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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kooduvittu Aavi Ponathe

From Aelay · 2021

Lyricist
K. Chitrasenan
Singer
K. Chitrasenan
Music director
Aruldev
Details
Aelay2021

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kooduvittu aavi ponatheThe spirit has departed from its nest.
Un pirivai enni kudumbamellamThinking of your separation, the entire family
Kumuri alugutheIs weeping uncontrollably.
Kooduvittu aavi ponatheThe spirit has departed from its nest.
Un pirivai enni kudumbamellamThinking of your separation, the entire family
Kumuri alugutheIs weeping uncontrollably.
Kumuri alugutheIs weeping uncontrollably.
Male
Naanum inge neeyum engeI am here, where are you?
Uruvam inge usurum engeThe body is here, where is the life inside?
Unnidan oru naal kooduvom angeWe shall meet with you there one day.
Unnai kaanave seruvom angeWe will gather there just to see you.
Unnai kaanave seruvom angeWe will gather there just to see you.
Male
Kooduvittu aavi ponatheThe spirit has departed from its nest.
Un pirivai enni kudumbamellamThinking of your separation, the entire family
Kumuri alugutheIs weeping uncontrollably.
Kumuri alugutheIs weeping uncontrollably.
Male
Ice vikka ponaaiYou went out to sell ice cream,
Ice aaga aanaaiAnd you yourself became cold as ice.
Asaiyatha angam kanduSeeing your motionless body,
Alugirom thanaaiWe cry helpless tears.
Un pol ullaam kondorThere is no one with a heart as good as yours
Oorukul illaiIn this entire town.
Un mugam thediyeSearching for your face,
Paaduthu un pillaiYour child sings.
Un mugam thediyePaaduthu un pillaiSearching for your face, your child sings.
Male
Kooduvittu aavi ponatheThe spirit has departed from its nest.
Un pirivai enni kudumbamellamThinking of your separation, the entire family
Kumuri alugutheIs weeping uncontrollably.
Kumuri alugutheIs weeping uncontrollably.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant dirge (Oppari) from the film Aelay expresses the intense grief of a family mourning the death of their beloved patriarch, an ice-cream vendor. The lyrics reflect on the transience of life, describing how the soul has abandoned the physical body like a bird leaving its nest.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Kooduvittu aavi ponathe

Compares the human body to a nest (koodu) and the soul/life to a bird/spirit (aavi) that has flown away.

Pun / Tragic Irony

Ice vikka ponaai / Ice aaga aanaai

Plays on the word 'Ice'—he went to sell ice cream, but ended up turned cold as ice (dead).

Rhyme / Parallelism (Emona & Etukai)

Naanum inge neeyum enge / Uruvam inge usurum enge

Uses contrasting parallel queries ('inge' vs 'enge') and matching poetic feet to highlight grief.

Repetition

Kumuri aluguthe

Repeated refrain to emphasize the deep sorrow and uncontrollable weeping of the family.

Did you know?

Trivia

Aelay (2021) is a Tamil comedy-drama centered around a father-son relationship and a simulated funeral. In the film, Samuthirakani plays Muthukkutti, an ice-cream vendor, which directly connects to the poignant line 'Ice vikka ponaai, Ice aaga aanaai'.

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