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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalyan Raman Kookkoo

From Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo · 1981

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Hei….hae…you come onHey... hae... you come on
Kalyaan raman kookku ramanKalyan Raman, Kookku Raman
You met fellow come on let’s goYou mad fellow, come on let's go
Why dont you act want to strike meWhy don't you act, do you want to strike me?
Always wants you thats what you haveAlways wanting you, that's what you have
Male
Vaaikkaal oram veesum kaaththuThe breeze blowing along the edge of the canal
Kaaththila ketkkum kamban paattuThe song of poet Kamban heard in the wind
Kamban paattum vaaikkaal kaaththumKamban's song and the canal's breeze
Onnaa Saernthaa inikkuthuWhen merged together, taste sweet
Female
Kalyaan raman kookku ramanKalyan Raman, Kookku Raman
Female
Vaazhum bhoomi periyathu periyathuThe earth we live on is vast and big
Vaazhum naalum siriyathappaaThe days we live are short, my dear
Vaazhumpothu ilamaiyai rasiththidumRelishing youth while living
Ennam pirappathu iniyathappaaThe birth of such thoughts is sweet, my dear
Female
Kadhalargal idhayangal siriyathu siriyathuThe hearts of lovers are tiny and small
Kaninthidum aasaigal periyathappaaYet the desires that blossom are immense, my dear
Sangeethamum santhoshamumMusic and happiness are here
Nam ullam magizhvatharkkuTo gladden our hearts
Male
Vaaikkaal oram veesum kaaththuThe breeze blowing along the edge of the canal
Kaaththila ketkkum kamban paattuThe song of poet Kamban heard in the wind
Kamban paattum vaaikkaal kaaththumKamban's song and the canal's breeze
Onnaa Saernthaa inikkuthuWhen merged together, taste sweet
Female
You met fellow kalyaan ramanYou mad fellow, Kalyan Raman
Male
Yaettai pudichchu ezhuthira aalillaThere is no one here writing on a manuscript
Ellaam manasu sonnathuthaanEverything is simply what the heart dictates
Thaalam pudichchu paadura paattillaThis is not a song sung keeping strict rhythm
Raagam paavam nirainjathuthaanIt is filled purely with melody and emotion
Male
Aayiram kavingarum kalainganrumEven for a thousand poets and artists
Arththathai meerina paattu idhuThis song transcends conventional meaning
Thaanaagavey undaanathuIt was created spontaneously on its own
Graamiya kavithaingaThese are rural folk poems
Female
Kalyaan raman kookku ramanKalyan Raman, Kookku Raman
You met fellow come on let’s goYou mad fellow, come on let's go
Why dont you act want to strike meWhy don't you act, do you want to strike me?
Always wants you thats what you haveAlways wanting you, that's what you have
Male
Vaaikkaal oram veesum kaaththuThe breeze blowing along the edge of the canal
Kaaththila ketkkum kamban paattuThe song of poet Kamban heard in the wind
Kamban paattum vaaikkaal kaaththumKamban's song and the canal's breeze
Onnaa Saernthaa inikkuthuWhen merged together, taste sweet
Female
Kalyaan raman kookku ramanKalyan Raman, Kookku Raman

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vaaikkaal Oram Veesum Kaaththu from Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo (1981) is a playful, high-energy track that blends humorous Indian-English phrasing with rich, pastoral Tamil lyrical motifs. The song celebrates the serene beauty of rural life, comparing the gentle breeze near a canal combined with classical literary song to a uniquely sweet sensation. It presents a lighthearted philosophy of enjoying youth, love, and life to the fullest despite life's brief nature. The second half pays tribute to the purity of folk art and unscripted music. The lyrics express that true poetry and music do not need rigid rules, written manuscripts, or strict rhythmic constraints; rather, spontaneous art that flows directly from the human heart carries a universal warmth that transcends technical definitions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis

Vaazhum bhoomi periyathu periyathu / Vaazhum naalum siriyathappaa

Contrasts the immense size of the earth ('periyathu') with the brevity of human life ('siriyathappaa').

Metaphor

Kamban paattum vaaikkaal kaaththum / Onnaa Saernthaa inikkuthu

Compares the harmony of nature's breeze and poetic music to a sweet edible flavor ('inikkuthu').

Refrain / Rhymed Catchphrase

Kalyaan raman kookku raman

A recurring playful dynamic chant that anchors the upbeat rhythm of the composition.

Contrast / Paradox

Kadhalargal idhayangal siriyathu siriyathu / Kaninthidum aasaigal periyathappaa

Juxtaposes small physical hearts with vast, expanding desires.

Did you know?

Trivia

Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo is based on a famous mystery novel written by Sujatha. The movie's soundtrack by Ilaiyaraaja features a unique blend of Western rhythm sections paired with rustic folk music. The song's intro contains humorous, broken English lyrics spoken by SPB, which added a modern, comic flair to the rural setting of the film.

Keep listening

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