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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaka Kaka

From Mahadevi · 1957

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
M. S. Rajeswari
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Mahadevi1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaaka kaaka mai kondaaCrow, crow, bring eye kohl
Kaadai kuruvi malar kondaaQuail bird, bring flowers
Pasuvae pasuvae paal kondaaCow, cow, bring milk
Pachai kizhiyae pazham kondaaGreen parrot, bring fruit
Female
Kaaka kaaka mai kondaaCrow, crow, bring eye kohl
Kaadai kuruvi malar kondaaQuail bird, bring flowers
Pasuvae pasuvae paal kondaaCow, cow, bring milk
Pachai kizhiyae pazham kondaaGreen parrot, bring fruit
Female
Uthama raja en kannuNoble king, my precious eye
Patharai maathu pasum ponnuPure like refined gold
Ullam magizhndhida vandhidungaCome so that hearts may rejoice
Udanae ellaam thandhidungaGive everything immediately
Uthama raja en kannuNoble king, my precious eye
Patharai maathu pasum ponnuPure like refined gold
Ullam magizhndhida vandhidungaCome so that hearts may rejoice
Udanae ellaam thandhidungaGive everything immediately
AaaaaaaaaaaaaaAaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Female
Pasuvae pasuvae paal kondaaCow, cow, bring milk
Pachai kizhiyae pazham kondaaGreen parrot, bring fruit
Kaaka kaaka mai kondaaCrow, crow, bring eye kohl
Kaadai kuruvi malar kondaaQuail bird, bring flowers
Pasuvae pasuvae paal kondaaCow, cow, bring milk
Pachai kizhiyae pazham kondaaGreen parrot, bring fruit
Female
Kallai kaiyaal thoda mattanHe will not touch a stone with his hand
Thollai thedum thara mattanHe will not give any trouble
Sollaal seyalaal ungalukkaeBy words and actions, for you all
Nallana ellaam seithiduvanHe will do all good things
Aa.aaaa..aa…Aa.aaaa..aa…
Female
Pasuvae pasuvae paal kondaaCow, cow, bring milk
Pachai kizhiyae pazham kondaaGreen parrot, bring fruit
Kaaka kaaka mai kondaaCrow, crow, bring eye kohl
Kaadai kuruvi malar kondaaQuail bird, bring flowers
Pasuvae pasuvae paal kondaaCow, cow, bring milk
Pachai kizhiyae pazham kondaaGreen parrot, bring fruit
Female
Sappida ungalai koopiduvaanHe will invite you to eat
Samarthaai avanum nadanthiduvaanHe will behave with wisdom and grace
Thoppil thuravil thoongaamalWithout sleeping in orchards or fields
Surukkaai koodi vandhidungaGather and come quickly
Sappida ungalai koopiduvaanHe will invite you to eat
Samarthaai avanum nadanthiduvaanHe will behave with wisdom and grace
Thoppil thuravil thoongaamalWithout sleeping in orchards or fields
Surukkaai koodi vandhidungaGather and come quickly
Aaaaaaaaaaaaa…Aaaaaaaaaaaaa…
Female
Pasuvae pasuvae paal kondaaCow, cow, bring milk
Pachai kizhiyae pazham kondaaGreen parrot, bring fruit
Kaaka kaaka mai kondaaCrow, crow, bring eye kohl
Kaadai kuruvi malar kondaaQuail bird, bring flowers
Pasuvae pasuvae paal kondaaCow, cow, bring milk
Pachai kizhiyae pazham kondaaGreen parrot, bring fruit

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This beloved play song and lullaby from the movie Mahadevi (1957) calls upon animals and birds—crows, quails, cows, and green parrots—to bring gifts like eye kohl, flowers, milk, and fruit to delight a noble child. The lyrics celebrate the child's purity, likening him to refined gold and praising his gentle demeanor.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition)

Kaaka kaaka mai kondaa

Words like 'Kaaka kaaka' and 'Pasuvae pasuvae' are repeated consecutively for rhythmic emphasis and child-like affection.

Uvamai (Metaphor/Simile)

Patharai maathu pasum ponnu

The line 'Patharai maathu pasum ponnu' compares the child's character to high-purity refined gold.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thoppil thuravil thoongaamal

Matching second consonants in 'Thoppil' and 'Surukkaai' creates phonetic harmony in the stanza.

Did you know?

Trivia

Singer M. S. Rajeswari was famous in Tamil cinema for her distinct, youthful voice, which made her the primary choice for singing child roles and lullabies throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

Keep listening

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