Aalamarathu Kuyile
From Annan · 1999
- Lyricist
- Arivumathi
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Annan1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aalamarathu kuyilae kuyilae | Oh cuckoo of the banyan tree, cuckoo! |
| Thuna unakku irukka irukka | When you have support and companionship... |
| Female | |
| Aalamarathu kuyilae kuyilae | Oh cuckoo of the banyan tree, cuckoo! |
| Thuna unakku irukka irukka | When you have support and companionship... |
| Esa padikkum kuyilae kuyilae | Oh music-singing cuckoo, cuckoo! |
| Ena unakku irukka irukka | What do you lack when you have everything? |
| Female | |
| Nee sollu oru seidhi | Tell me one piece of news, |
| Engae irukku un jodi | Where is your partner? |
| Vekkatta vekkatta vetha paakku | Shall I serve betel nuts? |
| Oru vethala paakku | A set of betel leaf and nut, |
| Kattataa kattataa kalyaana paatu | Shall I compose a wedding song? |
| Nalla kalyaana paatu…… | A fine wedding song... |
| Male | |
| Aalamarathu kuyilae kuyilae | Oh cuckoo of the banyan tree, cuckoo! |
| Thuna unakku irukka irukka | When you have support and companionship... |
| Esa padikkum kuyilae kuyilae | Oh music-singing cuckoo, cuckoo! |
| Ena unakku irukka irukka | What do you lack when you have everything? |
| Male | |
| Pavala kallu mani irukkum | There are coral beads, |
| Palapalannu oli irukkum | Glowing with a sparkling light, |
| Paavai ival paarkkum vizhi oram | At the corner of this maiden's eyes. |
| Vaira kallu varisarukkum | There is a row of diamonds, |
| Valachilukkum vanappirukkum | With grace and elegance, |
| Vanji ival sirikkum idhazhoram | At the corner of this girl's smiling lips. |
| Male | |
| Silu silu kaathu adikutha | Is a cool breeze blowing gently? |
| Chiththira thaeru ooduthaa | Is the ornate Chithirai chariot running? |
| Sirumani sirichu kulungudhaa | Is the tiny bell jingling and laughing? |
| Siru kudam lesa thalumbudha | Is the small water pot brimming slightly? |
| Muthu charam poda | To drape a string of pearls, |
| Muthalanthu podu | Measure it first before laying it out, |
| Chiththiraiyil vantha nila | The moon that arrived in the month of Chithirai, |
| Heyy nee thaanae | Hey, is that you? |
| Female | |
| Aalamarathu kuyilae kuyilae | Oh cuckoo of the banyan tree, cuckoo! |
| Thuna unakku irukka irukka | When you have support and companionship... |
| Esa padikkum kuyilae kuyilae | Oh music-singing cuckoo, cuckoo! |
| Ena unakku irukka irukka | What do you lack when you have everything? |
| Female | |
| Kaappu katti karagam katti | Tying the protection thread and sacred Karagam, |
| Kaathirunthen kovililae | I waited in the temple. |
| Kakka vecha saamy nee thaana | Are you the deity that made me wait? |
| Thiri eduthu nei eduthu | Taking the wick and taking the ghee, |
| Velakku vechu kaathirunthen | Lighting the lamp, I waited. |
| Velicham thantha saamy nee thaana | Are you the deity that brought light? |
| Female | |
| Kalakala mani thaan adikutha | Is the cheerful bell ringing, |
| Kaathula kalakka thudikutha | Longing to mix into the wind? |
| Siru siru soodam eriyutha | Are tiny camphor flames burning, |
| Eriyura vegam puriyutha | Do you understand the intensity with which they burn? |
| Kovilukku munnae kolangala podu | Draw rangoli patterns in front of the temple, |
| Kolakkili koottodu hey koothadu | Hey sweet parrot, dance merrily with your flock! |
| Male | |
| Aalamarathu kuyilae kuyilae | Oh cuckoo of the banyan tree, cuckoo! |
| Thuna unakku irukka irukka | When you have support and companionship... |
| Esa padikkum kuyilae kuyilae | Oh music-singing cuckoo, cuckoo! |
| Ena unakku irukka irukka | What do you lack when you have everything? |
| Male | |
| Nee sollu oru seidhi | Tell me one piece of news, |
| Engae irukku un jodi | Where is your partner? |
| Vekkatta vekkatta vetha paakku | Shall I serve betel nuts? |
| Oru vethala paakku | A set of betel leaf and nut, |
| Kattataa kattataa kalyaana paatu | Shall I compose a wedding song? |
| Nalla kalyaana paatu…… | A fine wedding song... |
| Female | |
| Aalamarathu kuyilae kuyilae | Oh cuckoo of the banyan tree, cuckoo! |
| Thuna unakku irukka irukka | When you have support and companionship... |
| Esa padikkum kuyilae kuyilae | Oh music-singing cuckoo, cuckoo! |
| Ena unakku irukka irukka | What do you lack when you have everything? |
ஆல மரத்துக் குயிலே குயிலே
தொண ஒனக்கு இருக்கா இருக்கா
Oh cuckoo of the banyan tree, cuckoo!
