Ku Ku Koo
From Valli · 1993
- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singers
- Latha Rajinikanth, Chorus
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Valli1993
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| {Hae hae hae haei | Hae hae hae haei |
| Hae hae hae haei | Hae hae hae haei |
| Hae hae hae haei | Hae hae hae haei |
| Hae hae hae } (2) | Hae hae hae (repeated) |
| Female | |
| …………………….. | (Musical interlude) |
| Female | |
| Kukkukkoo koo koo | Cuckoo-coo koo koo |
| Koovum kuyilakka | O cuckoo bird that sings! |
| Thithithai thai thai | Thithithai thai thai (rhythmic beats) |
| Aadum mayilakka | O peacock sister that dances! |
| Maamalai ooram | Along the edge of the great mountain, |
| Aruvigal naatiyam aadum | Waterfalls dance gracefully. |
| Idhu polae inbam yedhu…uuu | What bliss could equal this? |
| Female | |
| Kukkukkoo koo koo | Cuckoo-coo koo koo |
| Koovum kuyilakka | O cuckoo bird that sings! |
| Thithithai thai thai | Thithithai thai thai (rhythmic beats) |
| Aadum mayilakka | O peacock sister that dances! |
| Chorus | |
| Hey hey hey heyyy | Hey hey hey heyyy |
| Hey hey hey heyy hey hey | Hey hey hey heyy hey hey |
| {Paatukku poottukku | To music and locks, |
| Chadukku cheetu | To playful games and notes, |
| Chidu chotukku chettukku | To lively rhythms and chatter, |
| Cha cha choo} (2) | Cha cha choo (repeated) |
| …………………………………. | (Musical interlude) |
| Female | |
| Ongi nirkkum vaanaiyae | O bamboo reaching high into the sky, |
| Thaangi nirkkum moongilae | Holding up the heavens above, |
| Poongulalai oothinaai | You played upon the sweet flute, |
| Raagam enna paadinaai | What melody did you sing? |
| Aatrangarai mettilae | On the banks of the river, |
| Thendral sollum paatilae | In the song sung by the gentle breeze, |
| Then podhigai kaatilae | In the southern breeze from Podhigai, |
| Thaen iraikkum pookalae | O flowers scattering sweet nectar! |
| Female | |
| Iyarkaiyil yetho yetho | In nature, something mysterious... |
| Chorus :Hey hey | Chorus: Hey hey |
| Female :Athisyam ammammaa | Female: Oh, what a wonder it is! |
| Chorus :Oh hoo oo | Chorus: Oh hoo oo |
| Female :Padaichathu yaaro yaaro | Female: Who on earth created all this? |
| Chorus :Hey hey | Chorus: Hey hey |
| Female :Enakkadhai sollamma | Female: Tell me that secret, dear mother! |
| Chorus :Oh hoo oo | Chorus: Oh hoo oo |
| Female | |
| Gagagarisa | Ga-ga-ga-ri-sa (Swaras) |
| Riririsasa | Ri-ri-ri-sa-sa (Swaras) |
| Garisasa risasahdapa | Ga-ri-sa-sa ri-sa-sa-ha-da-pa (Swaras) |
| Sadhapadhapadha | Sa-dha-pa-dha-pa-dha (Swaras) |
| Female | |
| Kukkukkoo koo koo | Cuckoo-coo koo koo |
| Koovum kuyilakka | O cuckoo bird that sings! |
| Thithithai thai thai | Thithithai thai thai |
| Aadum mayilakka | O peacock sister that dances! |
| Maamalai ooram | Along the edge of the great mountain, |
| Aruvigal naatiyam aadum | Waterfalls dance gracefully. |
| Idhu polae inbam yedhu…uuu | What bliss could equal this? |
| Female | |
| Kukkukkoo koo koo | Cuckoo-coo koo koo |
| Koovum kuyilakka | O cuckoo bird that sings! |
| Thithithai thai thai | Thithithai thai thai |
| Aadum mayilakka | O peacock sister that dances! |
| Female | |
| Rigakaa padhasari paga sariga | Ri-ga-kaa pa-dha-sa-ri pa-ga sa-ri-ga (Swaras) |
| Chorus :Thathinna thagathinna | Chorus: Thathinna thagathinna (Jathi beats) |
| Thathinna thagathinna | Thathinna thagathinna (Jathi beats) |
| Female :Kabathasaga padha sa padha ga | Female: Ka-ba-tha-sa-ga pa-dha sa pa-dha ga |
