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Lyrics & meaning

Hey Kiliyirukku

From Muthal Mariyathai · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Ilayaraja, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Muthal Mariyathai1985

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Ye..yee…Hey.. hey...
Ye kili irukku pazham irukku…uuuuHey, there is a parrot, there is a fruit...
Ye kili irukku pazham irukku..Hey, there is a parrot, there is a fruit...
Male
YeriChorus :Karai irukkuThere is a lake shore
Male :CholaChorus :Karudhu irukkuThere is an ear of sorghum grain
Male :Adi solaiChorus :Kuyil irukkuHey, there is a cuckoo in the grove
Male
Ye kiliirukku pazham irukku..Hey, there is a parrot, there is a fruit...
Male
YeriChorus :Karai irukkuThere is a lake shore
Male :CholaChorus :Karudhu irukkuThere is an ear of sorghum grain
Male :Adi solaiChorus :Kuyil irukkuHey, there is a cuckoo in the grove
Male
Adi payirukkullaHey, inside the lush crops
Paruva pullaA young maiden in her youth
Padhungi ninnuruchaamHad crouched and hidden, they say
Ava padhunga kanduSeeing her crouch and hide
Kuruvi renduA pair of sparrows
Odhungi ninnukichaamStepped aside and stood watching, they say
Male
Selaiyil sandhanamSandalwood paste on the saree
Vettiyil kungumamVermillion on the dhoti
Thottadhum ottikichaamStuck together as soon as they touched, they say
Ada maala varum munnaAh, even before the wedding garland arrived
Sola kili rendumThe two parrots of the grove
Maththalam kottikichaamBeat the wedding drums themselves, they say
Chorus
Thanadhana thandhanaThanadhana thandhana
Thandhana thandhanaThandhana thandhana
Thandhana thandhana naaThandhana thandhana naa
Thanadhana thandhanaThanadhana thandhana
Thandhana thandhanaThandhana thandhana
Thandhana thandhana naaThandhana thandhana naa
Female
Ohooo…aaaa…..Ohooo…aaaa…..
Ohooo….aaaa….Ohooo….aaaa….
Ohoo..aaaa…aaahaaa…aaa…Ohoo..aaaa…aaahaaa…aaa…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful folk song from the movie 'Muthal Mariyathai' celebrates rural romance through vibrant imagery of countryside nature. Using a lively call-and-response format between the male voice and chorus, the song lists elements of village life—parrots, ripe fruits, lake shores, ears of sorghum, and grove cuckoos—setting a lush, joyful backdrop.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

“Padhungi ninnuruchaam / Odhungi ninnukichaam / Thottadhum ottikichaam / Maththalam kottikichaam”

The repetitive ending suffix '-ichaam' / '-uchaam' creates a rhythmic, conversational, and storytelling rhythm typical of Tamil folk ballads.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Padhungi ninnuruchaam / Odhungi ninnukichaam”

The second consonant 'dhu' (டூ/து sound) in 'Pa-dhu-ngi' matches 'O-dhu-ngi', creating traditional Tamil phonetic harmony.

Metaphor / Cultural Imagery

“Selaiyil sandhanam / Vettiyil kungumam / Thottadhum ottikichaam”

Sandalwood (sandhanam) and vermillion (kungumam) represent purity and marital auspiciousness; their cross-staining on clothing serves as a metaphor for intimate physical union.

Personification

“Ava padhunga kandu / Kuruvi rendu / Odhungi ninnukichaam”

The pair of sparrows are personified as coy onlookers who step aside politely upon noticing the young woman hiding.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Muthal Mariyathai' (1985) is a landmark Tamil film directed by Bharathiraja, featuring music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vairamuthu. The song uses authentic folk rhythm structures and rural dialect, perfectly depicting the rustic village setting of the film.

Keep listening

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