When you have support and companionship...
ஆல மரத்துக் குயிலே குயிலே
தொண ஒனக்கு இருக்கா இருக்கா
எச படிக்கும் குயிலே குயிலே
எண ஒனக்கு இருக்கா இருக்கா
Oh cuckoo of the banyan tree, cuckoo!
When you have support and companionship...
Oh music-singing cuckoo, cuckoo!
What do you lack when you have everything?
நீ சொல்லு ஒரு சேதி
எங்கே இருக்கு ஓன் ஜோடி
வைக்கட்டா வைக்கட்டா
வெத்தலப் பாக்கு
ஒரு வெத்தலப் பாக்கு
கட்டட்டா கட்டட்டா
கல்யாணப் பாட்டு
நல்ல கல்யாணப் பாட்டு….
Tell me one piece of news,
Where is your partner?
Shall I serve betel nuts?
A set of betel leaf and nut,
Shall I compose a wedding song?
A fine wedding song...
ஆல மரத்துக் குயிலே குயிலே
தொண ஒனக்கு இருக்கா இருக்கா
எச படிக்கும் குயிலே குயிலே
எண ஒனக்கு இருக்கா இருக்கா
Oh cuckoo of the banyan tree, cuckoo!
When you have support and companionship...
Oh music-singing cuckoo, cuckoo!
What do you lack when you have everything?
பவளக் கல்லு மணி இருக்கும்
பள பளன்னு ஒளி இருக்கும்
பாவை இவள் பாக்கும் விழி ஓரம்
வைரக் கல்லு வரிசருக்கும்
வளச்சிழுக்கும் வனப்பிருக்கும்
வஞ்சி இவள் சிரிக்கும் இதழோரம்
There are coral beads,
Glowing with a sparkling light,
At the corner of this maiden's eyes.
There is a row of diamonds,
With grace and elegance,
At the corner of this girl's smiling lips.
சிலு சிலு காத்து அடிக்கிதா
சித்திரத் தேரு ஓடுதா
சிறுமணி சிரிச்சு குலுங்குதா
சிறு குடம் லேசா தளும்புதா
முத்துச் சரம் போட முத்தளந்து போடு
சித்திரையில் வந்த நிலா
ஹே நீ தானே..
Is a cool breeze blowing gently?
Is the ornate Chithirai chariot running?
Is the tiny bell jingling and laughing?
Is the small water pot brimming slightly?
To drape a string of pearls,
Measure it first before laying it out,
The moon that arrived in the month of Chithirai,
Hey, is that you?
ஆல மரத்துக் குயிலே குயிலே
தொண ஒனக்கு இருக்கா இருக்கா
எச படிக்கும் குயிலே குயிலே
எண ஒனக்கு இருக்கா இருக்கா
Oh cuckoo of the banyan tree, cuckoo!
When you have support and companionship...
Oh music-singing cuckoo, cuckoo!
What do you lack when you have everything?
