Kaaveri Meenadiyoo
From Alli · 1964
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Alli1964
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kaaveri meenadiyoo | You are like a fish in the Kaveri river, |
| Kaattukullae maanadiyoo | You are like a deer inside the forest, |
| Koovadha kuyiladiyoo | You are like a cuckoo that does not sing, |
| Kollimalai thaenadiyoo | You are like the honey from Kollimalai hills, |
| Hoo oo ooo hoo ooo | Hoo oo ooo hoo ooo |
| Male | |
| Thaa pullae | Come on girl |
| Yae pullae yae pullae engae porae | Hey girl, hey girl, where are you going? |
| Nee endha ooru mappillaiyai paarkka porae | Which town's groom are you going to see? |
| Yae pullae yae pullae engae porae | Hey girl, hey girl, where are you going? |
| Nee endha ooru mappillaiyai paarkka porae | Which town's groom are you going to see? |
| Yae pullae yae pullae yae pullae | Hey girl, hey girl, hey girl |
| Female | |
| Yae machaan yae machaan engae vaarae | Hey cousin, hey cousin, where are you coming? |
| Nee enna vaarthai pesikkittu ingae vaarae | What kind of words are you speaking as you come here? |
| Yae machaan yae machaan engae vaarae | Hey cousin, hey cousin, where are you coming? |
| Nee enna vaarthai pesikkittu ingae vaarae | What kind of words are you speaking as you come here? |
| Yae machaan yae machaan yae machaan | Hey cousin, hey cousin, hey cousin |
| Male | |
| {Aambala pol nadakkira | {You walk like a man, |
| Aadu pola muzhikkira | You stare like a sheep, |
| Aasaiyaaga paesa vandhaa kodhikkira} (2) | If I approach to speak with love, you boil with anger} |
| Female | |
| Pombalainga theruvilae | In the street where women walk, |
| Poga kuda mudiyalae | One cannot even pass through; |
| Pombalainga theruvilae | In the street where women walk, |
| Poga kuda mudiyalae | One cannot even pass through; |
| Ambala pol nadakalainaa | If I don't walk like a man, |
| Anbu thollai thaangalae thaangalae | I cannot bear the harassment of unwanted love! |
| Yae machaan machaan machaan | Hey cousin, cousin, cousin |
| Machaan machaan | Cousin, cousin |
| Male | |
| Yae maina maina maina | Hey Myna, Myna, Myna |
| Mainaa mainaa | Myna, Myna |
| Male | |
| Yae pullae yae pullae engae porae | Hey girl, hey girl, where are you going? |
| Female :Nee enna vaarthai pesikkittu ingae vaarae | Female: What kind of words are you speaking as you come here? |
| Yae machaan yae machaan yae machaan | Hey cousin, hey cousin, hey cousin |
| Male | |
| {Uruvam nalla uruvam thaan | {Your form is a fine form, |
| Paruvam nalla paruvam thaan | Your youth is a fine youth, |
| Oruthan kaiyil nee kedachaa | If you fall into someone's hands, |
| Karumbu thaan} (2) | You will be as sweet as sugarcane} |
| Female | |
| Inippu mikka karumbilae | In that sweet sugarcane, |
| Unakkum oru kannuthaan | You are just one node/eye, |
| Inippu mikka karumbilae | In that sweet sugarcane, |
| Unakkum oru kannuthaan | You are just one node/eye, |
| Innum konjam poga paarthu | As time goes by, |
| Naanum kooda virumbalaam virumbalaam | I too might begin to like you! |
| Male | |
| Yae maina maina maina | Hey Myna, Myna, Myna |
| Mainaa mainaa | Myna, Myna |
| Female | |
| Yae machaan machaan machaan | Hey cousin, cousin, cousin |
| Machaan machaan | Cousin, cousin |
| Male | |
| Yae pullae yae pullae engae porae | Hey girl, hey girl, where are you going? |
| Female :Nee enna vaarthai pesikkittu ingae vaarae | Female: What kind of words are you speaking as you come here? |
| Yae machaan yae machaan yae machaan | Hey cousin, hey cousin, hey cousin |
| Male | |
| {Aasaiyodu paarkkiren | {I look at you with desire, |
| Avasarama ketkkiren | I ask you urgently, |
