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Amman Kovil Kizhakale album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Chinnamani Kuyile

From Amman Kovil Kizhakale · 1986

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Amman Kovil Kizhakale
Movie release year
1986
Lyrics added on
11 Feb 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Chinna mani kuyilae
Mella varum mayilae…
Chinna mani kuyilae mella varum mayilae
Enghae un jodi naan poren thedi
Inghae un jodiyillaama kettaakaa badhilum sollaama
Kukkoovena koovuvadhen adi kanmani kanmani
Badhil sollu nee….. sollu nee….
Chinna mani kuyilae
Mella varum mayilae…
Nillaadha vaigaiyilae neeraada poghayilae
Sollaadha saigaiyilae nee jaada seigaiyilae
Kallaagi ponen naanum kan paarthaa aalaaven
Kaiserum kaalam vandhaa tholoodu tholaaven
Ulla ganathadhadi raagam paadi naalum thedi
Nee…eee adikadi anaikanum kanmani kanmani
Badhil sollu nee… sollu nee….
Chinna mani kuyilae mella varum mayilae
Enghae un jodi naan poren thedi
Inghae un jodiyillaama kettaakaa badhilum sollaama
Kukkoovena koovuvadhen adi kanmani kanmani
Badhil sollu nee….. sollu nee….
Pattu thuniyuduthi uchchi mudi thiruthi
Thottu adiyeduthu etti nadandha pulla
Un selaa kaathil aada en nenjum serndhaada
Un koondhal vaasam paathu en ennam koothaada
Maaraappu selaiyila noolapola naanirukka
Naan saamiya venduren kanmani kanmani
Badhil sollu nee… sollu nee…
Chinna mani kuyilae mella varum mayilae
Enghae un jodi naan poren thedi
Inghae un jodiyillaama kettaakaa badhilum sollaama
Kukkoovena koovuvadhen adi kanmani kanmani
Badhil sollu nee….. sollu nee….
Adi thannan naa thaanan naaa….
Naana…thannan naa thaanan naaa….
Little precious cuckoo,
peacock walking softly…
Little precious cuckoo, peacock walking softly,
where is your mate? I will go looking for them.
Without your mate beside you, and giving no reply when I ask,
why do you keep calling out "cuckoo", my sweetheart?
Give me an answer… tell me…
Little precious cuckoo,
peacock walking softly…
When you went to bathe in the flowing Vaigai river,
and teased me with unspoken gestures and subtle signs,
I froze like a stone; if you just look at me, I will come alive.
When the time comes for us to unite, I will stay shoulder to shoulder with you.
My heart has grown heavy, singing melodies and searching for you every day;
you must hold me close often, my sweetheart.
Give me an answer… tell me…
Little precious cuckoo, peacock walking softly,
where is your mate? I will go looking for them.
Without your mate beside you, and giving no reply when I ask,
why do you keep calling out "cuckoo", my sweetheart?
Give me an answer… tell me…
Dressed in fine silk clothes, neatly styling your hair,
you stepped forward and walked with grace, my girl.
As the edge of your sari sways in the breeze, my heart sways along,
and feeling the fragrance of your hair, my thoughts dance with joy.
To rest like a thread woven into the sari over your chest,
I am praying to God, my sweetheart.
Give me an answer… tell me…
Little precious cuckoo, peacock walking softly,
where is your mate? I will go looking for them.
Without your mate beside you, and giving no reply when I ask,
why do you keep calling out "cuckoo", my sweetheart?
Give me an answer… tell me…
Oh, thannan na thaanan naa…
Naanaa… thannan na thaanan naa…
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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From the same album

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View album
Un Paarvaiyil Oraayiram Male1986
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Oru Moonu Mudichaaley1986
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Namma Kada Veedhi1986
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Un Paarvaiyil Oraayiram1986
Amman Kovil KizhakaleRomantic
Poove Eduthu1986
Amman Kovil KizhakaleRomantic

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