birds |
| Rekkai adikkuthu kootukulla | Flap their wings inside the nest |
| Male | |
| Ye nallathu kettadhu ellaamae | Oh, we shall state all the good and the bad |
| Solli veippom | And lay it out clearly |
| Varam kodukalaiyaa saami thalaiya | If you do not grant us a boon, oh deity, |
| Killi veippom | We will pinch off the deity's head! |
| Chorus | |
| Thana thana thana thana thana thana | (Rhythmic vocal passage) |
| Thana thana thana thana thana thana | (Rhythmic vocal passage) |
| Thaana thana thana thana thana thana | (Rhythmic vocal passage) |
| Thaana thana thana thana thana thana | (Rhythmic vocal passage) |
| Thana thana thana thana thana thana | (Rhythmic vocal passage) |
| Thana thana thana thana thana thana | (Rhythmic vocal passage) |
| Male | |
| Anbu konda ullathukka | Why raise a fuss against |
| Akkaporu | A heart filled with love? |
| Oru theekuchi thaangathu | A haystack cannot withstand |
| Vaikkaporu | Even a single matchstick! |
| Female Chorus :Suthi ulla saadhi sanam | Female Chorus: Look closely at the caste kinsfolk around you |
| Uththu paaru | Look closely! |
| Nee sondha kaalil eppodhum | Try to stand on your own feet |
| Nikka paaru | Always try to stand! |
| Male | |
| Needhi nyaayam thavaraagi ponaa | If justice and righteousness go astray |
| Vaadhaduvom innum poraaduvom | We will argue and continue to fight! |
| Female Chorus :Bandham paasam | Female Chorus: If bonds and affection |
| Sirai aagi pona | Turn into a prison |
| Padi thanduvom summa paranthoduvom | We will step across the threshold and simply fly away! |
| Male | |
| Oorellaam payir vaazha | God shows rain so crops across the village thrive |
| Mazhai kaatum saami | God who shows the rain |
| Uravellaam uyir vaazha vazhi kattaiyaa | Does he not show a way for all relations to live together? |
| Female Chorus :Kodumeesai koduvaalu | Female Chorus: Sharp moustaches and sickles |
| Pothaathu saami | Are not enough, oh deity! |
| Koodaadha pagai ellam bali podaiyaa | Sacrifice all the unnecessary enmity! |
| Chorus | |
| Thana thana thana thana thana thana | (Rhythmic vocal passage) |
| Thana thana thana thana thana thana | (Rhythmic vocal passage) |
| Thaana thana thana thana thana thana | (Rhythmic vocal passage) |
| Thaana thana thana thana thana thana | (Rhythmic vocal passage) |
| Thana thana thana thana thana thana | (Rhythmic vocal passage) |
| Thana thana thana thana thana thana | (Rhythmic vocal passage) |
தன தன தன தனதனத்தனா
தன தன தன தனதனத்தனா
தானா தன தன தன தனத்தனா
தானா தன தன தன தனத்தனா
தன தன தன தனதனத்தனா
தன தன தன தனதனத்தனா
(Vocalizing / Ululation)
(Vocalizing / Ululation)
தங்க காவடி எடுக்கிறோம் சாமி
எங்க வாழ்வுக்கு வரம் கொடுங்க
சாதி சனமெல்லாம் பொழைக்கனும் சாமி
சின்னஞ் சிறுசுக்கு வழி விடுங்க
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
பெண் குழு :
மதுரை வீரா... சுடலை மாடா...
வழி துணையாக வாங்க வாங்க
மதுரை வீரா... சுடலை மாடா...
வழி துணையாக வாங்க வாங்க
We carry the golden Kaavadi offering, oh God!
Grant a boon for our lives!
All our caste and kinsfolk must thrive, oh God!
Make way for the young ones!
வாழாத பிஞ்சுகள
ஒங்க வாயால வாழ்த்திடுங்க
பொல்லாத பகை முடிக்க
ரெண்டு பூமாலை சூட்டிடுங்க
Scalding rain beats down
Inside the forest of Sudalai Maadan deity
Two tiny little birds
Flap their wings inside the nest
Youthfulness has ripened
They must cross the threshold inside the house
Decisions must be made with courage
There is no sorrow in a brave heart
பெண் குழு :
ஈயோடு எறும்புகளும்
இங்க இஷ்டம் போல் வாழுதுங்க
ஆனாலும் ஆணும் பொண்ணும்
தினம் அல்லாடி போகுதுங்க...ஆ....
