Koondu Kulla Enna Vechu
From Chinna Gounder · 1992
- Lyricist
- R. V. Udhaya Kumar
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Chinna Gounder1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| {Koondukulla enna vechu koodi ninna oora vittu | Leaving me trapped inside a cage and departing from this town of gathered people, |
| Koondukulla ponathenna kola kiliyae} (2) | Why did you go inside a cage yourself, my beautiful parrot? |
| Male | |
| {Adi maanae maanae unnathaanae | Leaving me trapped inside a cage and departing from this town of gathered people, |
| Enni naanum naalum thavichenae} (2) | Why did you go inside a cage yourself, my beautiful parrot? |
| Male | |
| Koondukulla enna vechu koodi ninna oora vittu | Oh my deer-like love, thinking only of you, |
| Koondukulla ponathenna kola kiliyae | I have been yearning and suffering every single day. |
| Female | |
| Kannu valathu kannu thaana thudichuthunaa | Oh my deer-like love, thinking only of you, |
| Yetho nadakuminnu pechu | I have been yearning and suffering every single day. |
| Male | |
| Maanam koraiyuminnu maasu padiyuminnu | Leaving me trapped inside a cage and departing from this town of gathered people, |
| Veenaa kathai mudinju pochu | Why did you go inside a cage yourself, my beautiful parrot? |
| Female | |
| Eesaana moolaiyila lesana palli chatham | If the right eye twitches on its own, |
| Maaman perai solli pesudhu | People say something unexpected is bound to happen. |
| Male | |
| Aaraatha sogam thannai theeraama sethu vachu | Fearing honor would be lost and reputation tarnished, |
| Oorum senthu ennai yesuthu | The story came to an end in vain. |
| Female | |
| Maamaa maamaa unnathaanae | In the northeastern corner, the subtle sound of a lizard, |
| Enni naanum naalum thavichenae | Seems to speak, uttering my uncle's name. |
| Male | |
| Koondukulla enna vechu koodi ninna oora vittu | Accumulating unhealing sorrow incessantly, |
| Koondukulla ponathenna kola kiliyae | The whole village joins together to scold and blame me. |
| Female | |
| Koondukulla unna vechu koodi ninna oora vittu | Oh uncle, thinking only of you, |
| Koondukulla vantha indha kola kiliyae | I have been yearning and suffering every single day. |
| Male | |
| Thennankilaiyum thendral kaathum kuyilum | Leaving me trapped inside a cage and departing from this town of gathered people, |
| Adi maanae unnai dhinam paadum | Why did you go inside a cage yourself, my beautiful parrot? |
| Female | |
| Kanji madippum karai vetti thuniyum | Keeping you locked inside a cage and leaving the town, |
| Intha maaman kathaiyai dhinam pesum | This beautiful parrot has now entered the cage. |
| Male | |
| Pollachi sandhaiyila kondantha selaiyila | The coconut branch, the gentle breeze, and the cuckoo bird, |
| Saayam innum vittu pogala | Oh my dear, they sing about you every day. |
| Female | |
| Bannari koyilukku mundhaanai oarathila | The starched fold and the bordered veshti cloth, |
| Nernthu mudicha kadan theerala | Constantly speak about this uncle's story. |
| Male | |
| Maanae maanae unnathaanae | On the saree brought from Pollachi market, |
| Enni naanum naalum thavichenae | The color dye hasn't even faded yet. |
| Female | |
| Koondukulla unna vechu koodi ninna oora vittu | At the corner of the saree pallu pledged to Bannari temple, |
| Koondukulla vantha indha kola kiliyae | The vowed religious debt is still not cleared. |
| Male | |
| Koondukulla enna vechu koodi ninna oora vittu | Oh my deer, thinking only of you, |
| Koondukulla ponathenna kola kiliyae | I have been yearning and suffering every single day. |
| Female | |
| En maamaa maamaa unnathaanae | Keeping you locked inside a cage and leaving the town, |
| Enni naanum naalum thavichenae | This beautiful parrot has now entered the cage. |
| Male | |
| Adi maanae maanae unnathaanae | Leaving me trapped inside a cage and departing from this town of gathered people, |
| Enni naanum naalum thavichenae | Why did you go inside a cage yourself, my beautiful parrot? |
| Male | |
| Koondukulla enna vechu koodi ninna oora vittu | Oh my uncle, thinking only of you, |
| Koondukulla ponathenna kola kiliyae | I have been yearning and suffering every single day. |
{ கூண்டுக்குள்ள
என்ன வெச்சு கூடி
நின்ன ஊர விட்டு
கூண்டுக்குள்ள போனதென்ன
கோலக்கிளியே } (2)
Leaving me trapped inside a cage and departing from this town of gathered people,
Why did you go inside a cage yourself, my beautiful parrot?
