- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Chandrabose
- Movie name
- Koyil Yaanai
- Movie release year
- 1986
- Lyrics added on
- 6 Jan 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Koyil Yaanai' is a playful and romantic rural duet written by the legendary lyricist Vaali. The song captures a flirtatious banter between a young man and woman expressing their deep attraction and romantic yearning for each other. Using rustic folk metaphors—such as water wells, land ready for plowing, and temple elephants standing guard—the lovers playfully tease each other about their growing passion, warmth, and bashfulness. As the song progresses, the male lead urges his beloved to cast aside her shyness, while the female lead coyly responds that her delicate nerves cannot take his mischief yet, but promises to surrender completely once romantic intoxication takes over. Overall, the song is a vibrant celebration of youthful love set in a traditional Tamil village backdrop.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Yaedham poda keni irukku / Yaeru pootta kaani irukku”
Agricultural imagery like a well ready for a water-lift ('yaedham poda keni') and land yoked for plowing ('yaeru pootta kaani') are used metaphorically to represent romantic readiness and intimacy.
End Rhyme (Iyaibu)
“Podhum saami unga kurumbu / Thaangidaatha naadi narambu”
The lines end with rhyming words ('kurumbu' and 'narambu'), giving a rhythmic folk cadence typical of rural duets.
Personification
“Kadhal moochchu vaangirukku”
Love ('Kadhal') is personified as breathing heavily ('moochchu vaangirukku') due to intense yearning.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Koyil Yaanai' (1986) showcases lyricist Vaali's mastery in infusing Tamil folk tropes, local dialects ('aaththaa', 'nottam vittaa'), and agricultural motifs seamlessly into popular cinema music.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Koyil Yaanai
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.