| Aagattumunnu sonaa podhum | If you just say yes, that is enough, |
| Kaathu kidakkiren} (2) | I am waiting eagerly} |
| Female | |
| Indha ennam valarattum | Let this thought grow, |
| Innum konjam malarattum | Let it bloom a little more, |
| Indha ennam valarattum | Let this thought grow, |
| Innum konjam malarattum | Let it bloom a little more, |
| Indha kannu indha ponnai | Let these eyes, |
| Alli alli parugattum…parugattum | Drink in this girl deeply... drink in, |
| Male | |
| Yae maina maina maina | Hey Myna, Myna, Myna |
| Mainaa mainaa | Myna, Myna |
| Female | |
| Yae machaan machaan machaan | Hey cousin, cousin, cousin |
| Machaan machaan | Cousin, cousin |
| Male | |
| Yae pullae yae pullae engae porae | Hey girl, hey girl, where are you going? |
| Nee endha ooru mappillaiyai paarkka porae | Which town's groom are you going to see? |
| Female | |
| Yae machaan yae machaan engae vaarae | Hey cousin, hey cousin, where are you coming? |
| Nee enna vaarthai pesikkittu ingae vaarae | What kind of words are you speaking as you come here? |
| Female | |
| Yae machaan | Hey cousin |
| Male :Yae pullae | Male: Hey girl |
| Female :Yae machaan | Female: Hey cousin |
காவேரி மீனடியோ
காட்டுக்குள்ளே மானடியோ
கூவாத குயிலடியோ
கொல்லிமலைத் தேனடியோ
ஹோ ஓ ஓஒ ஹோ ஓஒ
You are like a fish in the Kaveri river,
You are like a deer inside the forest,
You are like a cuckoo that does not sing,
You are like the honey from Kollimalai hills,
Hoo oo ooo hoo ooo
தா புள்ளே
ஏ புள்ளே ஏ புள்ளே எங்கே போறே
நீ எந்த ஊரு மாப்பிள்ளையைப் பார்க்கப் போறே
ஏ புள்ளே ஏ புள்ளே எங்கே போறே
நீ எந்த ஊரு மாப்பிள்ளையைப் பார்க்கப் போறே
ஏ புள்ளே....... ஏ புள்ளே...... ஏ புள்ளே........
Come on girl
Hey girl, hey girl, where are you going?
Which town's groom are you going to see?
Hey girl, hey girl, where are you going?
Which town's groom are you going to see?
Hey girl, hey girl, hey girl
ஏ மச்சான் ஏ மச்சான் எங்கே வாறே
நீ என்ன வார்த்தை பேசிக்கிட்டு இங்கே வாரே
ஏ மச்சான் ஏ மச்சான் எங்கே வாரே
நீ என்ன வார்த்தை பேசிக்கிட்டு இங்கே வாறே
ஏ மச்சான்.......ஏ மச்சான்.........ஏ மச்சான்..........
Hey cousin, hey cousin, where are you coming?
What kind of words are you speaking as you come here?
Hey cousin, hey cousin, where are you coming?
What kind of words are you speaking as you come here?
Hey cousin, hey cousin, hey cousin
{ஆம்பள போல் நடக்கிற
ஆடு போல முழிக்கிற
ஆசையாகப் பேச வந்தா கொதிக்கிற} (2)
{You walk like a man,
You stare like a sheep,
If I approach to speak with love, you boil with anger}
பொம்பளைங்க தெருவிலே
போகக்கூட முடியலே
பொம்பளைங்க தெருவிலே
போகக்கூட முடியலே
ஆம்பள போல் நடக்கலேன்னா
அன்புத் தொல்லை தாங்கலே தாங்கலே
ஏ மச்சான் மச்சான் மச்சான்
மச்சான் மச்சான்
In the street where women walk,
One cannot even pass through;
In the street where women walk,
One cannot even pass through;
If I don't walk like a man,
I cannot bear the harassment of unwanted love!
Hey cousin, cousin, cousin
Cousin, cousin
ஏ மைனா மைனா மைனா....
மைனா மைனா....
Hey Myna, Myna, Myna
Myna, Myna
ஏ புள்ளே ஏ புள்ளே எங்கே போறே
நீ என்ன வார்த்தை பேசிக்கிட்டு இங்கே வாரே
ஏ மச்சான்.......ஏ மச்சான்.........ஏ மச்சான்......
Hey girl, hey girl, where are you going?
Female: What kind of words are you speaking as you come here?
Hey cousin, hey cousin, hey cousin
{உருவம் நல்ல உருவம்தான்
பருவம் நல்ல பருவந்தான்
ஒருத்தன் கையில் நீ கெடச்சா
கரும்புதான்} (2)
{Your form is a fine form,
Your youth is a fine youth,
If you fall into someone's hands,
You will be as sweet as sugarcane}
இனிப்பு மிக்க கரும்பிலே
உனக்கும்கூட கண்ணுதான்
இனிப்பு மிக்க கரும்பிலே
உனக்கும்கூட கண்ணுதான்
இன்னும் கொஞ்சம் போகப் பார்த்து
நானும் கூட விரும்பலாம் விரும்பலாம்
In that sweet sugarcane,
You are just one node/eye,
In that sweet sugarcane,
You are just one node/eye,
As time goes by,
I too might begin to like you!