| Chorus :Thathinna thagathinna | Chorus: Thathinna thagathinna |
| Thathinna thagathinna | Thathinna thagathinna |
| Female :Sarigaririsasaa thasasari | Female: Sa-ri-ga-ri-ri-sa-saa tha-sa-sa-ri |
| Nisapadha padhari | Ni-sa-pa-dha pa-dha-ri |
| Chorus :Tharigida thaam tham | Chorus: Tharigida thaam tham |
| Tharigida thaam tham | Tharigida thaam tham |
| Tharigida thaam tham | Tharigida thaam tham |
| Tharigida tham | Tharigida tham |
| Female | |
| Maamanalla maami nee | You are like an uncle and aunt to me, |
| Maiyal tharum roobini | A beauty evoking passionate desire, |
| Naatiyathil padhmini | A refined dancer like Padmini, |
| Aadi konjam kaami nee | Show me a little dance movement! |
| Munnazhagu mohini | An enchanting beauty of frontal grace, |
| Mutham onnu thaadi nee | Give me a kiss! |
| Vanji undhan thaavani | O maiden, your half-saree, |
| Nenjil illai paaru nee | Is no longer covering your chest, look! |
| Female | |
| Iduppukku melae melae | Above the waist, |
| Chorus :Hey hey | Chorus: Hey hey |
| Female :Parakuthu paavaada | Female: The skirt flutters about! |
| Chorus :Oh hoo oo | Chorus: Oh hoo oo |
| Female :Adikadi keezhae keezhae | Female: Down below, again and again, |
| Chorus :Hey hey | Chorus: Hey hey |
| Female :Nazhuvudhu melaadai | Female: The upper garment slips down! |
| Chorus :Oh hoo oo | Chorus: Oh hoo oo |
| Female | |
| Gagagarisa | Ga-ga-ga-ri-sa |
| Riririsasa | Ri-ri-ri-sa-sa |
| Garisasa risasahdapa | Ga-ri-sa-sa ri-sa-sa-ha-da-pa |
| Sadhapadhapadha | Sa-dha-pa-dha-pa-dha |
| Female | |
| Kukkukkoo koo koo | Cuckoo-coo koo koo |
| Koovum kuyilakka | O cuckoo bird that sings! |
| Thithithai thai thai | Thithithai thai thai |
| Aadum mayilakka | O peacock sister that dances! |
| Maamalai ooram | Along the edge of the great mountain, |
| Aruvigal naatiyam aadum | Waterfalls dance gracefully. |
| Idhu polae inbam yedhu…uuu | What bliss could equal this? |
{ஹே ஹே ஹே ஹேய் ஹே ஹே ஹே ஹேய்
ஹே ஹே ஹே ஹேய் ஹே ஹே } (2)
Hae hae hae haei
Hae hae hae haei
Hae hae hae haei
Hae hae hae (repeated)
ரியாராரரோரிக் ஹா
ரீட்டரராரா ஹோய்
ரியாராரரோரிக் ஹா
ரீட்டரராரா ஹோய்
(Musical interlude)
குக்குக்கூ கூ கூ
கூவும் குயிலக்கா
தித்தித்தை தை தை
ஆடும் மயிலக்கா
மாமலை ஓரம் அருவிகள்
நாட்டியம் ஆடும்
இது போலே இன்பம் ஏது.........
Cuckoo-coo koo koo
O cuckoo bird that sings!
Thithithai thai thai (rhythmic beats)
O peacock sister that dances!
Along the edge of the great mountain,
Waterfalls dance gracefully.
What bliss could equal this?
குக்குக்கூ கூ கூ
கூவும் குயிலக்கா
தித்தித்தை தை தை
ஆடும் மயிலக்கா
Cuckoo-coo koo koo
O cuckoo bird that sings!
Thithithai thai thai (rhythmic beats)
O peacock sister that dances!
ஹே ஹேய்
...............
Hey hey hey heyyy
Hey hey hey heyy hey hey
To music and locks,
To playful games and notes,
To lively rhythms and chatter,
Cha cha choo (repeated)
(Musical interlude)
ஓங்கி நிற்கும் வானையே
தாங்கி நிற்கும் மூங்கிலே
பூங்குழலை ஊதினாய் ராகம்
என்ன பாடினாய்
ஆற்றங்கரை மேட்டிலே
தென்றல் சொல்லும் பாட்டிலே
தென்பொதிகை காட்டிலே
தேனிறைக்கும் பூக்களே
O bamboo reaching high into the sky,
Holding up the heavens above,
You played upon the sweet flute,
What melody did you sing?
On the banks of the river,
In the song sung by the gentle breeze,
In the southern breeze from Podhigai,
O flowers scattering sweet nectar!
இயற்கையில் ஏதோ ஏதோ
குழு :
ஹே ஹேய்
அதிசயம் அம்மம்மா
குழு :
ஓ ஓஹோ
படைச்சது யாரோ யாரோ
குழு :
ஹே ஹேய்
எனக்கதை சொல்லம்மா
குழு :
ஓ ஓஹோ
In nature, something mysterious...
