P. Susheela and Savithri feature in ‘Chal Chalonnu Savari’ from the Tamil album Anbu Magan. Lyricist Kannadasan and composer T. Chalapathi Rao create a rhythmic dialogue between a mother’s lullaby and a king’s quest. The track uses onomatopoeic ‘tak’ sounds to simulate horse hooves.
Chal Chalonnu Savari
P. Susheela | Savithri • From “Anbu Magan”
Chal Chalonnu Savari Lyrics Translation (from “Anbu Magan”)
Kannadasan’s lyrics show the king galloping through stone-filled paths to protect villages from wild beasts. Savithri’s character repeatedly interrupts P. Susheela with ‘Appurama?’ (What next?), driving the story forward. The queen’s prayer breaks a demon’s curse threatening the king.
Oru Ooril Oru Raja RaniIn a certain town, there lived a King and a Queen.
Unnai Pola Avangalukkum Oru PullaJust like you, they had a child too.
Athai Kanna Moodi ThoongasonnaWhen asked to close his eyes and sleep…
Kadhai Sollunu KaetkkumHe would ask for a story.
Kaalakaalam Saapida SonnaWhen asked to eat at the proper time…
Kadhai Sollunu KaetkkumHe would ask for a story.
Avanga Amma Chuma Kadhaigal SolliHis mother, tired of telling random stories…
Aluthu Poai VitaalFinally became exhausted.
Appdi Irukkumbothu RajaAt that moment, the King…
Vaettaikku PuraptaaarSet out for a hunt.
YaemmaWhy, mother?
Naatu Makkal Potta PaiyiraiThe crops planted by the country’s people…
Kaatu Mirugam AzhichudhaamWere being destroyed by wild beasts.
Aatai Kadichu Maatai KadichudhaamThey bit the goats and bit the cows.
Aalaiyum Kooda KadichudhaamThey even bit the humans.
AppuramThen?
Udane Raja Pattathu KudhiraiyaiImmediately, the King ordered his royal horse…
Kondu Varacholli Paanjaaru MelaTo be brought, and he leapt onto it.
PaanjiLeaping…
Chalchalonu Savari VitaarHe rode fast with a ‘chal-chal’ sound.
Tak Tak Tak Tak Tak RajaTak, tak, tak, tak, tak, goes the King.
Chalchalonu Savari VitaarHe rode fast with a ‘chal-chal’ sound.
Tak Tak Tak Tak TakTak, tak, tak, tak, tak.
Savukkal Adithu Laaganai IzhuthuWielding the whip and pulling the reins…
Kudhirayai Vitaaru RajaThe King let the horse loose.
Chalchalonu Savari VitaarHe rode fast with a ‘chal-chal’ sound.
Tak Tak Tak Tak TakTak, tak, tak, tak, tak.
Kallaum Karadum Niraintha VazhiyilOn a path filled with stones and rough terrain…
Gaelap VittaruHe let it gallop.
Kallaum Karadum Niraintha VazhiyilOn a path filled with stones and rough terrain…
Gaelap VittaruHe let it gallop.
Kathiyai Uruvi KarampidicharuDrawing his sword and holding it in his hand…
Kaatile Nuzhaincharu RajaThe King entered the forest.
Chalchalonu Savari VitaarHe rode fast with a ‘chal-chal’ sound.
Tak Tak Tak Tak TakTak, tak, tak, tak, tak.
Villai Eduthu Ambai PootiTaking his bow and notching an arrow…
Mazhayaa PozhinjaaruHe rained them down like a storm.
Vilangugal Ellam Verunda OdaAs all the animals ran in panic…
Suzhandru VandhaaruHe came whirling around.
Idathu Kaaluku Simitta KoduthuGiving a signal with his left leg…
Eeenu SonnaruHe said ‘Yee!’.
Idathu Kaaluku Simitta KoduthuGiving a signal with his left leg…
Eeenu SonnaruHe said ‘Yee!’.
Siragilatha Paravai PolaLike a bird without wings…
Kudhirai Parandhadhu Paar RajaLook, the King’s horse flew.
Chalchalonu Savari VitaarHe rode fast with a ‘chal-chal’ sound.
Tak Tak Tak Tak TakTak, tak, tak, tak, tak.
AppuramaWhat happened next?
Karigal Vandhana Narigal VandhanaElephants came, foxes came.
Karigal Vandhana Narigal Vandhana NadunadungaveElephants came, foxes came, trembling with fear.
Kaatu Erumai Kootam Vandhana KidukidunkkaveA herd of wild buffaloes came, shaking in terror.
Kariyai Pandrigal Idikka VandhanaBoars came to charge at the elephants.