Scalding rain beats down
Inside the forest of Sudalai Maadan deity
Two tiny little birds
Flap their wings inside the nest
சுடச் சுட மழையடிக்குது
சுடலைமாடன் காட்டுக்குள்ள
சின்னச் சின்ன குருவி ரெண்டும்
றெக்கையடிக்குது கூட்டுக்குள்ள
பருவம் கனிஞ்சிருக்குது
படி கடக்கணும் வீட்டுக்குள்ள
துணிஞ்சி முடிவெடுக்கணும்
துணிஞ்ச நெஞ்சில் துக்கமில்ல
Oh, we shall state all the good and the bad
And lay it out clearly
If you do not grant us a boon, oh deity,
We will pinch off the deity's head!
சுடச் சுட மழையடிக்குது
சுடலைமாடன் காட்டுக்குள்ள
சின்னச் சின்ன குருவி ரெண்டும்
றெக்கையடிக்குது கூட்டுக்குள்ள
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
பெண்குழு :
புத்தம் புது நெல் குத்தி
பொங்க வைப்போம்
இங்க ஏழை சனம் எல்லாரும்
திங்க வைப்போம்
Why raise a fuss against
A heart filled with love?
A haystack cannot withstand
Even a single matchstick!
Female Chorus: Look closely at the caste kinsfolk around you
Look closely!
Try to stand on your own feet
Always try to stand!
ஏ... நல்லது கெட்டது எல்லாமே
சொல்லி வைப்போம்
வரம் கொடுக்கலையா சாமி தலைய
கிள்ளி வைப்போம்
If justice and righteousness go astray
We will argue and continue to fight!
Female Chorus: If bonds and affection
Turn into a prison
We will step across the threshold and simply fly away!
பெண் குழு :
மாசம் மூணு
மழை பெய்ய வேணும்
சாமிகளே எங்க சாமிகளே
ஆணும் பொண்ணும்
அன்பாக வேணும்
தெய்வகளே எங்க தெய்வகளே
God shows rain so crops across the village thrive
God who shows the rain
Does he not show a way for all relations to live together?
Female Chorus: Sharp moustaches and sickles
Are not enough, oh deity!
Sacrifice all the unnecessary enmity!
பெண் குழு :
பொண்ணுங்க அணிகின்ற
புது மஞ்சத்தாலி
வாழ்வெல்லாம் நிலையாக அருள்பாலிங்க
பூச்சூடும் மணவாளன்
புகழோடு வாழ
வயதான தெய்வங்க வழி காட்டுங்க
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
பெண் குழு :
தன தன தன தனதனத்தனா
தன தன தன தனதனத்தனா
தானா தன தன தன தனத்தனா
தானா தன தன தன தனத்தனா
தன தன தன தனதனத்தனா
தன தன தன தனதனத்தனா
......................
அன்பு கொண்ட
உள்ளத்துக்கா அக்கபோரு
ஒரு தீக்குச்சிக்கு தாங்காது வைக்கப்போரு
பெண் குழு :
சுத்தியுள்ள சாதிசனம் உத்துப்பாரு
நீ சொந்தக்காலில் எப்போதும் நிக்கப்பாரு
நீதி நியாயம் தவறாகிப் போனா
வாதாடுவோம் இன்னும் போராடுவோம்
பெண் குழு :
பந்தம் பாசம் சிறையாகி போனா
படித்தாண்டுவோம் சும்மா பறந்தோடுவோம்
ஊரெல்லாம் பயிர்வாழ
மழை காட்டும் சாமி
உறவெல்லாம் உயிர்வாழ வழி காட்டய்யா
பெண் குழு :
கொடுமீசை கொடுவாளு
போதாது சாமி
கூடாத பகையெல்லாம் பலி போடய்யா
தன தன தன தனதனத்தனா
தன தன தன தனதனத்தனா
தானா தன தன தன தனத்தனா
தானா தன தன தன தனத்தனா
தன தன தன தனதனத்தனா
தன தன தன தனதனத்தனா
Lululululululu……………
(Vocalizing / Ululation)
Lululululululu……………
(Vocalizing / Ululation)
Thana thana thana thana thana thana
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
Thana thana thana thana thana thana
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
Thaana thana thana thana thana thana
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
Thaana thana thana thana thana thana
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
Thana thana thana thana thana thana
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
Thana thana thana thana thana thana
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
Thanga kaavadi edukkirom saami
We carry the golden Kaavadi offering, oh God!
Enga vaazhvukku varam kodunga
Grant a boon for our lives!
Saathi sanam ellaam pozhaikkanum saami
All our caste and kinsfolk must thrive, oh God!
Chinnan sirusukku vazhi vidunga
Make way for the young ones!
