Valaipugum Podhe Lyrics Translation – Kalvanin Kadhali -(1955) | T. M. Soundararajan
“Valaipugum Podhe” appears in the 1955 film Kalvanin Kadhali, starring Sivaji Ganesan and P. Bhanumathi. T. M. Soundararajan sings lyrics by the mystic Pampatti Sithar, with music from G. Govindarajulu Naidu. The song begins with a direct command for a snake to “raise your head and play.”
Valaipugum Podhe
T. M. Soundararajan • From “Kalvanin Kadhali -(1955)”
The verses question empty religious practices. One line observes people who chant inside a house yet circle its walls without finding the entrance. Another line asserts that those who have truly seen the divine will never abandon it. This logic separates surface ritual from deep understanding.
Valaipugum Podhe Thalai Vangum PambeThe snake that claims the head as it enters its burrow
Mandalamittudal Valai Vanna PambeThe beautifully patterned snake, coiled in a perfect circle
Valaipugum Podhe Thalai Vangum PambeThe snake that claims the head as it enters its burrow
Mandalamittudal Valai Vanna PambeThe beautifully patterned snake, coiled in a perfect circle
Thalaikkanji Nindridum Saththiya PambeThe snake of truth that stands with its head held high
Thalaikkanji Nindridum Saththiya PambeThe snake of truth that stands with its head held high
Thalaiyeduththe Vilaiyadu PambeRaise your head and play, O Snake
Adu Pambe Vilaiyadu PambeDance, O Snake! Play, O Snake!
Kandavargal Orukkalum VindidargalThose who have truly seen will never abandon the path
Vindavargal Orukkalum KandidarkalAnd those who have abandoned it have never truly seen
Kandavargal Orukkalum VindidargalThose who have truly seen will never abandon the path
Vindavargal Orukkalum KandidarkalAnd those who have abandoned it have never truly seen
Konda Kolam UllavargalThose who cling to their assumed forms
Kon Nilai KanarCannot see the true state of the divine
Konda Kolam UllavargalThose who cling to their assumed forms
Kon Nilai KanarCannot see the true state of the divine
Kooththadi Kooththadi Adu PambeDance your divine dance, O Snake
Adu Pambe Vilaiyadu PambeDance, O Snake! Play, O Snake!
Thanthiram Solluvar Thamai AriyeThey speak of techniques, yet do not know themselves
Thani Manthiram Solluvar Porul AriyarThey recite sacred mantras, yet do not know the meaning
Thanthiram Solluvar Thamai AriyeThey speak of techniques, yet do not know themselves
Thani Manthiram Solluvar Porul AriyarThey recite sacred mantras, yet do not know the meaning
Manthiram Jebipparkal Vatta VeettinulThey will chant their mantras inside a circular house
Manthiram Jebipparkal Vatta VeettinulThey will chant their mantras inside a circular house
Mathilinai Suttruvar Vayil KanarThey circle the walls but never find the door
Adu Pambe Vilaiyadu PambeDance, O Snake! Play, O Snake!
Antharam Sendrume Ver PidunggiJourney into the void and pull out the very root
Arul Enum Nyanaththal Undai SerththeWith the wisdom known as grace, gather it into a single pill
Antharam Sendrume Ver PidunggiJourney into the void and pull out the very root
Arul Enum Nyanaththal Undai SerththeWith the wisdom known as grace, gather it into a single pill
Intha Marunthinai ThinbeeragilIf one consumes this very medicine
Intha Marunthinai ThinbeeragilIf one consumes this very medicine
Ini Pirappu Illai Endru Adu PambeDance with the knowledge that there will be no more birth
Adu Pambe Vilaiyadu PambeDance, O Snake! Play, O Snake
The repeated call for the snake to dance is an instruction to awaken dormant spiritual energy. The meaning of the Valaipugum Podhe lyrics is to guide a person past external devotion. The song offers a path to inner enlightenment and liberation from rebirth.
