Koovamal Koovum
From Vairamalai · 1954
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Vairamalai1954
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Humming…………… | (Humming) |
| Male :Humming………….. | Male: (Humming) |
| Male | |
| Koovamal koovum kokilam | The cuckoo that sings without cooing, |
| Koovamal koovum kokilam | The cuckoo that sings without cooing, |
| Ponn kondaadum kaadhal komalam | The gentle, tender maiden of love whom gold celebrates, |
| Yaarum kaanamal naam paadum geethamae | This is the song we sing unseen by anyone, |
| Kalaimaevum thamizh koorum nalvaedhamae | It is the sacred scripture proclaimed by artful Tamil. |
| Koovamal koovum kokilam | The cuckoo that sings without cooing, |
| Ponn kondaadum kaadhal komalam | The gentle, tender maiden of love whom gold celebrates, |
| Yaarum kaanamal naam paadum geethamae | This is the song we sing unseen by anyone, |
| Kalaimaevum thamizh koorum nalvaedhamae | It is the sacred scripture proclaimed by artful Tamil. |
| Female | |
| Kann meedhil paavai pol saerndhu nindraale | When she stood united like the pupil inside the eye, |
| Kaadhal ellai baedhamillai | Love knows no boundaries or differences. |
| Kann meedhil paavai pol saerndhu nindraale | When she stood united like the pupil inside the eye, |
| Kaadhal ellai baedhamillai | Love knows no boundaries or differences. |
| Anbu thaenodum neerodai naamae | We are the stream flowing with the sweet honey of affection, |
| Yaarum kaanamal naam paadum geethamae | This is the song we sing unseen by anyone, |
| Kalaimaevum thamizh koorum nalvaedhamae | It is the sacred scripture proclaimed by artful Tamil. |
| Male | |
| Kannaadi polae ennangal yaavum | All thoughts are like a clear mirror, |
| Paarvaiyilae inghu kaanugindren | I see them right here in your gaze, |
| Anbae vaarthaigal yaeno | Oh beloved, why do we even need words? |
| Female :Veenaiyin naadham maevum sangeedham | Female: Music enriched by the sweet tone of the veena, |
| Naaldhorum naam kaanum aanandha isaiyaagum | It becomes the joyful music we experience every day. |
| Veenaiyin naadham maevum sangeedham | Music enriched by the sweet tone of the veena, |
| Naaldhorum naam kaanum aanandha isaiyaagum | It becomes the joyful music we experience every day. |
| Male | |
| Inba velai | In this time of bliss, |
| Female :Namadhu vaazhvai | Female: Our life... |
| Both :Yaarum kandaalum naam paadum geethamae | Both: Even if anyone sees us, this is the song we sing, |
| Ennaalum azhiyaadhae en jeevanae | Oh my soul, it shall never perish on any day. |
| Male | |
| Inneram ooril ennenna kolamoo | What strange spectacles are taking place in the town at this hour? |
| Manamaganoo ingae manamagalo angae | The bridegroom is here, while the bride is over there, |
| Vaedikkai aanadhae | It has become quite a funny spectacle! |
| Inneram ooril ennenna kolamoo | What strange spectacles are taking place in the town at this hour? |
| Manamaganoo ingae manamagalo angae | The bridegroom is here, while the bride is over there, |
| Vaedikkai aanadhae | It has become quite a funny spectacle! |
| Female | |
| Manamagal ingae manamagan angae | Now the bride is here, and the bridegroom is over there, |
| Naam kaanum aanandham thaai thandhai arivaaroo? | Will our mother and father ever understand the bliss we feel? |
| Male | |
| Inba velai | In this time of bliss, |
| Female :Namadhu vaazhvai | Female: Our life... |
| Both :Yaarum kandaalum naam paadum geethamae | Both: Even if anyone sees us, this is the song we sing, |
| Ennaalum azhiyaadhae en jeevanae | Oh my soul, it shall never perish on any day. |
| Female | |
| Haaaa..aa | Ah... |
| Male :Koovamal koovum kokilam | Male: The cuckoo that sings without cooing, |
| Ponn kondaadum kaadhal komalam | The gentle, tender maiden of love whom gold celebrates, |
| Both :Yaarum kandaalum naam paadum geethamae | Both: Even if anyone sees us, this is the song we sing, |
| Ennaalum azhiyaadhae en jeevanae | Oh my soul, it shall never perish on any day. |
முனங்கல் .........
முனங்கல் .........
