உடுக்கை ஒலி ஒலிக்கUdukkai Oli Olikka — Lyrics & Meaning
A fierce Amman song in the Kali-Bhairavi tradition — as the udukkai drum sounds and the body trembles, Mother rises and runs to the devotee, dancing as the very fire of grace. With one hand the udukkai, with the other the flame; time is her rhythm, wind her speed; her sound itself is the mantra that rules the world.
The Story Behind This Song
The song has a powerful refrain: 'As the udukkai drum sounds and our very body trembles, Mother rises and comes, seeking us, running to give a crore blessings — my Mother graces us in dance.' In one hand she holds the udukkai, in the other the flame — she dances as the fire of grace itself. Time is her rhythm, wind is her speed; even Yama (the death-lord, Kalan) trembles at the sound of her footfall — and yet for those who bow at her feet, she watches over them for all time. She came as the formless (arupam) and stood as the form (svarupam); while Shiva dances on her right, crores of cosmoses tremble. For the wicked her eye-glance blazes sparks of fire; for those who call her 'Mother' as children do, the same eye-glance speaks tenderness. The song's second movement opens with the drum-syllables 'tham tham thagita thagita' and declares: the udukkai's sound is the mantra that rules the world, the mantra that rules the mind — recognise her as Ulagaththammai, Mother of the Universe. She embedded a spark in the unknowing heart, and the mind's maya was purified. When her feet touched earth and sky, they became sanctified — even the sound of her movement became Nada, the sacred sound itself.
Lyrics in Tamil & English Transliteration with Meaning
Meaning: (Pallavi) As the udukkai drum sounds and our body trembles — she rises and comes, seeking us; running to us to bestow a crore of blessings — my Mother dances and graces us.
Meaning: (Charanam 1) In one hand the udukkai, in the other the flame — dancing as the very fire of grace, you are the beginning and the end.
Meaning: (Pallavi returns) As the udukkai sounds and the body trembles — my Mother runs to us, dances and graces us.
Meaning: (Charanam 2) Time itself is your rhythm; the wind is your speed. The sound of your footfall even shakes Yama himself. If only we bow at your feet, she will watch over us for all time.
Meaning: (Charanam 3) You came as the formless, you stood as the svarupa — while Shiva dances at your right, crores of cosmoses and the whole universe tremble.
Meaning: (Pallavi returns) As the udukkai sounds and the body trembles — my Mother runs to us, dances and graces us.
Meaning: (Charanam 4) For the wicked, the movement of your eye blazes sparks of fire. But ah — for those who call you 'Mother' as children do, the movement of your eye speaks tenderness itself.
Meaning: (Drum-bridge) Tham tham thagita thagita — the syllables of the udukkai drum.
Meaning: (Pallavi 2) The mantra the udukkai speaks; the mantra that rules the world; the mantra that rules the mind — O my heart, realize her as Ulagaththammai, Mother of the Universe.
Meaning: (Charanam 5) Into the unknowing heart you embedded yourself as a spark — and the illusion of the mind became pure. O one who pours forth imperishable glory and the way of grace!
Meaning: (Charanam 6) When your feet touched earth and sky, they became sanctified. Even the sound of your very sway became Nada — the sacred sound itself.
Meaning: (Final Pallavi 2) The mantra the udukkai speaks; the mantra that rules the world; the mantra that rules the mind — O my heart, realize her as Ulagaththammai, Mother of the Universe.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the meaning of Udukkai Oli Olikka (உடுக்கை ஒலி ஒலிக்க)?
- A fierce Amman song in the Kali-Bhairavi tradition — as the udukkai drum sounds and the body trembles, Mother rises and runs to the devotee, dancing as the very fire of grace. With one hand the udukkai, with the other the flame; time is her rhythm, wind her speed; her sound itself is the mantra that rules the world.
- Who composed Udukkai Oli Olikka?
- Udukkai Oli Olikka (உடுக்கை ஒலி ஒலிக்க) was composed and written by RG Madanagopal (இரா.கோ.மதன்கோபால்), a Tamil devotional composer. It is an original Tamil devotional song dedicated to Amman (அம்மன்).
- When should Udukkai Oli Olikka be sung?
- Udukkai Oli Olikka is most auspiciously sung on Fridays — the day traditionally associated with Amman worship — and during navaratri, aadi.
- Where can I find the lyrics of Udukkai Oli Olikka in Tamil?
- The full lyrics of Udukkai Oli Olikka in Tamil script (உடுக்கை ஒலி ஒலிக்க), along with the English transliteration and verse-by-verse meaning, are available on this page above.
More Amman Songs
- ஆதியாய் நின்ற நாதனின் பாதியே — Aadhiyaai Nindra Naathanin Paadhiye
- கற்பனைக்கு எட்டாத இரகசியமே — Karpanaikku Ettatha Rahasiyamay
- அன்னையே காமாட்சி — Annaiyay Kamatchi
- ஆதியே அந்தமும் இல்லாத நாதனின் பாகையே — Aadhiyay Andhamum Illaatha Naathanin Paagaiyay
- அம்மா வர்றா — கிராமிய அம்மன் பாடல் — Amma Varra — Kiramiya Amman Padal
- இத்தலமே நின்ற நித்திலமே — Iththalamay Nindra Nithilamay
- பொய்கை மலையருகே — உதிரப்பட்டி அம்மன் — Poigai Malai Arugay — Uthirapatti Amman