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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Graamathula Kozhi Onnu

From Kalicharan · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, S. P. Shailaja
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Kalicharan1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Graamathula kozhi onnuA fowl in the village
Kooraile yeri ninnuStanding atop the thatched roof
Saamathula koovuthadiCrows at midnight
Kettaayaa varamattaayaaDid you hear it? Won't you come?
Female
Kokkarikkum seval onnuA rooster that clucks and crows
Vakkarikkum velai ithuThis is the time it claims its right
Sokkuratha naanarivenI know how you are getting mesmorized
Raasaave thodu rosaavaOh King, touch this rose
Male
Graamathula kozhi onnuA fowl in the village
Kooraile yeri ninnuStanding atop the thatched roof
Saamathula koovuthadiCrows at midnight
Kettaayaa varamattaayaaDid you hear it? Won't you come?
Female
Kokkarikkum seval onnuA rooster that clucks and crows
Vakkarikkum velai ithuThis is the time it claims its right
Sokkuratha naanarivenI know how you are getting mesmorized
Raasaave thodu rosaavaOh King, touch this rose
Male
Naan..I...
Kodaikkaala veyyil polathaanJust like the summer sun's heat
Ippa KaayurenAm scorching/basking now
Female
Naan..I...
Oada thanni oothu polathaanJust like the spring water from a stream
Vanthu paayurenCome and gush forth
Male
Graamathula kozhi onnuA fowl in the village
Kooraile yeri ninnuStanding atop the thatched roof
Saamathula koovuthadiCrows at midnight
Kettaayaa varamattaayaaDid you hear it? Won't you come?
Female
Kokkarikkum seval onnuA rooster that clucks and crows
Vakkarikkum velai ithuThis is the time it claims its right
Sokkuratha naanarivenI know how you are getting mesmorized
Raasaave thodu rosaavaOh King, touch this rose
Male
Koondhalile poo mudichiAdorning flowers in her braided hair
Koodathile paai virichiSpreading a woven mat in the hallway
Soodu yethuraShe is turning up the heat
Nee botha maathiraYou are an intoxicating pill
Female
Dhaavaniya nee pudikkaFor you to hold my half-saree
Laavaniya naan padikkaFor me to express my graceful charm
Paathu yenguraYou stare and yearn
Yen moochu vaanguraWhy are you gasping for breath?
Male
Ethukku paakkurenWhy am I staring?
TheriyaathaaDon't you know?
Athathaan kekkurenThat is what I am asking
PuriyathaaDon't you understand?
Female
Poruthaa kedaikkumIf you wait patiently, you will get it
Puthusaa kelungaAsk for something new!
Male
Graamathula kozhi onnuA fowl in the village
Kooraile yeri ninnuStanding atop the thatched roof
Saamathula koovuthadiCrows at midnight
Kettaayaa varamattaayaaDid you hear it? Won't you come?
Female
Kokkarikkum seval onnuA rooster that clucks and crows
Vakkarikkum velai ithuThis is the time it claims its right
Sokkuratha naanarivenI know how you are getting mesmorized
Raasaave thodu rosaavaOh King, touch this rose
Female
Kodai nilaa kaayuthayyaThe summer moon shines brightly
Sudu neruppaa paayuthayyaaIt rushes over like scorching fire
Enna kaaranam machaanWhat is the reason for this, my beloved?
Neeyum kooranumYou must tell me too
Male
Yekkamellaam manasukkulleAll the yearning kept bottled up
Thekki vecha payapullaInside the heart of this young man
Virakathaabam thaanIt is indeed romantic passion
Ippa velagum neranthaanNow is the time for it to be dispelled
Female
Analil vegurenI am burning in the heat
ThaniyaagaAll alone
Anilai thedurenI am searching for the warmth
KaniyaagaLike a sweet fruit
Male
Adiye kodiyeOh slender girl like a creeper vine
Anaithen naanthaanIt is I who embraced you
Male
Graamathula kozhi onnuA fowl in the village
Kooraile yeri ninnuStanding atop the thatched roof
Saamathula koovuthadiCrows at midnight
Kettaayaa varamattaayaaDid you hear it? Won't you come?
Female
Kokkarikkum seval onnuA rooster that clucks and crows
Vakkarikkum velai ithuThis is the time it claims its right
Sokkuratha naanarivenI know how you are getting mesmorized
Raasaave thodu rosaavaOh King, touch this rose
Male
Naan..I...
Kodaikkaala veyyil polathaanJust like the summer sun's heat
Ippa KaayurenAm scorching/basking now
Female
Naan..I...
Oada thanni oothu polathaanJust like the spring water from a stream
Vanthu paayurenCome and gush forth
Male
Hey graamathula kozhi onnuHey, a fowl in the village
Kooraile yeri ninnuStanding atop the thatched roof
Saamathula koovuthadiCrows at midnight
Kettaayaa varamattaayaaDid you hear it? Won't you come?
Female
Kokkarikkum seval onnuA rooster that clucks and crows
Vakkarikkum velai ithuThis is the time it claims its right
Sokkuratha naanarivenI know how you are getting mesmorized
Raasaave thodu rosaavaOh King, touch this rose

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Graamathula Kozhi Onnu' from the 1988 film Kalicharan is an upbeat, sensual rural folk duet that depicts a playful nocturnal exchange between two lovers. Utilizing quintessential Tamil village metaphors—such as a rooster crowing at midnight on a thatched roof, scorching summer heat, and flowing spring water—the song highlights the intense longing, passion, and tease shared by the hero and heroine.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai Ani (Simile)

Kodaikkaala veyyil polathaan / Oada thanni oothu polathaan

Uses 'polathaan' (like/as) to compare burning passion directly to the summer heat and running stream water.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Nee botha maathira

Metaphorically compares the lover to an intoxicating pill ('botha maathira').

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Raasaave thodu rosaava

The heroine refers to herself as a rose ('rosaava') waiting to be touched by her king ('raasaave').

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Koondhalile poo mudichi / Koodathile paai virichi

The second letter consonant sound 'ndh/d' rhymes between 'Koondhalile' and 'Koodathile'.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Soodu yethura / Nee botha maathira

Both lines end with matching rhyming suffixes ('yethura' / 'maathira').

Did you know?

Trivia

The music for 'Kalicharan' (1988) was composed by Chandrabose, a popular composer of the late 1980s known for delivering catchy folk and commercial tunes. Lyricist Vaali crafted this track with authentic rural dialect and playful wordplay, executed skillfully by playback singers Mano and S. P. Shailaja.

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