Kozhi Vandhadha
From Aahaa · 1997
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Anuradha Sriram, Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Aahaa1997
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kozhi vandhadhaa | Did the chicken come first |
| Mudhalil muttai vandhadhaa sollu | Or did the egg come first, tell me |
| Kokara koko | Kokara koko (rooster call) |
| Chorus | |
| Kokara kokara kokara kokara | Kokara kokara kokara kokara |
| Kokara kokara kokara kokara | Kokara kokara kokara kokara |
| Female | |
| Kozhi vandhadhaa | Did the chicken come first |
| Mudhalil muttai vandhadhaa sollu | Or did the egg come first, tell me |
| Kokara koko kokorakoko | Kokara koko kokorakoko |
| Kokara koko kokorakoko | Kokara koko kokorakoko |
| Male | |
| Vaanam vandhadhaa | Did the sky come first |
| Mudhalil neelam vandhadhaa sollu | Or did the blue color come first, tell me |
| Kokara koko hey kokara koko | Kokara koko hey kokara koko |
| Hey kokorakoko kokarakoko | Hey kokorakoko kokarakoko |
| Female | |
| Suththaadha bhoomi | The earth that spins |
| Suththa vecha saami | The God who made it spin |
| Saamikku mun bhoomi vandhadhaa | Did the earth exist before God? |
| Oh kokara koko | Oh kokara koko |
| Chorus | |
| Kokara koko hey kokara koko | Kokara koko hey kokara koko |
| Kokorakoko hey kokarakoko | Kokorakoko hey kokarakoko |
| Male | |
| Erichchaalum eriyaadhu | Even if you try to burn it, it will not burn |
| Adhu enna theriyuma | Do you know what that is? |
| Kizhichaalum kizhiyaadhu | Even if you try to tear it, it will not tear |
| Adhu enna theriyuma | Do you know what that is? |
| Chorus | |
| Kokara koko kokara koko | Kokara koko kokara koko |
| Kokorakoko kokarakoko | Kokorakoko kokarakoko |
| Female | |
| Megamdhaan ennaalum | Will a cloud ever |
| Thee patri eriyuma … | Catch fire and burn? |
| Kundoosi nuni keeri | Pierced by the sharp tip of a pin |
| Thaneeru kizhiyumaa… | Will water ever get torn? |
| Male | |
| Piriyaadha uravaedhamma.. | Which bond never truly separates, mother? |
| Izhandhaalae Veredhamma | If lost, is there another replacement? |
| Female | |
| Ulayila soru kodhikkum vevaratha kooru | Explain the truth behind rice boiling in the pot |
| Manushan pasiyinai theerkkum | It satisfies human hunger |
| Adhan ragasiyam paaru | Observe its secret |
| Male | |
| Indha vaazhkai engira vidukadhaiku | For this riddle called life |
| Oru padhil enna thedu | Search for an answer |
| Chorus | |
| Kokara koko hey kokara koko | Kokara koko hey kokara koko |
| Kokorakoko hey kokarakoko | Kokorakoko hey kokarakoko |
| Female | |
| Pookkaari vidhaivainna | Just because the flower seller is a widow |
| Verukkaththaan thoonuma | Would anyone feel aversion towards her? |
| Ava vikkum poovukku | For the flowers she sells |
| Vaasamdham maarumaa | Will the sweet fragrance ever change? |
| Chorus | |
| Kokara koko kokara koko | Kokara koko kokara koko |
| Kokorakoko kokarakoko | Kokorakoko kokarakoko |
| Female | |
| Kurukkathi poovukku | For the wild Kurukkathi flower |
| Kooppaithaan koovalam | The compost heap is its abode |
| Manisangha kavalaikku | For human sorrow and anxiety |
| Manasudhaan kaaranam | The mind alone is the root cause |
| Male | |
| Kalai illa vayal edhamma … | Is there any field without weeds, mother? |
| Kavalaidhaan ini edhamma… | So why worry anymore, mother? |
| Male | |
