Karuvella Kaatukkulae
From Porkkaalam · 1997
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Arun Mozhi, Anuradha Sriram, Sujatha
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Porkkaalam1997
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Karuvelangattukkulla | Inside the babool tree forest, |
| Kattivecha koottukkulla | Inside the nest they built, |
| Kanaangkuruvi rendu | Two sparrows, |
| Enna pesdhu ada | What are they talking about, oh, |
| Enna pesudhu…. | What are they talking about... |
| Chorus | |
| …………………… | .................... |
| Female | |
| Karuvelangattukkulla | Inside the babool tree forest, |
| Kattivecha koottukkulla | Inside the nest they built, |
| Kanaangkuruvi rendu | Two sparrows, |
| Enna pesdhu ada | What are they talking about, oh, |
| Enna pesudhu…. | What are they talking about... |
| Chorus | |
| Kukuku kuku ku | Kukuku kuku ku |
| Kukuku kuku ku | Kukuku kuku ku |
| Female | |
| Mullu vettavandha muthammaalukkum | Between Muthammaal who came to cut thorns, |
| Veragu vettavandha velarmaganukkum | And Velar's son who came to collect firewood, |
| Porutham nalla poruthamunnu | They say there is a wonderful match, |
| Porani pesudhu summaa porani pesudhu | Gossiping, they are simply gossiping! |
| Male | |
| Karuvelangattukkulla | Inside the babool tree forest, |
| Kattivecha koottukkulla | Inside the nest they built, |
| Kanaangkuruvi rendu | Two sparrows, |
| Enna pesdhu ada | What are they talking about, oh, |
| Enna pesudhu…. | What are they talking about... |
| Male | |
| Mullu vettavandha muthammaalukkum | Between Muthammaal who came to cut thorns, |
| Veragu vettavandha velarmaganukkum | And Velar's son who came to collect firewood, |
| Orasal enna orasalunnu | What a spark/friction between them, they say, |
| Porani pesudhu summaa porani pesudhu | Gossiping, they are simply gossiping! |
| Chorus | |
| ………………………… | ...................... |
| Female | |
| Eesaani moolaiyila | In the northeast corner, |
| Oosi mazha peiyayila | When needle-like drizzle falls, |
| Kuruvirendum rekkakkulla | The two birds under their wings |
| Koodha kaayumae…ae……ae…. | Warm themselves against the chilly wind... |
| Female | |
| Eesaani moolaiyila | In the northeast corner, |
| Oosi mazha peiyayila | When needle-like drizzle falls, |
| Kuruvirendum rekkakkulla | The two birds under their wings |
| Koodha kaayumae… | Warm themselves against the chilly wind... |
| Naama koodhakaanjadhundaa | "Did we ever stay cozy together in the cold like that?" |
| Endru kuththi pesudhu | Thus speaking sarcastically, |
| Kuruvi kuththi pesudhu | The bird speaks sarcastically. |
| Male | |
| Kodamazha pudichaalum | Even if heavy monsoon rain falls, |
| Ada koodha kaathu adichaalum | Or a cold chilly wind blows, |
| Pudikkaadha kuruvikitta | With birds that do not like each other, |
| Potta koodumaa | Can a pair ever come together? |
| Idhu pombalakki puriyallennu | Saying this girl doesn't understand, |
| Porani pesudhu kuruvi porani pesudhu | The bird gossips, the bird gossips. |
| Female | |
| Haan sodiyoda paadiyaada | Aha, to sing and dance as a pair, |
| Odiyodi vandhapodhu | When they come running together, |
| Sandapotta kuruviyinnu jaadapesudhu | It hints that they are birds that had a fight! |
| Female | |
| Koodu yaaru koodu endrum | Whose nest is this nest, |
| Sodi engu koodumendrum | And where will the pair unite, |
| Konjanaalil theriyumunnu | It will be known in a few days, |
| Kuruvi pesudhu | So says the bird! |
| Female | |
| Karuvelangattukkulla | Inside the babool tree forest, |
| Kattivecha koottukkulla | Inside the nest they built, |
| Kanaangkuruvi rendu | Two sparrows, |
| Enna pesdhu ada | What are they talking about, oh, |
| Enna pesudhu…. | What are they talking about... |
