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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kozhi Koovum

From Vanna Vanna Pookkal · 1992

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Vanna Vanna Pookkal1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ahaa..hahaa..haa..haanAhaa.. hahaa.. haa.. haan
Ahaa..hahaa..haa..haanAhaa.. hahaa.. haa.. haan
Male
Kozhi koovum nerathulaAt the time when the rooster crows,
Kolam pottu parkalaamaShall we try drawing a rangoli?
Nalla nadhaswaram odha vechuHaving a sweet Nadaswaram played,
Melam thatti ketkalaamaShall we tap the drum and listen?
Female
Ada ketkaadha sangadhiHey, all the unheard news,
Ellaam keluListen to everything!
Appadi paarkadha innikkuDon't hesitate like that, today
Nalla naaluIs a good auspicious day!
Hare vaa vaa vaa vaaHey, come, come, come, come!
Female
Kozhi koovum nerathulaAt the time when the rooster crows,
Kolam pottu parkalaamaShall we try drawing a rangoli?
Nalla nadhaswaram odha vechuHaving a sweet Nadaswaram played,
Melam thatti ketkalaamaShall we tap the drum and listen?
Male
Methai onnum thevaiyillaiThere is no need for a mattress,
Kathukollum paadam illaiThere are no lessons to be learned,
Moththaama pootha mullaiLike a jasmine flower blooming in full,
Viththaiyulla vidala pullaA skilled, energetic young boy,
Female
Padichaa varumaCan it be gained by studying?
Pudichaa vidumaaOnce caught, will it let go?
Male :Nenacha tharumaMale: If you wish for it, will it yield?
Irumaa kodumaaIs it proud or cruel?
Female
Yettadha kaniyum illaThere is no fruit out of reach,
Eduthu unna thadaiyum illaThere is no barrier to holding you,
Kattadha kaalaiyum ilaThere is no untamed bull,
Kaavalum illaNor is there any guard,
Male
Yeradha malaiyinilaeOn the unscaled mountain,
Yerivarum velaiyilaeWhile climbing up,
Maradha aasai idhuThis unforgotten desire,
Theeravum illaWill never fade away,
Female
Varuven thaniyaeI will come alone,
Pudhu maanganiyaeOh fresh mango fruit!
Male
Kozhi koovum nerathulaAt the time when the rooster crows,
Kolam pottu hmm…hmmmDrawing a rangoli, hmm... hmmm...
Nalla nadhaswaram odha vechuHaving a sweet Nadaswaram played,
Melam thatti ahaan aahaa…Tapping the drum, ahaan aahaa...
Female
Ada ketkaadha sangadhiHey, all the unheard news,
Ellaam keluListen to everything!
Appadi paarkadha innikkuDon't hesitate like that, today
Nalla naaluIs a good auspicious day!
Hare vaa vaa vaa vaaHey, come, come, come, come!
Male :Haa haa haa haa …Male: Haa haa haa haa...
Female
Kozhi koovum nerathulaAt the time when the rooster crows,
Kolam pottu parkalaama..Male :Hmm…Shall we try drawing a rangoli? Male: Hmm...
Nalla nadhaswaram odha vechuHaving a sweet Nadaswaram played,
Melam thatti ketkalaamaMale :Hahaha…Shall we tap the drum and listen? Male: Hahaha...
Male
Muthathula maalai kattuWeave a garland made of kisses,
Vetkathaiyum oram kattuPush shyness to the side,
Moththamaa kekanumaDo you want to ask for everything,
Alli alli anachikittuEmbracing tightly in arms?
Female
Nenachaa sugamaaIf you think about it, is it blissful?
Nidhamum idhamaaIs it gentle every day?
Male : Thaniyaa varavaaMale: Shall I come alone?
Tharavaa padhamaaShall I give it with care?
Female
Kattaana sarigapattuFine woven silk saree,
Kalanjadhenna alukku pattuWhy is it disheveled and worn?
Eppodhum viruppapattuAlways with fond affection,
Ezhudungha paatuWrite a song!
Male
Ponnaana udal irukkuThere is a golden body,
Udalukkullae kadal irukkuInside this body lies an ocean,
Kannaana maamanukkuTo the beloved uncle,
Kaatanum kanakkuAn account must be shown,
Female
Medhuvaa medhuvaaGently, gently,
Thodanum podhuvaaTouch me in general,
Female
Kozhi koovum nerathulaAt the time when the rooster crows,
Kolam pottu parkalaamaShall we try drawing a rangoli?
Nalla nadhaswaram odha vechuHaving a sweet Nadaswaram played,
Melam thatti ketkalaamaShall we tap the drum and listen?
Male
Ada ketkaadha sangadhiHey, all the unheard news,
Ellaam keluListen to everything!
Appadi paarkadha innikkuDon't hesitate like that, today
Nalla naaluIs a good auspicious day!
Hare vaa vaa vaa vaaHey, come, come, come, come!
Male
Kozhi koovum nerathulaAt the time when the rooster crows,
Kolam pottu parkalaamaShall we try drawing a rangoli?
Female :Nalla nadhaswaram odha vechuFemale: Having a sweet Nadaswaram played,
Melam thatti ketkalaamaShall we tap the drum and listen?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kozhi Koovum Nerathula' from the 1992 film 'Vanna Vanna Pookkal' (composed by Ilaiyaraaja, directed by Balu Mahendra) is a playful and romantic folk duet. Set against a rural dawn setting signified by the rooster crowing and morning rangoli, the song uses vibrant imagery of traditional instruments like Nadaswaram and Thavil/Melam to symbolize celebration, intimacy, and joyful romantic banter.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Methai onnum thevaiyillai / Kathukollum paadam illai

The second consonant 'dh' matches in consecutive lines: 'Methai' and 'Kathukollum'.

Metaphor

Moththaama pootha mullai / Pudhu maanganiyae

Comparing the heroine or youthfulness to a blooming jasmine flower ('pootha mullai') and a ripe mango ('maanganiye').

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Kozhi koovum nerathula / Kolam pottu parkalaama

The lines end with rhyming phonetic structures ('nerathula', 'parkalaama', 'ketkalaama').

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie 'Vanna Vanna Pookkal' featured music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, directed by Balu Mahendra, starring Prashanth and Mohnish Behl alongside Vinodhini.

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