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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kondai Seval Koovum

From Enga Chinna Rasa · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Enga Chinna Rasa1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Konda chaeval koovum neramWhen the crested rooster crows
Male :Kukku kukku kukku kukku kukkuMale: Cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo
Female :Ketti mela thaalam kekkumFemale: The sound of auspicious wedding drums will be heard
Male :Dumdumdum dumdum dumdumdumMale: Dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum
Female
Kazhuthula yeranum thaaliThe sacred thread must be tied around the neck
Male :Aduthadhu anaikkira joliMale: Next comes the work of embracing
Female :Adha nenaikkaiyilFemale: Thinking about that
Naakula thaen oorudhaeHoney waters in the mouth
Male
Konda chaeval koovum neramWhen the crested rooster crows
Female :Kukku kukku kukku kukku kukkuFemale: Cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo
Male :Ketti mela thaalam kekkumMale: The sound of auspicious wedding drums will be heard
Female :Dumdumdum dumdum dumdumdumFemale: Dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum
Male
Kazhuthula yeranum thaaliThe sacred thread must be tied around the neck
Female :Aduthadhu anaikkira joliFemale: Next comes the work of embracing
Male :Adha nenaikkaiyilMale: Thinking about that
Naakula thaen oorudhaeHoney waters in the mouth
Male
Annaadam velakku vachaEvery day when the evening lamp was lit
Adha nenachae elachaenaeI grew thin just longing for that day
Female
Kanaalam mudiyattumaeLet the marriage take place first
Adukkunnuthaan irukkenaeI am standing orderly in anticipation
Male
Naal kezhama onnu paakkanumaDo we really need to check for an auspicious day or date?
Female :Aaaki vechaa thinnu theekkanumaFemale: If food is cooked, should it be devoured immediately?
Male
Poona paal irukkum paathiraththaA cat that spots a vessel containing milk
Paathadhunna vidumaWill it spare it once it catches sight of it?
Female :Nenaputhaan unna kedukkuthuFemale: Your improper thoughts are spoiling you
Male :Vayasuthaan solli kodukkudhuMale: It is my youthful age that is teaching me this
Female
Konda chaeval koovum neramWhen the crested rooster crows
Male :Kukku kukku kukku kukku kukkuMale: Cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo
Female :Ketti mela thaalam kekkumFemale: The sound of auspicious wedding drums will be heard
Male :Dumdumdum dumdum dumdumdumMale: Dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum
Female
Kazhuthula yeranum thaaliThe sacred thread must be tied around the neck
Male :Aduthadhu anaikkira joliMale: Next comes the work of embracing
Female :Adha nenaikkaiyilFemale: Thinking about that
Naakula thaen oorudhaeHoney waters in the mouth
Female
Kattithaan kasakkidathaanIf you tie me tight and crush me like this
Pudhumalardhaan udhiraadhaWon't the fresh flower wither away?
Male :Ottithaan orasidathaanMale: To snuggle close and brush against each other
Oru vidhamaa irukaadhaWon't that feel altogether special?
Female
Orangatti enna usuppuriyaeWhy do you set me aside and tease my feelings?
Male :Odhungi ninnu summa pasappuriyaeMale: Standing at a distance, you are just cajoling me
Female
Enna maalaiyitta maamanukkuFor the maternal uncle who garlanded me
Vela vetti idhuvaaIs this the only job and occupation you have?
Male :Adhukkuthaan indha avasaramMale: That is precisely why there is this urgency
Female :Edhaiyumae ippo adakkanumFemale: You need to control everything right now
Male
Konda chaeval koovum neramWhen the crested rooster crows
Female :Kukku kukku kukku kukku kukkuFemale: Cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo
Male :Ketti mela thaalam kekkumMale: The sound of auspicious wedding drums will be heard
Female :Dumdumdum dumdum dumdumdumFemale: Dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum
Male
Kazhuthula yeranum thaaliThe sacred thread must be tied around the neck
Female :Aduthadhu anaikkira joliFemale: Next comes the work of embracing
Male :Adha nenaikkaiyilMale: Thinking about that
Naakula thaen oorudhaeHoney waters in the mouth

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful duet features a couple excitedly anticipating their upcoming wedding and intimacy. The groom expresses his impatient desire to embrace his bride, comparing his eagerness to a cat eyeing a bowl of milk, while the bride teasingly urges him to exercise self-control and wait until the marital rituals are complete. Through witty banter, metaphoric references to nature, and rhythmic vocal imitations, the song captures the lighthearted romance and traditional courtship dynamics between the couple.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia

Male :Kukku kukku kukku kukku kukku

Use of vocalized sound imitations like 'Kukku kukku' for rooster crowing and 'Dumdumdum' for wedding drums to create auditory vividness.

Metaphor

Naakula thaen oorudhae

Describing sweet excitement through the sensory metaphor of mouth-watering honey.

Analogy

Poona paal irukkum paathiraththa Paathadhunna viduma

Comparing male romantic eagerness to a cat unable to resist a vessel filled with milk.

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Kattithaan kasakkidathaan

The Tamil poetic tradition of second-letter agreement seen in lines like 'Kattithaan' and 'Ottithaan'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Enga Chinna Rasa' (1987) was a hit Tamil film directed by K. Bhagyaraj, who also starred in the lead role alongside Radha. The film's soundtrack was composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh, with lyrics penned by Vaali.

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