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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Athikaalaiyil Sevalai

From Nee Varuvai Ena · 1999

Lyricist
Pa. Vijay
Singers
Unnikrishnan, Sujatha
Music director
S. A. Rajkumar
Details
Nee Varuvai Ena1999

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ahaaa…aaaa…..Ahaaa…aaaa…..
Male
Adhikaalaiyil sevalai eluppiWaking up the rooster early in the morning
Adhai koovendru sollugirenI tell it to crow
Kadigaarathai seekkiram thiruppiFast-forwarding the clock
Adhan vegathai minjugirenI overtake its speed
Male
Adhikaalaiyil sevalai eluppiWaking up the rooster early in the morning
Adhai koovendru sollugirenI tell it to crow
Kadigaarathai seekkiram thiruppiFast-forwarding the clock
Adhan vegathai minjugirenI overtake its speed
Male
Innum vaasalil kolathai kaanavilllaiStill, the kolam pattern is not seen at the doorstep
Un valaiyoli kolusugal ketkavillaiThe sound of your bangles and anklets is not heard
Yen thaamarai pookkavillaiWhy hasn't my lotus bloomed?
Male
Adhikaalaiyil sevalai eluppiWaking up the rooster early in the morning
Adhai koovendru sollugirenI tell it to crow
Kadigaarathai seekkiram thiruppiFast-forwarding the clock
Adhan vegathai minjugirenI overtake its speed
Chorus
Minnalgal rendu modha kandenI saw two lightnings collide
Vinmeengal pookkal thoova kandenI saw stars shower flowers
Aazhwargal pottri paada kandenI saw the Azhwars sing praises
Srirangan maarbil sera kandenI saw her join the chest of Lord Srirangan
Female
Kaalai pozhuthil kaadhal koodaathuLove shouldn't be forbidden in the morning
Chorus :Koodaathu ..Chorus: Shouldn't be forbidden..
Male :Kaadhal pozhuthil velai koodaathuMale: Work shouldn't be done during the time of love
Chorus :Koodaathu koodaathu ..Chorus: Shouldn't be, shouldn't be..
Male
Aasaiyil nenjam yenga koodaathuThe heart shouldn't yearn in longing
Chorus :Koodaathu ..Chorus: Shouldn't be..
Feamle :Anbin ellai thaanda koodaathuFemale: The boundaries of love shouldn't be crossed
Chorus :Koodaathu koodaathuChorus: Shouldn't be, shouldn't be
Male
Kovaikani idhazh mooda koodaathuLips red like ivy gourd shouldn't close
Koththum kiliyai thitta koodaathuThe pecking parrot shouldn't be scolded
Male
Anbae ennai kanavil koodaMy love, even in a dream
Marakka koodaathuYou shouldn't forget me
Female :Urangum podhum uyiraeFemale: My life, even while sleeping
Unnai piriya koodaathuI shouldn't be separated from you
Male
Adhikaalaiyil sevalai eluppiWaking up the rooster early in the morning
Adhai koovendru sollugirenI tell it to crow
Kadigaarathai seekkiram thiruppiFast-forwarding the clock
Adhan vegathai minjugirenI overtake its speed
Male
Malai thendral veesa koodaathuThe mountain breeze shouldn't blow
Chorus :KoodaathuChorus: Shouldn't
Female :Maanila sedhigal ketka koodaathuFemale: State news shouldn't be heard
Chorus :oodaathu koodaathuChorus: Shouldn't be, shouldn't be
Female
Sooriyan merkkai paarka koodaathuThe sun shouldn't look to the west
Chorus :KoodaathuChorus: Shouldn't
Male :Sooriya gandhiyum paarka koodaathuMale: Even the sunflower shouldn't look
Chorus :Koodaathu koodaathuChorus: Shouldn't be, shouldn't be
Female
Aalaya sangoli oodha koodaathuThe temple conch sound shouldn't be blown
Anju manikku pookkakkoodaathuFlowers shouldn't bloom at five o'clock
Female
Maalai endra sollai yaarumThe word 'evening', no one
Ninaikka koodaathuShould even think of
Male :Iravu endra sollaeMale: The word 'night' itself
Thamizhil irukka koodaathuShouldn't exist in Tamil
Female
Adhikaalaiyil sevalai eluppiWaking up the rooster early in the morning
Adhai koovendru sollugirenI tell it to crow
Kadigaarathai seekkiram thiruppiFast-forwarding the clock
Adhan vegathai minjugirenI overtake its speed
Female
En vaasalil kolathaiAt my doorstep, the kolam pattern
Varaindhadhu yaarWho drew it?
En valaiyoli kolusugal thirudiyathu yaarWho stole the sound of my bangles and anklets?
Iru vizhigalil kalanthathu yaarWho merged into my two eyes?
Male
Adhikaalaiyil sevalai eluppiWaking up the rooster early in the morning
Adhai koovendru kenjiyavanThe one who begged it to crow
Kadigaarathai seekkiram thiruppiFast-forwarding the clock
Adhan vegathai minjiyavanThe one who surpassed its speed

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Adhikaalaiyil Sevalai Eluppi' from the film Nee Varuvai Ena (1999) is a playful and romantic song expressing a lover's deep impatience and yearning for their beloved's arrival at dawn. The protagonist metaphorically wakes up the rooster early and attempts to outrun time itself, impatient for the morning light that brings the sight of their lover. Through vivid imagery, the lyrics play on hyperbolic desires—wishing to stop time, abolish the word 'night', and halt routine worldly events just to extend moments of love and togetherness. The duet playfully establishes a series of humorous 'rules' of love, where ordinary chores, sunset, and separation are forbidden, celebrating the overwhelming, joyfully impatient nature of true romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Hyperbole

Kadigaarathai seekkiram thiruppi / Adhan vegathai minjugiren

Exaggerating the ability to manually speed up a clock and outrun time to hurry dawn.

Metaphor

Kovaikani idhazh mooda koodaathu

Comparing the beloved's lips to the deep red ivy gourd (Kovaikani).

Refrain / Epiphora

Kaalai pozhuthil kaadhal koodaathu ... Velai koodaathu

Repetition of the word 'Koodaathu' (should not be) at the end of consecutive lines for rhythmic emphasis.

Anaphora

Adhikaalaiyil sevalai eluppi

Repetition of 'Adhikaalaiyil sevalai eluppi' across multiple stanzas to structure the song's primary motif.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Nee Varuvai Ena' (1999) features music composed by S. A. Rajkumar and lyrics by Pa. Vijay. The song is a fan-favorite romantic duet showcasing the playful romantic chemistry typical of late 90s Tamil cinema soundtracks.

Keep listening

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