| Vaanathil parakkum kuruviyum | Even a bird flying freely in the sky |
| Maram vandhu serum | Will ultimately rest on a tree branch |
| Kedacha vaazhkaiya rasichchaa | If you cherish and enjoy the life given to you |
| Manasin thuyarangal theerum | The afflictions of the mind will come to an end |
| Chorus | |
| Ada sogam varappo | Oh, when grief strikes |
| Sirichu sirichu marandhida vendum | One must laugh it away and forget it |
| Chorus | |
| Kozhi vandhadhaa | Did the chicken come first |
| Mudhalil muttai vandhadhaa sollu | Or did the egg come first, tell me |
| Kokara koko kokorakoko | Kokara koko kokorakoko |
| Kokara koko kokorakoko | Kokara koko kokorakoko |
| Chorus | |
| Vaanam vandhadhaa | Did the sky come first |
| Mudhalil neelam vandhadhaa sollu | Or did the blue color come first, tell me |
| Kokara koko kokara koko | Kokara koko kokara koko |
| Kokorakoko kokarakoko | Kokorakoko kokarakoko |
| Male | |
| Suththaadha bhoomi | The earth that spins |
| Female :Suththa vecha saami | Female: The God who made it spin |
| Saamikku mun bhoomi vandhadhaa | Did the earth exist before God? |
| Oh kokara koko | Oh kokara koko |
| Chorus | |
| {Kokara koko hey kokara koko | {Kokara koko hey kokara koko |
| Kokorakoko hey kokarakoko} (2) | Kokorakoko hey kokarakoko} (Repeat 2) |
கோழி வந்ததா
முதலில் முட்டை வந்ததா
சொல்லு கொக்கர கொக்கோ
Did the chicken come first
Or did the egg come first, tell me
Kokara koko (rooster call)
கொக்கர கொக்கர
கொக்கர கொக்கர கொக்கர
கொக்கர கொக்கர கொக்கர
Kokara kokara kokara kokara
Kokara kokara kokara kokara
கோழி வந்ததா
முதலில் முட்டை வந்ததா
சொல்லு கொக்கர கொக்கோ
கொக்கரகொக்கோ கொக்கர
கொக்கோ கொக்கரகொக்கோ
Did the chicken come first
Or did the egg come first, tell me
Kokara koko kokorakoko
Kokara koko kokorakoko
வானம் வந்ததா
முதலில் நீலம் வந்ததா
சொல்லு கொக்கர கொக்கோ
ஹே கொக்கர கொக்கோ ஹே
கொக்கரகொக்கோ கொக்கரகொக்கோ
Did the sky come first
Or did the blue color come first, tell me
Kokara koko hey kokara koko
Hey kokorakoko kokarakoko
சுத்தாதா பூமி சுத்த
வெச்ச சாமி சாமிக்கு முன்
பூமி வந்ததா ஓ கொக்கர
கொக்கோ
The earth that spins
The God who made it spin
Did the earth exist before God?
Oh kokara koko
கொக்கர கொக்கோ
ஹே கொக்கர கொக்கோ
கொக்கரகொக்கோ ஹே
கொக்கரகொக்கோ
Kokara koko hey kokara koko
Kokorakoko hey kokarakoko
எரிச்சாலும் எரியாது
அது என்ன தெரியுமா
கிழிச்சாலும் கிழியாது
அது என்ன தெரியுமா
Even if you try to burn it, it will not burn
Do you know what that is?
Even if you try to tear it, it will not tear
Do you know what that is?
கொக்கர கொக்கோ
கொக்கர கொக்கோ
கொக்கரகொக்கோ
கொக்கரகொக்கோ
Kokara koko kokara koko
Kokorakoko kokarakoko
மேகம் தான்
எந்நாளும் தீ பற்றி
எரியுமா குண்டூசி நுனி
கீறி தண்ணீரு கிழியுமா
Will a cloud ever
Catch fire and burn?
Pierced by the sharp tip of a pin
Will water ever get torn?
பிரியாத உறவேதம்மா
இழந்தாலே வேரேதம்மா
Which bond never truly separates, mother?
If lost, is there another replacement?
உலையில சோறு
கொதிக்கும் விவரத்த கூறு
மனுஷன் பசியினை தீர்க்கும்
அதன் ரகசியம் பாரு
Explain the truth behind rice boiling in the pot
It satisfies human hunger
Observe its secret
இந்த வாழ்க்கை
என்கிற விடுகதைக்கு
ஒரு பதில் என்ன தேடு
For this riddle called life
Search for an answer
கொக்கர கொக்கோ
ஹே கொக்கர கொக்கோ
கொக்கரகொக்கோ ஹே
கொக்கரகொக்கோ
Kokara koko hey kokara koko
Kokorakoko hey kokarakoko
பூக்காரி விதவையின்னா
வெறுக்க தான் தோணுமா அவ
விக்கும் பூவுக்கு வாசம் தான்
மாறுமா
Just because the flower seller is a widow
Would anyone feel aversion towards her?
