Kala Kala Kalavena
From Koil Maniyosai · 1988
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- Gangai Amaran, K. S. Chitra
- Music director
- Gangai Amaran
- Details
- Koil Maniyosai1988
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kukkoo kukkoo… | Cuckoo cuckoo... |
| Kala kala kalavena kaaviri nadakkuthu | The river Cauvery flows with a cheerful gushing sound, |
| Kadhalan kai thoda kadalilae kalakkuthadi | And merges into the ocean at her lover's touch, my dear! |
| Kala kala kalavena kaaviri nadakkuthu | The river Cauvery flows with a cheerful gushing sound, |
| Kadhalan kai thoda kadalilae kalakkuthadi | And merges into the ocean at her lover's touch, my dear! |
| Female | |
| Neerum nilaththirkkum thirumanam nadakkuthu | A wedding is taking place between the water and the land, |
| Yaarukku maappillai yaarunnu therinthathadi | It is now clear who the groom is for whom, my dear! |
| Female | |
| Kala kala kalavena kaaviri nadakkuthu | The river Cauvery flows with a cheerful gushing sound, |
| Kadhalan kai thoda kadalilae kalakkuthadi | And merges into the ocean at her lover's touch, my dear! |
| Chorus | |
| Lulululululu…. | Lulululululu... |
| Vayalellaam paayum neeru…ooo… | The water flows across all the fields... |
| Neerillaa ellaam thaenu…mmm… | It is not just water, it is sweet like honey... |
| Thaena poloru neeum paayuthu | A river of honey flows along, |
| Thekku kaaththula thaalam poduthu hae hae hae | Keeping rhythm in the southern wind, hae hae hae. |
| Female | |
| Vaanaththula manja podi poosinathu yaaru | Who smeared turmeric powder across the sky? |
| Neththiyila pottu onnu vachchavaga yaaru | Who placed a bindi on the forehead? |
| Vaanaththula manja podi poosinathu yaaru | Who smeared turmeric powder across the sky? |
| Neththiyila pottu onnu vachchavaga yaaru | Who placed a bindi on the forehead? |
| Female | |
| Kodagu mala kaaththula | In the breeze coming from the Coorg hills, |
| Kuyilu saththam ketkkuthu | The voice of the cuckoo bird is heard. |
| Kuyilu saththam kettathum mayilu etti paakkuthu | Hearing the cuckoo's song, the peacock peeks out to look. |
| Kaadellaam poovaasam manasellaam santhosham | The entire forest smells of blossoms and the heart is filled with joy, |
| Maalai sooda yaenguthu…. | Longing to wear the wedding garland... |
| Female | |
| Kala kala kalavena kaaviri nadakkuthu | The river Cauvery flows with a cheerful gushing sound, |
| Kadhalan kai thoda kadalilae kalakkuthadi | And merges into the ocean at her lover's touch, my dear! |
| Neerum nilaththirkkum thirumanam nadakkuthu | A wedding is taking place between the water and the land, |
| Yaarukku maappillai yaarunnu therinthathadi | It is now clear who the groom is for whom, my dear! |
| Male | |
| Yaelaelaelo….yaelaelaelo…. | Yaelaelaelo....yaelaelaelo.... |
| Aththa maga antha pakkam yaelo yaelo yaelaelo | My cousin girl is over on that side, yaelo yaelo yaelo, |
| Ava machchaan naanum intha pakkaam yaelo yaelo yaelaelo | And I, her cousin, am on this side, yaelo yaelo yaelo. |
| Yaeththaththula pogum neeru eduththu sollu | O water flowing up the irrigation lift, tell her this, |
| Enakkoru thoodhu yaelo yaelo yaelaelo | Carry a message for me, yaelo yaelo yaelo. |
| Female | |
| Chittu rendu thottukkittu kattuthu oru paattu | Two little birds touch each other and compose a song, |
| Aththa maga nenju ippo sokkuthu adha kettu | Hearing it, my cousin's heart is now mesmerized. |
| Chittu rendu thottukkittu kattuthu oru paattu | Two little birds touch each other and compose a song, |
| Aththa maga nenju ippo sokkuthu adha kettu | Hearing it, my cousin's heart is now mesmerized. |
| Female | |
| Varappa vittu thaanduthu valarnthu vitta | The fully grown crop sapling |
| naaththuthaan | Leans beyond the ridge of the field, |
| Valachchu poda paakkuthu alaiyum therkku kaaththuthaan | And the wandering southern breeze tries to sweep it into an embrace. |
| Puriyaatha ila manasu ariyaatha siru vayasu | An innocent young heart at a tender, naive age, |
| Neram kaalam paakkuthu | Is waiting for the right moment and time. |
| Female | |
| Kala kala kalavena kaaviri nadakkuthu | The river Cauvery flows with a cheerful gushing sound, |
| Kadhalan kai thoda kadalilae kalakkuthadi | And merges into the ocean at her lover's touch, my dear! |
| Kala kala kalavena kaaviri nadakkuthu | The river Cauvery flows with a cheerful gushing sound, |
| Kadhalan kai thoda kadalilae kalakkuthadi | And merges into the ocean at her lover's touch, my dear! |
| Female | |
| Neerum nilaththirkkum thirumanam nadakkuthu | A wedding is taking place between the water and the land, |
| Yaarukku maappillai yaarunnu therinthathadi…. | It is now clear who the groom is for whom, my dear! |
| Yaarukku maappillai yaarunnu therinthathadi…. | It is now clear who the groom is for whom, my dear! |
குக்கூ குக்கூ....
