KJ Yesudas and MG Sreekumar bring life to ‘Padakaali,’ a vibrant track from the album ‘Yodha.’ Bichu Thirumala writes the lyrics, while AR Rahman composes a melody that mixes traditional percussion with a modern rhythm. The song calls upon the fierce warrior goddesses Chandi and Changari with a mix of devotion and energy.
Released: November 6, 2025
Padakaali
Kj Yesudas | Mg Sreekumar • From “Yodha”
Padakaali Lyrics Translation – Yodha Soundtrack
The lyrics mention the ‘Chenda’ drums, ‘Chengila’ cymbals, and ‘Maddalam’ beats, creating a vivid soundscape of traditional Kerala percussion. Thirumala writes, ‘With the heat of these Adavu martial moves, let the dice roll in my favor,’ blending martial imagery with a plea for divine favor. The rhythm shifts like a dance, urging listeners to stay in step with the beat.
Padakali Chandi ChangariFierce warrior goddess, Chandi and Changari!
Pokkiri Makkiri BhagavathiMischievous and powerful Goddess!
AdiyanilUpon this humble servant,
Alivodinnithiri Kaniyanameplease show a little mercy today.
Paramelam Chenda ChengilaThe grand music of ‘Chenda’ drums and ‘Chengila’ cymbals,
Dhimkini Maddalamthe ‘Dhimkini’ beat of the ‘Maddalam’ drum,
Aramani Kini Kinithe ‘Kini Kini’ sound of waist-bells,
Palathalam Thakkidavarious rhythms like ‘Thakkida’,
Kida Thaka Thaaand the final beat ‘Kida Thaka Thaa’.
Chumadoru PidiTake a handful of the load,
Oru Njodiyida Pizhayaruthedon’t make a single mistake for even a second.
Hoi Hoi Amma Hoi HoiHoi Hoi, Mother, Hoi Hoi!
Adavukalude ChuduWith the heat of these ‘Adavu’ martial moves,
Pakidakalurulanamorulet the dice roll in my favor,
Varaminiyathinarulanamegrant me this blessing now.
Othungi Pathungiyothungi ChulungiHiding, cowering, shrinking, and shriveling,
Vanangi Kunungum Manungana clumsy fool who bows and whines.
Thalangum VilangumWandering this way and that way,
Kurungi Parungicrouched and trembling,
Ee Maramadiyanuto this blockhead,
Njanethiralleda PoI’m no match? Get lost, man!
Kunnummelanjarettillatheri PiriTwisted and tangled on the five-and-a-half hills,
Kadalukaleni Thooacross the seas, I spit!
Kunnithai VakkaneduTake the ‘Kunnithai’ sapling to plant,
Aa Kunnithai Meleyannatop that very hill,
Anthikkidayiladakkila Kaychuthe betel nut ripened by dusk.
Kandappam MangappazhamI saw a mango fruit,
Tholiyodu Tholi Tholiyadiyoridikuzhaskin against skin, pounding it into a pulp!
Vai Vai Amma Hoi HoiPound it, Mother, Hoi Hoi!
Kuzhaviyilezhu Muthu KizhavikalazhakoduSeven old ladies beautifully using the pestle,
Charapara Charapara Idiyidiyopounding away with a ‘Charapara’ sound!
Idichum PidichumBy punching and grabbing,
Valichum Thozhichumby pulling and kicking,
Karikku Nurukkum Cherukkayou boy, who chops the tender coconut.
Methichum ChathachumTrampling and crushing,
Morichum Tholichumfrying and peeling,
Kurumulakaripodi Orua handful of black pepper,
Pidi Vithari Vidumand rice powder will be scattered.
Adithetti PothathuDon’t lose your step and fall,
Veezhalle Kuzhiyanidon’t tumble into the pit!
Ninnishtam ThannishtamDo as you please, it’s your whim,
Thakathintharuto the beat of ‘Thakathintharu’.
Pida Kaane PidakkumThe hen will flutter when it sees the trap,
Moonchaval Kozhithanthe bearded rooster’s,
Pinnale Kurukkanfox is right behind him!
TheyyantharuSing ‘Theyyantharu’.
AnaththadiyanumanakkodayanumThe elephant-sized man and the umbrella-bearer,
Anathoodiyanu Nilayallaeven for the elephant-driver, there’s no steady ground.
Ambadikkoru ThavalakkunjinathFor a little baby frog in ‘Ambadi’,
Arayattam Vare Ayyayyathe water is only waist-deep, oh my!
ThalayividirikkumbamWhile the head is still here,
Valirunnanangalledadon’t let the tail wag, man!
Vadikoduthadi KidanorumbettuYou’re just asking for a beating,
Nadakalledaso just keep walking, man!
