Gaana Kuyile Sad
From Pooncholai · 1997
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Bhavatharani
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Pooncholai1997
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Hoo oo oo hoo …hooo hoo hoo oo | Hoo oo oo hoo …hooo hoo hoo oo |
| Male | |
| Gaana kuyilae | Oh singing cuckoo bird |
| Kan urakkam ponadhadi | My sleep has vanished, my dear |
| Kaadhal kavidhai | A love poem |
| Nenjezhudhi paadudhadi | My heart writes and sings, my dear |
| Kan imaigal moodumo | Will my eyelids ever close in sleep? |
| En kanmaniyai koodumo | Will I ever unite with my precious one? |
| Thendral thottu thoodhu sollammaa | Let the gentle breeze touch her and carry my message |
| Sollil vara thaamadhamaa oo | Why is there a delay in her reply? Oh |
| Nalla badhil vendumammaa | I need a good answer, my dear |
| Male | |
| Gaana kuyilae | Oh singing cuckoo bird |
| Kan urakkam ponadhadi | My sleep has vanished, my dear |
| Kaadhal kavidhai | A love poem |
| Nenjezhudhi paadudhadi | My heart writes and sings, my dear |
| Male | |
| Ezhai paavalan paadum paadalil | In the song sung by this poor poet |
| Yekkam kalandhadhadi kanmani | Longing is blended in, my dear |
| Koorai kudisaiyai maadam yerkkumo | Will a grand mansion accept a humble thatched hut? |
| Munnae saatchikku venmani | A bright jewel stands before us as a witness |
| Male | |
| Kaadhal raagathil kaanal varigalaa | Are these lines just a mirage in the melody of love? |
| Podhum andha sogam | Enough of that sorrow |
| Serum naeratthil podum anaiyilaa | Can any barrier stop us when the time to unite arrives? |
| Sindhai kalaindhu pogum | All anxieties will fade away |
| Naalai endru velai undu | There is a dawn called tomorrow |
| Nambikkaiyai kolla sollammaa | Tell her to hold on to hope |
| Naalai varum maalaiyammaa | The wedding garland will arrive tomorrow, my dear |
| Male | |
| Gaana kuyilae | Oh singing cuckoo bird |
| Kan urakkam ponadhadi | My sleep has vanished, my dear |
| Kaadhal kavidhai | A love poem |
| Nenjezhudhi paadudhadi | My heart writes and sings, my dear |
| Male | |
| Kamban maganukkum | To the son of the great poet Kamban |
| Mannan magalukkum | And to the daughter of the king |
| Kaadhal pirandhadhenna kaaranam | What was the reason love blossomed between them? |
| Female | |
| Sindhai muzhuvadhum | Across the entire mind |
| Jeevan muzhuvadhum | Across the entire soul |
| Serum ninaivu paripooranam | The merging memories reach total perfection |
| Male | |
| Unnil en manam ondraai kalandhadhu | My heart has merged into one with yours |
| Unmai aagidum dhegam | The body becomes the truth |
| Female | |
| Ennai un vasam endro koduthadhu | I surrendered myself into your possession long ago |
| Minnum kaadhal mogam | The glittering passion of love |
| Male | |
| Naalai ennum naalai enni | Counting each day leading to tomorrow |
| Nambikkaiyai kolla sollammaa | Tell her to hold on to hope |
| Nanmai vandhu koodumammaa | Goodness will surely come together, my dear |
| Female | |
| Gaana kuyilae | Oh singing cuckoo bird |
| Kan urakkam ponadhadi | My sleep has vanished, my dear |
| Kaadhal kavidhai | A love poem |
| Nenjezhudhi paadudhadi | My heart writes and sings, my dear |
| Male | |
| Kan imaigal moodumo | Will my eyelids ever close in sleep? |
| En kanmaniyai koodumo | Will I ever unite with my precious one? |
| Female | |
| Thendral thottu thoodhu sollammaa | Let the gentle breeze touch her and carry my message |
| Male | |
| Sollil vara thaamadhamaa oo | Why is there a delay in her reply? Oh |
| Nalla badhil vendumammaa | I need a good answer, my dear |
| Female | |
| Gaana kuyilae | Oh singing cuckoo bird |
| Kan urakkam ponadhadi | My sleep has vanished, my dear |
| Male | |
| Kaadhal kavidhai | A love poem |
| Nenjezhudhi paadudhadi | My heart writes and sings, my dear |
ஓ... ஓ... ஓ... ஓ... ஓ...
Hoo oo oo hoo …hooo hoo hoo oo
கானக் குயிலே கண் உறக்கம் போனதடி
காதல் கவிதை நெஞ்செழுதிப் பாடுதடி
கண் இமைகள் மூடுமோ
என் கண்மணியைக் கூடுமோ
தென்றல் தொட்டு தூது சொல்லம்மா
சொல்லில் வர தாமதமா ஓ
நல்ல பதில் வேண்டுமம்மா
Oh singing cuckoo bird
My sleep has vanished, my dear
A love poem
My heart writes and sings, my dear
Will my eyelids ever close in sleep?
