L. R. Eswari and Seerkazhi Govindarajan perform ‘Maalaiyittom Pongalittom’ from the album Kaalam Vellum. Lyricist Kannadasan and composer Sankar Ganesh frame a devotional plea that shifts into defiance against oppression.
Maalaiyittom Pongalittom
L. R. Eswari | Seerkazhi Govindarajan • From “Kaalam Vellum”
Maalaiyittom Pongalittom Lyrics Translation L. R. Eswari | Seerkazhi Govindarajan | Kaalam Vellum
Kannadasan’s lyrics describe a landlord claiming harvests meant for devotees. The line ‘That wild rabbit is now chasing the hunting dogs’ illustrates a reversal of power dynamics through faith.
Maalaiyittom PongalyittomWe’ve garlanded you, we’ve offered the Pongal feast
Manasaara PoojaiyittomWe’ve worshipped you with all our hearts
Maalaiyittom PongalyittomWe’ve garlanded you, we’ve offered the Pongal feast
Manasaara PoojaiyittomWe’ve worshipped you with all our hearts
Kaaval Thara Vendumadi GangaiyammaYou must stand guard over us, oh Mother Ganga
Engal Kaalam Vella Vendumadi GangaiyammaOur time must triumph, oh Mother Ganga
Maalaiyittom PongalyittomWe’ve garlanded you, we’ve offered the Pongal feast
Manasaara PoojaiyittomWe’ve worshipped you with all our hearts
Kaaval Thara Vendumadi GangaiyammaYou must stand guard over us, oh Mother Ganga
Engal Kaalam Vella Vendumadi GangaiyammaOur time must triumph, oh Mother Ganga
Devi Unnai Paarkka Thedi Varum BothuWhen we come searching just to see you, Devi
Thirayai Pottu Maraikkuraaru PoosaariThe priest draws a curtain to hide you away
Nee Kodutha Boomi Vilanju Varum BothuWhen the earth you gave yields its harvest
Yeghabogam Pannuraaru AasaamiThe landlord claims it all for his own pleasure
Nee Kodutha Boomi Vilanju Varum BothuWhen the earth you gave yields its harvest
Yeghabogam Pannuraaru AasaamiThe landlord claims it all for his own pleasure
Avan NelathukaranaamHe calls himself the owner of the land
Rombha BalathukaranaamHe claims he’s a man of great power
Avan NelathukaranaamHe calls himself the owner of the land
Rombha BalathukaranaamHe claims he’s a man of great power
Nee Ninaichiyinna AvanumippoIf you truly willed it so
PozhaichirupaanaWould he even be alive right now?
Nee Ninaichiyinna AvanumippoIf you truly willed it so
PozhaichirupaanaWould he even be alive right now?
Maalaiyittom PongalyittomWe’ve garlanded you, we’ve offered the Pongal feast
Manasaara PoojaiyittomWe’ve worshipped you with all our hearts
Vettai Naaigaloru Kaattu MuyalaiyaeHunting dogs are chasing down a wild hare
Virattudhu Gangaiyamma AmmaThey’re driving it hard, oh Mother Ganga
Virattudhu GangaiyammaThey’re driving it hard, oh Ganga
Andha Kaattu MuyalippoBut now that wild hare
Vettai Naaigaalai ThurathuthuIs chasing the hunting dogs away
Gangaiyamma Amma Thurathuthu GangaiyammaMother Ganga, it’s hunting them now, oh Ganga
Indha Sakthi VandhadhunaaleBecause this power has arrived
Undhan BakthiyulladhanaaleBecause your devotion is within us
Indha Sakthi VandhadhunaaleBecause this power has arrived
Undhan BakthiyulladhanaaleBecause your devotion is within us
Maalaiyittom PongalyittomWe’ve garlanded you, we’ve offered the Pongal feast
Manasaara PoojaiyittomWe’ve worshipped you with all our hearts
Kattai Kooda KoluthumadiEven dead wood will catch fire
Un Karppora Thattu Kayavar Kottam OzhiyumadiFrom your camphor plate, the villains’ tyranny will perish
Un Kann Jadai Pattu PattuStruck again and again by the glance of your eye
Veettu Pennai Kakakum PadiTo protect the dignity of our women
Neeye Soodiya MalarmottuYou yourself became the flower bud they wear
Vellum Kaalam Vellum EnbomWe declare that time will win, truth will win
Aanai Un MelyittuSwearing our vow upon you
Aanai Un MelyittuSwearing our vow upon you
Thaai Paartha Paarvaiyai ThaanSeeing the gaze the Mother cast
Partha Ullame Thannai MarandhadhammaThe heart forgot itself in that sight
Sharmathin Deivamae Sakthi UnOh Goddess of Dharma, oh Shakti
Kannilae Marmam PurindhadhammaWe’ve understood the mystery in your eyes
Sivandha Un KangalaalaeWith your eyes turned red
Seeruvaai Enadhu ThaayeYou will hiss in rage, my Mother
Nadanthathum Unmai ThaayeWhat happened is the truth, Mother
Nadappadhum Nanmai ThaayeWhat happens next is for the good, Mother
Maalaiyittom PongalyittomWe’ve garlanded you, we’ve offered the Pongal feast
Manasaara PoojaiyittomWe’ve worshipped you with all our hearts
Kaaval Thara Vendumadi GangaiyammaYou must stand guard over us, oh Mother Ganga
Engal Kaalam Vella Vendumadi GangaiyammaOur time must triumph, oh Mother Ganga
Maalaiyittom Pongalittom Music Video
The Kaalam Vellum album presents Sankar Ganesh’s Maalaiyittom Pongalittom lyrics translation as a call for collective resistance, where divine devotion fuels social justice action.