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Neethaana Andha Kuyil album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kottaiyile Kuyilirukku

From Neethaana Andha Kuyil · 1986

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Neethaana Andha Kuyil
Movie release year
1986
Lyrics added on
22 May 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Oooo oo ooo oo oo oo ooo oo
Kottaiyilae kuyilirukku
Kuyilukku oru kadhai irukku
Raavellaam adhu paadum
Andha raagam ketkiradha
Yedhedhoo adhil sogam
Andha yaekkam purigiradha
Kottaiyilae kuyilirukku
Nandri undu nenjila
Kobam undu kannula
Nyaayam puriyala
Naalai enna naerum
Edhirkaalam bathil koorum
Ival kadha thaan thodarkadhaiyoo
Vidhi ezhudhum vidukadhaiyoo
Ival kadha thaan thodarkadhaiyoo
Vidhi ezhudhum vidukadhaiyoo
Theeratha kaayangal aaraadhoo
Kottaiyilae kuyilirukku
Kuyilukku oru kadhai irukku
Kaayam patta pombala
Kanneeru innum kaayala
Kaalam kaniyala
Vaala koduvaala viduvaala viraivaala
Pagai mudikka ezhundhu vittaal
Sudum neruppaai kozhundhu vittaal
Pagai mudikka ezhundhu vittaal
Sudum neruppaai kozhundhu vittaal
Thoongaama poraada thuninjaalae
Kottaiyilae kuyilirukku
Kuyilukku oru kadhai irukku
Raavellaam adhu paadum
Andha raagam ketkiradha
Yedhedhoo adhil sogam
Andha yaekkam purigiradha
Kottaiyilae kuyilirukku
Oh, oh, oh, oh...
There is a cuckoo in the fort,
and that cuckoo has a story.
It sings all through the night;
can you hear that melody?
There is so much sorrow in it;
can you feel that longing?
There is a cuckoo in the fort.
There is gratitude in her heart,
and anger in her eyes.
Justice is hard to understand.
What will happen tomorrow?
Only the future will answer.
Is her life an unending story,
or a riddle written by fate?
Is her life an unending story,
or a riddle written by fate?
Won't these deep wounds ever heal?
There is a cuckoo in the fort,
and that cuckoo has a story.
She is a wounded woman,
her tears have not dried yet.
The right time has not yet come.
Will she stay quiet, or strike like a blade? Will she let go, or charge ahead?
She has risen to destroy her enemy,
blazing like a burning flame!
She has risen to destroy her enemy,
blazing like a burning flame!
She has dared to fight without sleep.
There is a cuckoo in the fort,
and that cuckoo has a story.
It sings all through the night;
can you hear that melody?
There is so much sorrow in it;
can you feel that longing?
There is a cuckoo in the fort.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song uses the poetic metaphor of a cuckoo bird trapped in a fort to represent a grieving woman trapped in her harsh reality. It portrays her complex emotions—carrying gratitude deep in her heart while bearing intense rage in her eyes due to unaddressed injustice. The lyrics question whether her tragic existence is an endless saga or a complex riddle crafted by destiny, mourning her deep, unhealable emotional wounds.\n\nAs the song advances, her deep sorrow transforms into unwavering resolve. The wounded woman rises like a blazing fire, ready to fight her enemies endlessly without sleep to claim justice. Lyricist Vairamuthu masterfully captures this powerful transition from tragic lamentation to fiery vengeance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Kottaiyilae kuyilirukku”

The suffering woman trapped in a castle/fort is poetically compared to a trapped cuckoo bird ('Kuyil').

Simile / Imagery (Uvamai)

“Sudum neruppaai kozhundhu vittaal”

Her intense rage and determination to end her enmity are compared to a rising, burning fire.

Rhetorical Question

“Ival kadha thaan thodarkadhaiyoo / Vidhi ezhudhum vidukadhaiyoo”

The line questions whether her life is an unending continuous saga or a riddle written by fate, emphasizing uncertainty.

Contrast / Antithesis

“Nandri undu nenjila / Kobam undu kannula”

Juxtaposes gratitude in the heart with anger in the eyes to highlight internal turmoil.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed with unknown credits in some records, Neethaana Andha Kuyil (1986) features a acclaimed soundtrack composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with evocative lyrics by Vairamuthu. The metaphor of the 'kuyil' (cuckoo) is central to the entire narrative of the film.

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