Suda suda mazhai adikkudhu
Scalding rain beats down
Sudalai maadan kaattukulla
Inside the forest of Sudalai Maadan deity
Chinnan siru kuruvi rendum
Two tiny little birds
Rekkai adikkuthu kootukulla
Flap their wings inside the nest
Paruvam kaninjirukkudhu
Youthfulness has ripened
Padi kadakkanum veetukkulla
They must cross the threshold inside the house
Thuninji mudivedukkanum
Decisions must be made with courage
Thuninja nenjil thukkamilla
There is no sorrow in a brave heart
Suda suda mazhai adikkudhu
Scalding rain beats down
Sudalai maadan kaattukulla
Inside the forest of Sudalai Maadan deity
Chinnan siru kuruvi rendum
Two tiny little birds
Rekkai adikkuthu kootukulla
Flap their wings inside the nest
Ye nallathu kettadhu ellaamae
Oh, we shall state all the good and the bad
Solli veippom
And lay it out clearly
Varam kodukalaiyaa saami thalaiya
If you do not grant us a boon, oh deity,
Killi veippom
We will pinch off the deity's head!
Thana thana thana thana thana thana
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
Thana thana thana thana thana thana
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
Thaana thana thana thana thana thana
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
Thaana thana thana thana thana thana
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
Thana thana thana thana thana thana
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
Thana thana thana thana thana thana
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
Anbu konda ullathukka
Why raise a fuss against
Akkaporu
A heart filled with love?
Oru theekuchi thaangathu
A haystack cannot withstand
Vaikkaporu
Even a single matchstick!
Female Chorus :Suthi ulla saadhi sanam
Female Chorus: Look closely at the caste kinsfolk around you
Uththu paaru
Look closely!
Nee sondha kaalil eppodhum
Try to stand on your own feet
Nikka paaru
Always try to stand!
Needhi nyaayam thavaraagi ponaa
If justice and righteousness go astray
Vaadhaduvom innum poraaduvom
We will argue and continue to fight!
Female Chorus :Bandham paasam
Female Chorus: If bonds and affection
Sirai aagi pona
Turn into a prison
Padi thanduvom summa paranthoduvom
We will step across the threshold and simply fly away!
Oorellaam payir vaazha
God shows rain so crops across the village thrive
Mazhai kaatum saami
God who shows the rain
Uravellaam uyir vaazha vazhi kattaiyaa
Does he not show a way for all relations to live together?
Female Chorus :Kodumeesai koduvaalu
Female Chorus: Sharp moustaches and sickles
Pothaathu saami
Are not enough, oh deity!
Koodaadha pagai ellam bali podaiyaa
Sacrifice all the unnecessary enmity!
Thana thana thana thana thana thana
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
Thana thana thana thana thana thana
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
Thaana thana thana thana thana thana
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
Thaana thana thana thana thana thana
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
Thana thana thana thana thana thana
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
Thana thana thana thana thana thana
(Rhythmic vocal passage)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This folk-infused song from 'Nedunalvaadai' serves as a passionate, rebellious plea to local village deities and society. It captures the struggles of young lovers seeking acceptance amidst rigid social structures, family bonds, and caste dynamics. Using vivid rural imagery—like birds in a nest, heavy rain in sacred groves, and haystacks—the song urges society to choose compassion over caste-driven pride and animosity. The lyrics combine devotion with defiance, asserting that true righteousness lies in supporting young love and self-reliance rather than upholding toxic pride. It conveys that when familial love becomes a prison, brave hearts will break free to fight for justice and living on their own terms.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Chinnan siru kuruvi rendum”
Compares two young lovers to 'Chinnan siru kuruvi rendum' (two tiny birds) fluttering inside a nest, representing innocence and vulnerability.
Metaphor
“Oru theekuchi thaangathu / Vaikkaporu”
Compares love and anger/conflict to a matchstick ('theekuchi') and haystack ('vaikkaporu'), showing how fragile social constructs are against passionate emotion.
Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Suda suda mazhai adikkudhu / Sudalai maadan kaattukulla”
Tamil poetic rhyme where the second letter matches across lines: 'Suda' and 'Sudalai' share the 'da' (ட) sound.
Monaai (Alliteration)
“Thuninji mudivedukkanum / Thuninja nenjil thukkamilla”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds: 'Thuninji' and 'Thuninja'.
Hyperbole / Folk Defiance
“Varam kodukalaiyaa saami thalaiya / Killi veippom”
A humorous and bold folk expression threatening to pinch off the deity's head if prayers are not heard, common in rural Tamil ritual song tradition.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Nedunalvaadai' (2019) is a critically acclaimed Tamil drama directed by Selvakannan, featuring music composed by Jose Franklin. The lyrics were penned by legendary poet Vairamuthu, who captured authentic Tirunelveli folk deity worship (Sudalai Maadan) and rural idioms.
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