Idli Saambaar Lyrics Translation | Kathanayaki | S. C. Krishnan

S. C. Krishnan’s “Idli Saambaar,” from the album Kathanayaki, has lyrics by Thanjai N Ramaiya Dass and music by G. Ramanathan. The song begins as a playful challenge to explain the “glory of Idly” to its culinary rival, the poori. This setup frames the song as a lighthearted defense of a regional dish.

Idli Saambaar Lyrics Translation | Kathanayaki | S. C. Krishnan

Idli Saambaar

S. C. Krishnan • From “Kathanayaki”

Lyricist
Thanjai N Ramaiya Dass
Composer
G. Ramanathan

Kathanayaki’s Idli Saambaar Lyrics Translation

The verses expand beyond food to list major cultural achievements. The lyrics cite the land’s great literary works, including the Thirukkural and Silappathikaaram. It also mentions the region’s role in supporting historical figures and following Gandhi’s guidance on prohibition.

Idly Sambar Namma Idly SambarOur Idly Sambar, our Idly Sambar
Idly Sambar Namma Idly SambarOur Idly Sambar, our Idly Sambar
Endrum Rushiyaga Thindru PasiyarumAlways eaten with relish to satisfy our hunger
Idly SambarIdly Sambar
Endrum Rushiyaga Thindru PasiyarumAlways eaten with relish to satisfy our hunger
Idly Sambar Namma Idly SambarOur Idly Sambar, our Idly Sambar
Idlyai Parththu Poori MasaleSeeing the Idly, the ‘poori masala’ dish
Izhivai Pesuthu ThozharkaleSpeaks with scorn, my friends
Idlyai Parththu Poori MasaleSeeing the Idly, the ‘poori masala’ dish
Izhivai Pesuthu ThozharkaleSpeaks with scorn, my friends
Idly Magaththuvam Poorikku LesaiThe greatness of Idly, to the poori, I will briefly
Eduththu Solluven KelungaleExplain it now, just listen
Idly Magaththuvam Poorikku LesaiThe greatness of Idly, to the poori, I will briefly
Eduththu Solluven KelungaleExplain it now, just listen
Kallukkadaiyai Moodi ArasiyinIt closed the ‘toddy shops’, and the government’s
Control Kadaiyai EduththadhuControl it established
Gandhi Sonnathai Thalaimel VaiththuHolding what Gandhi said in the highest regard
Gowravam Thandhu KaththadhuIt protected his words with honor
Kallukkadaiyai Moodi ArasiyinIt closed the ‘toddy shops’, and the government’s
Control Kadaiyai EduththadhuControl it established
Gandhi Sonnathai Thalaimel VaiththuHolding what Gandhi said in the highest regard
Gowravam Thandhu KaththadhuIt protected his words with honor
Pattikkoruvan BharathiyendraSaying there’s a Bharathi for every village
Padum Pulavanai ThanthadhedhuWhat was it that gave us that singing poet?
Sattai Kodukkum KaviyamThe epic that cracks a whip and awakens us
Bharathidhasanai Inge ThanthadhuIt’s what gave us Bharathidasan here
Sattai Kodukkum KaviyamThe epic that cracks a whip and awakens us
Bharathidhasanai Inge ThanthadhuIt’s what gave us Bharathidasan here
Idly Sambar Namma Idly SambarOur Idly Sambar, our Idly Sambar
Ayal Nattil Hindhu Matham Nilai NattaveTo establish the Hindu faith in a foreign land
Adhi Viveganandharai SeyaloduAnd for the great Vivekananda to act
America Desam Sendru VaraTo travel to the country of America and return
Selavu Seithiththadhu EdhuWhat was it that paid for the expenses?
Yarappa Selavu Senjathu TheriyadhaFriend, don’t you know who paid for it?
Namma Ramanathapuram RajathanIt was our very own King of Ramanathapuram
Deiva Thirukkural SilappathikaramThe divine ‘Thirukkural’ and ‘Silappathikaram’
Selvamai Thanthadhu EdhuWhat gave these to us as a treasure?
Seerana Jothidam Sangeetha VinnyanaExperts in refined astrology, music, and science
Seelarai Thanthadhu EdhuWhat gave us these virtuous people?
Madharas Vazha Idly SambarThe Idly Sambar that thrives in Madras
Mandai Karvam KolladhuWill not let pride go to its head
Madharas Vazha Idly SambarThe Idly Sambar that thrives in Madras
Mandai Karvam KolladhuWill not let pride go to its head
Mathiyillame Evaraiyum YesiIt won’t mindlessly insult anyone
Madamaiyinale ThulladhuNor will it jump around in ignorance
Mathiyillame Evaraiyum YesiIt won’t mindlessly insult anyone
Madamaiyinale ThulladhuNor will it jump around in ignorance
Idly Sambar Namma Idly SambarOur Idly Sambar, our Idly Sambar

Idli Saambaar Music Video

The song uses a simple food comparison to catalogue a region’s contributions to politics, literature, and philosophy. It links a common meal to deep sources of cultural pride. The meaning behind the ‘Idli Saambaar’ lyrics is a celebration of Tamil heritage, which the song states is powerful yet humble.