(Humming)
Male: (Humming)
கூவாமல் கூவும் கோகிலம்
கூவாமல் கூவும் கோகிலம்
பொன் கொண்டாடும் காதல் கோமளம்
யாரும் காணாமல் நாம் பாடும் கீதமே
கலைமேவும் தமிழ் கூறும் நல் வேதமே
கூவாமல் கூவும் கோகிலம்
பொன் கொண்டாடும் காதல் கோமளம்
யாரும் காணாமல் நாம் பாடும் கீதமே
கலைமேவும் தமிழ் கூறும் நல் வேதமே
The cuckoo that sings without cooing,
The cuckoo that sings without cooing,
The gentle, tender maiden of love whom gold celebrates,
This is the song we sing unseen by anyone,
It is the sacred scripture proclaimed by artful Tamil.
The cuckoo that sings without cooing,
The gentle, tender maiden of love whom gold celebrates,
This is the song we sing unseen by anyone,
It is the sacred scripture proclaimed by artful Tamil.
கண் மீதில் பாவை போல் சேர்ந்து நின்றாலே
காதல் எல்லை பேதமில்லை
கண் மீதில் பாவை போல் சேர்ந்து நின்றாலே
காதல் எல்லை பேதமில்லை
அன்பு தேனோடும் நீரோடை நாமே
யாரும் கண்டாலும் நாம் பாடும் கீதமே
என்னாளும் அழியாதே என் ஜீவனே
When she stood united like the pupil inside the eye,
Love knows no boundaries or differences.
When she stood united like the pupil inside the eye,
Love knows no boundaries or differences.
We are the stream flowing with the sweet honey of affection,
This is the song we sing unseen by anyone,
It is the sacred scripture proclaimed by artful Tamil.
கண்ணாடி போலே எண்ணங்கள் யாவும்
பார்வையிலே இங்கு காணுகின்றேன்
அன்பே வார்த்தைகள் ஏனோ
வீணையின் நாதம் மேவும் சங்கீதம்
நாள்தோறும் நாம் காணும் ஆனந்த இசையாகும்
வீணையின் நாதம் மேவும் சங்கீதம்
நாள்தோறும் நாம் காணும் ஆனந்த இசையாகும்
All thoughts are like a clear mirror,
I see them right here in your gaze,
Oh beloved, why do we even need words?
Female: Music enriched by the sweet tone of the veena,
It becomes the joyful music we experience every day.
Music enriched by the sweet tone of the veena,
It becomes the joyful music we experience every day.
இன்ப வேளை
நமது வாழ்வை
இருவர் :
யாரும் கண்டாலும் நாம் பாடும் கீதமே
எந்நாளும் அழியாதே என் ஜீவனே
In this time of bliss,
Female: Our life...
Both: Even if anyone sees us, this is the song we sing,
Oh my soul, it shall never perish on any day.
இந்நேரம் ஊரில் என்னென்ன கோலமோ
மணமகனோ இங்கே மணமகளோ அங்கே
வேடிக்கை ஆனதே
இந்நேரம் ஊரில் என்னென்ன கோலமோ
மணமகனோ இங்கே மணமகளோ அங்கே
வேடிக்கை ஆனதே
மணமகள் இங்கே மணமகன் அங்கே
நாம் காணும் ஆனந்தம் தாய் தந்தை அறிவாரோ?
What strange spectacles are taking place in the town at this hour?
The bridegroom is here, while the bride is over there,
It has become quite a funny spectacle!
What strange spectacles are taking place in the town at this hour?
The bridegroom is here, while the bride is over there,
It has become quite a funny spectacle!
இன்ப வேளை
நமது வாழ்வை
இருவர் :
யாரும் கண்டாலும் நாம் பாடும் கீதமே
எந்நாளும் அழியாதே என் ஜீவனே
Now the bride is here, and the bridegroom is over there,
Will our mother and father ever understand the bliss we feel?
ஹா...ஆஆ
கூவாமல் கூவும் கோகிலம்
பொன் கொண்டாடும் காதல் கோமளம்
இருவர் :
யாரும் கண்டாலும் நாம் பாடும் கீதமே
எந்நாளும் அழியாதே என் ஜீவனே
In this time of bliss,
Female: Our life...
Both: Even if anyone sees us, this is the song we sing,
Oh my soul, it shall never perish on any day.
Ah...
Male: The cuckoo that sings without cooing,
The gentle, tender maiden of love whom gold celebrates,
Both: Even if anyone sees us, this is the song we sing,
Oh my soul, it shall never perish on any day.
Humming……………
(Humming)
Male :Humming…………..
Male: (Humming)
Koovamal koovum kokilam
The cuckoo that sings without cooing,
Koovamal koovum kokilam
The cuckoo that sings without cooing,
Ponn kondaadum kaadhal komalam
The gentle, tender maiden of love whom gold celebrates,
Yaarum kaanamal naam paadum geethamae
This is the song we sing unseen by anyone,
Kalaimaevum thamizh koorum nalvaedhamae
It is the sacred scripture proclaimed by artful Tamil.
