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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Koodu Engae

From Senthamizh Selvan · 1994

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. S. Chithra, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music directors
K. V. Mahadevan, Ilayaraja
Details
Senthamizh Selvan1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Koodu engaeWhere is the nest?
Thaedi kili rendum thadumaarudhingaeSearching for it, two parrots are stumbling here.
Uravu engaeWhere is the kinship?
Rendu ullangal alai paayudhingaeTwo hearts are wavering like restless waves here.
Kelviya badhil enna badhilgalae vazhi ennaIs it a question? What is the answer? What is the way out?
Neengal sollungalaenPlease tell me!
Rendu ullangal alai paayudhingaeTwo hearts are wavering like restless waves here.
Rendu ullangal alai paayudhingaeTwo hearts are wavering like restless waves here.
Female
Koodu engaeWhere is the nest?
Thaedi kili rendum thadumaarudhingaeSearching for it, two parrots are stumbling here.
Uravu engaeWhere is the kinship?
Rendu ullangal alai paayudhingaeTwo hearts are wavering like restless waves here.
Male
Kobamaai paesinenI spoke in anger.
Vaarthaiyai veesinenI hurled harsh words.
Unnai vaayaadi pennaaga indruLooking at you as a outspoken girl today.
Female
Kaalangal thandhidumThe wounds inflicted by time,
Kaayangal thaanginenI endured them.
Undhan sol kooda adhu pola ondruYour words too are just like that.
Male
PoonthogaiyaeO soft flower-like maiden!
Sonna en vaarthaiyaeThe words I uttered,
Unnai ariyaamalWithout understanding you,
Naan sonna mozhi thaanammaaWere just words spoken inadvertently by me.
Female
En sogamae endrumMy sorrow will forever,
Ennodu thaanRemain with me.
Endhan sumai thaangiTo bear my heavy burden,
Ennaalum naan thaan aiyaaIt will always be me alone, my dear.
Male
Koodu engaeWhere is the nest?
Thaedi kili rendum thadumaarudhingaeSearching for it, two parrots are stumbling here.
Uravu engaeWhere is the kinship?
Rendu ullangal alai paayudhingaeTwo hearts are wavering like restless waves here.
Female
Uravu engaeWhere is the kinship?
Rendu ullangal alai paayudhingaeTwo hearts are wavering like restless waves here.
Female
Eendra thaai unduYou have a mother who gave birth to you,
Nee undu or veettilaeAnd you have a place in a home,
Andha thaai kooda enakkillai sollaI do not even have a mother to speak of.
Male
Andha thaai polaJust like that mother,
Naan undu un vaazhvilaeI am present in your life.
Ingu yaarum anaadhaigal allaNo one here is truly an orphan.
Female
Or odathil serndhuTogether in one boat,
Naam pogiromWe are journeying.
Serum karai ondruA shore where we land together,
Or naalil naam kaanalaamWe shall see one day.
Male
Keezh vaanilae thondrumAppearing in the eastern sky,
Vidi velli polLike the morning star,
Vaazhvil oli veesumShining brightness upon life,
Edhir kaalam undaagalaamA better future shall arise.
Female
Koodu engaeWhere is the nest?
Thaedi kili rendum thadumaarudhingaeSearching for it, two parrots are stumbling here.
Uravu engaeWhere is the kinship?
Rendu ullangal alai paayudhingaeTwo hearts are wavering like restless waves here.
Kelviya badhil enna badhilgalae vazhi ennaIs it a question? What is the answer? What is the way out?
Neengal sollungalaenPlease tell me!
Rendu ullangal alai paayudhingaeTwo hearts are wavering like restless waves here.
Male
Rendu ullangal alai paayudhingaeTwo hearts are wavering like restless waves here.
Female
Koodu engaeWhere is the nest?
Thaedi kili rendum thadumaarudhingaeSearching for it, two parrots are stumbling here.
Male :Uravu engaeMale: Where is the kinship?
Rendu ullangal alai paayudhingaeTwo hearts are wavering like restless waves here.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Koodu Engae' from 'Senthamizh Selvan' (1994) is an emotional duet exploring themes of belonging, regret, mutual support, and hope amid emotional dislocation. The metaphor of two birds searching for a lost nest illustrates the inner turbulence and quest for emotional refuge of the two central characters.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Koodu engae / Thaedi kili rendum thadumaarudhingae

Comparing the lead characters to two birds ('kili rendum') searching for shelter ('koodu') symbolises their search for love, identity, and security.

Simile (Upamai)

Vidi velli pol / Vaazhvil oli veesum

Comparing hope and future brightness to the morning star ('vidi velli') rising in the sky.

Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Eendra thaai undu / Andha thaai kooda enakkillai solla

The second consonant 'n' is repeated across successive lines ('Eendra' / 'Andha').

Did you know?

Trivia

Senthamizh Selvan (1994) stars Prashanth and Madhoo in the lead roles, directed by Manoj Kumar, featuring a musical score composed by M. S. Viswanathan and Ilaiyaraaja's associate Soundaryan.

Keep listening

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