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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kootathile Kovil Pura

From Idhaya Kovil · 1985

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Idhaya Kovil1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{ Kootathilae kovil puraA temple dove in the crowd,
Yaarai ingu theduthamma } (3)Whom is she searching for here?
Kolusu satham ketkaiyilae manamWhen hearing the sound of anklets, my heart
Thanthi adikuthu thanthi adikuthuIs sending a telegram, sending a telegram!
Male
Kumari pennai paarkaiyilaeWhen looking at the young maiden,
Oli minnaladikuthu minnal adikuthuLightnings flash, lightnings flash!
{ Kootathilae kovil puraA temple dove in the crowd,
Yaarai ingu theduthamma } (2)Whom is she searching for here?
Female
………………………………
Male
Naan paadum raagangalThe ragas that I sing,
Yaar thanthadhu en kaadhalWho bestowed them, my love?
Devi nee thanthadhu un paarvaiGoddess, you gave them; your gaze
En nenjil yaazh meetudhuPlucks the harp strings in my heart.
Male
Un aasai ennai thaalaatudhuYour desire lulls me to sleep.
Poonguyilae …….ae aeO flower-like cuckoo...
Poonguyilae undhan paathaiyilaeO flower-like cuckoo, in your pathway,
Aanantha thaen pozhivenI shall shower blissful honey.
Male
Paavai unnai enni konduThinking of you, maiden,
Paadukindren paadalondruI am singing a song.
Male : Nenjukullae neeyum vanthuMale: Coming inside my heart,
Vaazhukindraai kovil konduYou reside there, making it your temple.
Male
Aanantha medaiyil poovizhi jaadaiyilOn the stage of bliss, with flower-eyed gestures,
Aayiram kaaviya naadagamaadidaTo enact a thousand epic dramas,
Ennuthu en manamaeMy heart eagerly longs.
Male
{ Kootathilae kovil puraA temple dove in the crowd,
Yaarai ingu theduthamma } (2)Whom is she searching for here?
Female
……………………………………
Male
Neethaanae naanAre you not my
Aadum brinthaavanamDancing Brindavan?
Nindraadum dhegam rojavanamYour swaying body is a garden of roses.
Aagayam kaanatha pon megamaeO golden cloud unseen by the sky,
Male
En paadal unnaalaeMy song, because of you,
Uyir vaazhumae kannipennaeShall live on, o young maiden.
Neeyum illaiyendraalIf you are not there,
Gaanamazhai varumoWill the rain of music ever fall?
Male
Thaamarai poo kaaleduthuTaking steps like lotus flowers,
Nee nadakum velaiyilaeWhen you walk along,
Thaalathudan santhangalaiRhythms and poetic meters
Katrukonden pon mayilaeI learned from you, golden peacock!
Male
Ennisai deepathaiThe lamp of my music,
Yetriya ponmayil vaan mazhaiThe golden peacock that lit it; like rain from the sky,
Pol indha paavalan nenjinilIn the heart of this poet,
Vaazhiya vaazhiyavaeMay you live long, live long!
Male
{ Kootathilae kovil puraA temple dove in the crowd,
Yaarai ingu theduthamma } (2)Whom is she searching for here?
Kolusu satham ketkaiyilae manamWhen hearing the sound of anklets, my heart
Thanthi adikuthu thanthi adikuthuIs sending a telegram, sending a telegram!
Male
Kumari pennai paarkaiyilaeWhen looking at the young maiden,
Oli minnaladikuthu minnal adikuthuLightnings flash, lightnings flash!
Male
………………………………
Male
Kootathilae kovil puraA temple dove in the crowd,
Male
…………………………………………
Male
Kootathilae kovil puraA temple dove in the crowd,
Male
…………………………………………
Male
Kootathilae kovil puraA temple dove in the crowd,
Male
…………………………………………
Male
{ Kootathilae kovil puraA temple dove in the crowd,
Yaarai ingu theduthamma } (2)Whom is she searching for here?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kootathilae Kovil Pura from the film Idhaya Kovil (1985) is an exuberant romantic track where the protagonist spots his beloved amidst a gathering and likens her pure, gentle presence to a temple dove. Hearing her anklets tinkling and seeing her radiant beauty causes his heart to burst with excitement, which he metaphorically describes as telegrams being sent and lightnings flashing inside him. He praises her as his ultimate muse, crediting her graceful movements and enchanting glances for inspiring his musical ragas and poetic rhythm. He portrays his heart as a temple where she resides, affirming that without her presence, his music would lose its soul, and prays for her everlasting happiness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kootathilae kovil pura

Comparing the beloved directly to a pure temple dove ('Kovil pura'), a garden of roses ('Rojavanam'), and a golden cloud ('Pon megamae').

Hyperbole (Uvamarupakam / Adukku)

Thanthi adikuthu thanthi adikuthu

Exaggerating emotional excitement by comparing heartbeats to sending telegrams ('Thanthi adikuthu') and visual dazzle to lightning strikes ('Minnal adikuthu').

Simile (Uvamai)

Pol indha paavalan nenjinil

Comparing the beloved's arrival and impact on the poet's heart to celestial rain falling from the sky ('Vaan mazhai pol').

Second-Letter Rhyme (Ethirai)

Aadum brinthaavanam / Nindraadum dhegam rojavanam

The usage of matching second consonants in consecutive poetic lines, such as 'Brinthaavanam' and 'Nindraadum'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the prompt left Music and Singers as unknown, 'Kootathilae Kovil Pura' was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by the legendary S. P. Balasubrahmanyam for the film 'Idhaya Kovil' starring Mohan and Radha. Written by lyricist Muthulingam, the song is renowned for its iconic synthesizer-accordion intro and fast-paced romantic rhythms.

Keep listening

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