For the flowers she sells
Will the sweet fragrance ever change?
கொக்கர கொக்கோ
கொக்கர கொக்கோ
கொக்கரகொக்கோ
கொக்கரகொக்கோ
Kokara koko kokara koko
Kokorakoko kokarakoko
குருக்கத்தி பூவுக்கு
கோப்பை தான் கோவளம்
மனுஷங்க கவலைக்கு
மனுஷன் தான் காரணம்
For the wild Kurukkathi flower
The compost heap is its abode
For human sorrow and anxiety
The mind alone is the root cause
கலை இல்லா
வயல் ஏதம்மா கவலை
தான் இனி ஏதம்மா
Is there any field without weeds, mother?
So why worry anymore, mother?
வானத்தில் பறக்கும்
குருவியும் மரம் வந்து சேரும்
கெடச்ச வாழ்க்கைய ரசிச்சா
மனசின் துயரங்கள் தீரும்
Even a bird flying freely in the sky
Will ultimately rest on a tree branch
If you cherish and enjoy the life given to you
The afflictions of the mind will come to an end
அட சோகம் வரப்போ
சிரிச்சு சிரிச்சு மறந்திட
வேண்டும்
Oh, when grief strikes
One must laugh it away and forget it
கோழி வந்ததா
முதலில் முட்டை வந்ததா
சொல்லு கொக்கர கொக்கோ
கொக்கரகொக்கோ கொக்கர
கொக்கோ கொக்கரகொக்கோ
Did the chicken come first
Or did the egg come first, tell me
Kokara koko kokorakoko
Kokara koko kokorakoko
வானம் வந்ததா
முதலில் நீலம் வந்ததா
சொல்லு கொக்கர கொக்கோ
ஹே கொக்கர கொக்கோ
கொக்கர கொக்கோ
கொக்கரகொக்கோ
கொக்கரகொக்கோ
Did the sky come first
Or did the blue color come first, tell me
Kokara koko kokara koko
Kokorakoko kokarakoko
சுத்தாதா பூமி
பெண் : சுத்த வெச்ச சாமி
சாமிக்கு முன் பூமி வந்ததா
ஓ கொக்கர கொக்கோ
The earth that spins
Female: The God who made it spin
Did the earth exist before God?
Oh kokara koko
{ கொக்கர கொக்கோ
ஹே கொக்கர கொக்கோ
கொக்கரகொக்கோ ஹே
கொக்கரகொக்கோ } (2)
{Kokara koko hey kokara koko
Kokorakoko hey kokarakoko} (Repeat 2)
Kozhi vandhadhaa
Did the chicken come first
Mudhalil muttai vandhadhaa sollu
Or did the egg come first, tell me
Kokara koko
Kokara koko (rooster call)
Kokara kokara kokara kokara
Kokara kokara kokara kokara
Kokara kokara kokara kokara
Kokara kokara kokara kokara
Kozhi vandhadhaa
Did the chicken come first
Mudhalil muttai vandhadhaa sollu
Or did the egg come first, tell me
Kokara koko kokorakoko
Kokara koko kokorakoko
Kokara koko kokorakoko
Kokara koko kokorakoko
Vaanam vandhadhaa
Did the sky come first
Mudhalil neelam vandhadhaa sollu
Or did the blue color come first, tell me
Kokara koko hey kokara koko
Kokara koko hey kokara koko
Hey kokorakoko kokarakoko
Hey kokorakoko kokarakoko
Suththaadha bhoomi
The earth that spins
Suththa vecha saami
The God who made it spin
Saamikku mun bhoomi vandhadhaa
Did the earth exist before God?
Oh kokara koko
Oh kokara koko
Kokara koko hey kokara koko
Kokara koko hey kokara koko
Kokorakoko hey kokarakoko
Kokorakoko hey kokarakoko
Erichchaalum eriyaadhu
Even if you try to burn it, it will not burn
Adhu enna theriyuma
Do you know what that is?
Kizhichaalum kizhiyaadhu
Even if you try to tear it, it will not tear
Adhu enna theriyuma
Do you know what that is?
Kokara koko kokara koko
Kokara koko kokara koko
Kokorakoko kokarakoko
Kokorakoko kokarakoko
Megamdhaan ennaalum
Will a cloud ever
Thee patri eriyuma …
Catch fire and burn?