ஏ மைனா மைனா மைனா....
மைனா மைனா....
Hey Myna, Myna, Myna
Myna, Myna
ஏ மச்சான் மச்சான் மச்சான்
மச்சான் மச்சான்
Hey cousin, cousin, cousin
Cousin, cousin
ஏ புள்ளே ஏ புள்ளே எங்கே போறே
நீ என்ன வார்த்தை பேசிக்கிட்டு இங்கே வாரே
ஏ மச்சான்.......ஏ மச்சான்.........ஏ மச்சான்......
Hey girl, hey girl, where are you going?
Female: What kind of words are you speaking as you come here?
Hey cousin, hey cousin, hey cousin
{ஆசையோடு பார்க்கிறேன்
அவசரமா கேக்கிறேன்
ஆகட்டுமுன்னு சொன்னாப் போதும்
காத்துக் கெடக்கிறேன்} (2)
{I look at you with desire,
I ask you urgently,
If you just say yes, that is enough,
I am waiting eagerly}
இந்த எண்ணம் வளரட்டும்
இன்னும் கொஞ்சம் மலரட்டும்
இந்த எண்ணம் வளரட்டும்
இன்னும் கொஞ்சம் மலரட்டும்
இந்தக் கண்ணு இந்தப் பொண்ணை
அள்ளி அள்ளிப் பருகட்டும் பருகட்டும்
Let this thought grow,
Let it bloom a little more,
Let this thought grow,
Let it bloom a little more,
Let these eyes,
Drink in this girl deeply... drink in,
ஏ மைனா மைனா மைனா....
மைனா மைனா....
Hey Myna, Myna, Myna
Myna, Myna
ஏ மச்சான் மச்சான் மச்சான்
மச்சான் மச்சான்
Hey cousin, cousin, cousin
Cousin, cousin
ஏ புள்ளே ஏ புள்ளே எங்கே போறே
நீ எந்த ஊரு மாப்பிள்ளையைப் பார்க்கப் போறே
Hey girl, hey girl, where are you going?
Which town's groom are you going to see?
ஏ மச்சான் ஏ மச்சான் எங்கே வாரே
நீ என்ன வார்த்தை பேசிக்கிட்டு இங்கே வாரே
Hey cousin, hey cousin, where are you coming?
What kind of words are you speaking as you come here?
ஏ மச்சான்
ஏ புள்ளே
ஏ மச்சான்
Hey cousin
Male: Hey girl
Female: Hey cousin
Kaaveri meenadiyoo
You are like a fish in the Kaveri river,
Kaattukullae maanadiyoo
You are like a deer inside the forest,
Koovadha kuyiladiyoo
You are like a cuckoo that does not sing,
Kollimalai thaenadiyoo
You are like the honey from Kollimalai hills,
Hoo oo ooo hoo ooo
Hoo oo ooo hoo ooo
Thaa pullae
Come on girl
Yae pullae yae pullae engae porae
Hey girl, hey girl, where are you going?
Nee endha ooru mappillaiyai paarkka porae
Which town's groom are you going to see?
Yae pullae yae pullae engae porae
Hey girl, hey girl, where are you going?
Nee endha ooru mappillaiyai paarkka porae
Which town's groom are you going to see?
Yae pullae yae pullae yae pullae
Hey girl, hey girl, hey girl
Yae machaan yae machaan engae vaarae
Hey cousin, hey cousin, where are you coming?
Nee enna vaarthai pesikkittu ingae vaarae
What kind of words are you speaking as you come here?
Yae machaan yae machaan engae vaarae
Hey cousin, hey cousin, where are you coming?
Nee enna vaarthai pesikkittu ingae vaarae
What kind of words are you speaking as you come here?
Yae machaan yae machaan yae machaan
Hey cousin, hey cousin, hey cousin
{Aambala pol nadakkira
{You walk like a man,
Aadu pola muzhikkira
You stare like a sheep,
Aasaiyaaga paesa vandhaa kodhikkira} (2)
If I approach to speak with love, you boil with anger}
Pombalainga theruvilae
In the street where women walk,
Poga kuda mudiyalae
One cannot even pass through;
Pombalainga theruvilae
In the street where women walk,
Poga kuda mudiyalae
One cannot even pass through;
Ambala pol nadakalainaa
If I don't walk like a man,
Anbu thollai thaangalae thaangalae
I cannot bear the harassment of unwanted love!
