Kokkarako Koovidichammaa
From Bhagya Devathai · 1959
- Lyricist
- Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Master Venu
- Details
- Bhagya Devathai1959
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kokkarakko kooviduchchammaa | The rooster has crowed 'cock-a-doodle-do', my dear. |
| Kodum veyyilum yaeriduchchammaa | The harsh sun has risen high, my dear. |
| Kokkarakko kooviduchchammaa | The rooster has crowed 'cock-a-doodle-do', my dear. |
| Kodum veyyilum yaeriduchchammaa | The harsh sun has risen high, my dear. |
| Kushiyaaga thoongu chellammaa aaraaro akkaa…. | Sleep happily, my dear, rock-a-bye elder sister... |
| Female | |
| Kokkarakko kooviduchchammaa….oo…oo…oo… | The rooster has crowed 'cock-a-doodle-do', my dear...oo...oo...oo... |
| Female | |
| Pakkaththilae naalu thalakaani | With four pillows by your side, |
| Panjanai melae magaraani | A queen resting upon a soft cotton bed, |
| Pakkaththilae naalu thalakaani | With four pillows by your side, |
| Panjanai melae magaraani | A queen resting upon a soft cotton bed, |
| Female | |
| Padichchathinaalae vizhichchathinaalae | Because you studied so hard and stayed awake all night, |
| Padichchathinaalae vizhichchathinaalae | Because you studied so hard and stayed awake all night, |
| Panjaara kiliyae kann valaraai nee | Oh parrot in the cage, close your eyes and sleep now. |
| Female | |
| Kokkarakko kooviduchchammaa….oo…oo…oo… | The rooster has crowed 'cock-a-doodle-do', my dear...oo...oo...oo... |
| Female | |
| Manjal kayirum yaerivittaal | Once the sacred yellow thread is tied around your neck, |
| Maappillai raja vanthuvittaal | When the prince-like groom finally arrives, |
| Manjal kayirum yaerivittaal | Once the sacred yellow thread is tied around your neck, |
| Maappillai raja vanthuvittaal | When the prince-like groom finally arrives, |
| Female | |
| Maamiyum unakku pangaavum poda | Even your mother-in-law will gently fan you, |
| Machchanum vanthu thaalaattu paada | And your husband will come and sing a lullaby for you, |
| Madhanradhi pola kann valaraai nee | Sleep soundly like the goddess Rati alongside Manmatha. |
| Female | |
| Kokkarakko kooviduchchammaa | The rooster has crowed 'cock-a-doodle-do', my dear. |
| Kodum veyyilum yaeriduchchammaa | The harsh sun has risen high, my dear. |
| Kushiyaaga thoongu chellammaa aaraaro akkaa…. | Sleep happily, my dear, rock-a-bye elder sister... |
| Female | |
| Kokkarakko kooviduchchammaa….oo…oo…oo… | The rooster has crowed 'cock-a-doodle-do', my dear...oo...oo...oo... |
கொக்கரக்கோ கூவிடுச்சம்மா
கொடும் வெய்யிலும் ஏறிடுச்சம்மா
கொக்கரக்கோ கூவிடுச்சம்மா
கொடும் வெய்யிலும் ஏறிடுச்சம்மா
குஷியாக தூங்கு செல்லம்மா ஆராரோ அக்கா...
The rooster has crowed 'cock-a-doodle-do', my dear.
The harsh sun has risen high, my dear.
The rooster has crowed 'cock-a-doodle-do', my dear.
The harsh sun has risen high, my dear.
Sleep happily, my dear, rock-a-bye elder sister...
கொக்கரக்கோ கூவிடுச்சம்மா....ஓஒ....ஓ.....ஓ....
The rooster has crowed 'cock-a-doodle-do', my dear...oo...oo...oo...
பக்கத்திலே நாலு தலகாணி
பஞ்சணை மேலே மகராணி
பக்கத்திலே நாலு தலகாணி
பஞ்சணை மேலே மகராணி
With four pillows by your side,
A queen resting upon a soft cotton bed,
With four pillows by your side,
A queen resting upon a soft cotton bed,
படிச்சதினாலே விழிச்சதினாலே
படிச்சதினாலே விழிச்சதினாலே
பஞ்சாரக் கிளியே கண் வளராய் நீ
Because you studied so hard and stayed awake all night,
Because you studied so hard and stayed awake all night,
Oh parrot in the cage, close your eyes and sleep now.
கொக்கரக்கோ கூவிடுச்சம்மா....ஓஒ....ஓ.....ஓ...
The rooster has crowed 'cock-a-doodle-do', my dear...oo...oo...oo...
மஞ்சள் கயிறும் ஏறிவிட்டால்
மாப்பிள்ளை ராஜா வந்துவிட்டால்
மஞ்சள் கயிறும் ஏறிவிட்டால்
மாப்பிள்ளை ராஜா வந்துவிட்டால்
Once the sacred yellow thread is tied around your neck,
When the prince-like groom finally arrives,
Once the sacred yellow thread is tied around your neck,
When the prince-like groom finally arrives,
மாமியும் உனக்கு பங்காவும் போட
மச்சானும் வந்து தாலாட்டு பாட
மதன்ரதி போல கண் வளராய் நீ
Even your mother-in-law will gently fan you,
And your husband will come and sing a lullaby for you,
Sleep soundly like the goddess Rati alongside Manmatha.
