Pattammaal was one of the earliest Carnatic musicians to sing in films, and was introduced in this medium by Paapanaasam Sivan. Although she received many offers to sing for films, she only accepted those that involved devotional or patriotic songs, and declined offers to sing romantic songs. The first film Pattammaal sang in was "Thyaagabhoomi" (1939). A scene, towards the end of the film, showed a group of freedom fighters marching in a procession, carrying the Indian National Congress party flag, with "Desa Sevai Seyya Vaareer" being sung by Pattammaal in the background. The song, written by Kalki (R. Krishnamurthy) and tuned by Paapanaasam Sivan, highlighted the Freedom Movement and invited people to join. The fame that the film and the song generated led to both being banned by the British government.