Will I ever unite with my precious one?
Let the gentle breeze touch her and carry my message
Why is there a delay in her reply? Oh
I need a good answer, my dear
கானக் குயிலே கண் உறக்கம் போனதடி
காதல் கவிதை நெஞ்செழுதிப் பாடுதடி
Oh singing cuckoo bird
My sleep has vanished, my dear
A love poem
My heart writes and sings, my dear
ஏழைப் பாவலன் பாடும் பாடலில்
ஏக்கம் கலந்ததடி கண்மணி
கூரைக் குடிசையை மாடம் ஏற்குமோ
முன்னே சாட்சிக்கு வெண்மணி
காதல் ராகத்தில் கானல் வரிகளா
போதும் அந்த சோகம்
சேரும் நேரத்தில் போடும் அணையிலா
சிந்தை கலைந்து போகும்
நாளை என்று வேளை உண்டு
நம்பிக்கையை கொள்ளச் சொல்லம்மா
நாளை வரும் மாலையம்மா
In the song sung by this poor poet
Longing is blended in, my dear
Will a grand mansion accept a humble thatched hut?
A bright jewel stands before us as a witness
கானக் குயிலே கண் உறக்கம் போனதடி
காதல் கவிதை நெஞ்செழுதிப் பாடுதடி
Are these lines just a mirage in the melody of love?
Enough of that sorrow
Can any barrier stop us when the time to unite arrives?
All anxieties will fade away
There is a dawn called tomorrow
Tell her to hold on to hope
The wedding garland will arrive tomorrow, my dear
கம்பன் மகனுக்கும் மன்னன் மகளுக்கும்
காதல் பிறந்ததென்ன காரணம்
Oh singing cuckoo bird
My sleep has vanished, my dear
A love poem
My heart writes and sings, my dear
சிந்தை முழுவதும் ஜீவன் முழுவதும்
சேரும் நினைவு பரிபூரணம்
To the son of the great poet Kamban
And to the daughter of the king
What was the reason love blossomed between them?
உன்னில் என் மனம் ஒன்றாய் கலந்தது
உண்மை ஆகிடும் தேகம்
Across the entire mind
Across the entire soul
The merging memories reach total perfection
என்னை உன் வசம் என்றோ கொடுத்தது
மின்னும் காதல் மோகம்
My heart has merged into one with yours
The body becomes the truth
நாளை என்னும் நாளை எண்ணி
நம்பிக்கையை கொள்ளச் சொல்லம்மா
நன்மை வந்து கூடுமம்மா
I surrendered myself into your possession long ago
The glittering passion of love
கானக் குயிலே கண் உறக்கம் போனதடி
காதல் கவிதை நெஞ்செழுதிப் பாடுதடி
Counting each day leading to tomorrow
Tell her to hold on to hope
Goodness will surely come together, my dear
கண் இமைகள் மூடுமோ
என் கண்மணியைக் கூடுமோ
Oh singing cuckoo bird
My sleep has vanished, my dear
A love poem
My heart writes and sings, my dear
தென்றல் தொட்டு தூது சொல்லம்மா
Will my eyelids ever close in sleep?
Will I ever unite with my precious one?
சொல்லில் வர தாமதமா ஓ
நல்ல பதில் வேண்டுமம்மா
Let the gentle breeze touch her and carry my message
கானக் குயிலே கண் உறக்கம் போனதடி
காதல் கவிதை நெஞ்செழுதிப் பாடுதடி
Why is there a delay in her reply? Oh
I need a good answer, my dear
கண் இமைகள் மூடுமோ
என் கண்மணியைக் கூடுமோ
Oh singing cuckoo bird
My sleep has vanished, my dear
A love poem
My heart writes and sings, my dear
Hoo oo oo hoo …hooo hoo hoo oo
Hoo oo oo hoo …hooo hoo hoo oo
Gaana kuyilae
Oh singing cuckoo bird
Kan urakkam ponadhadi
My sleep has vanished, my dear
Kaadhal kavidhai
A love poem
Nenjezhudhi paadudhadi
My heart writes and sings, my dear
Kan imaigal moodumo
Will my eyelids ever close in sleep?
En kanmaniyai koodumo
Will I ever unite with my precious one?
Thendral thottu thoodhu sollammaa
Let the gentle breeze touch her and carry my message
Sollil vara thaamadhamaa oo
Why is there a delay in her reply? Oh
Nalla badhil vendumammaa
I need a good answer, my dear
Gaana kuyilae
Oh singing cuckoo bird
Kan urakkam ponadhadi
My sleep has vanished, my dear
Kaadhal kavidhai
A love poem
Nenjezhudhi paadudhadi
My heart writes and sings, my dear
Ezhai paavalan paadum paadalil
In the song sung by this poor poet
Yekkam kalandhadhadi kanmani
Longing is blended in, my dear
Koorai kudisaiyai maadam yerkkumo
Will a grand mansion accept a humble thatched hut?
