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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kovil Mani Osai

From Kizhakke Pogum Rail · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kizhakke Pogum Rail1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kovil mani osai thannai… kaettadhaaro…Who heard the sound of the temple bell?
Ingu vandhadhaaro…Who has come here?
Female :Paanjaali paanjaaliFemale: Panchali, Panchali
Female
Kovil mani osai thannai… seidhadhaaro…Who made the sound of the temple bell?
Avar yenna paero…What is his name?
Female :Paranjothi paranjothiFemale: Paranjothi, Paranjothi
Male
Kovil mani osai thannai kaettadhaaroWho heard the sound of the temple bell?
Ingu vandhadhaaro kanni poovo pinju poovoWho came here? Is it a virgin flower or a tender bloom?
Ezhai kuyil geetham tharum naadhamThe melody created by the poor cuckoo's song,
Adhu kaatraanadho thoodhaanadhoDid it turn into the breeze or did it become a messenger?
Female
Kovil mani osai thannai seidhadhaaroWho made the sound of the temple bell?
Avar yenna paero paattu paadum koottatthaaroWhat is his name? Is he part of a troupe that sings songs?
Ezhai kuyil geetham tharum naadhamThe melody created by the poor cuckoo's song,
Adhu kondaandhadho ennai inguDid that bring me here?
Male
Kovil mani osai thannai kaettadhaaro…Who heard the sound of the temple bell?
Male
Paadal oru kodi seidhaenI composed ten million songs,
Kaettavarkku njaanam illaiYet those who listened lacked the wisdom to understand.
Aasai kiliyae vandhaayae pannoduOh beloved parrot, you came along with melody!
Naan pirandha naalil idhu nalla naalaeOf all the days since I was born, this is a truly blessed day.
Chinna chinna mulla kili pillai ennai vendraalammaThe little green parrot maiden has conquered my heart, my dear.
Kovil mani osai thannai kaettadhaaro…Who heard the sound of the temple bell?
Female
Oorukku pona ponnuThe girl who went to town,
Ullooru chella kannuThe beloved darling of our local village,
Kovil mani osai kaettaalae vandhaalaeShe came as soon as she heard the temple bell ring!
Paavam undhan kachaerikku ponnu naanaaOh dear, am I really the right girl for your grand concert?
Paadum varai paadu thaalam podu adhai neeyae kaeluSing as long as you like, keep the beat, and listen to it yourself!
Kovil mani osai thannai seidhadhaaro…Who made the sound of the temple bell?
Male
En manadhu thaamarai pooMy heart is a lotus flower,
Un manadhu mullai mottuYour heart is a jasmine bud,
Kaalam varumae nee kooda pennaagaThe time will arrive when you too mature into a woman.
Female
Ooril oru pennaa illai thaedi paaruIs there no other woman in town? Go look around!
Nalla pennai kandaal konjam solluIf you find a good woman, let me know a little.
Male
Adhu nee thaanammaaThat girl is none other than you, my dear!
Kovil mani osai thannai kaettadhaaroWho heard the sound of the temple bell?
Ingu vandhadhaaroWho has come here?
Female
Paattu paadum koottatthaaroIs he part of a troupe that sings songs?
Male
Ezhai kuyil geetham tharum naadhamThe melody created by the poor cuckoo's song,
Female
Adhu kondaandhadho ennai inguDid that bring me here?
Kovil mani osai thannai seidhadhaaro…Who made the sound of the temple bell?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kovil Mani Osai from the movie Kizhakke Pogum Rail is a charming, playful duet between the primary lead characters, Paranjothi and Panchali. Set against a rural backdrop, the song uses the resonant ringing of a temple bell as a motif to symbolize the awakening of romantic feelings and mutual curiosity. The male lead sings about his artistic soul and his fond affection for the heroine, comparing her innocence to a tender bud and himself to a lotus. In response, the female lead coyly deflects his praise with witty retorts, questioning whether she is truly the one he seeks. Through metaphorical references to cuckoos, flowers, and gentle breezes, the lyrical exchange captures the innocence, teasing dynamics, and unspoken attraction of village romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

En manadhu thaamarai poo / Un manadhu mullai mottu

Comparing the human hearts directly to flowers ('My heart is a lotus flower, your heart is a jasmine bud') to reflect emotional purity and growth.

Rhetorical Question

Kovil mani osai thannai… kaettadhaaro…

Repeatedly asking who heard the bell or who made the sound as a stylistic device to introduce curiosity and narrative dialogue.

Rhyme and Alliteration (Edhugai and Monai)

Oorukku pona ponnu / Ullooru chella kannu

Matching initial and secondary consonants in adjacent lines ('Oorukku' / 'Ullooru' and 'ponnu' / 'kannu') creating a rhythmic folk cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kizhakke Pogum Rail (1978) was a landmark village drama directed by Bharathiraja, which introduced actors Sudhakar and Radhika Sarathkumar to Tamil cinema. Although the prompt lists parameters as unknown, the iconic soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with this track featuring vocals by Malaysia Vasudevan and S. Janaki.

Keep listening

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