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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kozhi Oru Koottile

From Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum · 1965

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
M. S. Rajeswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
{Kozhi oru koottilaeThe hen is in one nest,
Saeval oru koottilaeThe rooster is in another nest,
Kozhi kunju rendum ippoAnd now both the little chicks
Anbillaadha kaattilae} (2)Are in a loveless forest.
Female
{Pasuvai thedi kannukkuttiSearching for the cow, the calf
Paal kudikka odudhu} (2)Runs to drink milk.
Female
{Paravai kooda irai eduththuEven a bird gathers food
Pillaikkellaam oottudhu} (2)And feeds all its chicks.
Female
{Thaathaa theriyumaaGrandfather, do you know?
Paarthaa puriyumaa} (2)If you look, do you understand?
Female
Thani thaniyaa pirinjirukkaTo remain separated like this,
Engalaalae mudiyumaaCan we ever endure it?
Engalaalae mudiyumaa…Can we ever endure it?
Female
Kozhi oru koottilaeThe hen is in one nest,
Saeval oru koottilaeThe rooster is in another nest,
Kozhi kunju rendum ippoAnd now both the little chicks
Anbillaadha kaattilaeAre in a loveless forest.
Female
{Adutha vettu paapaaThe child in the neighboring house
Ippo amma appa madiyilae} (2)Is now on the lap of mother and father.
Female
{Adhirshtamillaa ponnukkuthaanOnly for this unfortunate girl,
Serthu paarka mudiyalae} (2)She cannot see them together.
Female
{Ammaa marakalaeMother does not forget,
Appaa ninaikalae} (2)Father does not think,
Female
Angum ingum serthu vaikkaTo unite them from here and there,
Engalukkum vayasillaeWe do not have the age,
Ungalukkum manasillaeAnd you do not have the heart.
Female
Kozhi oru koottilaeThe hen is in one nest,
Saeval oru koottilaeThe rooster is in another nest,
Kozhi kunju rendum ippoAnd now both the little chicks
Anbillaadha kaattilaeAre in a loveless forest.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kozhi Oru Koottilae from the 1965 Tamil classic Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum is an emotionally charged song sung from the perspective of twin sisters caught in the crossfire of their parents' separation. Using innocent yet profound imagery from nature—such as calves running to their mothers and birds feeding their hatchlings—the children question why human parents separate when even animals stay together to nurture their offspring. Addressing their grandfather, the twins mourn their broken home and express their deep yearning for parental affection. They contrast their unfortunate plight with other children who enjoy the love of both parents. Ultimately, they capture their utter helplessness in a poignant line: they are too young to reunite their parents, while the elders lack the heart to do so.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Kozhi oru koottilae / Saeval oru koottilae / Kozhi kunju rendum ippo / Anbillaadha kaattilae

Compares the mother and father to a hen and rooster living in separate coops, and the young twin sisters to lost chicks stranded in an 'unloving forest'.

Contrast (Ethirpaadu)

Engalukkum vayasillae / Ungalukkum manasillae

Contrasts the children's lack of age and authority ('vayasillae') with the adults' lack of empathy and heart ('manasillae').

Rhyme / Monai & Edhukai

Thaathaa theriyumaa / Paarthaa puriyumaa

Uses matching internal rhyming and rhythmic endings to heighten emotional resonance in a simple, childlike tone.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum (1965) was directed by the acclaimed duo Krishnan-Panju and featured child actor Kutty Padmini in a iconic dual role as twin sisters. The song's music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, with lyrics by Vaali, and was sung by M. S. Rajeswari. The film was an adaptation of Erich Kästner's German novel Lottie and Lisa (and Disney's 1961 film The Parent Trap), and was later remade in Hindi as Do Kaliyaan (1968).

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