Koozhukkum Aasa Meesaikkum
From Adutha Veedu · 1989
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- P. Jayachandran, Latha Kannan
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Adutha Veedu1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Koozhukkum aasa meesaikkum aasa | Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache |
| Koozhukkum aasa meesaikkum aasa | Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache |
| Koodavae koodathu | Should never be allowed together |
| Karunguyil pola pattu paadu | Sing songs like a black cuckoo |
| Kakkaikku aagathu | A crow can never do that |
| Male | |
| Kattaiviral pol sundu viralum | Like a thumb, the pinky finger |
| Veenga koodathu | Should not swell up |
| Kattaiviral pol sundu viralum | Like a thumb, the pinky finger |
| Veenga koodathu | Should not swell up |
| Veekkam enbadhu endha naalum | Swelling can never be considered |
| Valarchiyaagaadhu | True growth on any day |
| Male | |
| Koozhukkum aasa meesaikkum aasa | Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache |
| Koozhukkum aasa meesaikkum aasa | Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache |
| Koodavae koodathu | Should never be allowed together |
| Karunguyil pola pattu paadu | Sing songs like a black cuckoo |
| Kakkaikku aagathu | A crow can never do that |
| Male | |
| Vandaloorula vayalu varappula | On the field bunds in Vandalur |
| Sundeli onnu irundhiduchaam | There lived a little field mouse |
| Adhu petha ponnukku periya edathula | For its daughter, in a grand place |
| Maappillai thedi alanjiduchaam | It wandered seeking a groom |
| Male | |
| Rombha periyavan suriyandhaannu | Thinking the Sun was the greatest of all |
| Adhu kitta poyi kettiduchaam | It went and asked him |
| Adhu thanna moodura meganthaan | The cloud that covers me |
| Rombha periya aalu nnu solliduchaam | Is the truly great one, replied the Sun |
| Female | |
| Aaang appuram | Ah, and then? |
| Male :Than magalai kattikka | Male: To marry its daughter |
| Solli megatha kettuchi | It asked the cloud |
| Female :Megam ennappa solluchi | Female: What did the cloud say? |
| Male | |
| Kaathadicha naan kalanjiduvennu | When the wind blows, I disperse |
| Gauravamaaga solliduchaam | It said with dignity |
| Male | |
| Kaathukitta poyi kettadhukku | When it went and asked the wind |
| Adhu enna sollichaam theriyuma | Do you know what it said? |
| Male | |
| Adikkura kaatha thadukkudhu suvaru | The wall blocks the blowing wind |
| Adikkura kaatha thadukkudhu suvaru | The wall blocks the blowing wind |
| Adhu thaan perusunnu solliduchaam | So the wall is the greatest, it said |
| Female | |
| Appo sundelikkum sevarukkum thaan | So then, between the little mouse and the wall |
| Kalyaanam aachaam | Did the wedding happen? |
| Male | |
| Illaiyae ….sevaru sollichu | No... the wall spoke up |
| Male | |
| Veettu sevaraai naan irundhaalum | Even though I stand as the house wall |
| Ottai podhudhu eli inam thaan | The rat species makes holes in me |
| Eli thaan perusu endrathu sevaru | The rat is the greatest, said the wall |
| Elikkum purinjathu thaan panna thavaru | The mouse realized the mistake it had made |
| Female | |
| Koozhukkum aasa | Desiring porridge |
| Male :Meesaikkum aasa | Male: Desiring a mustache |
| Female | |
| Koozhukkum aasa meesaikkum aasa | Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache |
| Koodavae koodathu | Should never be allowed together |
| Male :Karunguyil pola pattu paadu | Male: Sing songs like a black cuckoo |
| Kakkaikku aagathu | A crow can never do that |
| Female | |
| Karappaan boochikku meesa irukku | A cockroach has a mustache |
| Katta bommana maariduma | Can it turn into Kattabomman? |
| Female | |
| Vellattukkum thaadi irukku | A she-goat has a beard |
| Valluvan polae paadidumaa | Can it sing poetry like Valluvar? |
| Female | |
| Eppadi irundha nimmadhi irukkum | Living in whatever way gives peace of mind |
| Appadi irukkanum vaazhkaiyilae | That is how one should live in life |
| Female | |
| Ellai thaandi seedhai nadantha | When Sita crossed the boundary line |
| Enn aachu paar mudivinilae | See what happened in the end |
| Female | |
| Koozhukkum aasa meesaikkum aasa | Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache |
| Female | |
| Koozhukkum aasa meesaikkum aasa | Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache |
| Koodavae koodathu | Should never be allowed together |
| Karunguyil pola pattu paadu | Sing songs like a black cuckoo |
| Kakkaikku aagathu | A crow can never do that |
கூழுக்கும் ஆச மீசைக்கும் ஆச
கூழுக்கும் ஆச மீசைக்கும் ஆச
கூடவே கூடாது
கருங்குயில் போல பாட்டு பாட
காக்கைக்கு ஆகாது
Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache
Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache
Should never be allowed together
Sing songs like a black cuckoo
A crow can never do that
கட்டை விரல் போல் சுண்டு விரலும்
வீங்கக் கூடாது
கட்டை விரல் போல் சுண்டு விரலும்
வீங்கக் கூடாது
வீக்கம் என்பது எந்த நாளும்
வளர்ச்சியாகாது..........