| Chorus | |
| …………………… | .................... |
| Female | |
| Cholayangaattukkulla | Inside the sorghum field, |
| Cholangothi thingayila | While pecking and eating corn, |
| Mookkum mookkum modhikkolla | Beak bumping against beak, |
| Muththam tharumae…ae….ae… | It gives a kiss... |
| Female | |
| Cholayangaattukkulla | Inside the sorghum field, |
| Cholangothi thingayila | While pecking and eating corn, |
| Mookkum mookkum modhikkolla | Beak bumping against beak, |
| Muththam tharumae… | It gives a kiss... |
| Naama muththam thandhadhundaa | "Did we ever share a kiss?" |
| Endru monagi pesudhu | Thus whispering softly, |
| Kuruvi monagi pesudhu | The bird whispers softly. |
| Male | |
| Muththu cholam thingayila | While eating sweet corn, |
| Ada muththam kiththam thandhukittaa | Ah, if you go kissing around, |
| Cholathundu sikkikkittu | A piece of corn will get stuck |
| Thonda vikkumae | And cause hiccups in the throat! |
| Idha pottachchikki solla cholli | Asking to convey this to that village girl, |
| Kuththi pesudhu kuruvi kuththi pesudhu | The bird speaks sarcastically, the bird speaks sarcastically. |
| Female | |
| Ahaan aththuvana kaattukkulla | Aha, inside the deserted thick forest, |
| Oththavaayi thannikettaa | When asking for water with a single voice, |
| Mullukkaattu kuruviyonnu | A bird from the thorn bush |
| Lollu pesudhu | Talks back rudely! |
| Female | |
| Kaadu vettum saakkavechu | Under the pretext of clearing the woods, |
| Kooduvetta koodaadhunnu | Do not chop down our nests, |
| Paadubatta kuruviyonnu | A bird that worked hard, |
| Padhari pesudhu | Speaks anxiously! |
| Male | |
| Karuvelangattukkulla | Inside the babool tree forest, |
| Kattivecha koottukkulla | Inside the nest they built, |
| Kanaangkuruvi rendu | Two sparrows, |
| Enna pesdhu ada | What are they talking about, oh, |
| Enna pesudhu…. | What are they talking about... |
| Female | |
| Mullu vettavandha muthammaalukkum | Between Muthammaal who came to cut thorns, |
| Veragu vettavandha velarmaganukkum | And Velar's son who came to collect firewood, |
| Porutham nalla poruthamunnu | They say there is a wonderful match, |
| Porani pesudhu summaa porani pesudhu | Gossiping, they are simply gossiping! |
| Female | |
| Karuvelangattukkulla …aaa…aa….ae… | Inside the babool tree forest... |
| Chorus :……………………….. | Chorus :..................... |
கருவேலங் காட்டுக்குள்ள
கட்டி வச்ச கூட்டுக்குள்ள
கானாங்குருவி ரெண்டு
என்ன பேசுது அட என்ன பேசுது
Inside the babool tree forest,
Inside the nest they built,
Two sparrows,
What are they talking about, oh,
What are they talking about...
...................
....................
கருவேலங் காட்டுக்குள்ள
கட்டி வச்ச கூட்டுக்குள்ள
கானாங்குருவி ரெண்டு
என்ன பேசுது அட என்ன பேசுது
Inside the babool tree forest,
Inside the nest they built,
Two sparrows,
What are they talking about, oh,
What are they talking about...
..................
Kukuku kuku ku
Kukuku kuku ku
முள்ளு வெட்ட வந்த
முத்தம்மாளுக்கும்
வெறகு வெட்ட வந்த
வேளார் மகனுக்கும்
பொருத்தம் நல்ல
பொருத்தமுன்னு பொரனி பேசுது
சும்மா பொரனி பேசுது
Between Muthammaal who came to cut thorns,
And Velar's son who came to collect firewood,
They say there is a wonderful match,
Gossiping, they are simply gossiping!
கருவேலங் காட்டுக்குள்ள
கட்டி வச்ச கூட்டுக்குள்ள
கானாங்குருவி ரெண்டு
என்ன பேசுது அட என்ன பேசுது
Inside the babool tree forest,
Inside the nest they built,
Two sparrows,
What are they talking about, oh,
What are they talking about...
முள்ளு வெட்ட வந்த
முத்தம்மாளுக்கும்
வெறகு வெட்ட வந்த
வேளார் மகனுக்கும்
பொரசல் என்ன
பொரசலின்னு பொரனி பேசுது
சும்மா பொரனி பேசுது
Between Muthammaal who came to cut thorns,
And Velar's son who came to collect firewood,
What a spark/friction between them, they say,
Gossiping, they are simply gossiping!