கல கல கலவென காவிரி நடக்குது
காதலன் கைத் தொட கடலிலே கலக்குதடி
கல கல கலவென காவிரி நடக்குது
காதலன் கைத் தொட கடலிலே கலக்குதடி
Cuckoo cuckoo...
The river Cauvery flows with a cheerful gushing sound,
And merges into the ocean at her lover's touch, my dear!
The river Cauvery flows with a cheerful gushing sound,
And merges into the ocean at her lover's touch, my dear!
நீரும் நிலத்திற்கும் திருமணம் நடக்குது
யாருக்கு மாப்பிள்ளை யாருன்னு தெரிந்ததடி
A wedding is taking place between the water and the land,
It is now clear who the groom is for whom, my dear!
கல கல கலவென காவிரி நடக்குது
காதலன் கைத் தொட கடலிலே கலக்குதடி
The river Cauvery flows with a cheerful gushing sound,
And merges into the ocean at her lover's touch, my dear!
லுலுலுலுலு.......
வயலெல்லாம் பாயும் நீரு.......ஓஓஒ....
நீரில்ல எல்லாம் தேனு......ம்ம்ம்ம்.....
தேனப் போலொரு நீரும் பாயுது
தெக்கு காத்துல தாளம் போடுது ஹே ஹே ஹே
Lulululululu...
The water flows across all the fields...
It is not just water, it is sweet like honey...
A river of honey flows along,
Keeping rhythm in the southern wind, hae hae hae.
வானத்துல மஞ்சப் பொடி பூசினது யாரு
நெத்தியில பொட்டு ஒண்ணு வச்சவக யாரு
வானத்துல மஞ்சப் பொடி பூசினது யாரு
நெத்தியில பொட்டு ஒண்ணு வச்சவக யாரு
Who smeared turmeric powder across the sky?
Who placed a bindi on the forehead?
Who smeared turmeric powder across the sky?
Who placed a bindi on the forehead?
கொடகு மலக் காத்துல குயிலு சத்தம் கேட்குது
குயிலு சத்தம் கேட்டதும் மயிலு எட்டிப் பாக்குது
காடெல்லாம் பூவாசம் மனசெல்லாம் சந்தோஷம்
மாலை சூட ஏங்குது...
In the breeze coming from the Coorg hills,
The voice of the cuckoo bird is heard.
Hearing the cuckoo's song, the peacock peeks out to look.
The entire forest smells of blossoms and the heart is filled with joy,
Longing to wear the wedding garland...
கல கல கலவென காவிரி நடக்குது
காதலன் கைத் தொட கடலிலே கலக்குதடி
நீரும் நிலத்திற்கும் திருமணம் நடக்குது
யாருக்கு மாப்பிள்ளை யாருன்னு தெரிந்ததடி
The river Cauvery flows with a cheerful gushing sound,
And merges into the ocean at her lover's touch, my dear!
A wedding is taking place between the water and the land,
It is now clear who the groom is for whom, my dear!
ஏலேலேலோ....ஏலேலேலோ....
