Kichu Kichu Thambalam
From Mynaa · 2010
- Lyricist
- Yugabharathi
- Singers
- Baby Harini, Sriranjani, S. Srimathi
- Music director
- D. Imman
- Details
- Mynaa2010
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa | Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds |
| Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa | Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds |
| Ko ko.. ko ko.. | Cuckoo sounds... cuckoo sounds... |
| Chorus :Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa | Chorus: Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds |
| Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa | Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds |
| Ko ko.. ko ko.. | Cuckoo sounds... cuckoo sounds... |
| Female | |
| Kichu kichu thaambaalam | Playful chant of Kichu Kichu plate |
| Kiya kiya thaambaalam | Playful chant of Kiya Kiya plate |
| Male :Ah.. ho ho… | Male: Ah.. ho ho… |
| Pacha mannil thullikittu | Prancing on the wet raw earth |
| Paada paada oiyaaram | Singing with full charm and grace |
| Sollithaaran ko ko.. | I will teach you, cuckoo sound.. |
| Karlaangaya pottukko | Play the stone-tossing game Karlaangaai |
| Female | |
| Pallankuzhi nondi aattam | Play hopscotch and Pallankuzhi |
| Paambu mutta thedikko | Search for snake eggs |
| Saakku mela yeri kuchi | Climb onto a sack and jump high |
| Aadu puli sugamaachu | Playing tiger-and-goat game became a delight |
| Nungu matta vandi otti | Driving a toy cart made of ice-apple stalk |
| Aalam vizhuthu kayiraachu | The banyan aerial roots became climbing ropes |
| Male :Aaah.. ho ho.. | Male: Aaah.. ho ho.. |
| Chorus | |
| {Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa | {Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds |
| Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa | Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds |
| Ko ko.. ko ko..} (2) | Cuckoo sounds... cuckoo sounds...} (2) |
| Female | |
| Puzhuthi kaattu mannumela | On the dusty soil of the wild land |
| Ketti pulla adippoma | Shall we play Getti Pulla (Gillidanda)? |
| Chorus :Kuruvi potta mutta eduthu | Chorus: Taking eggs laid by the sparrow |
| Kaakka koottil pothaipoma | Shall we bury them in the crow's nest? |
| Female | |
| Koottaanchoru aakki | Cooking a communal potluck meal together |
| Oorukkellaam koduppoma | Shall we serve it to the entire village? |
| Chorus :Dick-u dick-u aadi | Chorus: Dancing and hopping with energy |
| Skipping kaiyara kuthippoma | Shall we jump rope until our hands are tired? |
| Female | |
| Uppu mootta thookkikittu | Carrying piggyback loads like sacks of salt |
| Ullangaala odippoma | Shall we run on the soles of our feet? |
| Male :Aaah.. ho ho.. | Male: Aaah.. ho ho.. |
| Female | |
| Karuga kaattu potharukkulla | Inside the dark, dense bush forest |
| Kaalu theya nadappoma | Shall we walk until our feet wear down? |
| Chorus :Karuthu pona onaan vaayil | Chorus: In the mouth of the darkened garden lizard |
| Pogaiyilai thinippoma | Shall we stuff tobacco leaves? |
| Female | |
| Koozhankalla porukki | Gathering smooth river pebbles |
| Kumichu kumichu kalaippoma | Shall we heap them up and scatter them? |
| Chorus :Thaavaan katta neevi | Chorus: Stroking a balance stick |
| Thavala pudikka thunivoma | Shall we dare to catch frogs? |
| Female | |
| Maari maari seettu kalachu | Shuffling the playing cards again and again |
| Mangaathavil jeippoma..ahh | Shall we win in the game of Mangatha? Ahh |
| Chorus | |
| {Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa | {Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds |
| Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa | Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds |
| Ko ko.. ko ko..} (2) | Cuckoo sounds... cuckoo sounds...} (2) |
| Female | |
