This is a reinterpretation of a harvest song sung by farmers in South India. This is based on a tradition wherein farmers present their first set of crops to the zamindars/landlords. So while it is a song of celebration sung at the end of a grueling harvest season rejoicing the bumper harvest, it has an underlay of sarcasm talking about how ‘we grow the crops and the benefit goes to someone else’! La Pongal’s Anthony teams up with Usha Uthup to perform a track that is mischievously highlighted by a Nadaswaram line rendering the perfect authentic touch.

Read the lyrics here:

Bharatha Mannu, Par Pukazh Mannu

Adi pattam, Thedi vidaithu

Bharatha Mannu, Par Pukazh Mannu

Veera Mannu, Vivasayam Mannu

Adi Pattam, Thedi Vidaithu

Ayyil Aruvadai Seyyum Mannu

Mannile Hey Hey

Ponnadippan Vivasayi Kannu

Avandane Hey Hey

Bharathathin Kannana Kannu

Avan Vervaithan Veraaga Valaravaikkum Vayilillai Nellu

Avan Illaiendral Ulagam Oru Udhavada Veenana Pullu

Vandiyile nellu varum, Vandiyile nellu varum

Vandiyile nellu varum, ammavukku

Vandiyile nellu varum

Anda vandinella oora vaikka, vandinella oora vaikka

Vaigai aathu thanni varum, ammaavukku vaigai aathu thanni varum

Bhoomi Engum Poovai Malara

Masa Illada Kaatru Venam

Daagam Theera Thamarai Malara

Masa Illada Thaneer Venam

Avadiyile Hey Hey

Anjurutham Adi Padiya Undu

Adan Koode Hey Hey

Vilaiyadathe Abathu Undu

Athu Athuvaga Irundalthan

Ellame Nandraga Irukkum

Illaiyendral Ellame Veraga Kidakkum

One Two

One Two Three Four

Gundaanila nellu varum, gundaanila nellu varum

Gundaanila nellu varum, ammaavukku gundaanila nellu varum

Anda gundaanella oora vekka, gundaanella oora vekka

Kollidathu thanni varum, ammaavukku kollidathu thanni varum

Vingyanam Mengyanam Ondraga Kalandalthan

Endrum Nyaanam Vilagum

Illena Nyanangal Edhukkum Udhavama

Velaikku Pechaga Irukkum

Naam Ondraga Kai Korpom

Ondraga Serndhiruppom

Naadum Veedum Kandraga

Ada Veyilveliye Porkkalamam

Kalavaiye Ayudhamam

Por Adippom Mellai Malaiyaga

Pottiyila nellu varum, pottiyila nellu varum

Pottiyila nellu varum, ammaavuku pottiyila nellu varum

Andha potti nella oora vekka, potti nella oora vekka

Poigai aathu thanni varum, ammaavukku poigai aathu thanni varum

Vandiyile

Bharatha Mannu, Parpukazh Mannu

Vandiyile

Ondraga Kai Korpom, Ondraga Serndhiruppom

Vandiyile Nellu Varum Nellu Varum

Vandiyile Nellu Varum

Bharatha Mannu, Bharatha Mannu

Vandi Nella Oora Vaikka

Vaigai Aathu Thanni Varum

Vandi Nella Oora Vaikka

Vaigai Aathu Thanni Varum

Vandiyile

Bharatha Mannu, Par pukazh Mannu

Bharatha Mannu

Vandiyile

Ondraga Kai Korpom Namma

Vandiyile Nellu Varum

Vandiyile

Vandiyile Nellu Varum

Vandiyile

Vandiyile Nellu Varum

Vandiyile Nellu Varum, Nellu Varum

Vandiyile Nellu Varum

Vandiyile Nellu Varum

Vandiyile Nellu Varum

Vandi Nella Oora Vaikka

Vandiyile Nellu Varum

Vandiyile Nellu Varum

Vaigai Athu Thanni Varum

CREDITS:

Composer: Traditional song, with additional parts by Shantanu Moitra.

Producer: Shantanu moitra

Language: Tamil

Lyrics: Traditional lyrics & Hari

Vocals: Usha Uthup & La Pongal

Drums: Samuel Gunasekar Alexander 

Bass: Darbuka Siva

Guitar: Vikram Vivekanand

Guitar: V. Pradeep Kumar

Nadaswaram: Rajashekhar

Tavail: T. Pichaikani

Accordion: Daniel B George

Recorded by: Steve Fitzmaurice, Ashish Manchanda (Flying Carpet Productions, Mumbai), assisted by Thorsten Muller

Mixed by Steve Fitzmaurice at the Pierce Rooms, London

Mastered by Bunt Stafford Clark at the Pierce Rooms, London