அத்த மக அந்தப் பக்கம் ஏலோஏலோஏலேலோ
அவ மச்சான் நானும் இந்தப் பக்கம் ஏலோஏலோஏலேலோ
ஏத்தத்துல போகும் நீரு எடுத்துச் சொல்லு
எனக்கொரு தூது ஏலோஏலோஏலேலோ
Yaelaelaelo....yaelaelaelo....
My cousin girl is over on that side, yaelo yaelo yaelo,
And I, her cousin, am on this side, yaelo yaelo yaelo.
O water flowing up the irrigation lift, tell her this,
Carry a message for me, yaelo yaelo yaelo.
சிட்டு ரெண்டு தொட்டுக்கிட்டு கட்டுது ஒரு பாட்டு
அத்த மக நெஞ்சு இப்போ சொக்குது அதக் கேட்டு
சிட்டு ரெண்டு தொட்டுக்கிட்டு கட்டுது ஒரு பாட்டு
அத்த மக நெஞ்சு இப்போ சொக்குது அதக் கேட்டு
Two little birds touch each other and compose a song,
Hearing it, my cousin's heart is now mesmerized.
Two little birds touch each other and compose a song,
Hearing it, my cousin's heart is now mesmerized.
வரப்ப விட்டு தாண்டுது வளர்ந்து விட்ட
நாத்துதான்
வளச்சு போடப் பாக்குது அலையும் தெற்கு காத்துதான்
புரியாத இள மனசு அறியாத சிறு வயசு
நேரம் காலம் பாக்குது
The fully grown crop sapling
Leans beyond the ridge of the field,
And the wandering southern breeze tries to sweep it into an embrace.
An innocent young heart at a tender, naive age,
Is waiting for the right moment and time.
கல கல கலவென காவிரி நடக்குது
காதலன் கைத் தொட கடலிலே கலக்குதடி
கல கல கலவென காவிரி நடக்குது
காதலன் கைத் தொட கடலிலே கலக்குதடி
The river Cauvery flows with a cheerful gushing sound,
And merges into the ocean at her lover's touch, my dear!
The river Cauvery flows with a cheerful gushing sound,
And merges into the ocean at her lover's touch, my dear!
நீரும் நிலத்திற்கும் திருமணம் நடக்குது
யாருக்கு மாப்பிள்ளை யாருன்னு தெரிந்ததடி
யாருக்கு மாப்பிள்ளை யாருன்னு தெரிந்ததடி....
A wedding is taking place between the water and the land,
It is now clear who the groom is for whom, my dear!
It is now clear who the groom is for whom, my dear!
Kukkoo kukkoo…
Cuckoo cuckoo...
Kala kala kalavena kaaviri nadakkuthu
The river Cauvery flows with a cheerful gushing sound,
Kadhalan kai thoda kadalilae kalakkuthadi
And merges into the ocean at her lover's touch, my dear!
Kala kala kalavena kaaviri nadakkuthu
The river Cauvery flows with a cheerful gushing sound,
Kadhalan kai thoda kadalilae kalakkuthadi
And merges into the ocean at her lover's touch, my dear!
Neerum nilaththirkkum thirumanam nadakkuthu
A wedding is taking place between the water and the land,
Yaarukku maappillai yaarunnu therinthathadi
It is now clear who the groom is for whom, my dear!
Kala kala kalavena kaaviri nadakkuthu
The river Cauvery flows with a cheerful gushing sound,
Kadhalan kai thoda kadalilae kalakkuthadi
And merges into the ocean at her lover's touch, my dear!
Lulululululu….
Lulululululu...
Vayalellaam paayum neeru…ooo…
The water flows across all the fields...
Neerillaa ellaam thaenu…mmm…
It is not just water, it is sweet like honey...
Thaena poloru neeum paayuthu
A river of honey flows along,
Thekku kaaththula thaalam poduthu hae hae hae
Keeping rhythm in the southern wind, hae hae hae.
Vaanaththula manja podi poosinathu yaaru
Who smeared turmeric powder across the sky?
Neththiyila pottu onnu vachchavaga yaaru
Who placed a bindi on the forehead?
Vaanaththula manja podi poosinathu yaaru
Who smeared turmeric powder across the sky?
Neththiyila pottu onnu vachchavaga yaaru
Who placed a bindi on the forehead?
Kodagu mala kaaththula
In the breeze coming from the Coorg hills,
Kuyilu saththam ketkkuthu
The voice of the cuckoo bird is heard.