ஈசானி மூலையில
ஊசி மழை பெய்யயில
குருவி ரெண்டும்
ரெக்கக்குள்ள கூத காயுமே ஏஏய்.......
......................
ஈசானி மூலையில
ஊசி மழை பெய்யயில
குருவி ரெண்டும்
ரெக்கக்குள்ள கூத காயுமே...
In the northeast corner,
When needle-like drizzle falls,
The two birds under their wings
Warm themselves against the chilly wind...
நாம கூது காய்ஞ்சதுண்டா
என்று குத்தி பேசுது
குருவி குத்தி பேசுது
In the northeast corner,
When needle-like drizzle falls,
The two birds under their wings
Warm themselves against the chilly wind...
"Did we ever stay cozy together in the cold like that?"
Thus speaking sarcastically,
The bird speaks sarcastically.
கோடை மழை புடிச்சாலும்
அட கூத காத்து அடிச்சாலும்
புடிக்காத குருவிகிட்ட
பொட்ட கூடுமா
Even if heavy monsoon rain falls,
Or a cold chilly wind blows,
With birds that do not like each other,
Can a pair ever come together?
Saying this girl doesn't understand,
The bird gossips, the bird gossips.
இது பொம்பளைக்கு
புரியலைன்னு பொரனி பேசுது
குருவி பொரனி பேசுது
Aha, to sing and dance as a pair,
When they come running together,
It hints that they are birds that had a fight!
ஆ.... சோடியோடு பாடி ஆட
ஓடி ஓடி வந்த போது
சண்ட போட்ட
குருவியின்னு சாடை பேசுது
Whose nest is this nest,
And where will the pair unite,
It will be known in a few days,
So says the bird!
கூடு யாரு கூடு என்றும்
சோடி எங்கு கூடுமென்றும்
கொஞ்ச நாளில் தெரியுமென்று
குருவி பேசுது
Inside the babool tree forest,
Inside the nest they built,
Two sparrows,
What are they talking about, oh,
What are they talking about...
கருவேலங் காட்டுக்குள்ள
கட்டி வச்ச கூட்டுக்குள்ள
கானாங்குருவி ரெண்டு
என்ன பேசுது அட என்ன பேசுது
....................
.....................
Inside the sorghum field,
While pecking and eating corn,
Beak bumping against beak,
It gives a kiss...
சோலையன் காட்டுக்குள்ள
சோளம் கொத்தி திங்கையில
மூக்கும் மூக்கும்
மோதிக்கொள்ள
முத்தம் தருமே.....ஏஏய்...
Inside the sorghum field,
While pecking and eating corn,
Beak bumping against beak,
It gives a kiss...
"Did we ever share a kiss?"
Thus whispering softly,
The bird whispers softly.
சோலையன் காட்டுக்குள்ள
சோளம் கொத்தி திங்கையில
மூக்கும் மூக்கும்
மோதிக்கொள்ள முத்தம் தருமே
While eating sweet corn,
Ah, if you go kissing around,
A piece of corn will get stuck
And cause hiccups in the throat!
Asking to convey this to that village girl,
The bird speaks sarcastically, the bird speaks sarcastically.
நாம முத்தம் தந்ததுண்டா
என்று மொனகி பேசுது
குருவி மொனகி பேசுது
Aha, inside the deserted thick forest,
When asking for water with a single voice,
A bird from the thorn bush
Talks back rudely!
முத்து சோளம் திங்கையிலே
அட முத்தம் கித்தம் தந்துக்கிட்டா
சோளத் துண்டு சிக்கிக்கிட்டு
தொண்ட விக்குமே ஹ…
Under the pretext of clearing the woods,
Do not chop down our nests,
A bird that worked hard,
Speaks anxiously!
இதை பொட்டச்சிக்கு சொல்ல
சொல்லி குத்தி பேசுது
குருவி குத்தி பேசுது
Inside the babool tree forest,
Inside the nest they built,
Two sparrows,
What are they talking about, oh,
What are they talking about...
அஹா…அத்து வன காட்டுக்குள்ள
ஒத்த வாயி தண்ணி கேட்டா
முள்ளு காட்டு குருவியின்னு
லொள்ளு பேசுது
Between Muthammaal who came to cut thorns,
And Velar's son who came to collect firewood,
They say there is a wonderful match,
Gossiping, they are simply gossiping!