{ அடி மானே
மானே உன்னத்தானே
எண்ணி நானும்
நாளும் தவிச்சேனே } (2)
Leaving me trapped inside a cage and departing from this town of gathered people,
Why did you go inside a cage yourself, my beautiful parrot?
கூண்டுக்குள்ள
என்ன வெச்சு கூடி
நின்ன ஊர விட்டு
கூண்டுக்குள்ள போனதென்ன
கோலக்கிளியே
Oh my deer-like love, thinking only of you,
I have been yearning and suffering every single day.
கண்ணு வளத்து
கண்ணு தானா துடிச்சுதுனா
ஏதோ நடக்குமின்னு பேச்சு
Oh my deer-like love, thinking only of you,
I have been yearning and suffering every single day.
மானம் குறையுமின்னு
மாசு படியுமின்னு வீணா கதை
முடிஞ்சு போச்சு
Leaving me trapped inside a cage and departing from this town of gathered people,
Why did you go inside a cage yourself, my beautiful parrot?
ஈசான மூலையில
லேசான பள்ளி சத்தம்
மாமன் பேரை சொல்லி
பேசுது
If the right eye twitches on its own,
People say something unexpected is bound to happen.
ஆறாத சோகம்
தன்னை தீராம சேத்து
வச்சு ஊரும் சேந்து
என்னை ஏசுது
Fearing honor would be lost and reputation tarnished,
The story came to an end in vain.
மாமா மாமா
உன்னத்தானே எண்ணி
நானும் நாளும் தவிச்சேனே
In the northeastern corner, the subtle sound of a lizard,
Seems to speak, uttering my uncle's name.
கூண்டுக்குள்ள
என்ன வெச்சு கூடி
நின்ன ஊர விட்டு
கூண்டுக்குள்ள போனதென்ன
கோலக்கிளியே
Accumulating unhealing sorrow incessantly,
The whole village joins together to scold and blame me.
கூண்டுக்குள்ள
உன்ன வெச்சு கூடி
நின்ன ஊர விட்டு
கூண்டுக்குள்ள வந்த
திந்த கோலக்கிளியே
Oh uncle, thinking only of you,
I have been yearning and suffering every single day.
தென்னன்கிளையும்
தென்றல் காத்தும் குயிலும்
அடி மானே உன்னை தினம்
பாடும்
Leaving me trapped inside a cage and departing from this town of gathered people,
Why did you go inside a cage yourself, my beautiful parrot?
காஞ்சி மடிப்பும்
கரை வேட்டி துணியும்
இந்த மாமன் கதையை
தினம் பேசும்
Keeping you locked inside a cage and leaving the town,
This beautiful parrot has now entered the cage.
பொள்ளாச்சி சந்தையில
கொண்டாந்த சேலையில
சாயம் இன்னும் விட்டு
போகல
The coconut branch, the gentle breeze, and the cuckoo bird,
Oh my dear, they sing about you every day.
பன்னாரி கோயிலுக்கு
முந்தானை ஓரத்தில
நேர்ந்து முடிச்ச கடன் தீரல
The starched fold and the bordered veshti cloth,
Constantly speak about this uncle's story.
மானே மானே
உன்னத்தானே எண்ணி
நானும் நாளும் தவிச்சேனே
On the saree brought from Pollachi market,
The color dye hasn't even faded yet.
கூண்டுக்குள்ள
உன்ன வெச்சு கூடி
நின்ன ஊர விட்டு
கூண்டுக்குள்ள வந்த
திந்த கோலக்கிளியே
At the corner of the saree pallu pledged to Bannari temple,
The vowed religious debt is still not cleared.
கூண்டுக்குள்ள
என்ன வெச்சு கூடி
நின்ன ஊர விட்டு
கூண்டுக்குள்ள போனதென்ன
கோலக்கிளியே
Oh my deer, thinking only of you,
I have been yearning and suffering every single day.
என் மாமா மாமா
உன்னத்தானே எண்ணி
நானும் நாளும் தவிச்சேனே
Keeping you locked inside a cage and leaving the town,
This beautiful parrot has now entered the cage.
அடி மானே
மானே உன்னத்தானே
எண்ணி நானும்
நாளும் தவிச்சேனே
Leaving me trapped inside a cage and departing from this town of gathered people,
Why did you go inside a cage yourself, my beautiful parrot?
கூண்டுக்குள்ள
என்ன வெச்சு கூடி
நின்ன ஊர விட்டு
கூண்டுக்குள்ள போனதென்ன
கோலக்கிளியே
Oh my uncle, thinking only of you,
I have been yearning and suffering every single day.
{Koondukulla enna vechu koodi ninna oora vittu
Leaving me trapped inside a cage and departing from this town of gathered people,
Koondukulla ponathenna kola kiliyae} (2)
Why did you go inside a cage yourself, my beautiful parrot?
