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/landloards. 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.

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

Lyrics:
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

Context:
This is a song from Tamil Nadu, South India, celebrating the Harvest Festival of "Pongal". It celebrates a period of opulence, fertility and joy throughout the region and thank the Gods for their kindness.

The Song:
For the farmer, land is the true wealth. He sows the seeds at the right time with care, and this soil rewards him. The fields become a goldmine and the bullock carts are laden with grain.

Nature responds to the care and nurturing we give it. Hence it's our responsibility to ensure that we keep our environment clean and pollution free.

This land is also a battlefield where the farmers have fought hard with their toil and perseverance. They've all worked hard together as one big family and now the land has given back the efforts in gold. Its time to celebrate as all the bullock carts and granaries are full to the brim, and their hard work has brought the land much progress.

Rejoice Friends, It's a time to celebrate the fertility of our beloved land...