The (literally "Lullaby to Mother Mari") is an ancient Tamil devotional hymn traditionally sung at dusk in village temples to appease Goddess Mariamman, the South Indian deity of weather and healing . Unlike standard lullabies intended for infants, this folk-style song is designed to soothe the "ferocious" aspects of the Goddess, specifically during epidemics like smallpox . Structural Overview
We have no gold, only the copper that shines like your skin. We have no palace, only the shade of the banyan tree. Wake not from this lullaby, Amman. Wake only when the rain comes. Thaalelo, thaalelo, thaalelo.
“O Mariamman crowned with jasmine, The plagues that arrive are your offerings – sent to be slain.” mariamman thalattu english translation
In villages like Samayapuram (Tamil Nadu), the Thalattu is sung at midnight during the Mariamman Thiruvizha . The priest carries a Kumbam (copper pot with a lime and neem leaves). As he walks on fire (Theemithi), the chorus of women sing the Thalattu to prevent the fire from burning them. In English, this translates to: We sing a lullaby to the heat itself, begging it to be cool.
Mariamman, also known as Mariyamma or Mariamma, is a goddess worshipped in the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. She is often depicted as a fierce, goddess with a powerful presence, and is revered as a protector and healer. According to legend, Mariamman was a manifestation of the goddess Parvati, who took on a fierce form to combat the demon Muni. The goddess was said to have emerged from the earth, and her worship is believed to have originated in the Tamil region. The (literally "Lullaby to Mother Mari") is an
A bull with branching horns, a service of millet porridge, Copper betel leaves, and a red-colored pot.
Speak but her name—"Amman"—and she arrives at your door. She whose words are jasmine, whose smile is a strand of pearls, The mother of the maiden with the crescent-moon eyes (Parvati). We have no palace, only the shade of the banyan tree
Mariamman is revered as the "Mother of Rain" (from the Tamil word Mari , meaning rain). Devotees believe she controls the elements and health, particularly during the hot summer months in South India.
It preserves the geography of ancient Tamil Nadu, mentioning specific riverbanks and temple towns where her worship is prominent. How to Use This Post For Meditation:
: The lyrics often link Mariamman to other major Hindu deities, identifying her as the sister of Lord Vishnu (Krishna/Narayana) and the consort of Lord Shiva (as Parvati or Durga). English Translation of Key Verses