Koovamal koovum kokilam
The cuckoo that sings without cooing,
Ponn kondaadum kaadhal komalam
The gentle, tender maiden of love whom gold celebrates,
Yaarum kaanamal naam paadum geethamae
This is the song we sing unseen by anyone,
Kalaimaevum thamizh koorum nalvaedhamae
It is the sacred scripture proclaimed by artful Tamil.
Kann meedhil paavai pol saerndhu nindraale
When she stood united like the pupil inside the eye,
Kaadhal ellai baedhamillai
Love knows no boundaries or differences.
Kann meedhil paavai pol saerndhu nindraale
When she stood united like the pupil inside the eye,
Kaadhal ellai baedhamillai
Love knows no boundaries or differences.
Anbu thaenodum neerodai naamae
We are the stream flowing with the sweet honey of affection,
Yaarum kaanamal naam paadum geethamae
This is the song we sing unseen by anyone,
Kalaimaevum thamizh koorum nalvaedhamae
It is the sacred scripture proclaimed by artful Tamil.
Kannaadi polae ennangal yaavum
All thoughts are like a clear mirror,
Paarvaiyilae inghu kaanugindren
I see them right here in your gaze,
Anbae vaarthaigal yaeno
Oh beloved, why do we even need words?
Female :Veenaiyin naadham maevum sangeedham
Female: Music enriched by the sweet tone of the veena,
Naaldhorum naam kaanum aanandha isaiyaagum
It becomes the joyful music we experience every day.
Veenaiyin naadham maevum sangeedham
Music enriched by the sweet tone of the veena,
Naaldhorum naam kaanum aanandha isaiyaagum
It becomes the joyful music we experience every day.
Inba velai
In this time of bliss,
Female :Namadhu vaazhvai
Female: Our life...
Both :Yaarum kandaalum naam paadum geethamae
Both: Even if anyone sees us, this is the song we sing,
Ennaalum azhiyaadhae en jeevanae
Oh my soul, it shall never perish on any day.
Inneram ooril ennenna kolamoo
What strange spectacles are taking place in the town at this hour?
Manamaganoo ingae manamagalo angae
The bridegroom is here, while the bride is over there,
Vaedikkai aanadhae
It has become quite a funny spectacle!
Inneram ooril ennenna kolamoo
What strange spectacles are taking place in the town at this hour?
Manamaganoo ingae manamagalo angae
The bridegroom is here, while the bride is over there,
Vaedikkai aanadhae
It has become quite a funny spectacle!
Manamagal ingae manamagan angae
Now the bride is here, and the bridegroom is over there,
Naam kaanum aanandham thaai thandhai arivaaroo?
Will our mother and father ever understand the bliss we feel?
Inba velai
In this time of bliss,
Female :Namadhu vaazhvai
Female: Our life...
Both :Yaarum kandaalum naam paadum geethamae
Both: Even if anyone sees us, this is the song we sing,
Ennaalum azhiyaadhae en jeevanae
Oh my soul, it shall never perish on any day.
Haaaa..aa
Ah...
Male :Koovamal koovum kokilam
Male: The cuckoo that sings without cooing,
Ponn kondaadum kaadhal komalam
The gentle, tender maiden of love whom gold celebrates,
Both :Yaarum kandaalum naam paadum geethamae
Both: Even if anyone sees us, this is the song we sing,
Ennaalum azhiyaadhae en jeevanae
Oh my soul, it shall never perish on any day.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Koovamal Koovum Kokilam from the 1954 film Vairamalai is a sweet romantic duet depicting the intimate connection between two lovers. The male protagonist describes his beloved as a silent cuckoo and a golden maiden of love whose presence transcends all boundaries, comparing their emotional unity to a pupil inside an eye and their bond to a sweet stream of honey. The song celebrates their private world of unspoken understanding where words are redundant, as feelings are mirrored in each other's eyes.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Paradox / Oxymoron (Muran)
“Koovamal koovum kokilam”
The phrase 'Koovamal koovum' literally means 'cooing without cooing', representing silent emotional expression.
Alliteration (Monai)
“Koovamal koovum kokilam”
Repetition of the initial 'Ko' consonant sound across 'Koovamal', 'koovum', and 'kokilam'.
Simile (Upamai)
“Kannaadi polae ennangal yaavum”
Comparing thoughts to a clear mirror ('Kannaadi polae ennangal') to depict total transparency between lovers.
Metaphor (Urvagam)
“Anbu thaenodum neerodai naamae”
Describing their affectionate bond as a flowing stream of honey ('Anbu thaenodum neerodai').
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by the legendary music director duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, this early 1950s duet brings together Carnatic vocal titan M. L. Vasanthakumari and Trichy Loganathan, featuring poetic lyrics penned by Kannadasan.
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