| Pattathukku maanja thadavi | Applying glass-paste to the kite string |
| Uchi vaana kizhippoma | Shall we tear through the peak of the sky? |
| Chorus :Paatti pola vesham pottu | Chorus: Dressing up like an old grandmother |
| Nangu nangu padippoma | Shall we read out loud and clear? |
| Female | |
| Vepangaaya adhaiki | Crushing neem fruits together |
| Koni paiyyil adaippoma | Shall we pack them inside gunny sacks? |
| Chorus :Soottu kaaya thechu | Chorus: Rubbing warm seeds till hot |
| Sullunu vechu sirippoma | Shall we touch them to others for a sting and laugh? |
| Female | |
| Calta-beltu senju naama | Crafting a catapult/slingshot |
| Kodukka puli parippoma | Shall we pluck sweet-and-sour tamarind? |
| Female | |
| Kichu kichu thaambaalam | Playful chant of Kichu Kichu plate |
| Kiya kiya thaambaalam | Playful chant of Kiya Kiya plate |
| Chorus : Thum thum thum thum | Chorus: Thum thum thum thum |
| Thum dhu dhudhum dhududhum | Thum dhu dhudhum dhududhum |
| Pacha mannil thullikittu | Prancing on the wet raw earth |
| Paada paada oiyaaram…ahhh… | Singing with full charm and grace…ahhh… |
| Chorus | |
| {Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa | {Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds |
| Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa | Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds |
| Male :Aahh..hooooo…hooooo…hoooo… | Male: Aahh..hooooo…hooooo…hoooo… |
கிச்சு கிச்சு கிச்சு
கிச்சு கியா கிச்சு கிச்சு
கிச்சு கிச்சு கியா கோ
கோ கோ கோ
குழு :
கிச்சு கிச்சு கிச்சு
கிச்சு கியா கிச்சு கிச்சு
கிச்சு கிச்சு கியா கோ
கோ கோ கோ
Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds
Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds
Cuckoo sounds... cuckoo sounds...
Chorus: Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds
Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds
Cuckoo sounds... cuckoo sounds...
கிச்சு கிச்சு
தாம்பலம் கியா
கியா தாம்பலம்
ஆ ஹோ ஹோ
பச்ச மண்ணில் துள்ளி
கிட்டு பாட பாட ஒய்யாரம்
சொல்லி தாரேன் கோ கோ
கர்லாங்காய போட்டுக்கோ
Playful chant of Kichu Kichu plate
Playful chant of Kiya Kiya plate
Male: Ah.. ho ho…
Prancing on the wet raw earth
Singing with full charm and grace
I will teach you, cuckoo sound..
Play the stone-tossing game Karlaangaai
பல்லாங்குழி நொண்டி
ஆட்டம் பாம்பு முட்ட தேடிக்கோ
சாக்கு மேல எரி குச்சி ஆடு புலி
சுகமாச்சு நுங்கு மட்ட வண்டி
ஓட்டி ஆலம் விழுது கயிராச்சு
ஆ ஹோ ஹோ
Play hopscotch and Pallankuzhi
Search for snake eggs
Climb onto a sack and jump high
Playing tiger-and-goat game became a delight
Driving a toy cart made of ice-apple stalk
The banyan aerial roots became climbing ropes
Male: Aaah.. ho ho..
{ கிச்சு கிச்சு கிச்சு
கிச்சு கியா கிச்சு கிச்சு
கிச்சு கிச்சு கியா கோ
கோ கோ கோ } (2)
{Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds
Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds
Cuckoo sounds... cuckoo sounds...} (2)
புழுதி காட்டு
மண்ணு மேல கெட்டி
புள்ள அடிப்போமா
குழு :
குருவி போட்ட
முட்ட எடுத்து காக்கா
கூட்டில் புதைப்போமா
On the dusty soil of the wild land
Shall we play Getti Pulla (Gillidanda)?
Chorus: Taking eggs laid by the sparrow
Shall we bury them in the crow's nest?
கூட்டாஞ்சோறு
ஆக்கி ஊருக்கெல்லாம்
கொடுப்போமா
குழு :
டிக்கு டிக்கு ஆடி
ஸ்கிப்பிங் கயிற
குதிப்போமா
Cooking a communal potluck meal together
Shall we serve it to the entire village?
Chorus: Dancing and hopping with energy
Shall we jump rope until our hands are tired?
உப்பு மூட்ட
தூக்கி கிட்டு உள்ளங்கால
ஒடிப்போமா
ஆ ஹோ ஹோ
Carrying piggyback loads like sacks of salt
Shall we run on the soles of our feet?
Male: Aaah.. ho ho..
கருக காட்டு
பொதருக்குள்ள காலு
தேய நடப்போமா
குழு :
கருத்து போன
ஓணான் வாயில்
புகையிலை திணிப்போமா
Inside the dark, dense bush forest
Shall we walk until our feet wear down?
Chorus: In the mouth of the darkened garden lizard
Shall we stuff tobacco leaves?