காப்புக் கட்டி கரகம் கட்டி
காத்திருந்தேன் கோவிலிலே
காக்க வெச்ச சாமி நீ தானா
திரி எடுத்து நெய் எடுத்து
வெளக்கு வெச்சு காத்திருந்தேன்
வெளிச்சம் தந்த சாமி நீ தானா
Tying the protection thread and sacred Karagam,
I waited in the temple.
Are you the deity that made me wait?
Taking the wick and taking the ghee,
Lighting the lamp, I waited.
Are you the deity that brought light?
கலகல மணி தான் அடிக்குதா
காத்துல கலக்க துடிக்குதா
சிறு சிறு சூடம் எரியுதா
எரியிற வேகம் புரியுதா
கோவிலுக்கு முன்னே
கோலங்கள போடு
கோலக் கிளி கூட்டோடு
ஹே கூத்தாடு..
Is the cheerful bell ringing,
Longing to mix into the wind?
Are tiny camphor flames burning,
Do you understand the intensity with which they burn?
Draw rangoli patterns in front of the temple,
Hey sweet parrot, dance merrily with your flock!
ஆல மரத்துக் குயிலே குயிலே
தொண ஒனக்கு இருக்கா இருக்கா
எச படிக்கும் குயிலே குயிலே
எண ஒனக்கு இருக்கா இருக்கா
Oh cuckoo of the banyan tree, cuckoo!
When you have support and companionship...
Oh music-singing cuckoo, cuckoo!
What do you lack when you have everything?
நீ சொல்லு ஒரு சேதி
எங்கே இருக்கு ஓன் ஜோடி
வைக்கட்டா வைக்கட்டா
வெத்தலப் பாக்கு
ஒரு வெத்தலப் பாக்கு
கட்டட்டா கட்டட்டா
கல்யாணப் பாட்டு
நல்ல கல்யாணப் பாட்டு….
Tell me one piece of news,
Where is your partner?
Shall I serve betel nuts?
A set of betel leaf and nut,
Shall I compose a wedding song?
A fine wedding song...
ஆல மரத்துக் குயிலே குயிலே
தொண ஒனக்கு இருக்கா இருக்கா
எச படிக்கும் குயிலே குயிலே
எண ஒனக்கு இருக்கா இருக்கா
Oh cuckoo of the banyan tree, cuckoo!
When you have support and companionship...
Oh music-singing cuckoo, cuckoo!
What do you lack when you have everything?
Aalamarathu kuyilae kuyilae
Oh cuckoo of the banyan tree, cuckoo!
Thuna unakku irukka irukka
When you have support and companionship...
Aalamarathu kuyilae kuyilae
Oh cuckoo of the banyan tree, cuckoo!
Thuna unakku irukka irukka
When you have support and companionship...
Esa padikkum kuyilae kuyilae
Oh music-singing cuckoo, cuckoo!
Ena unakku irukka irukka
What do you lack when you have everything?
Nee sollu oru seidhi
Tell me one piece of news,
Engae irukku un jodi
Where is your partner?
Vekkatta vekkatta vetha paakku
Shall I serve betel nuts?
Oru vethala paakku
A set of betel leaf and nut,
Kattataa kattataa kalyaana paatu
Shall I compose a wedding song?
Nalla kalyaana paatu……
A fine wedding song...
Aalamarathu kuyilae kuyilae
Oh cuckoo of the banyan tree, cuckoo!
Thuna unakku irukka irukka
When you have support and companionship...
Esa padikkum kuyilae kuyilae
Oh music-singing cuckoo, cuckoo!
Ena unakku irukka irukka
What do you lack when you have everything?
Pavala kallu mani irukkum
There are coral beads,
Palapalannu oli irukkum
Glowing with a sparkling light,
Paavai ival paarkkum vizhi oram
At the corner of this maiden's eyes.
Vaira kallu varisarukkum
There is a row of diamonds,
Valachilukkum vanappirukkum
With grace and elegance,
Vanji ival sirikkum idhazhoram
At the corner of this girl's smiling lips.
