T. M. Soundarajan, P. Leela, and K. Jamunarani perform ‘Thai Porandha’ for the album ‘Kalyanikku Kalyanam.’ Lyricist Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram and composer G. Ramanathan craft a festive ode to harvest celebrations and renewed hope.
Thai Porandha
P. Leela | T. M. Soundarajan • From “Kalyanikku Kalyanam”
Thai Porandha Lyrics Meaning P. Leela | T. M. Soundarajan | Kalyanikku Kalyanam
Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram’s lines connect labor to prosperity. ‘Kanji paanai kavalai theera kalappai / Thozhilai nambidanum’ stresses trust in farming to end hunger. The singers describe filled granaries and folk dances after successful harvests.
Thai Porandhaa Vazhi PorakkumWhen the harvest month of ‘Thai’ arrives, a path will open,
Thaaraniyil EllorukkumFor every single soul on this earth.
Thai Porandhaa Vazhi PorakkumWhen the harvest month of ‘Thai’ arrives, a path will open,
Thaaraniyil EllorukkumFor every single soul on this earth.
Kai Melae Palan KidaikkumYou’ll see the rewards right away.
Ammaa VeerammaaO Mother Veeramma!
Engal Kalangiyamaa NeranjirukkumOur granaries will be filled to the brim.
Aamaa MarudhammaaYes, Mother Marudhamma!
Engal Kalangiyamaa NeranjirukkumOur storage bins will be overflowing.
Aamaa MarudhammaaYes, Mother Marudhamma!
Pannaiyilae Velai PaarkkumIn the farms where the work is done,
Paattaali KudiyirukkumAnd where the laborers make their homes.
Pannaiyilae Velai PaarkkumWorking hard out in the fields,
Paattaali KudiyirukkumWhere the working class resides.
Chinnanjiru Saeriyilum Amma VeerammaaEven in the smallest hamlets, O Mother Veeramma,
Chinnanjiru Saeriyilum Amma VeerammaaEven in the tiny little villages, O Mother Veeramma,
Ini Themmaanghu Pattu KekkumFrom now on, ‘Themmaanghu’ folk songs will be heard.
Aamaa MarudhammaaYes, Mother Marudhamma!
Ini Themmaanghu Pattu KekkumThe sounds of folk music will ring out.
Aamaa MarudhammaaYes, Mother Marudhamma!
Thai Porandhaa Vazhi PorakkumWhen the harvest month of ‘Thai’ arrives, a path will open,
Thaaraniyil EllorukkumFor every single soul on this earth.
Kai Melae Palan KidaikkumYou’ll see the rewards right away.
Ammaa VeerammaaO Mother Veeramma!
Engal Kalangiyamaa NeranjirukkumOur granaries will be filled to the brim.
Aamaa MarudhammaaYes, Mother Marudhamma!
Maattu Kazhuthil Manigalai KattiAfter tying bells around the necks of the cattle,
Vaazhtha Venum Vazhakathai OttiWe must offer our blessings following our customs.
Maattu Kazhuthil Manigalai KattiFastening bells upon the bullocks’ necks,
Vaazhtha Venum Vazhakathai OttiWe should give thanks as tradition dictates.
Veettai Mezhugi VilakkugalyaetriWe’ll clean our homes and light the lamps,
Velanja Nellai Koodathil KottiPouring the ripened grain into the courtyard.
Veettai Mezhugi VilakkugalyaetriScrubbing the floors and lighting the oil lamps,
Velanja Nellai Koodathil KottiPiling the harvested rice in the open yard.
Aasai Theera Parappi VidanumWe’ll spread it out until we’re satisfied,
Ammaa VeerammaaO Mother Veeramma!
Aasai Theera Parappi VidanumWe’ll spread the crop to our heart’s content,
Ammaa VeerammaaO Mother Veeramma!
Enga Athai Mavanthaan Alakka VavanumMy cousin must be the one who measures it,
Aamaa MarudhammaaYes, Mother Marudhamma!
Enga Athai Mavanthaan Alakka VavanumMy aunt’s son should be the one to measure the grain,
Aamaa MarudhammaaYes, Mother Marudhamma!
Kuninju Nimindhu Kurukkae PugundhuBending, rising, and weaving through the circle,
Kummunnu Kummiyum KottungadiEveryone, clap your hands for the ‘Kummi’ folk dance!
Kuninju Nimindhu Kurukkae PugundhuSwaying down and up as we cross each other,
Kummunnu Kummiyum KottungadiLet’s perform the dance with full energy!
Kola Valaiyal KulunguraaplaeLet your beautiful bangles jingle as you move,
Konjam Nallaa ThattungadiAnd clap your hands with a good rhythm.
Kola Valaiyal KulunguraaplaeWhile the bangles on your wrists shake and sound,
Konjam Nallaa ThattungadiKeep a steady beat with your hands.
Kadhiradikkanum Pudhiru PonganumWe’ve got to thresh the grain and cook the new rice,
Kaaveri Annaiyae KumbidanumAnd we must pay our respects to Mother ‘Kaveri’ river.
Kadhiradikkanum Pudhiru PonganumAfter we’ve threshed the crop and offered the first rice,
Kaaveri Annaiyae KumbidanumWe’ll worship the sacred waters of Mother Kaveri.
Kanji Paanai Kavalai Theera KalappaiTo end the worries of having an empty porridge pot,
Thozhilai NambidanumWe must put our trust in the work of the plow.
Kanji Paanai Kavalai Theera KalappaiSo that our hunger and troubles finally fade away,
Thozhilai NambidanumWe should believe in the power of our labor.
Thai Porandha Music Video
Tamil lyrics translation for ‘Thai Porandha’ reveals a cultural axiom: work brings abundance. The proverb ‘Thai porandhaa vazhi porakkum’ frames the song’s vision of collective renewal through agrarian effort.