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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaana Karunkuyil

From Pandithurai · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Pandithurai1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaana karunguyilaeO black cuckoo of the forest
Kacherikku vaa vaaCome to the musical concert, come come
Kacheri vaikkaiyilaeWhen hosting the musical concert
Kann malarum poovaaWill the flower blossom like eyes?
Muthu polae mettu paadaTo sing a tune precious as pearls
Muthu malar katti podaTo bind together pearl-like flowers
Vandhenae..ae….I have arrived...
Male
Kaana karunguyilaeO black cuckoo of the forest
Kacherikku vaa vaaCome to the musical concert, come come
Kacheri vaikkaiyilaeWhen hosting the musical concert
Kann malarum poovaaWill the flower blossom like eyes?
Female
Thaenum paalum vembaa pochuHoney and milk tasted bitter as neem
Onna paatha naaluSince the day I laid eyes on you
Male :Dhoora ninnen nee thaanMale: You stood at a distance
Enna thoondi potta aaduAnd hooked me in like prey
Maadi veettu maanaaA deer worthy of a mansion
Koora veettil vaazhumLiving inside a thatched-roof house
Female
Veedu vaasal yaavumMy house and whole universe
Nee thaan endha naalumIs only you forever
Male
Maanam kaakkum sela polae…Like the saree that guards one's honor...
Female :Maaman vandhu koodum naalaeFemale: On the day my beloved comes to unite with me
Vekkam yerum melaeShyness rises up high
Male
Kaana karunguyilaeO black cuckoo of the forest
Kacherikku vaa vaaCome to the musical concert, come come
Kacheri vaikkaiyilaeWhen hosting the musical concert
Muthu polae mettu paadaTo sing a tune precious as pearls
Muthu malar katti podaTo bind together pearl-like flowers
Vandhaenae..ae…..I have arrived...
Female
Kaana karunguyilaeO black cuckoo of the forest
Kacherikku vaa vaaCome to the musical concert, come come
Kacheri vaikkaiyilaeWhen hosting the musical concert
Kann malarum poovaaWill the flower blossom like eyes?
Male
Sola kadhiru onnu selaA stalk of corn draped in a saree
Katti aadumSways and dances around
Female :Neela kuruvi vandhu maalaFemale: A blue bird will come
Katti podumAnd place a garland around us
Maaman manasukkullaInside my beloved's heart
Mottu vitten naan thaanI am the bud that blossomed
Male
Vaala vayasu pullaA young girl of prime youth
Vaarthai ellaam thaen thaanWhose words are as sweet as honey
Female
Paasam bandhamLove and sacred bond
Engae pogum…Where could it ever go...
Male :Ponaal theeyaai dhegam vegumMale: If it leaves, the body burns like fire
Theeraadhammaa mogamUnquenchable is this passion, my dear
Female
Kaana karunguyilaeO black cuckoo of the forest
Kacherikku vaa vaaCome to the musical concert, come come
Kacheri vaikkaiyilaeWhen hosting the musical concert
Kann malarum poovaaWill the flower blossom like eyes?
Male
Muthu polae mettu paadaTo sing a tune precious as pearls
Muthu malar katti podaTo bind together pearl-like flowers
Vandhaenae..ae…..I have arrived...
Male
Kaana karunguyilaeO black cuckoo of the forest
Kacherikku vaa vaa…aaa…Come to the musical concert, come come...
Female :Kacheri vaikkaiyilaeFemale: When hosting the musical concert
Kann malarum poovaaWill the flower blossom like eyes?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kaana karunguyilae is a vibrant romantic duet from the film Pandithurai (1992). The song uses rural folk metaphors of nature, music, and country life to depict two lovers expressing their affection and playful longing for one another. The cuckoo bird, sweet honey, blooming flowers, and corn stalks serve as imagery to illustrate their deep passion and anticipation for marriage and union. Through lyricist Vaali's evocative words, the lovers describe how their ordinary lives are transformed by love, comparing their emotional attachment to protective garments and burning flame. The duet balances cheerful festive rhythm with profound emotional intimacy, celebrating love rooted in rural tradition.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Muthu polae mettu paada

Compares singing a melodic tune to precious pearls ('Muthu polae mettu paada').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Sola kadhiru onnu sela

Refers to the maiden as a corn stalk dressed in a saree swaying in the wind ('Sola kadhiru onnu sela katti aadum').

Hyperbole (Adukyani)

Thaenum paalum vembaa pochu

Exaggerates sweetness by stating even milk and honey taste bitter like neem without the lover ('Thaenum paalum vembaa pochu').

Monai (Alliteration)

Muthu polae mettu paada

Repetition of initial consonants like 'Maadi' and 'Maanam' or 'Muthu' and 'Mettu' creating rhythmic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by the legendary Ilaiyaraaja and sung by Mano along with S. Janaki for the movie Pandithurai (1992), starring Prabhu and Kushboo.

Keep listening

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