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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Kuyile Kuyile

From Manasellam · 2003

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singer
Karthik
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Manasellam2003

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Chinna kuyilae kuyilaeLittle cuckoo bird, cuckoo bird,
Kuralai enakku tharuvaayooWill you give me your voice?
Chinna kuyilae kuyilaeLittle cuckoo bird, cuckoo bird,
Kuralai enakku tharuvaayooWill you give me your voice?
Un kuralil pudhidhaaiIn your voice, afresh,
Paattu parisu tharuvaayooWill you give me a gift of song?
Male
Un isayaai ketpadhaalListening to your music,
Manam pudhiyadhaagudhaeMy heart feels renewed.
Yenna chiraghu viriyudhaeLook, wings are expanding,
Vaanil midhakkudhaeAnd floating in the sky!
Appadiyae vittu vidu …parandhu sellaLeave me just like that... to fly away,
Male
Kuyilae kuyilaeCuckoo bird, cuckoo bird,
Kuralai enakku tharuvaayooWill you give me your voice?
Un kuralil pudhidhaaiIn your voice, afresh,
Paattu parisu tharuvaayooWill you give me a gift of song?
Male
Yeththanaiyoo paithiyangalHow many mad lovers of music,
Isayilae ingu unduAre there here!
Un isayil piththu kondaObsessed with your music,
Ennaipola yevarundu…Who is there like me?
Male
Paatu katti mettu cholvaarThey compose songs and hum tunes,
Thannai thaanae thatti kolvaarPraising themselves on their own.
Kaththum kuyil viththaikoruFor the art of the calling cuckoo,
Arththam solla yaarundu…..Who is there to explain the meaning?
Male
Thevaiyillaadha osaigal ezhuppiMaking unnecessary noise,
Isaiyinai keduppaanaeThey ruin the music!
Porul ilaadha vaarthaigal ezhudhiWriting meaningless words,
Paattu endru solvaanaeThey call it a song!
Male
Isaimagalae varundha vendaamGoddess of music, do not grieve,
Ini undhan kaavalai vittuNow leaving your custody,
Parandhu sellaTo fly away,
Male
Kuyilae kuyilae …ae….Cuckoo bird, cuckoo bird... oh...
Chinna kuyilae kuyilaeLittle cuckoo bird, cuckoo bird,
Kuralai enakku tharuvaayooWill you give me your voice?
Un kuralil pudhidhaaiIn your voice, afresh,
Paattu parisu tharuvaayoo..hooWill you give me a gift of song?
Male
Aatrukkoru paadhaiyunduA river has a designated path,
Adhilum or jeevanunduAnd there is life in it too.
Thannudaiya paadhai thannaiIts own path,
Dhinam dhinam maatraadhuIt does not change day after day.
Male
Kaatrukullae naadham unduThere is music within the wind,
Adharkkum or nenjamunduIt too has a heart.
Vatri vitta ullangalinInto the ears of dried-up souls,
Kaadhugalil nuzhaiyaadhuIt does not enter.
Male
{Irukkindra pozhudhaiFor those who waste the time,
Izhakkindra perku} (2)That is given to them,
Illai oru nalla edhir kaalamThere is no good future.
Padikkindra kaalam padikka marandhaalIf you forget to learn during the time for learning,
Vaazhkaiyum thalai keezh maarumLife will turn upside down.
Male
Yedhai paarthum padikka vendumOne must learn from observing everything,
Pirakkum pudhu unarvuA new feeling is born,
Parakkum chinnaFlying little,
Male
Kuyilae kuyilaeCuckoo bird, cuckoo bird,
Kuralai enakku tharuvaayooWill you give me your voice?
Un kuralil pudhidhaaiIn your voice, afresh,
Paattu parisu tharuvaayooWill you give me a gift of song?
Male
Un isayaai ketpadhaalListening to your music,
Manam pudhiyadhaagudhaeMy heart feels renewed.
Yenna chiraghu viriyudhaeLook, wings are expanding,
Vaanil midhakkudhaeAnd floating in the sky!
Appadiyae vittu vidu …parandhu sellaLeave me just like that... to fly away,
Male
Kuyilae kuyilaeCuckoo bird, cuckoo bird,
Kuralai enakku tharuvaayooWill you give me your voice?
Un kuralil pudhidhaaiIn your voice, afresh,
Paattu parisu tharuvaayoo..hoo..Will you give me a gift of song?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Chinna Kuyilae from the film Manasellam is a soulful song where the singer addresses a cuckoo bird as the embodiment of pure music. The lyricist reflects on how true musical harmony renews the mind and gives one the sensation of soaring through the skies with wings spread wide. The song critiques superficial musicianship that lacks depth, urging the spirit of music to remain uncorrupted and free. The second movement imparts philosophical life advice using natural motifs. It compares life to a river that steadfastly stays on its path and the wind that carries hidden melodies. The lyrics emphasize the importance of valuing time, learning during youth, and observing nature to nurture a mindful, meaningful life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Apostrophe

Chinna kuyilae kuyilae / Kuralai enakku tharuvaayoo

Directly addressing an animal/bird (cuckoo) as a personified muse throughout the song.

Edhukai (Second-letter rhyme)

Paatu katti mettu cholvaar / Thannai thaanae thatti kolvaar

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'tt' across consecutive lines.

Personification

Kaatrukullae naadham undu / Adharkkum or nenjamundu

Attributing human feelings and a heart to the natural element of wind.

Metaphor

Yenna chiraghu viriyudhae / Vaanil midhakkudhae

Comparing the feeling of joy and liberation to growing wings and floating in the sky.

Did you know?

Trivia

Manasellam (2003) featured a memorable musical score composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Na. Muthukumar. The track showcases Na. Muthukumar's characteristic blend of nature imagery and gentle life philosophy.

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