Chorus: Hey hey
Female: Oh, what a wonder it is!
Chorus: Oh hoo oo
Female: Who on earth created all this?
Chorus: Hey hey
Female: Tell me that secret, dear mother!
Chorus: Oh hoo oo
கககரிஸ ரிரிரிஸாஸ
கரிஸாஸ ரிஸாஸதப சதபத பத
Ga-ga-ga-ri-sa (Swaras)
Ri-ri-ri-sa-sa (Swaras)
Ga-ri-sa-sa ri-sa-sa-ha-da-pa (Swaras)
Sa-dha-pa-dha-pa-dha (Swaras)
குக்குக்கூ கூ கூ
கூவும் குயிலக்கா
தித்தித்தை தை தை
ஆடும் மயிலக்கா
மாமலை ஓரம் அருவிகள்
நாட்டியம் ஆடும்
இது போலே இன்பம் ஏது........
Cuckoo-coo koo koo
O cuckoo bird that sings!
Thithithai thai thai
O peacock sister that dances!
Along the edge of the great mountain,
Waterfalls dance gracefully.
What bliss could equal this?
குக்குக்கூ கூ கூ
கூவும் குயிலக்கா
தித்தித்தை தை தை
ஆடும் மயிலக்கா
Cuckoo-coo koo koo
O cuckoo bird that sings!
Thithithai thai thai
O peacock sister that dances!
ரிகக பதஸரி பக ஸரிக
குழு :
தத்தின தகதின தக்தின தததின
கபதஸக பதஸ பதக
குழு :
தத்தின தகதின தக்தின தததின
ஸரிகரிரிஸாஸ தஸஸரி நிஸபத பதரி
குழு :
தரிகிட தாம் தம் தரிகிட தாம் தம்
தரிகிட தாம் தரிகிட தாம் தம் தரிகிட தாம்
Ri-ga-kaa pa-dha-sa-ri pa-ga sa-ri-ga (Swaras)
Chorus: Thathinna thagathinna (Jathi beats)
Thathinna thagathinna (Jathi beats)
Female: Ka-ba-tha-sa-ga pa-dha sa pa-dha ga
Chorus: Thathinna thagathinna
Thathinna thagathinna
Female: Sa-ri-ga-ri-ri-sa-saa tha-sa-sa-ri
Ni-sa-pa-dha pa-dha-ri
Chorus: Tharigida thaam tham
Tharigida thaam tham
Tharigida thaam tham
Tharigida tham
மாமனல்ல மாமி நீ
மையல் தரும் ரூபிணி
நாட்டியத்தில் பத்மினி
ஆடி கொஞ்சம் காமி நீ
முன்னழகு மோகினி
முத்தம் ஓன்னு தாடி நீ
வஞ்சி உந்தன் தாவணி
நெஞ்சில் இல்லை பாரு நீ
You are like an uncle and aunt to me,
A beauty evoking passionate desire,
A refined dancer like Padmini,
Show me a little dance movement!
An enchanting beauty of frontal grace,
Give me a kiss!
O maiden, your half-saree,
Is no longer covering your chest, look!
இடுப்புக்கு மேலே மேலே
குழு :
ஹே ஹேய்
பறக்குது பாவாடை
குழு :
ஓ ஓ ஹோ
அடிக்கடி கீழே கீழே
குழு :
ஹே ஹேய்
நழுவுது மேலாடை
குழு :
ஓ ஓ ஹோ
Above the waist,
Chorus: Hey hey
Female: The skirt flutters about!
Chorus: Oh hoo oo
Female: Down below, again and again,
Chorus: Hey hey
Female: The upper garment slips down!
Chorus: Oh hoo oo
கககரிஸ ரிரிரிஸாஸ
கரிஸாஸ ரிஸாஸஸ சதபத பத
Ga-ga-ga-ri-sa
Ri-ri-ri-sa-sa
Ga-ri-sa-sa ri-sa-sa-ha-da-pa
Sa-dha-pa-dha-pa-dha
குக்குக்கூ கூ கூ
கூவும் குயிலக்கா
தித்தித்தை தை தை
ஆடும் மயிலக்கா
மாமலை ஓரம் அருவிகள்
நாட்டியம் ஆடும்
இது போலே இன்பம் ஏது.....
Cuckoo-coo koo koo
O cuckoo bird that sings!
Thithithai thai thai
O peacock sister that dances!
Along the edge of the great mountain,
Waterfalls dance gracefully.
What bliss could equal this?