Oru Kai PoruthamIt’s a match of strength,
Karaveerariyamlet’s see the power in your hands.
ChunayodethireFace me with courage,
Ethireyidayamlet’s clash head-on.
Thadiya MadayaYou big, lazy fool,
Vada Kuzhimadiyacome here, you pit-dwelling slacker!
Padakali Chandi ChangariFierce warrior goddess, Chandi and Changari!
Pokkiri Makkiri BhagavathiMischievous and powerful Goddess!
AdiyanilUpon this humble servant,
Alivodinnithiri Kaniyanameplease show a little mercy today.
Paramelam Chenda ChengilaThe grand music of ‘Chenda’ drums and ‘Chengila’ cymbals,
Dhimkini Maddalamthe ‘Dhimkini’ beat of the ‘Maddalam’ drum,
Aramani Kini Kinithe ‘Kini Kini’ sound of waist-bells,
Palathalam Thakkidavarious rhythms like ‘Thakkida’,
Kida Thaka Thaaand the final beat ‘Kida Thaka Thaa’.
ChuvadukaliviThese are the steps,
Oru Njodiyida Pizhayaruthedon’t make a single mistake for even a second.
Hoi Hoi Amma Hoi HoiHoi Hoi, Mother, Hoi Hoi!
Adavukalude ChuduWith the heat of these ‘Adavu’ martial moves,
Pakidakalurulanamorulet the dice roll in my favor,
Varaminiyathinarulanamegrant me this blessing now.
Othungi Pathungiyothungi ChulungiHiding, cowering, shrinking, and shriveling,
Vanangi Kunungum Manungana clumsy fool who bows and whines.
Thalangum VilangumWandering this way and that way,
Kurungi Parungicrouched and trembling,
Ee Maramadiyanuto this blockhead,
Njanethiralleda PoI’m no match? Get lost, man!
Bhoomi Thorannu NeeEven if you dig through the earth,
Appuram Poyeediland go to the other side,
Vaidooryakkottaramthe palace of ‘Vaidooryam’ gems,
Kappam Kettamwon’t pay you any tribute.
VaidooryakkottaramA palace made of ‘Vaidooryam’ gems,
Swapnathil Kettanumeven to build it in your dreams,
Vazhiyillathonenthumyou’ve no way, so why do you,
Veembilakkamboast so much?
Kannan Pokana PooramThe ‘Pooram’ festival where ‘Kannan’ goes,
Chollanatharambada Punchaaliwho are you to talk about it, you ‘Punchaali’ clown?
Neeyu Ninte PakarppavakashakkaroAre you and your copycat bunch,
Cholleda Koothadigoing to tell me, you street-dancer?
ChottachanumEven the little master,
Dooram Chadumwill jump a long distance.
KozhichathanuThe ‘Kozhichathan’ spirit,
Maanam Muttan Mohamdreams of touching the sky.
Kanaka KunuasaWith your golden ‘Kunuasa’ ornaments,
Parayathadimeiwithout another word, your body will get a beating.
Kanisham KeniyumSurely you’ll beg,
Thakidam Mariyum Kooheeverything will turn upside down, ‘Koohe’!
Mora ParayanTo talk back,
Chora Parayanto talk aggressively,
Thadiyanumude Pongachamthat’s the arrogance of this big man.
AdiparayanTo get a beating,
Avakayidanto be cast aside,
Madayanu Rokkatharamoru Jaga Pokalet’s give this fool a world-class thrashing right now!
Manasilu VaiKeep it in your mind,
Madiyilu Vaikeep it in your lap.
YamathadiyaYou giant man,
Malamadiyayou mountain-like fool!
ThadiyaBig guy!
MadayaLazy fool!
IdiyaBruiser!
PodiyaLittle guy!
MarutheSpirit!
CherutheTiny one!
VadaCome here!
PodaGet lost!
PoyichelavinuFor the expenses of leaving,
Chellana Varavinufor the income that comes in,
Chelleda Velakaliravil Therayadago and wander the streets at night.
PathinettadavumAll eighteen martial arts ‘Adavu’,
Pizhayum Neramwhen they fail you,
Udumunduriyumyour waist-cloth will come off,
Thalayil Kettumedaand you’ll tie it on your head, man!
Padakali Chandi ChangariFierce warrior goddess, Chandi and Changari!
Pokkiri Makkiri BhagavathiMischievous and powerful Goddess!
AdiyanilUpon this humble servant,
Alivodinnithiri Kaniyanameplease show a little mercy today.
Padakaali Music Video
‘Padakaali’ lyrics are about invoking strength and blessings from goddesses Chandi and Changari. KJ Yesudas and MG Sreekumar star in this track from ‘Yodha,’ a song that celebrates tradition and courage through its bold rhythms and spirited verses.