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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
Details
Azhagu Nila1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kattu kuyilukkum nattu kuyilukkumIt is said there is a wedding between the wild cuckoo and the town cuckoo
KalyanamamIt is a wedding, they say
Rendum koottaaga serndhuThe two will join together as a pair
Kudithanam seidhu kulavumaamSet up a household and live happily together
Male
Kattu kuyilukkum nattu kuyilukkumIt is said there is a wedding between the wild cuckoo and the town cuckoo
KalyanamamIt is a wedding, they say
Rendum koottaaga serndhuThe two will join together as a pair
Kudithanam seidhu kulavumaamSet up a household and live happily together
Female
Pooti irundha manakadhavaaiThe door of the heart that remained locked
Thirandhu kattudham kattu kuyilThe wild cuckoo opens and reveals
Pooti irundha manakadhavaaiThe door of the heart that remained locked
Thirandhu kattudham kattu kuyilThe wild cuckoo opens and reveals
Male
Adhu kattiya manasil than uruvaiIn that heart he built, her own reflection
Kandu kalikkutham nattu kuyilThe town cuckoo beholds and rejoices
Adhu kattiya manasil than uruvaiIn that heart he built, her own reflection
Kandu kalikkutham nattu kuyilThe town cuckoo beholds and rejoices
Female
Pattukku pattu paaduvadhilIn matching song with song
Padu suttiyaam andha nattu kuyilThat town cuckoo is very mischievous
Pattukku pattu paaduvadhilIn matching song with song
Padu suttiyaam andha nattu kuyilThat town cuckoo is very mischievous
Male :Yettikku potti pesuvadhilMale: In arguing back and forth in response
Eppodhum samarthaam kattu kuyilThe wild cuckoo is always very clever
KattukuyilWild cuckoo
Yettikku potti pesuvadhilIn arguing back and forth in response
Eppodhum samarthaam kattu kuyilThe wild cuckoo is always very clever
KattukuyilWild cuckoo
Female
Kattu kuyilukkum nattu kuyilukkumIt is said there is a wedding between the wild cuckoo and the town cuckoo
KalyanamamIt is a wedding, they say
Rendum koottaaga serndhuThe two will join together as a pair
Kudithanam seidhu kulavumaamSet up a household and live happily together

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'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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