Yae machaan machaan machaan
Hey cousin, cousin, cousin
Machaan machaan
Cousin, cousin
Yae maina maina maina
Hey Myna, Myna, Myna
Mainaa mainaa
Myna, Myna
Yae pullae yae pullae engae porae
Hey girl, hey girl, where are you going?
Female :Nee enna vaarthai pesikkittu ingae vaarae
Female: What kind of words are you speaking as you come here?
Yae machaan yae machaan yae machaan
Hey cousin, hey cousin, hey cousin
{Uruvam nalla uruvam thaan
{Your form is a fine form,
Paruvam nalla paruvam thaan
Your youth is a fine youth,
Oruthan kaiyil nee kedachaa
If you fall into someone's hands,
Karumbu thaan} (2)
You will be as sweet as sugarcane}
Inippu mikka karumbilae
In that sweet sugarcane,
Unakkum oru kannuthaan
You are just one node/eye,
Inippu mikka karumbilae
In that sweet sugarcane,
Unakkum oru kannuthaan
You are just one node/eye,
Innum konjam poga paarthu
As time goes by,
Naanum kooda virumbalaam virumbalaam
I too might begin to like you!
Yae maina maina maina
Hey Myna, Myna, Myna
Mainaa mainaa
Myna, Myna
Yae machaan machaan machaan
Hey cousin, cousin, cousin
Machaan machaan
Cousin, cousin
Yae pullae yae pullae engae porae
Hey girl, hey girl, where are you going?
Female :Nee enna vaarthai pesikkittu ingae vaarae
Female: What kind of words are you speaking as you come here?
Yae machaan yae machaan yae machaan
Hey cousin, hey cousin, hey cousin
{Aasaiyodu paarkkiren
{I look at you with desire,
Avasarama ketkkiren
I ask you urgently,
Aagattumunnu sonaa podhum
If you just say yes, that is enough,
Kaathu kidakkiren} (2)
I am waiting eagerly}
Indha ennam valarattum
Let this thought grow,
Innum konjam malarattum
Let it bloom a little more,
Indha ennam valarattum
Let this thought grow,
Innum konjam malarattum
Let it bloom a little more,
Indha kannu indha ponnai
Let these eyes,
Alli alli parugattum…parugattum
Drink in this girl deeply... drink in,
Yae maina maina maina
Hey Myna, Myna, Myna
Mainaa mainaa
Myna, Myna
Yae machaan machaan machaan
Hey cousin, cousin, cousin
Machaan machaan
Cousin, cousin
Yae pullae yae pullae engae porae
Hey girl, hey girl, where are you going?
Nee endha ooru mappillaiyai paarkka porae
Which town's groom are you going to see?
Yae machaan yae machaan engae vaarae
Hey cousin, hey cousin, where are you coming?
Nee enna vaarthai pesikkittu ingae vaarae
What kind of words are you speaking as you come here?
Yae machaan
Hey cousin
Male :Yae pullae
Male: Hey girl
Female :Yae machaan
Female: Hey cousin
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful duet from the 1964 movie 'Alli' portrays a lively, romantic banter between a young man and a woman in a rural Tamil setting. The male protagonist showers her with poetic compliments—comparing her to the fish in Kaveri, a forest deer, and Kollimalai honey—while teasing her about her tough, masculine gait and fiery temper. The heroine cheekily defends her demeanor, explaining that she walks like a man to protect herself from nuisance suitors in the village. As their back-and-forth continues, teasing turns into mutual admiration. The hero openly expresses his romantic eagerness, while the heroine advises patience, asking him to let their feelings mature before surrendering to love. Poet Kannadasan masterfully captures traditional rural courtship banter filled with humor, charm, and vivid imagery.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Upamai (Simile)
“Kaaveri meenadiyoo / Kaattukullae maanadiyoo”
Compares the heroine's grace and traits to natural elements using 'adiyoo' / 'pola' (like a fish in Kaveri, like a deer in the forest).
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Kaaveri meenadiyoo / Kaattukullae maanadiyoo / Koovadha kuyiladiyoo / Kollimalai thaenadiyoo”
Repetition of the initial sound 'Kaa'/'Koo'/'Ko' across successive lines to create a rhythmic musical flow.
Uruvakam (Metaphor)
“Oruthan kaiyil nee kedachaa / Karumbu thaan”
Metaphorically equates the sweet youthful state of the lover to a sweet sugarcane ('Karumbu').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Alli' (1964) is a rare black-and-white Tamil film featuring lyrics penned by Kaviarasu Kannadasan. The track relies heavily on classic folk-style 'Sindu' rhythms and conversational phrasing typical of mid-20th-century Tamil village duets.
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