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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaalai Naera Poonguyil

From Amman Kovil Kizhakale · 1986

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Amman Kovil Kizhakale1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaahaaa…aaaahaa..aaaaaa..aaaaaAah... Aah... Aaah...
Female
Kaalai naera poonghuyil kavidhai paada poghudhuThe morning flower-cuckoo is about to sing a poem.
Kalaindhu poghum meghangal gavanamaagha ketkudhuThe scattering clouds are listening attentively.
Ketta paadal kaattrilae… kelviyaaga poghumo…Will the song heard in the wind turn into a question?
Yenghae un raagham swaram…aaaahaaaaa…..Where are your melody and notes... Aaahaa...
Female
Kaalai naera poonghuyil kavidhai paada poghudhuThe morning flower-cuckoo is about to sing a poem.
Female
Medai podum pournami aadi paadum orr nadhiThe full moon creates a stage, and a river dances and sings.
Medai podum pournami aadi paadum orr nadhiThe full moon creates a stage, and a river dances and sings.
Female
Vella oliyinil meghalaiIn the flood of light, like a waist ornament,
Mella mayanghudhu yen nilaiMy mind slowly gets enchanted.
Pudhiya megham kavidhai paadumA new cloud will sing poetry.
Pudhiya megham kavidhai paadumA new cloud will sing poetry.
Female
Bhoopaalam paadaamal yendhan kaalaiEven without singing the morning raga Bhoopaalam, my morning,
Thondrum yennaalum………..Appears every single day...
Female
Kaalai naera poonghuyil kavidhai paada poghudhuThe morning flower-cuckoo is about to sing a poem.
Kalaindhu poghum meghangal gavanamaagha ketkudhuThe scattering clouds are listening attentively.
Male
Ilamai yennum moghanamYouth is like the enchanting raga Mohanam,
Inaindhu paadum yen manamMy heart joins in and sings along.
Female
Ilamai yennum moghanamYouth is like the enchanting raga Mohanam,
Inaindhu paadum yen manamMy heart joins in and sings along.
Male
Pattu virithadhu pulveli…The grassy field spreads out like silk...
Female
Pattu theriththadhu vinnoli..The heavenly light sparkles like silk...
Male
Dhinamum paadum yenadhu paadalMy song that is sung every day,
Dhinamum paadum yenadhu paadalMy song that is sung every day,
Male
Kaattrodum aattrodum indrum yendrumWith the wind and with the river, today and forever,
Ketkkum yendrendrum…..Will be heard for eternity...
Female
Kaalai naera poonghuyilThe morning flower-cuckoo,
Male
Kavidhai paada poghudhuIs about to sing a poem.
Female
Kalaindhu poghum meghangalThe scattering clouds,
Male
Gavanamaagha ketkudhuAre listening attentively.
Female
Ketta paadal kaattrilae….The song heard in the wind...
Male
Kelviyaaga poghumoWill it turn into a question?
Female
Yenghae..Male :Un raaghamWhere... Male: Your melody,
Female
Swaramm…Male :Aaahaaaaaa….Notes... Male: Aaahaa...
Male
Kaalai naera poonghuyil kavidhai paada poghudhu..The morning flower-cuckoo is about to sing a poem..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a serene and poetic tribute to nature, morning beauty, and romantic yearning. The singer compares herself to a cuckoo bird singing poetry in the dawn, while elements of nature like drifting clouds, dancing rivers, and silk-like grasslands stop to listen. The lyrics blend musical imagery—such as the morning raga Bhoopaalam and the enchanting Mohanam—with an underlying grief and longing, questioning if her heartfelt song will remain unanswered in the wind.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Kalaindhu poghum meghangal gavanamaagha ketkudhu

Assigning human actions like listening and dancing to clouds and rivers ('Kalaindhu poghum meghangal gavanamaagha ketkudhu', 'aadi paadum orr nadhi').

Metaphor

Ilamai yennum moghanam

Comparing youth to the captivating musical raga Mohanam ('Ilamai yennum moghanam').

Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Ilamai yennum moghanam / Inaindhu paadum yen manam

The second letter consonant match creates rhythmic harmony in Tamil poetry ('Ilamai' and 'Inaindhu').

Monaai (First Letter Alliteration)

Ketta paadal kaattrilae… kelviyaaga poghumo…

Repetition of the initial sound ('Ketta' and 'Kelviyaaga') for melodic emphasis.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the prompt header lists the music director and singers as unknown, 'Kaalai Naera Poonghuyil' from Amman Kovil Kizhakale (1986) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung primarily by S. Janaki. The film stars Vijayakanth and Radha and features a iconic soundtrack that earned Ilaiyaraaja a Filmfare Award for Best Music Director - Tamil.

Keep listening

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