கொக்கரக்கோ கூவிடுச்சம்மா....
கொடும் வெய்யிலும் ஏறிடுச்சம்மா
குஷியாக தூங்கு செல்லம்மா ஆராரோ அக்கா...
The rooster has crowed 'cock-a-doodle-do', my dear.
The harsh sun has risen high, my dear.
Sleep happily, my dear, rock-a-bye elder sister...
கொக்கரக்கோ கூவிடுச்சம்மா....ஓஒ....ஓ.....ஓ....
The rooster has crowed 'cock-a-doodle-do', my dear...oo...oo...oo...
Kokkarakko kooviduchchammaa
The rooster has crowed 'cock-a-doodle-do', my dear.
Kodum veyyilum yaeriduchchammaa
The harsh sun has risen high, my dear.
Kokkarakko kooviduchchammaa
The rooster has crowed 'cock-a-doodle-do', my dear.
Kodum veyyilum yaeriduchchammaa
The harsh sun has risen high, my dear.
Kushiyaaga thoongu chellammaa aaraaro akkaa….
Sleep happily, my dear, rock-a-bye elder sister...
Kokkarakko kooviduchchammaa….oo…oo…oo…
The rooster has crowed 'cock-a-doodle-do', my dear...oo...oo...oo...
Pakkaththilae naalu thalakaani
With four pillows by your side,
Panjanai melae magaraani
A queen resting upon a soft cotton bed,
Pakkaththilae naalu thalakaani
With four pillows by your side,
Panjanai melae magaraani
A queen resting upon a soft cotton bed,
Padichchathinaalae vizhichchathinaalae
Because you studied so hard and stayed awake all night,
Padichchathinaalae vizhichchathinaalae
Because you studied so hard and stayed awake all night,
Panjaara kiliyae kann valaraai nee
Oh parrot in the cage, close your eyes and sleep now.
Kokkarakko kooviduchchammaa….oo…oo…oo…
The rooster has crowed 'cock-a-doodle-do', my dear...oo...oo...oo...
Manjal kayirum yaerivittaal
Once the sacred yellow thread is tied around your neck,
Maappillai raja vanthuvittaal
When the prince-like groom finally arrives,
Manjal kayirum yaerivittaal
Once the sacred yellow thread is tied around your neck,
Maappillai raja vanthuvittaal
When the prince-like groom finally arrives,
Maamiyum unakku pangaavum poda
Even your mother-in-law will gently fan you,
Machchanum vanthu thaalaattu paada
And your husband will come and sing a lullaby for you,
Madhanradhi pola kann valaraai nee
Sleep soundly like the goddess Rati alongside Manmatha.
Kokkarakko kooviduchchammaa
The rooster has crowed 'cock-a-doodle-do', my dear.
Kodum veyyilum yaeriduchchammaa
The harsh sun has risen high, my dear.
Kushiyaaga thoongu chellammaa aaraaro akkaa….
Sleep happily, my dear, rock-a-bye elder sister...
Kokkarakko kooviduchchammaa….oo…oo…oo…
The rooster has crowed 'cock-a-doodle-do', my dear...oo...oo...oo...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful and affectionate song from 'Bhagya Devathai' (1959) is a unique morning lullaby sung to an elder sister ('Akka'). Instead of telling her to wake up when the rooster crows and the sun comes up, the singer humorously urges her tired sister—who stayed up late studying—to sleep peacefully amidst cozy pillows like a queen. The lyrics affectionately tease the sister about her bright future, envisioning a prince-like husband who will sing lullabies to her and a mother-in-law who will fan her, comparing her bliss to that of Rati and Manmatha. Crafted by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass and set to music by Master Venu, the song captures warmth, humor, and sisterly love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Onomatopoeia (Osei Nayam)
“Kokkarakko kooviduchchammaa”
The term 'Kokkarakko' mimics the actual sound of a rooster crowing at dawn, setting a rhythmic tone.
Simile (Upamai)
“Madhanradhi pola kann valaraai nee”
'Madhanradhi pola' explicitly compares the sister's future marital happiness to the iconic divine romantic pair, Lord Manmatha (Madhan) and Rati.
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Panjaara kiliyae kann valaraai nee”
'Panjaara kiliyae' metaphorically addresses the sister as a precious, beloved parrot kept in a cozy cage.
Alliteration & Monai (Initial Sound Harmony)
“Pakkaththilae naalu thalakaani / Panjanai melae magaraani”
Repetition of the 'Pa' sound across consecutive lines ('Pakkaththilae', 'Panjanai', 'Padichchathinaalae', 'Panjaara') creates a melodious vocal cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Master Venu with lyrics by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, 'Bhagya Devathai' (1959) featured Gemini Ganesan and Savitri in lead roles. Sung gracefully by P. Susheela, this track is notable for subverting the typical lullaby genre by using a morning setting (rooster crowing) to urge someone to sleep rather than wake up.
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