Like a thumb, the pinky finger
Should not swell up
Like a thumb, the pinky finger
Should not swell up
Swelling can never be considered
True growth on any day
கூழுக்கும் ஆச மீசைக்கும் ஆச
கூழுக்கும் ஆச மீசைக்கும் ஆச
கூடவே கூடாது
கருங்குயில் போல பாட்டு பாட
காக்கைக்கு ஆகாது
Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache
Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache
Should never be allowed together
Sing songs like a black cuckoo
A crow can never do that
வண்டலூருல வயலு வரப்பில
சுண்டலி ஒண்ணு இருந்திடுச்சாம்
அது பெத்தப் பொண்ணுக்கு பெரிய எடத்துல
மாப்பிள்ளை தேடி அலைஞ்சிடுச்சாம்
On the field bunds in Vandalur
There lived a little field mouse
For its daughter, in a grand place
It wandered seeking a groom
ரொம்ப பெரியவன் சூரியந்தான்னு
அது கிட்ட போயி கேட்டுடிச்சாம்
அது தன்ன மூடுற மேகந்தான்
ரொம்ப பெரிய ஆளுன்னு சொல்லிடிச்சாம்
Thinking the Sun was the greatest of all
It went and asked him
The cloud that covers me
Is the truly great one, replied the Sun
ஆங் அப்புறம் ....
தன் மகளை கட்டிக்க
சொல்லி மேகத்த கேட்டுச்சி
மேகம் என்னப்பா சொல்லிச்சி....
Ah, and then?
Male: To marry its daughter
It asked the cloud
Female: What did the cloud say?
காத்தடிச்சா நான் கலஞ்சிடுவேன்னு
கௌரவமாக சொல்லிடிச்சாம்
When the wind blows, I disperse
It said with dignity
காத்துக் கிட்டப் போயி கேட்டதுக்கு
அது என்ன சொல்லிச்சாம் தெரியுமா
When it went and asked the wind
Do you know what it said?
அடிக்கிற காத்த தடுக்குது சுவரு
அடிக்கிற காத்த தடுக்குது சுவரு
அதுதான் பெரிசுன்னு சொல்லிடிச்சாம்
The wall blocks the blowing wind
The wall blocks the blowing wind
So the wall is the greatest, it said
அப்போ சுண்டெலிக்கும் சொவருக்கும்தான்
கல்யாணம் ஆச்சா......
இல்லையே.......சொவரு சொல்லிச்சு
So then, between the little mouse and the wall
Did the wedding happen?
வீட்டு சொவரா நான் இருந்தாலும்
ஓட்டைப் போடுது எலி இனம்தான்
எலிதான் பெரிசு என்றது சொவரு
எலிக்கும் புரிஞ்சுது தான் பண்ண தவறு
No... the wall spoke up
கூழுக்கும் ஆசை
மீசைக்கும் ஆசை
Even though I stand as the house wall
The rat species makes holes in me
The rat is the greatest, said the wall
The mouse realized the mistake it had made
கூழுக்கும் ஆச மீசைக்கும் ஆச
கூடவே கூடாது
கருங்குயில் போல பாட்டு பாட
காக்கைக்கு ஆகாது
Desiring porridge
Male: Desiring a mustache
கரப்பான் பூச்சிக்கு மீச இருக்கு
கட்ட பொம்மனா மாறிடுமா
Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache
Should never be allowed together
Male: Sing songs like a black cuckoo
A crow can never do that
வெள்ளாட்டுக்கும் தாடி இருக்கு
வள்ளுவன் போலே பாடிடுமா
A cockroach has a mustache
Can it turn into Kattabomman?
எப்படி இருந்தா நிம்மதி இருக்கும்
அப்படி இருக்கணும் வாழ்க்கையிலே
A she-goat has a beard
Can it sing poetry like Valluvar?
எல்லைத் தாண்டி சீதை நடந்தா
என்ன ஆச்சு பார் முடிவினிலே...
Living in whatever way gives peace of mind
That is how one should live in life
கூழுக்கும் ஆச மீசைக்கும் ஆச
கூடவே கூடாது
கருங்குயில் போல பாட்டு பாட
காக்கைக்கு ஆகாது
When Sita crossed the boundary line
See what happened in the end
Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache
Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache
Should never be allowed together
Sing songs like a black cuckoo
A crow can never do that
Koozhukkum aasa meesaikkum aasa
Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache
Koozhukkum aasa meesaikkum aasa
Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache
Koodavae koodathu
Should never be allowed together
Karunguyil pola pattu paadu
Sing songs like a black cuckoo
Kakkaikku aagathu
A crow can never do that
Kattaiviral pol sundu viralum
Like a thumb, the pinky finger
Veenga koodathu
Should not swell up
Kattaiviral pol sundu viralum
Like a thumb, the pinky finger
Veenga koodathu
Should not swell up
Veekkam enbadhu endha naalum
Swelling can never be considered
Valarchiyaagaadhu
True growth on any day
Koozhukkum aasa meesaikkum aasa
Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache
Koozhukkum aasa meesaikkum aasa
Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache
Koodavae koodathu
Should never be allowed together
Karunguyil pola pattu paadu
Sing songs like a black cuckoo
Kakkaikku aagathu
A crow can never do that
Vandaloorula vayalu varappula
On the field bunds in Vandalur
Sundeli onnu irundhiduchaam
There lived a little field mouse
Adhu petha ponnukku periya edathula
For its daughter, in a grand place
Maappillai thedi alanjiduchaam
It wandered seeking a groom
Rombha periyavan suriyandhaannu
Thinking the Sun was the greatest of all
Adhu kitta poyi kettiduchaam
It went and asked him
Adhu thanna moodura meganthaan
The cloud that covers me
Rombha periya aalu nnu solliduchaam
Is the truly great one, replied the Sun
Aaang appuram
Ah, and then?