Kundoosi nuni keeri
Pierced by the sharp tip of a pin
Thaneeru kizhiyumaa…
Will water ever get torn?
Piriyaadha uravaedhamma..
Which bond never truly separates, mother?
Izhandhaalae Veredhamma
If lost, is there another replacement?
Ulayila soru kodhikkum vevaratha kooru
Explain the truth behind rice boiling in the pot
Manushan pasiyinai theerkkum
It satisfies human hunger
Adhan ragasiyam paaru
Observe its secret
Indha vaazhkai engira vidukadhaiku
For this riddle called life
Oru padhil enna thedu
Search for an answer
Kokara koko hey kokara koko
Kokara koko hey kokara koko
Kokorakoko hey kokarakoko
Kokorakoko hey kokarakoko
Pookkaari vidhaivainna
Just because the flower seller is a widow
Verukkaththaan thoonuma
Would anyone feel aversion towards her?
Ava vikkum poovukku
For the flowers she sells
Vaasamdham maarumaa
Will the sweet fragrance ever change?
Kokara koko kokara koko
Kokara koko kokara koko
Kokorakoko kokarakoko
Kokorakoko kokarakoko
Kurukkathi poovukku
For the wild Kurukkathi flower
Kooppaithaan koovalam
The compost heap is its abode
Manisangha kavalaikku
For human sorrow and anxiety
Manasudhaan kaaranam
The mind alone is the root cause
Kalai illa vayal edhamma …
Is there any field without weeds, mother?
Kavalaidhaan ini edhamma…
So why worry anymore, mother?
Vaanathil parakkum kuruviyum
Even a bird flying freely in the sky
Maram vandhu serum
Will ultimately rest on a tree branch
Kedacha vaazhkaiya rasichchaa
If you cherish and enjoy the life given to you
Manasin thuyarangal theerum
The afflictions of the mind will come to an end
Ada sogam varappo
Oh, when grief strikes
Sirichu sirichu marandhida vendum
One must laugh it away and forget it
Kozhi vandhadhaa
Did the chicken come first
Mudhalil muttai vandhadhaa sollu
Or did the egg come first, tell me
Kokara koko kokorakoko
Kokara koko kokorakoko
Kokara koko kokorakoko
Kokara koko kokorakoko
Vaanam vandhadhaa
Did the sky come first
Mudhalil neelam vandhadhaa sollu
Or did the blue color come first, tell me
Kokara koko kokara koko
Kokara koko kokara koko
Kokorakoko kokarakoko
Kokorakoko kokarakoko
Suththaadha bhoomi
The earth that spins
Female :Suththa vecha saami
Female: The God who made it spin
Saamikku mun bhoomi vandhadhaa
Did the earth exist before God?
Oh kokara koko
Oh kokara koko
{Kokara koko hey kokara koko
{Kokara koko hey kokara koko
Kokorakoko hey kokarakoko} (2)
Kokorakoko hey kokarakoko} (Repeat 2)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This lighthearted and philosophical song from the movie Aahaa (1997) poses classic riddles and rhetorical questions to explore the deeper truths of human life and existence. Through playfulness and rhythmic rooster-crowing sounds ('Kokara koko'), Vaali crafts verses comparing philosophical dilemmas to everyday phenomena such as the origin of chickens vs. eggs, sky vs. blueness, and fire vs. water.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Onomatopoeia
“Kokara koko kokorakoko”
Use of 'Kokara koko' mimicking the crowing of a rooster to maintain a rhythmic, festive folk vibe.
Rhetorical Question
“Kozhi vandhadhaa / Mudhalil muttai vandhadhaa sollu”
Asking classic unanswerable questions like 'Kozhi vandhadhaa, mudhalil muttai vandhadhaa' to provoke philosophical thought about origins and life.
Metaphor
“Indha vaazhkai engira vidukadhaiku / Oru padhil enna thedu”
Life is described as a riddle ('vidukadhai') for which humans spend their existence searching for answers.
Monoreyme / Edugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Erichchaalum eriyaadhu / Kizhichaalum kizhiyaadhu”
Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, such as 'Erichchaalum' and 'Kizhichaalum'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although the soundtrack is listed here without singer/composer credits in the context, 'Aahaa' (1997), directed by Suresh Krissna, features hit music composed by Deva. Lyricist Vaali employed playful riddles in this song to blend casual entertainment with pragmatic folk philosophy.
Keep listening