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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinnamani Kuyile

From Amman Kovil Kizhakale · 1986

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Amman Kovil Kizhakale1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Chinna mani kuyilaeLittle gemstone-like cuckoo,
Mella varum mayilae…Peacock coming softly...
Male
Chinna mani kuyilae mella varum mayilaeLittle gemstone cuckoo, peacock coming softly,
Enghae un jodi naan poren thediWhere is your partner? I am going in search of them,
Inghae un jodiyillaama kettaakaa badhilum sollaamaHere without your partner, when asked without giving an answer,
Kukkoovena koovuvadhen adi kanmani kanmaniWhy do you sing 'kuckoo', my dear darling?
Badhil sollu nee….. sollu nee….Give me an answer... answer me...
Male
Chinna mani kuyilaeLittle gemstone cuckoo,
Mella varum mayilae…Peacock coming softly...
Male
Nillaadha vaigaiyilae neeraada poghayilaeWhile going to bathe in the restless Vaigai river,
Sollaadha saigaiyilae nee jaada seigaiyilaeThrough unspoken gestures, when you give winks and signals,
Kallaagi ponen naanum kan paarthaa aalaavenI turned into stone; if you look at me with love, I come alive,
Kaiserum kaalam vandhaa tholoodu tholaavenWhen the time comes for us to join hands, I will lean shoulder to shoulder,
Male
Ulla ganathadhadi raagam paadi naalum thediMy heart feels heavy, singing melodies, searching every day,
Nee…eee adikadi anaikanum kanmani kanmaniYou must embrace me frequently, my dear darling,
Badhil sollu nee… sollu nee….Give me an answer... answer me...
Male
Chinna mani kuyilae mella varum mayilaeLittle gemstone cuckoo, peacock coming softly,
Enghae un jodi naan poren thediWhere is your partner? I am going in search of them,
Inghae un jodiyillaama kettaakaa badhilum sollaamaHere without your partner, when asked without giving an answer,
Kukkoovena koovuvadhen adi kanmani kanmaniWhy do you sing 'kuckoo', my dear darling?
Badhil sollu nee….. sollu nee….Give me an answer... answer me...
Male
Pattu thuniyuduthi uchchi mudi thiruthiDressed in fine silk cloth, adjusting top hair,
Thottu adiyeduthu etti nadandha pullaTaking gentle steps and walking gracefully, my girl,
Un selaa kaathil aada en nenjum serndhaadaAs your saree pleats sway in the wind, my heart sways along,
Un koondhal vaasam paathu en ennam koothaadaExperiencing the fragrance of your hair, my mind dances with joy,
Male
Maaraappu selaiyila noolapola naanirukkaTo be like a thread woven in your shoulder veil,
Naan saamiya venduren kanmani kanmaniI pray to God, my dear darling,
Badhil sollu nee… sollu nee…Give me an answer... answer me...
Male
Chinna mani kuyilae mella varum mayilaeLittle gemstone cuckoo, peacock coming softly,
Enghae un jodi naan poren thediWhere is your partner? I am going in search of them,
Inghae un jodiyillaama kettaakaa badhilum sollaamaHere without your partner, when asked without giving an answer,
Kukkoovena koovuvadhen adi kanmani kanmaniWhy do you sing 'kuckoo', my dear darling?
Badhil sollu nee….. sollu nee….Give me an answer... answer me...
Male
Adi thannan naa thaanan naaa….Oh, thannan naa thaanan naaa...
Naana…thannan naa thaanan naaa….Naana...thannan naa thaanan naaa...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This iconic track from Amman Kovil Kizhakale expresses the playful yet deep romantic longings of the protagonist towards his beloved. Addressing her through nature metaphors like a cuckoo and a peacock, he affectionately teases her for being quiet and elusive while expressing his desire for her love and companionship. The verse imagery highlights her charm while bathing in the river Vaigai, her traditional silk attire, and graceful walk. He yearns for a union so close that he wishes to be like a thread in her saree, constantly praying for her affection and embrace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Chinna mani kuyilae mella varum mayilae

Addressing the beloved as a 'Chinna mani kuyil' (gemstone cuckoo) and 'Mella varum mayil' (softly treading peacock) to emphasize her beauty and grace.

Onomatopoeia (Oli Kurippu)

Kukkoovena koovuvadhen adi kanmani kanmani

Using the sound 'Kukkoovena' to mimic the call of a cuckoo bird.

Hyperbole / Imagery

Kallaagi ponen naanum kan paarthaa aalaaven

Expressing that he turned into stone from her silent gestures and becomes human/alive again just through her loving look.

Simile (Upama)

Maaraappu selaiyila noolapola naanirukka

Wishing to be clinging as close as a thread ('noolapola') inside her saree/veil.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the 1986 blockbuster film 'Amman Kovil Kizhakale' starring Vijayakanth and Radha, this song is renowned for its rich rural melody. It exists in memorable male and female solo renditions by K. J. Yesudas and S. Janaki respectively.

Keep listening

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