Karadi Manthigal Kadikka VandhanaBears and monkeys came to bite.
Kariyai Pandrigal Idikka VandhanaBoars came to charge at the elephants.
Karadi Manthigal Kadikka VandhanaBears and monkeys came to bite.
Kalai Maan Mudhal MaraiyodigalFrom stags to the hidden antelopes…
Kaanamal IdampeyarnthanaThey disappeared and moved away.
Karigal Vandhana Narigal VandhanaElephants came, foxes came.
Kaal Odinjadhu Vaal ArundhadhuLegs broke, tails were severed.
KazhuthodindhadhuNecks were broken.
Nalla Kaalam PirandhadhuA good time was born.
Kalappai Piditha Uzhavar ManasilIn the minds of the farmers holding the plow…
Kavalai Ozhinjadhu Thirumba Kudhirai ParandhadhuWorries vanished, and the horse flew back.
Chalchalonu Savari VitaarHe rode fast with a ‘chal-chal’ sound.
Tak Tak Tak Tak Tak RajaaTak, tak, tak, tak, tak, King.
Chalchalonu Savari VitaarHe rode fast with a ‘chal-chal’ sound.
Tak Tak Tak Tak TakTak, tak, tak, tak, tak.
AppuramaWhat happened next?
Rajavukku Thaagam EduthathuThe King felt thirsty.
Oru Thadakathai PaartharHe saw a lake.
Thaniyila Kaiya VachaaruHe dipped his hand in the water.
Vandhadhe Bootham VandhadheThere came a demon, there it came.
Vandhadhe Bootham VandhadheThere came a demon, there it came.
Manmele Nilaamal Magarajan MunnaleWithout standing on the ground, right before the great King.
Thaneerai Unnaamal Thadai Seidhu MalaipolePreventing him from drinking water, standing like a mountain.
Vandhadhe Bootham AndhadheThe demon came, that very one.
Indha Thadagam En Sondhamaagum“This lake belongs to me.”
Engu Vandhai Endru Ittadhe SaabamAsking “Why did you come here?”, it cast a curse.
Indha Thadagam En Sondhamaagum“This lake belongs to me.”
Engu Vandhai Endru Ittadhe SaabamAsking “Why did you come here?”, it cast a curse.
Kiliyaai Kavalar Silayaai“Guards turned into parrots, you turn into a statue.”
Kallaanadhu Innum SolonumIt turned to stone… I need to tell more.
Kadhai Mitcham Sollava Innum SollavaShall I tell the rest of the story? Shall I tell more?
SollammaTell me, mother.
Vaettaikku Pona RjaThe King who went hunting…
Vetukku Seekiram VaranumnuThat he should return home quickly…
Rani Kadavulai VaendinaaThe Queen prayed to God.
YeppdiHow?
Aa(Vocalizing)
Aaadhavurunaiye Alathini YaaroOh One who supports the helpless…
Aandavane Kadaikan Paar EnnaiOh God, look at me with your merciful eye.
Aandavane Kadaikan PaarOh God, look at me with your merciful eye.
Naadhan Illadhu Naan Uyir VaazhaenI will not live without my husband.
Naadhan Illadhu Naan Uyir VaazhaenI will not live without my husband.
Vaedhanai Vilaga Innale EnnaiTo remove this pain, right now…
Aandavane Kadai Kan Paar EnnaiOh God, look at me with your merciful eye.
Aandavane Kadai Kan PaarOh God, look at me with your merciful eye.
Arulam Aandavan Boodham ThannaiThe graceful God, regarding the demon…
Agniyaakki OttinaarTurned it to fire and drove it away.
Arasanum Kudhiraiyum BoothathaaleThe King and the horse, due to the demon…
Adaintha Saabam MaattrinarHe reversed the curse they had received.
Uravaam Maganai Raaniyai EnniThinking of his kin, the son and the Queen…
Udanae Paraithanil YeriImmediately climbing onto the horse.
Oorukku Varugaiyil Avarukku MunneWhile coming back to town, before him…
Ullam Vandhadhu MeeriHis heart came running ahead.
Varuvaar Endru Vizhi MelaeThinking he would come, eyes fixed high…
Vizhi Vaithirunthal MaharaniThe Queen kept watching.
Vanthitaaru Ennum NinaivilWith the thought “He has arrived”…
Vasal Kadhavai ThiranthaalShe opened the palace gate.
Chal Chalonnu Savari Music Video
Kannadasan structures this Anbu Magan song as an interactive folktale. English lyrics translation of Chal Chalonnu Savari demonstrates how ordinary bedtime routines become epic adventures. T. Chalapathi Rao’s composition mirrors the story’s rising tension through percussion.