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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Endrum Vaana Veliyil

From Kelviyum Naane Bathilum Naane · 1982

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Unni Menon
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kelviyum Naane Bathilum Naane1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Haa…aaa…aa…aa…Ah…aaa…aa…aa…
Haa…aa…aa…haa…aa…aa…aa……Ah…aa…aa…haa…aa…aa…aa……
Endrum vaana veliyil isaikkum kuyil naanI am the cuckoo that forever sings in the expanse of the sky.
Endrum vaana veliyil isaikkum kuyil naanI am the cuckoo that forever sings in the expanse of the sky.
Malarum mullum malarumEven a thorn will blossom into a flower,
Kaniyum kallum kaniyumEven a stone will soften and ripen into fruit,
Vaazhum jeevan yaavum mayangumEvery living soul will be entranced.
Male
Endrum vaana veliyil isaikkum kuyil naanI am the cuckoo that forever sings in the expanse of the sky.
Male
Kutraala chaaral undu kundrathin thendral unduThere is the drizzle of Courtallam and the breeze of the hills,
Kutraala chaaral undu kundrathin thendral unduThere is the drizzle of Courtallam and the breeze of the hills,
Kombu thaen paalum undu yendhan isaiyilMy music also holds wild honey from high branches and sweet milk,
Ullathai alli selven paadal vazhiyaeI will steal away hearts through my song.
Endhan sandhamae andhamaeMy rhythm is pure beauty itself,
Ethikkum thithikkum athi pazhamaeLike a fig fruit that tastes sweet in every direction!
Male
Endrum vaana veliyil isaikkum kuyil naanI am the cuckoo that forever sings in the expanse of the sky.
Male
Raagathil thondrum pushpamA flower born out of melody,
Thaalathil seiyum sirpamA sculpture crafted from rhythm,
Raagathil thondrum pushpamA flower born out of melody,
Thaalathil seiyum sirpamA sculpture crafted from rhythm,
Baavathil kaanum bimbam geetham allavoIsn't music a reflection seen through deep emotion?
Paattukkul sorgam ellaam kootti varavoShall I bring forth all of heaven inside my song?
Dheivam vandhadhu kandadhuGod arrived and witnessed it,
Gaanathai njaanathai alli thandhadhuAnd generously bestowed the gift of music and wisdom!
Male
Endrum vaana veliyil isaikkum kuyil naanI am the cuckoo that forever sings in the expanse of the sky.
Endrum vaana veliyil isaikkum kuyil naanI am the cuckoo that forever sings in the expanse of the sky.
Chorus :La la la la la la la la la la la…..Chorus: La la la la la la la la la la la…..
Male :Malarum mullum malarumMale: Even a thorn will blossom into a flower,
Kaniyum kallum kaniyumEven a stone will soften and ripen into fruit,
Vaazhum jeevan yaavum mayangumEvery living soul will be entranced.
Male
Endrum vaana veliyil isaikkum kuyil naanI am the cuckoo that forever sings in the expanse of the sky.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song celebrates the sublime, transformative, and divine nature of music. The singer compares himself to a free-spirited cuckoo performing in the vast expanse of the open sky. Music is portrayed not merely as entertainment, but as a miracle capable of melting hard stones into soft fruit, turning sharp thorns into gentle blossoms, and mesmerizing all living beings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Endrum vaana veliyil isaikkum kuyil naan

The singer directly equates himself to a cuckoo bird singing in the vastness of the sky.

Muran (Antithesis)

Malarum mullum malarum / Kaniyum kallum kaniyum

Contradictory words like flower/thorn (malar/mul) and fruit/stone (kani/kal) are paired to highlight the miracle of music turning harshness into beauty.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Raagathil thondrum pushpam / Thaalathil seiyum sirpam

Musical notes (raagams) are envisioned as blooming flowers, and rhythms (thaalams) are metaphorically portrayed as sculpted artwork.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Dheivam vandhadhu kandadhu / Gaanathai njaanathai alli thandhadhu

The ending sounds 'kandadhu' and 'thandhadhu' create a harmonious rhythmic rhyme at the ends of consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by poet Vaali for the 1982 film 'Kelviyum Naane Bathilum Naane', the film's soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. The lyrics capture Vaali's signature poetic dexterity, weaving nature imagery with classic Tamil literary tropes to depict music as a divine blessing.

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