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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaattu Kuyilukkum

From Azhagu Nila · 1962

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
P. Susheela, Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Azhagu Nila
Movie release year
1962
Lyrics added on
12 Apr 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kattu kuyilukkum nattu kuyilukkum
Kalyanamam
Rendum koottaaga serndhu
Kudithanam seidhu kulavumaam
Kattu kuyilukkum nattu kuyilukkum
Kalyanamam
Rendum koottaaga serndhu
Kudithanam seidhu kulavumaam
Pooti irundha manakadhavaai
Thirandhu kattudham kattu kuyil
Pooti irundha manakadhavaai
Thirandhu kattudham kattu kuyil
Adhu kattiya manasil than uruvai
Kandu kalikkutham nattu kuyil
Adhu kattiya manasil than uruvai
Kandu kalikkutham nattu kuyil
Pattukku pattu paaduvadhil
Padu suttiyaam andha nattu kuyil
Pattukku pattu paaduvadhil
Padu suttiyaam andha nattu kuyil
Male :Yettikku potti pesuvadhil
Eppodhum samarthaam kattu kuyil
Kattukuyil
Yettikku potti pesuvadhil
Eppodhum samarthaam kattu kuyil
Kattukuyil
Kattu kuyilukkum nattu kuyilukkum
Kalyanamam
Rendum koottaaga serndhu
Kudithanam seidhu kulavumaam
For the wild cuckoo and the village cuckoo,
it is said there is a wedding!
The two will join together as one,
set up a home, and live in joy.
For the wild cuckoo and the village cuckoo,
it is said there is a wedding!
The two will join together as one,
set up a home, and live in joy.
The door of its heart that remained locked,
the wild cuckoo opens and reveals.
The door of its heart that remained locked,
the wild cuckoo opens and reveals.
Seeing its own image in that loving heart,
the village cuckoo rejoices in delight.
Seeing its own image in that loving heart,
the village cuckoo rejoices in delight.
When it comes to singing song for song,
that village cuckoo is remarkably sharp!
When it comes to singing song for song,
that village cuckoo is remarkably sharp!
Male: In trading playful arguments,
the wild cuckoo is always clever!
The wild cuckoo!
In trading playful arguments,
the wild cuckoo is always clever!
The wild cuckoo!
For the wild cuckoo and the village cuckoo,
it is said there is a wedding!
The two will join together as one,
set up a home, and live in joy.
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Kattu Kuyilukkum Nattu Kuyilukkum' is a joyful allegorical duet from the 1962 Tamil film Azhagu Nila, featuring music by K. V. Mahadevan and lyrics by A. Maruthakasi. The song playfully compares the hero and heroine to a wild forest cuckoo ('kattu kuyil') and a country or town cuckoo ('nattu kuyil') who are uniting in marriage to set up a happy domestic life together. Through lighthearted teasing and melodic banter, the lovers describe how they unlock each other's hearts and admire each other's cleverness. The wild cuckoo opens the locked doors of love, while the town cuckoo delights in seeing her image in his heart, leading to a playful competition of songs and witty arguments that highlight their mutual affection and harmony.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

“Kattu kuyilukkum nattu kuyilukkum”

Comparing the hero and heroine to a 'wild cuckoo' (kattu kuyil) and a 'town cuckoo' (nattu kuyil) allegorizes their nature and playful relationship.

Edhugai (எதுகை - Second Letter Rhyme)

“Kattu kuyilukkum nattu kuyilukkum”

The second consonant 'tt' (ட்) matches between 'Kattu' and 'Nattu', creating rhythm and musicality.

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

“Pooti irundha manakadhavaai”

'Mana kadhavu' (door of the heart/mind) is used as a metaphor for opening emotional intimacy.

Moonaai (மோனை - Alliteration)

“Pattukku pattu paaduvadhil / Padu suttiyaam andha nattu kuyil”

Repetition of the 'P' sound at the beginning of words ('Pattukku', 'pattu', 'paaduvadhil', 'Padu') adds melodic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Azhagu Nila (1962) featured legendary composer K. V. Mahadevan's signature folk-infused classical melodies. The song stands out for the delightful vocal chemistry between Seerkazhi Govindarajan and P. Susheela, two iconic playback singers of Golden Age Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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From the same album

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