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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Veppilai Veppilai

From Palayathu Amman · 2000

Lyricist
Kalidasan
Singer
Sujatha Mohan
Music director
S. A. Rajkumar
Details
Palayathu Amman2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Veppilai veppillaiNeem leaves, sacred neem leaves
Vekkaaliyamman veppillaiNeem leaves of Goddess Vekkali Amman
Veppilai veppillaiNeem leaves, sacred neem leaves
Pannaariyamman veppillaiNeem leaves of Goddess Bannari Amman
Female
Kaththippol veppillaiNeem leaves sharp as a knife
Kaaliyamman veppillaiNeem leaves of Goddess Kaali
Eettipol veppillaiNeem leaves sharp as a spear
Eshwariyin veppillaiNeem leaves of Goddess Eshwari
Female
Kaththippol veppillaiNeem leaves sharp as a knife
Kaaliyamman veppillaiNeem leaves of Goddess Kaali
Eettipol veppillaiNeem leaves sharp as a spear
Eshwariyin veppillaiNeem leaves of Goddess Eshwari
Female
Aayi magamaayiMother, Great Mother
Vadivaana veppillaiNeem leaves taking beautiful form
Neeli thirisooliBlue Goddess wielding the trident
Uruvaana veppillaiNeem leaves manifested as divine grace
Female
Veppilai veppillaiNeem leaves, sacred neem leaves
Vekkaaliyamman veppillaiNeem leaves of Goddess Vekkali Amman
Veppilai veppillaiNeem leaves, sacred neem leaves
Pannaariyamman veppillaiNeem leaves of Goddess Bannari Amman
Chorus
Om sakthi om sakthiOm Shakti, Om Shakti
Om sakthi omOm Shakti, Om
Om sakthi om sakthiOm Shakti, Om Shakti
Om sakthi omOm Shakti, Om
Female
Vembu radhameri nee viththagiyae vaarumammaaRiding the chariot of neem, oh wise Goddess, please come
Pambu radhamaeri nee paththiniyae vaarumammaaRiding the chariot of snakes, oh chaste Goddess, please come
Muththu radhamaeri nee muththaalammaa vaarumammaaRiding the chariot of pearls, oh Muthalamman, please come
Thanga radhamaeri nee thaayaarae vaarumammaaRiding the chariot of gold, oh Divine Mother, please come
Female
: Vekkaattil poottrirukkum naaga raththinamaeOh Gem of a serpent worshipped in the hot sands
Paangaattil veettrirukkum kaala karpagamaeOh wish-yielding tree seated gracefully in the forest
Udukkaiyilae olikkuthadi vedha manthiramaeVedic chants resonate in the sound of the Udukkai drum
Paarkkaiyilae theriyuthadi kodi arputhamaeMillions of miracles are seen just by gazing at you
Chorus
Aayi magamaayiMother, Great Mother
Vadivaana veppillaiNeem leaves taking beautiful form
Neeli thirisooliBlue Goddess wielding the trident
Uruvaana veppillaiNeem leaves manifested as divine grace
Female
Veppilai veppillaiNeem leaves, sacred neem leaves
Vekkaaliyamman veppillaiNeem leaves of Goddess Vekkali Amman
Veppilai veppillaiNeem leaves, sacred neem leaves
Pannaariyamman veppillaiNeem leaves of Goddess Bannari Amman
Chorus
Veppilai veppillaiNeem leaves, sacred neem leaves
Female
Naagam pol aadi navakaaliyae vaarumammaaDancing like a serpent, oh Navakaali, please come
Ambai saththam kettu paarvathiyae vaarumammaHearing the sound of the anklet bells, oh Parvathi, please come
Saampuraani vaasagiyae saduthiyilae vaarumammaaOh fragrant incense lover, come swiftly
Samayapura aari sangariyae vaarumammaaOh noble Sankari of Samayapuram, please come
Female
Aayiram kann paarththiruppaal raajakaalithaanIt is Raja Kaali who watches over us with a thousand eyes
Andamellaam kaaththirupaal veerakaalithaanIt is Veera Kaali who protects the entire universe
Veppilaiyil kudiyiruppaal vedha vallithaanIt is Vedha Valli who resides within the sacred neem leaves
Vendum varam thanthiduvaal nyaana vallithaanIt is Gnana Valli who grants all desired boons
Chorus
Aayi magamaayiMother, Great Mother
Vadivaana veppillaiNeem leaves taking beautiful form
Neeli thirisooliBlue Goddess wielding the trident
Uruvaana veppillaiNeem leaves manifested as divine grace
Female
Veppilai veppillaiNeem leaves, sacred neem leaves
Vekkaaliyamman veppillaiNeem leaves of Goddess Vekkali Amman
Veppilai veppillaiNeem leaves, sacred neem leaves
Pannaariyamman veppillaiNeem leaves of Goddess Bannari Amman
Chorus
Kaththippol veppillaiKaththippol veppillai (Neem leaves sharp as a knife)
Kaaliyamman veppillaiNeem leaves of Goddess Kaali
Eettipol veppillaiEettipol veppillai (Neem leaves sharp as a spear)
Eshwariyin veppillaiNeem leaves of Goddess Eshwari
Female
Aayi magamaayiMother, Great Mother
Vadivaana veppillaiNeem leaves taking beautiful form
Neeli thirisooliBlue Goddess wielding the trident
Uruvaana veppillaiNeem leaves manifested as divine grace
Chorus
Aayi magamaayiMother, Great Mother
Vadivaana veppillaiNeem leaves taking beautiful form
Neeli thirisooliBlue Goddess wielding the trident
Uruvaana veppillaiNeem leaves manifested as divine grace

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional song dedicated to Goddess Amman invokes various regional Tamil forms of the Divine Mother, including Vekkali Amman, Bannari Amman, Samayapuram Mariamman, and Kaali. The lyrics highlight the spiritual and medicinal power of neem leaves (Veppilai), which are considered sacred representations and protection instruments of the Goddess. The song describes her arrival on majestic chariots, praising her ability to grant boons, ward off evil with weapon-like neem leaves, and protect the universe with her thousand eyes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Kaththippol veppillai / Eettipol veppillai

Comparing the sharpness and protective power of neem leaves to knives (Kaththippol) and spears (Eettipol).

Anaphora (Edhugai / Monai rhyming)

Veppilai veppillai

Repetition of the phrase 'Veppilai veppillai' at the beginning of consecutive lines to create a rhythmic devotional chant.

Imagery (Uruvagamm / Visual depiction)

Vembu radhameri nee viththagiyae vaarumammaa

Vivid descriptions of the Goddess riding chariots of neem, serpents, pearls, and gold.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song from the film 'Palayathu Amman' (2000) became a major hit in Tamil Nadu during Amman temple festivals. Sung by Sujatha Mohan with music by S. A. Rajkumar, its energetic folk rhythm and devotional lyrics by Kalidasan remain deeply popular across South India.

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