கூழாங்கல்ல
பொருக்கி குமிச்சு
குமிச்சு கலைப்போமா
குழு :
தாவான் கட்ட
நீவி தவள புடிக்க
துணிவோமா
Gathering smooth river pebbles
Shall we heap them up and scatter them?
Chorus: Stroking a balance stick
Shall we dare to catch frogs?
மாறி மாறி
சீட்டு கலைச்சு
மங்காதாவில்
ஜெய்ப்போமா ஆ
Shuffling the playing cards again and again
Shall we win in the game of Mangatha? Ahh
{ கிச்சு கிச்சு கிச்சு
கிச்சு கியா கிச்சு கிச்சு
கிச்சு கிச்சு கியா கோ
கோ கோ கோ } (2)
{Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds
Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds
Cuckoo sounds... cuckoo sounds...} (2)
பட்டத்துக்கு
மாஞ்சா தடவி உச்சி
வான கிழிப்போமா
குழு :
பாட்டி போல
வேசம் போட்டு நன்கு
நன்கு படிப்போமா
Applying glass-paste to the kite string
Shall we tear through the peak of the sky?
Chorus: Dressing up like an old grandmother
Shall we read out loud and clear?
வேப்பங்காய
அதைக்கி கோணி
பையில் அடைப்போமா
குழு :
சூட்டு காய தேச்சு
சுள்ளுன்னு வெச்சு
சிரிப்போமா
Crushing neem fruits together
Shall we pack them inside gunny sacks?
Chorus: Rubbing warm seeds till hot
Shall we touch them to others for a sting and laugh?
கல்ட பெல்டு
செஞ்சு நாம கொடுக்கா
புளி பறிப்போமா
Crafting a catapult/slingshot
Shall we pluck sweet-and-sour tamarind?
கிச்சு கிச்சு
தாம்பலம் கியா
கியா தாம்பலம்
குழு :
தும் தும் தும்
தும் தும் து துதும்
துடுதும் பச்ச மண்ணில்
துள்ளி கிட்டு பாட பாட
ஒய்யாரம் ஆ
Playful chant of Kichu Kichu plate
Playful chant of Kiya Kiya plate
Chorus: Thum thum thum thum
Thum dhu dhudhum dhududhum
Prancing on the wet raw earth
Singing with full charm and grace…ahhh…
கிச்சு கிச்சு கிச்சு
கிச்சு கியா கிச்சு கிச்சு
கிச்சு கிச்சு கியா
ஆ ஹோ
ஹோ ஹோ
{Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds
Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds
Male: Aahh..hooooo…hooooo…hoooo…
Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa
Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds
Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa
Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds
Ko ko.. ko ko..
Cuckoo sounds... cuckoo sounds...
Chorus :Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa
Chorus: Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds
Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa
Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds
Ko ko.. ko ko..
Cuckoo sounds... cuckoo sounds...
Kichu kichu thaambaalam
Playful chant of Kichu Kichu plate
Kiya kiya thaambaalam
Playful chant of Kiya Kiya plate
Male :Ah.. ho ho…
Male: Ah.. ho ho…
Pacha mannil thullikittu
Prancing on the wet raw earth
Paada paada oiyaaram
Singing with full charm and grace
Sollithaaran ko ko..
I will teach you, cuckoo sound..
Karlaangaya pottukko
Play the stone-tossing game Karlaangaai
Pallankuzhi nondi aattam
Play hopscotch and Pallankuzhi
Paambu mutta thedikko
Search for snake eggs
Saakku mela yeri kuchi
Climb onto a sack and jump high
Aadu puli sugamaachu
Playing tiger-and-goat game became a delight
Nungu matta vandi otti
Driving a toy cart made of ice-apple stalk
Aalam vizhuthu kayiraachu
The banyan aerial roots became climbing ropes
Male :Aaah.. ho ho..
Male: Aaah.. ho ho..
{Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa
{Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds
Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa
Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds
Ko ko.. ko ko..} (2)
Cuckoo sounds... cuckoo sounds...} (2)
Puzhuthi kaattu mannumela
On the dusty soil of the wild land
Ketti pulla adippoma
Shall we play Getti Pulla (Gillidanda)?
Chorus :Kuruvi potta mutta eduthu
Chorus: Taking eggs laid by the sparrow
Kaakka koottil pothaipoma
Shall we bury them in the crow's nest?
Koottaanchoru aakki
Cooking a communal potluck meal together
Oorukkellaam koduppoma
Shall we serve it to the entire village?