Kuyilu saththam kettathum mayilu etti paakkuthu
Hearing the cuckoo's song, the peacock peeks out to look.
Kaadellaam poovaasam manasellaam santhosham
The entire forest smells of blossoms and the heart is filled with joy,
Maalai sooda yaenguthu….
Longing to wear the wedding garland...
Kala kala kalavena kaaviri nadakkuthu
The river Cauvery flows with a cheerful gushing sound,
Kadhalan kai thoda kadalilae kalakkuthadi
And merges into the ocean at her lover's touch, my dear!
Neerum nilaththirkkum thirumanam nadakkuthu
A wedding is taking place between the water and the land,
Yaarukku maappillai yaarunnu therinthathadi
It is now clear who the groom is for whom, my dear!
Yaelaelaelo….yaelaelaelo….
Yaelaelaelo....yaelaelaelo....
Aththa maga antha pakkam yaelo yaelo yaelaelo
My cousin girl is over on that side, yaelo yaelo yaelo,
Ava machchaan naanum intha pakkaam yaelo yaelo yaelaelo
And I, her cousin, am on this side, yaelo yaelo yaelo.
Yaeththaththula pogum neeru eduththu sollu
O water flowing up the irrigation lift, tell her this,
Enakkoru thoodhu yaelo yaelo yaelaelo
Carry a message for me, yaelo yaelo yaelo.
Chittu rendu thottukkittu kattuthu oru paattu
Two little birds touch each other and compose a song,
Aththa maga nenju ippo sokkuthu adha kettu
Hearing it, my cousin's heart is now mesmerized.
Chittu rendu thottukkittu kattuthu oru paattu
Two little birds touch each other and compose a song,
Aththa maga nenju ippo sokkuthu adha kettu
Hearing it, my cousin's heart is now mesmerized.
Varappa vittu thaanduthu valarnthu vitta
The fully grown crop sapling
naaththuthaan
Leans beyond the ridge of the field,
Valachchu poda paakkuthu alaiyum therkku kaaththuthaan
And the wandering southern breeze tries to sweep it into an embrace.
Puriyaatha ila manasu ariyaatha siru vayasu
An innocent young heart at a tender, naive age,
Neram kaalam paakkuthu
Is waiting for the right moment and time.
Kala kala kalavena kaaviri nadakkuthu
The river Cauvery flows with a cheerful gushing sound,
Kadhalan kai thoda kadalilae kalakkuthadi
And merges into the ocean at her lover's touch, my dear!
Kala kala kalavena kaaviri nadakkuthu
The river Cauvery flows with a cheerful gushing sound,
Kadhalan kai thoda kadalilae kalakkuthadi
And merges into the ocean at her lover's touch, my dear!
Neerum nilaththirkkum thirumanam nadakkuthu
A wedding is taking place between the water and the land,
Yaarukku maappillai yaarunnu therinthathadi….
It is now clear who the groom is for whom, my dear!
Yaarukku maappillai yaarunnu therinthathadi….
It is now clear who the groom is for whom, my dear!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Kala Kala Kalavena Kaaviri Nadakkuthu' uses rich imagery of nature and rural landscapes to depict the blossoming of romance between two young lovers. By comparing the journey of the river Cauvery merging into the ocean to a bride meeting her groom, the lyrics weave a deeply poetic parallel between human emotions and the elements of nature. The village setting, complete with flowing irrigation water, singing cuckoo birds, and gentle southern winds, serves as a backdrop to the hero's gentle yearning for his beloved cousin.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification
“Kala kala kalavena kaaviri nadakkuthu Kadhalan kai thoda kadalilae kalakkuthadi”
The river Cauvery is personified as a coy bride walking to meet and embrace her lover, the ocean.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Kala kala kalavena kaaviri nadakkuthu Kadhalan kai thoda...”
Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'K' (Kala, Kaaviri, Kadhalan, Kai, Kadalilae) across the lines.
Metaphor
“Vaanaththula manja podi poosinathu yaaru”
Comparing the golden hue of the sky during sunrise or sunset to turmeric powder applied on a woman's face.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by Gangai Amaran, this song showcases the traditional folk style of Tamil rural lyrics (Nattupura Paatu), which frequently uses natural phenomena—such as rivers, winds, and birds—as messengers of love.
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