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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Kalyan Raman Kookkoo

From Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo · 1981

Lyricist: Gangai Amaran
Singers: S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director: Ilayaraja
Movie name: Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo
Movie release year: 1981
Lyrics added on: 27 Feb 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Hei….hae…you come on

Kalyaan raman kookku raman

You met fellow come on let’s go

Why dont you act want to strike me

Always wants you thats what you have

Vaaikkaal oram veesum kaaththu

Kaaththila ketkkum kamban paattu

Kamban paattum vaaikkaal kaaththum

Onnaa Saernthaa inikkuthu

Kalyaan raman kookku raman

Vaazhum bhoomi periyathu periyathu

Vaazhum naalum siriyathappaa

Vaazhumpothu ilamaiyai rasiththidum

Ennam pirappathu iniyathappaa

Kadhalargal idhayangal siriyathu siriyathu

Kaninthidum aasaigal periyathappaa

Sangeethamum santhoshamum

Nam ullam magizhvatharkku

Vaaikkaal oram veesum kaaththu

Kaaththila ketkkum kamban paattu

Kamban paattum vaaikkaal kaaththum

Onnaa Saernthaa inikkuthu

You met fellow kalyaan raman

Yaettai pudichchu ezhuthira aalilla

Ellaam manasu sonnathuthaan

Thaalam pudichchu paadura paattilla

Raagam paavam nirainjathuthaan

Aayiram kavingarum kalainganrum

Arththathai meerina paattu idhu

Thaanaagavey undaanathu

Graamiya kavithainga

Kalyaan raman kookku raman

You met fellow come on let’s go

Why dont you act want to strike me

Always wants you thats what you have

Vaaikkaal oram veesum kaaththu

Kaaththila ketkkum kamban paattu

Kamban paattum vaaikkaal kaaththum

Onnaa Saernthaa inikkuthu

Kalyaan raman kookku raman

Hey... hey... you... come on...

Kalyan Raman, Cuckoo Raman...

You mad fellow, come on let's go

Why don't you act? Want to strike me?

Always wants you, that's what you have

The breeze blowing by the canal,

Kamban's song heard in the breeze,

Kamban's song and the canal breeze,

When they come together, how sweet it feels!

Kalyan Raman, Cuckoo Raman...

The earth we live in is vast, so vast,

But the days we live are so few!

While we live, to delight in our youth—

Having such a thought is truly sweet!

Lovers' hearts are small, so small,

Yet the desires ripening within are so big!

Music and joy are here

For our hearts to be glad...

The breeze blowing by the canal,

Kamban's song heard in the breeze,

Kamban's song and the canal breeze,

When they come together, how sweet it feels!

You mad fellow, Kalyan Raman...

I am not someone who writes holding a notebook,

Everything is just what my heart told me.

This is not a song sung to strict rhythm,

Yet it is full of melody and feeling.

Beyond a thousand poets and artists,

This is a song that goes beyond meaning!

Born naturally on its own,

This is pure rustic folk poetry!

Kalyan Raman, Cuckoo Raman...

You mad fellow, come on let us go

Why don't you act? Want to strike me?

Always wants you, that's what you have

The breeze blowing by the canal,

Kamban's song heard in the breeze,

Kamban's song and the canal breeze,

When they come together, how sweet it feels!

Kalyan Raman, Cuckoo Raman...

Female

Male

Female

Female

Female

Male

Female

Male

Male

Female

Male

Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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