Chorus :Dick-u dick-u aadi
Chorus: Dancing and hopping with energy
Skipping kaiyara kuthippoma
Shall we jump rope until our hands are tired?
Uppu mootta thookkikittu
Carrying piggyback loads like sacks of salt
Ullangaala odippoma
Shall we run on the soles of our feet?
Male :Aaah.. ho ho..
Male: Aaah.. ho ho..
Karuga kaattu potharukkulla
Inside the dark, dense bush forest
Kaalu theya nadappoma
Shall we walk until our feet wear down?
Chorus :Karuthu pona onaan vaayil
Chorus: In the mouth of the darkened garden lizard
Pogaiyilai thinippoma
Shall we stuff tobacco leaves?
Koozhankalla porukki
Gathering smooth river pebbles
Kumichu kumichu kalaippoma
Shall we heap them up and scatter them?
Chorus :Thaavaan katta neevi
Chorus: Stroking a balance stick
Thavala pudikka thunivoma
Shall we dare to catch frogs?
Maari maari seettu kalachu
Shuffling the playing cards again and again
Mangaathavil jeippoma..ahh
Shall we win in the game of Mangatha? Ahh
{Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa
{Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds
Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa
Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds
Ko ko.. ko ko..} (2)
Cuckoo sounds... cuckoo sounds...} (2)
Pattathukku maanja thadavi
Applying glass-paste to the kite string
Uchi vaana kizhippoma
Shall we tear through the peak of the sky?
Chorus :Paatti pola vesham pottu
Chorus: Dressing up like an old grandmother
Nangu nangu padippoma
Shall we read out loud and clear?
Vepangaaya adhaiki
Crushing neem fruits together
Koni paiyyil adaippoma
Shall we pack them inside gunny sacks?
Chorus :Soottu kaaya thechu
Chorus: Rubbing warm seeds till hot
Sullunu vechu sirippoma
Shall we touch them to others for a sting and laugh?
Calta-beltu senju naama
Crafting a catapult/slingshot
Kodukka puli parippoma
Shall we pluck sweet-and-sour tamarind?
Kichu kichu thaambaalam
Playful chant of Kichu Kichu plate
Kiya kiya thaambaalam
Playful chant of Kiya Kiya plate
Chorus : Thum thum thum thum
Chorus: Thum thum thum thum
Thum dhu dhudhum dhududhum
Thum dhu dhudhum dhududhum
Pacha mannil thullikittu
Prancing on the wet raw earth
Paada paada oiyaaram…ahhh…
Singing with full charm and grace…ahhh…
{Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa
{Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds
Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa
Kichu kichu chirping sounds of birds
Male :Aahh..hooooo…hooooo…hoooo…
Male: Aahh..hooooo…hooooo…hoooo…
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Kichu Kichu' from the 2010 film 'Mynaa' is a vibrant and nostalgic Tamil folk-pop track composed by D. Imman with lyrics written by Yugabharathi. The song captures the pure, carefree exuberance of village childhood in Tamil Nadu. Through rapid-fire lyrical references to traditional rural games—such as Getti Pulla (Gillidanda), Pallanguzhi, Aadu Puli Aattam, flying glass-coated kites, driving ice-apple stalk carts, and making slingshots—the song creates a rich tapestry of rural upbringing. Beyond games, the lyrics evoke innocent mischievous pranks, communal cooking (koottaanchoru), and an intimate connection with nature like banyan tree roots and river pebbles. It stands out as a joyful celebration of rural heritage, youth, and unbridled companionship.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Onomatopoeia
“Kichu kichu kichu kichu kiyaa”
Use of bird-chirping sound effects ('Kichu kichu', 'Kiya kiya') and rhythmic percussion vocables ('Thum thum') to evoke natural sounds.
Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Karuga kaattu potharukkulla / Karuthu pona onaan vaayil”
Rhyming of the second consonant sound across consecutive lines ('Puzhuthi' and 'Ketti', or 'Karuga' and 'Karuthu').
Imagery & Cultural Allusion
“Nungu matta vandi otti / Aalam vizhuthu kayiraachu”
Vivid visual description of traditional Tamil rural childhood pastimes such as driving toy carts made from ice-apple stalks and using banyan roots as ropes.
Did you know?
Trivia
Music director D. Imman received widespread acclaim and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director for 'Mynaa' (2010). The lyrics by Yugabharathi serve as a mini-archive of native Tamil outdoor games and childhood traditions, many of which are rarely played in modern urban settings.
Keep listening