Cuckoo Cuckoo Thatha Thatha Kala Vetti,
Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Grandpa weeding out the fields.
Cuckoo Cuckoo Pondhula Yaru Meen Kothi,
Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Who’s in the trunk hole? It’s the kingfisher.
Cuckoo Cuckoo Thanniyil Odum Thavalaikki,
Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Swimming frog in the water.
Cuckoo Cuckoo Kambali Poochi Thangachi,
Cuckoo, Cuckoo! Is the sister of the caterpillar.
Allimalar Kodi Angadhame, Ottara Ottara Sandhaname,
Lilly is making fun of me. My adamant sweet sandalwood.
Mullai Malar Kodi Mutharame, Engooru Engooru Kuthalame,
My Jasmine-decked necklace with pearls. Oh, my native Kutralamae.
Surukku Paiyamma Vethala Mattaiyamma,
My grandma’s shrink bag with betel and nuts.
Somandha Kaiyamma Mathalam Kottuyamma,
The hands that carry them play the Parai drum.
Thaiyamma Thaiyamma Enna Panna Mayamma,
Grandma, grandma, what magic did you do.
Valliamma Perandi Sangadhiya Kellendi,
Valliyamal’s grandson tells me the story.
Kannadiya Kanamdi Indharra Perandi,
Where are my glasses? Take it, my grandson.
Annakkili Annakkili Adi Alamarakkela Vannakkili,
Annakilli! Annakilli! Parrot sitting in the banyan tree.
Nallapadi Vazhacholli Indha Manna Koduthane Poorvakudi,
Blessing to lead a good life, our ancestors have bequeathed us this soil.
Kammankara Kaniyellam Padith Thirinjane Adhikkudi,
Across the river banks and on the fertile fields, Our forefathers have sung through their life.
Nayi Nari Poonaikundhan Indha Erikkolam Kooda Sondhammadi,
The lakes and ponds belong To the dogs, foxes, and cats too.
Enjoy Enjami Vango Vango Onnagi,
Enjoy, my dear. Come together as one.
Amma Yi Ambari Indha Indha Mummari,
Ride on the elephants—shower in the rains.
Cuckoo Cuckoo Muttaiya Podum Kozhikku,
Cuckoo! Cuckoo! The hen is laying the egg.
Cuckoo Cuckoo Oppanai Yaru Maiyilukku,
Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Who dolled up the peacock.
Cuckoo Cuckoo Pachchaiya Poosum Pasikku,
Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Algae spreading its green.
Cuckoo Cuckoo Kuchchiya Adukkuna Kootukku,
Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Nest arranged by tiny twigs.
Padu Patta Makka Varappu Mettukkara,
The toiling farmer with his fertile fields.
Vervathanni Sokka Minukkum Nattukkara,
His sweat-drenched shirt, the glittering countryman,
Akatti Karuppatti Oodhangolu Mannuchatti,
the fire-kindling flute, and the earthen pot.
Athoram Koodukatti Arambichcha Nagareegam,
Settling in the river banks is the beginning of civilization.
Jhan Jhana Jhanakku Jhana Makkale,
Jan Jana Janaku Jana, Oh my people.
Uppuku Chappu Kottu Muttaikulla Sathukottu,
Tasting the salt Yolk, the source of all energy.
Attaikku Rathangkottu Kittipullu Vettu Vettu,
Drip blood from leech bite. Strike away the Gilli-Danda.
Nan Anju Maram Valarthen, Azhagana Thottam Vachchen,
I planted five trees. Nurtured a beautiful garden.
Thottam Sezhithalum En Thonda Nanaiyalaye,
My garden is flourishing. Yet my throat remains dry.
En Kadale Karaye Vaname Saname,
My sea, bank, forest, people,
Nelame Kolame Edame Thadame,
lands, clan, place, and track.
Enjoy En Jami Vango Vango Onnagi,
Enjoy, my dear. Come together as one.
Amma Yi Ambari Indha Indha Mummari,
Ride on the elephants—shower in the rains.
Pattan Poottan Katha Boomi, Atam Pottu Kattum Sami,
My ancestors guarded the land. The devotee that dances;
Ratinandha Suthi Vandha Seva Koovuchu,
As the earth rotates around the rooster crows.
Adhu Pottu Vachcha Echamdhane Kada Marichu,
Its excretions fertilized the forests.
Namma Nada Marichu Indha Veeda Marichu,
It turned into our country, then our home too.
Enna Kora Enna Kora,
What’s the matter, what’s the matter, my dear?
En Seeni Karumbukku Enna Kora,
What’s the matter, my sugarcane?
Enna Kora Enna Kora,
What’s the matter, what’s the matter, my dear?
En Chella Perandikku Enna Kora,
My darling grandson, what’s the matter?
Pandhalulla Pavarka Pandhalulla Pavarka,
Bitter Gourd in my canopy. Bitter Gourd in my canopy.
Vedhakallu Vitturukku Vedhakallu Vitturukku,
It has given us seeds. Given us seeds.
Appan Atha Vittadhungo Appan Atha Vittandhungo,
Left by our mom and dad. Left by our mom and dad.
Enjoy Enjami Vango Vango Onnagi,
Have fun, my dear. Come together as a team.
Amma Yi Ambari Indha Indha Mummari,
Ride on the elephants—shower in the rains.
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