காடு வெட்டும் சாக்க வச்சு
கூடு வெட்ட கூடாதுன்னு
பாடுபட்ட குருவி ஒன்னு
பதறி பேசுது
Inside the babool tree forest...
Chorus :.....................
கருவேலங் காட்டுக்குள்ள
கட்டி வச்ச கூட்டுக்குள்ள
கானாங்குருவி ரெண்டு
என்ன பேசுது அட என்ன பேசுது
முள்ளு வெட்ட வந்த
முத்தம்மாளுக்கும்
வெறகு வெட்ட வந்த
வேளார் மகனுக்கும்
பொருத்தம் நல்ல
பொருத்தமுன்னு பொரனி பேசுது
சும்மா பொரனிபேசுது
கருவேலங் காட்டுக்குள்ள.....
ஏ ஏ........ஏய்......ஏய்.........
.....................
Karuvelangattukkulla
Inside the babool tree forest,
Kattivecha koottukkulla
Inside the nest they built,
Kanaangkuruvi rendu
Two sparrows,
Enna pesdhu ada
What are they talking about, oh,
Enna pesudhu….
What are they talking about...
……………………
....................
Karuvelangattukkulla
Inside the babool tree forest,
Kattivecha koottukkulla
Inside the nest they built,
Kanaangkuruvi rendu
Two sparrows,
Enna pesdhu ada
What are they talking about, oh,
Enna pesudhu….
What are they talking about...
Kukuku kuku ku
Kukuku kuku ku
Kukuku kuku ku
Kukuku kuku ku
Mullu vettavandha muthammaalukkum
Between Muthammaal who came to cut thorns,
Veragu vettavandha velarmaganukkum
And Velar's son who came to collect firewood,
Porutham nalla poruthamunnu
They say there is a wonderful match,
Porani pesudhu summaa porani pesudhu
Gossiping, they are simply gossiping!
Karuvelangattukkulla
Inside the babool tree forest,
Kattivecha koottukkulla
Inside the nest they built,
Kanaangkuruvi rendu
Two sparrows,
Enna pesdhu ada
What are they talking about, oh,
Enna pesudhu….
What are they talking about...
Mullu vettavandha muthammaalukkum
Between Muthammaal who came to cut thorns,
Veragu vettavandha velarmaganukkum
And Velar's son who came to collect firewood,
Orasal enna orasalunnu
What a spark/friction between them, they say,
Porani pesudhu summaa porani pesudhu
Gossiping, they are simply gossiping!
…………………………
......................
Eesaani moolaiyila
In the northeast corner,
Oosi mazha peiyayila
When needle-like drizzle falls,
Kuruvirendum rekkakkulla
The two birds under their wings
Koodha kaayumae…ae……ae….
Warm themselves against the chilly wind...
Eesaani moolaiyila
In the northeast corner,
Oosi mazha peiyayila
When needle-like drizzle falls,
Kuruvirendum rekkakkulla
The two birds under their wings
Koodha kaayumae…
Warm themselves against the chilly wind...
Naama koodhakaanjadhundaa
"Did we ever stay cozy together in the cold like that?"
Endru kuththi pesudhu
Thus speaking sarcastically,
Kuruvi kuththi pesudhu
The bird speaks sarcastically.
Kodamazha pudichaalum
Even if heavy monsoon rain falls,
Ada koodha kaathu adichaalum
Or a cold chilly wind blows,
Pudikkaadha kuruvikitta
With birds that do not like each other,
Potta koodumaa
Can a pair ever come together?
Idhu pombalakki puriyallennu
Saying this girl doesn't understand,
Porani pesudhu kuruvi porani pesudhu
The bird gossips, the bird gossips.
Haan sodiyoda paadiyaada
Aha, to sing and dance as a pair,
Odiyodi vandhapodhu
When they come running together,
Sandapotta kuruviyinnu jaadapesudhu
It hints that they are birds that had a fight!
Koodu yaaru koodu endrum
Whose nest is this nest,
Sodi engu koodumendrum
And where will the pair unite,
Konjanaalil theriyumunnu
It will be known in a few days,
Kuruvi pesudhu
So says the bird!
Karuvelangattukkulla
Inside the babool tree forest,
Kattivecha koottukkulla
Inside the nest they built,
Kanaangkuruvi rendu
Two sparrows,
Enna pesdhu ada
What are they talking about, oh,
Enna pesudhu….