Munnae saatchikku venmani
A bright jewel stands before us as a witness
Kaadhal raagathil kaanal varigalaa
Are these lines just a mirage in the melody of love?
Podhum andha sogam
Enough of that sorrow
Serum naeratthil podum anaiyilaa
Can any barrier stop us when the time to unite arrives?
Sindhai kalaindhu pogum
All anxieties will fade away
Naalai endru velai undu
There is a dawn called tomorrow
Nambikkaiyai kolla sollammaa
Tell her to hold on to hope
Naalai varum maalaiyammaa
The wedding garland will arrive tomorrow, my dear
Gaana kuyilae
Oh singing cuckoo bird
Kan urakkam ponadhadi
My sleep has vanished, my dear
Kaadhal kavidhai
A love poem
Nenjezhudhi paadudhadi
My heart writes and sings, my dear
Kamban maganukkum
To the son of the great poet Kamban
Mannan magalukkum
And to the daughter of the king
Kaadhal pirandhadhenna kaaranam
What was the reason love blossomed between them?
Sindhai muzhuvadhum
Across the entire mind
Jeevan muzhuvadhum
Across the entire soul
Serum ninaivu paripooranam
The merging memories reach total perfection
Unnil en manam ondraai kalandhadhu
My heart has merged into one with yours
Unmai aagidum dhegam
The body becomes the truth
Ennai un vasam endro koduthadhu
I surrendered myself into your possession long ago
Minnum kaadhal mogam
The glittering passion of love
Naalai ennum naalai enni
Counting each day leading to tomorrow
Nambikkaiyai kolla sollammaa
Tell her to hold on to hope
Nanmai vandhu koodumammaa
Goodness will surely come together, my dear
Gaana kuyilae
Oh singing cuckoo bird
Kan urakkam ponadhadi
My sleep has vanished, my dear
Kaadhal kavidhai
A love poem
Nenjezhudhi paadudhadi
My heart writes and sings, my dear
Kan imaigal moodumo
Will my eyelids ever close in sleep?
En kanmaniyai koodumo
Will I ever unite with my precious one?
Thendral thottu thoodhu sollammaa
Let the gentle breeze touch her and carry my message
Sollil vara thaamadhamaa oo
Why is there a delay in her reply? Oh
Nalla badhil vendumammaa
I need a good answer, my dear
Gaana kuyilae
Oh singing cuckoo bird
Kan urakkam ponadhadi
My sleep has vanished, my dear
Kaadhal kavidhai
A love poem
Nenjezhudhi paadudhadi
My heart writes and sings, my dear
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Gaana Kuyilae' is a poignant romantic song where the protagonist addresses a singing cuckoo bird, pleading with it to act as a messenger to convey his feelings to his beloved. Plagued by sleepless nights and intense longing, he pours his soul into poetic verses. He candidly acknowledges the social and economic divide between them—metaphorically questioning whether a grand mansion will ever accept a humble thatched hut—yet takes comfort in classical love legends like Ambikapathy (Kamban's son) and Princess Amaravathi, proving that true love transcends class and status. Despite the underlying sorrow, doubts, and societal hurdles, the song transitions into a message of optimism. He encourages his lover to hold on to hope, believing that time will break down all barriers and that a promising tomorrow will bring them together in a complete and blessed union.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Apostrophe (Personification)
“Gaana kuyilae”
Addressing the cuckoo bird as an empathetic listener and messenger for his love.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Koorai kudisaiyai maadam yerkkumo”
The poor protagonist compares himself to a thatched hut ('koorai kudisai') and his wealthy beloved to a mansion ('maadam').
Allusion (Historical / Literary)
“Kamban maganukkum / Mannan magalukkum”
Refers to the legendary historical romance between Ambikapathy (son of the poet Kamban) and Princess Amaravathi (daughter of King Kulothunga Chola).
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Kan imaigal moodumo / En kanmaniyai koodumo”
Both consecutive lines end with the rhyming suffix '-mo' ('moodumo' / 'koodumo').
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Naalai ennum naalai enni / Nambikkaiyai kolla sollammaa”
Repetition of the initial 'Na' / 'Na' sounds creating musical harmony.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Gaana Kuyilae' is from the movie 'Pooncholai' (1997). Although the user context listed the music director as unknown, the album was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, featuring lyrics by his brother Gangai Amaran. Despite the film remaining unreleased due to production difficulties, the soundtrack—particularly this melody—developed a cherished, cult status among Ilaiyaraaja aficionados.
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