Silu silu kaathu adikutha
Is a cool breeze blowing gently?
Chiththira thaeru ooduthaa
Is the ornate Chithirai chariot running?
Sirumani sirichu kulungudhaa
Is the tiny bell jingling and laughing?
Siru kudam lesa thalumbudha
Is the small water pot brimming slightly?
Muthu charam poda
To drape a string of pearls,
Muthalanthu podu
Measure it first before laying it out,
Chiththiraiyil vantha nila
The moon that arrived in the month of Chithirai,
Heyy nee thaanae
Hey, is that you?
Aalamarathu kuyilae kuyilae
Oh cuckoo of the banyan tree, cuckoo!
Thuna unakku irukka irukka
When you have support and companionship...
Esa padikkum kuyilae kuyilae
Oh music-singing cuckoo, cuckoo!
Ena unakku irukka irukka
What do you lack when you have everything?
Kaappu katti karagam katti
Tying the protection thread and sacred Karagam,
Kaathirunthen kovililae
I waited in the temple.
Kakka vecha saamy nee thaana
Are you the deity that made me wait?
Thiri eduthu nei eduthu
Taking the wick and taking the ghee,
Velakku vechu kaathirunthen
Lighting the lamp, I waited.
Velicham thantha saamy nee thaana
Are you the deity that brought light?
Kalakala mani thaan adikutha
Is the cheerful bell ringing,
Kaathula kalakka thudikutha
Longing to mix into the wind?
Siru siru soodam eriyutha
Are tiny camphor flames burning,
Eriyura vegam puriyutha
Do you understand the intensity with which they burn?
Kovilukku munnae kolangala podu
Draw rangoli patterns in front of the temple,
Kolakkili koottodu hey koothadu
Hey sweet parrot, dance merrily with your flock!
Aalamarathu kuyilae kuyilae
Oh cuckoo of the banyan tree, cuckoo!
Thuna unakku irukka irukka
When you have support and companionship...
Esa padikkum kuyilae kuyilae
Oh music-singing cuckoo, cuckoo!
Ena unakku irukka irukka
What do you lack when you have everything?
Nee sollu oru seidhi
Tell me one piece of news,
Engae irukku un jodi
Where is your partner?
Vekkatta vekkatta vetha paakku
Shall I serve betel nuts?
Oru vethala paakku
A set of betel leaf and nut,
Kattataa kattataa kalyaana paatu
Shall I compose a wedding song?
Nalla kalyaana paatu……
A fine wedding song...
Aalamarathu kuyilae kuyilae
Oh cuckoo of the banyan tree, cuckoo!
Thuna unakku irukka irukka
When you have support and companionship...
Esa padikkum kuyilae kuyilae
Oh music-singing cuckoo, cuckoo!
Ena unakku irukka irukka
What do you lack when you have everything?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This folk-infused romantic track uses the imagery of a cuckoo perched on a banyan tree to celebrate love, longing, and upcoming nuptials. The singer addresses the cuckoo and the beloved interchangeably, admiring her beauty through metaphors of coral beads, diamonds, and the Chithirai moon, while teasingly asking about her partner and proposing traditional wedding preparations like betel leaves and celebratory songs.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kaappu katti karagam katti / Kaathirunthen kovililae”
Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, such as 'Aalamarathu' and 'Thuna' or 'Kaappu' and 'Kaathirunthen'.
Monae (First-letter Alliteration)
“Pavala kallu mani irukkum / Palapalannu oli irukkum”
Matching initial consonant sounds within or across lines like 'Pavala' and 'Palapalannu'.
Metaphor / Imagery
“Paavai ival paarkkum vizhi oram / Vaira kallu varisarukkum”
Comparing the maiden's eyes and smile to coral, diamonds, and temple festivities.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song comes from the 1999 rural drama movie 'Annan' starring Ramarajan and Swathi. The film's soundtrack was composed by Deva, known for his rustic folk melodies and Gaana rhythms that captured the essence of rural Tamil Nadu.
Keep listening
More from Annan
Annan
Annan
Annan
Annan