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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kovilile Veedu Katti

From Annavin Aasai · 1966

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, A. L. Ragavan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Annavin Aasai1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kovililae veedu kattiOh birds that build a home in the temple
Kopuraththil koodu kattiAnd build nests on the temple tower
Kudiyirukkum paravaigalaeOh birds residing there
Konjam sollungalPlease tell us a little bit
Male
Kovililae veedu kattiOh birds that build a home in the temple
Kopuraththil koodu kattiAnd build nests on the temple tower
Kudiyirukkum paravaigalaeOh birds residing there
Konjam sollungalPlease tell us a little bit
Female
Paravai endraalumEven though you are birds
Ungal paasam pogumaaWill your affection ever fade away?
Male :Pazhagiya pinnae engalMale: Once we form a bond
Nesam pogumaaWill our love ever diminish?
Female
Paravai endraalumEven though you are birds
Ungal paasam pogumaaWill your affection ever fade away?
Male :Pazhagiya pinnae engalMale: Once we form a bond
Nesam pogumaaWill our love ever diminish?
Male
Suttram kandaal azhaikkiromWhen we see relatives, we call them over
Sontham vanthaal anaikkiromWhen kin arrives, we embrace them
Ondraai vaazhnthu varugiromWe live together as one
Ungalai polaeJust like you birds do
Female
Kovililae veedu kattiOh birds that build a home in the temple
Male :Kopuraththil koodu kattiMale: And build nests on the temple tower
Female :Kudiyirukkum paravaigalaeFemale: Oh birds residing there
Male :Konjam sollungalMale: Please tell us a little bit
Male
Kangalin melaeAbove the eyes
Imai kaaval allavaaIsn't the eyelid a protective guard?
Penmai endraalaeWhen one speaks of womanhood
Veettin perumai allavaaIsn't it the pride of the home?
Male
Oohho kangalin melaeOohho, above the eyes
Imai kaaval allavaaIsn't the eyelid a protective guard?
Penmai endraalaeWhen one speaks of womanhood
Veettin perumai allavaaIsn't it the pride of the home?
Male
Kuttram kandaal uraippathumPointing out flaws when seen
Kobam kondaal thaduppathumRestraining when anger arises
Mattror munnae maraippathumHiding shortcomings before others
Thaaimai allavaaIsn't that true motherliness?
Female
Kovililae veedu kattiOh birds that build a home in the temple
Male :Kopuraththil koodu kattiMale: And build nests on the temple tower
Female :Kudiyirukkum paravaigalaeFemale: Oh birds residing there
Male :Konjam sollungalMale: Please tell us a little bit
Female
Thambiyullavan saenai thalapathi aavaanHe who has a younger brother becomes an army commander
Male :Nambi vanthaval deiva naayagi aavaalMale: She who comes trusting him becomes a divine heroine
Female :Thambiyullavan saenai thalapathi aavaanFemale: He who has a younger brother becomes an army commander
Male :Nambi vanthaval deiva naayagi aavaalMale: She who comes trusting him becomes a divine heroine
Male
Illai ennum vaarththaiyaeIn such a way that the word 'No'
Illai ennum vagaiyilaeDoes not exist at all
Illam kandu vaazhvathae endrum nimmathiBuilding a home and living that way brings eternal peace
Female
Illai ennum vaarththaiyaeIn such a way that the word 'No'
Illai ennum vagaiyilaeDoes not exist at all
Illam kandu vaazhvathae endrum nimmathiBuilding a home and living that way brings eternal peace
Male
Kovililae veedu kattiOh birds that build a home in the temple
Female :Kopuraththil koodu kattiFemale: And build nests on the temple tower
Male :Kudiyirukkum paravaigalaeMale: Oh birds residing there
Both :Konjam sollungalBoth: Please tell us a little bit
Male
Kovililae veedu kattiOh birds that build a home in the temple
Kopuraththil koodu kattiAnd build nests on the temple tower
Kudiyirukkum paravaigalaeOh birds residing there
Konjam sollungalPlease tell us a little bit
Female :Aa….aa….aah…aah….Female: Aa....aa....aah...aah....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from 'Annavin Aasai' (1966) uses the metaphor of birds nesting in a temple tower to celebrate familial unity, virtuous living, and domestic harmony. The singers compare human family bonds to birds living peacefully together, emphasizing that true affection and unity never wane after genuine bonds are established.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Mogana (Anaphora / Alliteration)

Kovililae veedu katti / Kopuraththil koodu katti

Repetition of the 'Ko/Ku' consonant sound at the start of consecutive lines (Kovililae, Kopuraththil, Kudiyirukkum, Konjam) creates a musical rhythm known as 'Edhai' / 'Mona' in Tamil prosody.

Metaphor

Kangalin melae Imai kaaval allavaa

Comparing protective eyelids guarding eyes to a woman protecting and honoring her household.

Rhyme Scheme (Iyaibu)

Suttram kandaal azhaikkirom / Sontham vanthaal anaikkirom

Matching end sounds in lines like 'azhaikkirom', 'anaikkirom', 'varugirom' accentuates harmony in tone.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Annavin Aasai' (1966) features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by Kannadasan, starring Geminis Ganesan, Savitri, and K. R. Vijaya. The song is celebrated for its deep philosophical reflection on family values and sibling loyalty.

Keep listening

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