What are they talking about...
……………………
....................
Cholayangaattukkulla
Inside the sorghum field,
Cholangothi thingayila
While pecking and eating corn,
Mookkum mookkum modhikkolla
Beak bumping against beak,
Muththam tharumae…ae….ae…
It gives a kiss...
Cholayangaattukkulla
Inside the sorghum field,
Cholangothi thingayila
While pecking and eating corn,
Mookkum mookkum modhikkolla
Beak bumping against beak,
Muththam tharumae…
It gives a kiss...
Naama muththam thandhadhundaa
"Did we ever share a kiss?"
Endru monagi pesudhu
Thus whispering softly,
Kuruvi monagi pesudhu
The bird whispers softly.
Muththu cholam thingayila
While eating sweet corn,
Ada muththam kiththam thandhukittaa
Ah, if you go kissing around,
Cholathundu sikkikkittu
A piece of corn will get stuck
Thonda vikkumae
And cause hiccups in the throat!
Idha pottachchikki solla cholli
Asking to convey this to that village girl,
Kuththi pesudhu kuruvi kuththi pesudhu
The bird speaks sarcastically, the bird speaks sarcastically.
Ahaan aththuvana kaattukkulla
Aha, inside the deserted thick forest,
Oththavaayi thannikettaa
When asking for water with a single voice,
Mullukkaattu kuruviyonnu
A bird from the thorn bush
Lollu pesudhu
Talks back rudely!
Kaadu vettum saakkavechu
Under the pretext of clearing the woods,
Kooduvetta koodaadhunnu
Do not chop down our nests,
Paadubatta kuruviyonnu
A bird that worked hard,
Padhari pesudhu
Speaks anxiously!
Karuvelangattukkulla
Inside the babool tree forest,
Kattivecha koottukkulla
Inside the nest they built,
Kanaangkuruvi rendu
Two sparrows,
Enna pesdhu ada
What are they talking about, oh,
Enna pesudhu….
What are they talking about...
Mullu vettavandha muthammaalukkum
Between Muthammaal who came to cut thorns,
Veragu vettavandha velarmaganukkum
And Velar's son who came to collect firewood,
Porutham nalla poruthamunnu
They say there is a wonderful match,
Porani pesudhu summaa porani pesudhu
Gossiping, they are simply gossiping!
Karuvelangattukkulla …aaa…aa….ae…
Inside the babool tree forest...
Chorus :………………………..
Chorus :.....................
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Karuvelangattukkulla' is an iconic Tamil folk song from Cheran's critically acclaimed film 'Porkkaalam' (1997), composed by Deva with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu. The song employs a charming rural allegorical device: two sparrows residing in a babool tree nest act as observers and commentators on the budding village romance and playful friction between Muthammaal (a girl clearing thorns) and Velarmagan (a youth gathering firewood). Through imagery of seasonal weather (needle-like northeast monsoon rains), field work, pecking corn, and sharing warmth, Vairamuthu captures the subtle dynamics of rural courtship, gossip, and romance through the witty perspective of nature.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification (மாந்தரூபமாக்கல்)
“Kanaangkuruvi rendu Enna pesdhu ada Enna pesudhu….”
The song personifies birds ('Kanaangkuruvi') as gossiping village observers who mock and comment on human romance.
Sensory & Visual Imagery (காட்சி உவமை)
“Eesaani moolaiyila Oosi mazha peiyayila”
'Oosi mazha' (needle-like rain) evokes a sharp tactile and visual sensation of light, cold drizzle in rural Tamil Nadu.
Ethukai / Second-letter Rhyme (எதுகை)
“Karuvelangattukkulla / Kattivecha koottukkulla”
Matching second consonants across lines ('ru' in Karuvelangattukkulla / Kattivecha / Kanaangkuruvi).
Folk Humor & Hyperbole (நகைச்சுவை உயர்நவிற்சி)
“Ada muththam kiththam thandhukittaa Cholathundu sikkikkittu Thonda vikkumae”
Humorous hyperbolic warning that kissing while pecking corn will choke the throat with corn bits.
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Trivia
Music for 'Porkkaalam' was composed by Deva, with lyrics by Vairamuthu. The song features vocals by Anuradha Sriram, Sujatha, and Krishnaraj. The film went on to win the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film and a National Film Award.
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