Margamkali Song Lyrics [top]

In this article, we will explore the origins of Margamkali, provide a detailed look at its lyrical structure, present translated excerpts of authentic , and explain why these lyrics remain pivotal to Kerala’s cultural preservation.

“Margam idhu than margam” (This is the path, the only path) Chorus: “Hoy! Hoy! Hoy!!” (Martial cry) Leader: “Sleehakalude margam” (The path of the Apostles) Chorus: “Hoy! Hoy! Hoy!!” Margamkali Song Lyrics

The lyrics of Margamkali are not a singular poem but a collection of Padalukal (songs/verses) that narrate a chronological history. The structure is often compared to a historical chronicle or a ballad. The language is Manipravalam , a literary style that blends Malayalam and Sanskrit, characteristic of early Malayalam literature. In this article, we will explore the origins

The lyrics of Margamkali are the skeleton of its ritual. Unlike the free-flowing improvisation of many folk songs, Margamkali follows a strict, call-and-response structure led by a Asan (leader). The opening lyrics almost invariably invoke the divine trinity and the Virgin Mary, before specifically saluting “Mar Thoma Shleeha” (St. Thomas the Apostle). The famous opening lines, often sung with a swelling chorus, translate roughly to: “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit / We begin the dance of the way (Margam) / Come, let us go to the land of the Tamils / To plant the sign of the Cross.” This simple couplet encapsulates the entire ethos of the art form: it is a reenactment of a journey. The structure is often compared to a historical

Margamkali (meaning "Dance of the Way" or "Song of the Path") is a traditional group dance performed by the Syrian Christian community of Kerala. Its origin story is deeply religious: it is believed to have been composed by the 17th-century poet and scholar Arnold Pathiri (also known as Arnos Paathiri), a German-born Jesuit missionary who mastered Malayalam and wrote extensively about the life of St. Thomas.