Male :Than magalai kattikka
Male: To marry its daughter
Solli megatha kettuchi
It asked the cloud
Female :Megam ennappa solluchi
Female: What did the cloud say?
Kaathadicha naan kalanjiduvennu
When the wind blows, I disperse
Gauravamaaga solliduchaam
It said with dignity
Kaathukitta poyi kettadhukku
When it went and asked the wind
Adhu enna sollichaam theriyuma
Do you know what it said?
Adikkura kaatha thadukkudhu suvaru
The wall blocks the blowing wind
Adikkura kaatha thadukkudhu suvaru
The wall blocks the blowing wind
Adhu thaan perusunnu solliduchaam
So the wall is the greatest, it said
Appo sundelikkum sevarukkum thaan
So then, between the little mouse and the wall
Kalyaanam aachaam
Did the wedding happen?
Illaiyae ….sevaru sollichu
No... the wall spoke up
Veettu sevaraai naan irundhaalum
Even though I stand as the house wall
Ottai podhudhu eli inam thaan
The rat species makes holes in me
Eli thaan perusu endrathu sevaru
The rat is the greatest, said the wall
Elikkum purinjathu thaan panna thavaru
The mouse realized the mistake it had made
Koozhukkum aasa
Desiring porridge
Male :Meesaikkum aasa
Male: Desiring a mustache
Koozhukkum aasa meesaikkum aasa
Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache
Koodavae koodathu
Should never be allowed together
Male :Karunguyil pola pattu paadu
Male: Sing songs like a black cuckoo
Kakkaikku aagathu
A crow can never do that
Karappaan boochikku meesa irukku
A cockroach has a mustache
Katta bommana maariduma
Can it turn into Kattabomman?
Vellattukkum thaadi irukku
A she-goat has a beard
Valluvan polae paadidumaa
Can it sing poetry like Valluvar?
Eppadi irundha nimmadhi irukkum
Living in whatever way gives peace of mind
Appadi irukkanum vaazhkaiyilae
That is how one should live in life
Ellai thaandi seedhai nadantha
When Sita crossed the boundary line
Enn aachu paar mudivinilae
See what happened in the end
Koozhukkum aasa meesaikkum aasa
Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache
Koozhukkum aasa meesaikkum aasa
Desiring porridge and desiring a mustache
Koodavae koodathu
Should never be allowed together
Karunguyil pola pattu paadu
Sing songs like a black cuckoo
Kakkaikku aagathu
A crow can never do that
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This folk-inspired philosophical song uses proverbs, nature allegories, and a classic fable to convey lessons about contentment, self-awareness, and humility. The central Tamil proverb 'Koozhukkum aasa, meesaikkum aasa' cautions against double-minded greed—trying to consume porridge without dirtying one's mustache—showing that incompatible desires lead to failure. Through humor and satire, the song reinforces that superficial features do not grant nobility, and one should accept oneself rather than overstepping boundaries. The middle segment retells a Panchatantra fable where a mouse seeks the most powerful entity in the universe (Sun, Cloud, Wind, Wall) to marry his daughter, only to realize that rats themselves can erode walls, completing the cycle of humility. Lyricist Vairamuthu weaves simple yet profound folk logic encouraging peaceful living within one's natural limits.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Proverbial Metaphor (Pazhamozhi)
“Koozhukkum aasa meesaikkum aasa”
Uses the traditional Tamil folk adage about wanting to eat porridge while preserving one's mustache to symbolize contradictory or greedy desires.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Kattaiviral pol sundu viralum veenga koodathu”
Compares a swollen pinky finger to a thumb to convey that unnatural swelling or egoistic pretension should not be mistaken for real growth.
Satirical Metaphor
“Karappaan boochikku meesa irukku katta bommana maariduma”
Contrasts a cockroach's antennae/mustache with the heroic ruler Veerapandiya Kattabomman to highlight how physical appearance alone does not bestow greatness.
Did you know?
Trivia
The allegorical story recited in the song—about a mouse searching for the ultimate groom across the Sun, Cloud, Wind, and Wall—is directly adapted from ancient Panchatantra folklore, ingeniously retrofitted into rhythmic Tamil folk lyrics by Vairamuthu.
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