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Lyrics & meaning

Koovatha Inbakkuyil Koovum

From Arivaali · 1963

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
P. Banumathi
Music director
S. V. Venkatraman
Movie name
Arivaali
Movie release year
1963
Lyrics added on
19 Mar 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
………………
Koovaatha inbakkuyil koovum
Koovaatha inbakkuyil koovum
En vaazhvennum kulir nizhal cholaiyilae
Koovaatha inbakkuyil koovum
Anbu ennum thendral amuthaaga vanthu veesum
Anbu ennum thendral amuthaaga vanthu veesum
Asainthaadum poovai kandu aasai theera pesum
Koovaatha inbakkuyil koovum
Kaanpavai yaavumingae ennaalumae
Kanavilum kaanaatha anantha kaatchiyae
Kaanpavai yaavumingae ennaalumae
Kanavilum kaanaatha anantha kaatchiyae
Jaadhi malli kodiyae
Tharumeedhu thaavi thazhuvi thuyilum
Jaadhi malli kodiyae
Tharumeedhu thaavi thazhuvi thuyilum
Kadhal geedham paadi vandu ulavum
Bodhai meeri poovai naadi kulavum
Koovaatha inbakkuyil koovum
Koovaatha inbakkuyil koovum
En vaazhvennum kulir nizhal cholaiyilae
Koovaatha inbakkuyil koovum
...
A cuckoo of joy that never sang will now sing,
A cuckoo of joy that never sang will now sing,
In the cool, shaded grove of my life,
A cuckoo of joy that never sang will now sing.
The gentle breeze of love will blow sweet as nectar,
The gentle breeze of love will blow sweet as nectar,
Seeing the swaying flower, it will talk to its heart's content.
A cuckoo of joy that never sang will now sing.
Everything seen here, every single day,
Is a blissful sight not seen even in dreams.
Everything seen here, every single day,
Is a blissful sight not seen even in dreams.
The jasmine vine
Climbs upon the tree, embraces it, and rests.
The jasmine vine
Climbs upon the tree, embraces it, and rests.
Singing a song of love, the bee wanders around,
Drunk on delight, it seeks the flower and cuddles close.
A cuckoo of joy that never sang will now sing,
A cuckoo of joy that never sang will now sing,
In the cool, shaded grove of my life,
A cuckoo of joy that never sang will now sing.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Koovaatha inbakkuyil koovum' is a blissful solo from the 1963 film Arivaali, sung by P. Bhanumathi. The song expresses a deep sense of joyful awakening and hope in love. The protagonist compares her life to a cool, shaded garden where the once-silent cuckoo of happiness has finally begun to sing. Love arrives like a gentle, nectar-sweet breeze, soothing her heart. Using romantic imagery from nature—such as a jasmine vine entwining a tree and a bee singing love tunes while seeking flowers—the lyrics depict an ideal world filled with overwhelming joy. Everything around her feels like an enchanting vision that surpasses even her sweetest dreams.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagamm (Metaphor)

En vaazhvennum kulir nizhal cholaiyilae

Life is metaphorically framed as a cool, shaded grove ('vaazhvennum kulir nizhal cholai').

Metaphor

Anbu ennum thendral amuthaaga vanthu veesum

Love is directly conceptualized as a sweet, nectar-like gentle breeze ('Anbu ennum thendral amuthaaga').

Monae (Initial Alliteration)

Kanavilum kaanaatha anantha kaatchiyae

Repetition of the 'Ka' sound at the beginning of words ('Kanavilum' / 'kaanaatha') creates poetic meter.

Iyaibu (Rhyming Couplet / End Rhyme)

Bodhai meeri poovai naadi kulavum

The line endings 'ulavum' and 'kulavum' rhyme together, creating a pleasing musical rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Arivaali (1963) featured M. G. Ramachandran and P. Bhanumathi in lead roles. Bhanumathi, known for her versatile talents as an actress, singer, and director, personally sang this classic solo composed by S. V. Venkatraman with lyrics by legendary poet A. Maruthakasi.

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