{Adi maanae maanae unnathaanae
Leaving me trapped inside a cage and departing from this town of gathered people,
Enni naanum naalum thavichenae} (2)
Why did you go inside a cage yourself, my beautiful parrot?
Koondukulla enna vechu koodi ninna oora vittu
Oh my deer-like love, thinking only of you,
Koondukulla ponathenna kola kiliyae
I have been yearning and suffering every single day.
Kannu valathu kannu thaana thudichuthunaa
Oh my deer-like love, thinking only of you,
Yetho nadakuminnu pechu
I have been yearning and suffering every single day.
Maanam koraiyuminnu maasu padiyuminnu
Leaving me trapped inside a cage and departing from this town of gathered people,
Veenaa kathai mudinju pochu
Why did you go inside a cage yourself, my beautiful parrot?
Eesaana moolaiyila lesana palli chatham
If the right eye twitches on its own,
Maaman perai solli pesudhu
People say something unexpected is bound to happen.
Aaraatha sogam thannai theeraama sethu vachu
Fearing honor would be lost and reputation tarnished,
Oorum senthu ennai yesuthu
The story came to an end in vain.
Maamaa maamaa unnathaanae
In the northeastern corner, the subtle sound of a lizard,
Enni naanum naalum thavichenae
Seems to speak, uttering my uncle's name.
Koondukulla enna vechu koodi ninna oora vittu
Accumulating unhealing sorrow incessantly,
Koondukulla ponathenna kola kiliyae
The whole village joins together to scold and blame me.
Koondukulla unna vechu koodi ninna oora vittu
Oh uncle, thinking only of you,
Koondukulla vantha indha kola kiliyae
I have been yearning and suffering every single day.
Thennankilaiyum thendral kaathum kuyilum
Leaving me trapped inside a cage and departing from this town of gathered people,
Adi maanae unnai dhinam paadum
Why did you go inside a cage yourself, my beautiful parrot?
Kanji madippum karai vetti thuniyum
Keeping you locked inside a cage and leaving the town,
Intha maaman kathaiyai dhinam pesum
This beautiful parrot has now entered the cage.
Pollachi sandhaiyila kondantha selaiyila
The coconut branch, the gentle breeze, and the cuckoo bird,
Saayam innum vittu pogala
Oh my dear, they sing about you every day.
Bannari koyilukku mundhaanai oarathila
The starched fold and the bordered veshti cloth,
Nernthu mudicha kadan theerala
Constantly speak about this uncle's story.
Maanae maanae unnathaanae
On the saree brought from Pollachi market,
Enni naanum naalum thavichenae
The color dye hasn't even faded yet.
Koondukulla unna vechu koodi ninna oora vittu
At the corner of the saree pallu pledged to Bannari temple,
Koondukulla vantha indha kola kiliyae
The vowed religious debt is still not cleared.
Koondukulla enna vechu koodi ninna oora vittu
Oh my deer, thinking only of you,
Koondukulla ponathenna kola kiliyae
I have been yearning and suffering every single day.
En maamaa maamaa unnathaanae
Keeping you locked inside a cage and leaving the town,
Enni naanum naalum thavichenae
This beautiful parrot has now entered the cage.
Adi maanae maanae unnathaanae
Leaving me trapped inside a cage and departing from this town of gathered people,
Enni naanum naalum thavichenae
Why did you go inside a cage yourself, my beautiful parrot?
Koondukulla enna vechu koodi ninna oora vittu
Oh my uncle, thinking only of you,
Koondukulla ponathenna kola kiliyae
I have been yearning and suffering every single day.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Koondukulla Enna Vechu' from the 1992 Tamil film Chinna Gounder is a deeply emotional duet expressing separation, societal pressure, and deep romantic longing between the protagonists. Using rural metaphors of a bird trapped in a cage ('Koondukulla... kola kiliyae'), the song conveys how circumstances and village gossip have restricted their freedom and kept them apart.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamaani / Metaphor (உவமை/உருவகம்)
“Koondukulla ponathenna kola kiliyae”
Comparing the lovers' emotional confinement to a parrot locked inside a cage ('Koondukulla ponathenna kola kiliyae').
Edhugai (Ethugai / Second-letter Rhyme)
“Koondukulla enna vechu / Koondukulla ponathenna”
The second consonant 'n' (ன்/ண) matches across consecutive lines, creating a rhythmic cadence.
Personification / Nature Metaphor
“Thennankilaiyum thendral kaathum kuyilum / Adi maanae unnai dhinam paadum”
Attributing human actions to nature, where coconut leaves, breeze, and cuckoos sing about the beloved.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by director R.V. Udhaya Kumar, this song stands out as one of the quintessential rural melodious duets sung by S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki. The film Chinna Gounder, starring Vijayakanth and Sukanya, was a major blockbuster and set a benchmark for village-centric drama music in 1990s Tamil cinema.
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