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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Hey Oraiyiram

From Meendum Kokila · 1981

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Meendum Kokila1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kugu kukkukkukkuk koo…Coo-coo, cuckoo's call...
Kugu kukkukkukkuk koo…Coo-coo, cuckoo's call...
Kukkukkoo… kukkukkoo…Cuckoo's call... cuckoo's call...
Kukkukkoo… kukkukkoo…Cuckoo's call... cuckoo's call...
Kukkukkoo… kukkukkoo…Cuckoo's call... cuckoo's call...
Kukkukkoo… koo… koo…Cuckoo's call... coo... coo...
Male
Haei… haei haei oraayiramHey... hey hey, a thousand,
Haei haei oraayiramHey hey, a thousand,
Malargalae malarndhadhuA thousand flowers have bloomed!
Ulagilae sugamae idhu thaano haeiIs this truly the ultimate joy of the world? Hey!
Male
Haei oraayiramHey, a thousand,
Haei haei oraayiramHey hey, a thousand!
Male
Keezh vaanilae ilam sooriyanIn the eastern sky, the morning sun,
Thaerottamae kaanaRides like a grand chariot procession,
Male
Keezh vaanilae ilam sooriyanIn the eastern sky, the morning sun,
Thaerottamae kaanaRides like a grand chariot procession,
Vidikaalaiyin poondhendralilIn the gentle flower-scented breeze of dawn,
Naam kaanbadhu perinbamaeWhat we experience is pure divine bliss!
Engum pongum vannam kandenI saw vibrant colors overflowing everywhere,
Pudhumaiyae iyarkaiyai rasikkaadhoWon't even novelty itself admire nature's beauty?
Male
Haei haei oraayiramHey hey, a thousand,
Haei haei oraayiramHey hey, a thousand!
Male
Nee paarthadhum naan vandhadhumThe moment you looked and I arrived,
Thaenaanadhae vaazhvilLife turned as sweet as honey,
Male
Nee paarthadhum naan vandhadhumThe moment you looked and I arrived,
Thaenaanadhae vaazhvilLife turned as sweet as honey,
Ilanjodiyin vizhi jaadaiyilIn the subtle glances exchanged by the young couple,
Peraasaigal oru kodiyaeThere are ten million grand desires!
Angam minnum thangam kandenI saw shimmering gold in her form,
Ilamaiyae… inimaiyai rasikkaadhoWon't youth itself relish such sweet delight?
Male
Haei haei oraayiramHey hey, a thousand,
Haei haei oraayiramHey hey, a thousand!
Malargalae malarndhadhuA thousand flowers have bloomed!
Ulagilae sugamae idhu thaanoIs this truly the ultimate joy of the world?
Male
Haei haei oraayiramHey hey, a thousand,
Haei haei laalaala laa…Hey hey, la-la-la...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This vibrant romantic song from 'Meendum Kokila' celebrates the euphoria of love blooming in sync with nature at dawn. The track draws poetic parallels between the awakening of the morning sun, flower-laden breeze, overflowing colors, and the awakening of deep romantic desires in a young couple's heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia

Kugu kukkukkukkuk koo…

Imitates the natural calling sounds of cuckoo birds at dawn to set a pleasant, natural atmosphere.

Simile (Upamai)

Keezh vaanilae ilam sooriyan / Thaerottamae kaana

Compares the rising morning sun in the eastern sky to the grand procession of a temple chariot.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thaenaanadhae vaazhvil

Directly compares life's joy and emotional fulfillment to honey ('thaen').

Iyaipu (Rhyming end words)

Malargalae malarndhadhu / Ulagilae sugamae idhu thaano

Uses matching rhyming endings across lines to enhance the musical flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as unknown in the prompt, the soundtrack for 'Meendum Kokila' (1981) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki. The film starred Kamal Haasan and Sridevi in lead roles and features iconic lyrics by Panchu Arunachalam.

Keep listening

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