பெண் மற்றும் குழு :
குக்குக்கூ கூ கூ
கூவும் குயிலக்கா
தித்தித்தை தை தை
ஆடும் மயிலக்கா
{Hae hae hae haei
Hae hae hae haei
Hae hae hae haei
Hae hae hae haei
Hae hae hae haei
Hae hae hae haei
Hae hae hae } (2)
Hae hae hae (repeated)
……………………..
(Musical interlude)
Kukkukkoo koo koo
Cuckoo-coo koo koo
Koovum kuyilakka
O cuckoo bird that sings!
Thithithai thai thai
Thithithai thai thai (rhythmic beats)
Aadum mayilakka
O peacock sister that dances!
Maamalai ooram
Along the edge of the great mountain,
Aruvigal naatiyam aadum
Waterfalls dance gracefully.
Idhu polae inbam yedhu…uuu
What bliss could equal this?
Kukkukkoo koo koo
Cuckoo-coo koo koo
Koovum kuyilakka
O cuckoo bird that sings!
Thithithai thai thai
Thithithai thai thai (rhythmic beats)
Aadum mayilakka
O peacock sister that dances!
Hey hey hey heyyy
Hey hey hey heyyy
Hey hey hey heyy hey hey
Hey hey hey heyy hey hey
{Paatukku poottukku
To music and locks,
Chadukku cheetu
To playful games and notes,
Chidu chotukku chettukku
To lively rhythms and chatter,
Cha cha choo} (2)
Cha cha choo (repeated)
………………………………….
(Musical interlude)
Ongi nirkkum vaanaiyae
O bamboo reaching high into the sky,
Thaangi nirkkum moongilae
Holding up the heavens above,
Poongulalai oothinaai
You played upon the sweet flute,
Raagam enna paadinaai
What melody did you sing?
Aatrangarai mettilae
On the banks of the river,
Thendral sollum paatilae
In the song sung by the gentle breeze,
Then podhigai kaatilae
In the southern breeze from Podhigai,
Thaen iraikkum pookalae
O flowers scattering sweet nectar!
Iyarkaiyil yetho yetho
In nature, something mysterious...
Chorus :Hey hey
Chorus: Hey hey
Female :Athisyam ammammaa
Female: Oh, what a wonder it is!
Chorus :Oh hoo oo
Chorus: Oh hoo oo
Female :Padaichathu yaaro yaaro
Female: Who on earth created all this?
Chorus :Hey hey
Chorus: Hey hey
Female :Enakkadhai sollamma
Female: Tell me that secret, dear mother!
Chorus :Oh hoo oo
Chorus: Oh hoo oo
Gagagarisa
Ga-ga-ga-ri-sa (Swaras)
Riririsasa
Ri-ri-ri-sa-sa (Swaras)
Garisasa risasahdapa
Ga-ri-sa-sa ri-sa-sa-ha-da-pa (Swaras)
Sadhapadhapadha
Sa-dha-pa-dha-pa-dha (Swaras)
Kukkukkoo koo koo
Cuckoo-coo koo koo
Koovum kuyilakka
O cuckoo bird that sings!
Thithithai thai thai
Thithithai thai thai
Aadum mayilakka
O peacock sister that dances!
Maamalai ooram
Along the edge of the great mountain,
Aruvigal naatiyam aadum
Waterfalls dance gracefully.
Idhu polae inbam yedhu…uuu
What bliss could equal this?
Kukkukkoo koo koo
Cuckoo-coo koo koo
Koovum kuyilakka
O cuckoo bird that sings!
Thithithai thai thai
Thithithai thai thai
Aadum mayilakka
O peacock sister that dances!
Rigakaa padhasari paga sariga
Ri-ga-kaa pa-dha-sa-ri pa-ga sa-ri-ga (Swaras)
Chorus :Thathinna thagathinna
Chorus: Thathinna thagathinna (Jathi beats)
Thathinna thagathinna
Thathinna thagathinna (Jathi beats)
Female :Kabathasaga padha sa padha ga
Female: Ka-ba-tha-sa-ga pa-dha sa pa-dha ga
Chorus :Thathinna thagathinna
Chorus: Thathinna thagathinna
Thathinna thagathinna
Thathinna thagathinna
Female :Sarigaririsasaa thasasari
Female: Sa-ri-ga-ri-ri-sa-saa tha-sa-sa-ri
Nisapadha padhari
Ni-sa-pa-dha pa-dha-ri
Chorus :Tharigida thaam tham
Chorus: Tharigida thaam tham
Tharigida thaam tham
Tharigida thaam tham
Tharigida thaam tham
Tharigida thaam tham
Tharigida tham
Tharigida tham
Maamanalla maami nee
You are like an uncle and aunt to me,
Maiyal tharum roobini
A beauty evoking passionate desire,
Naatiyathil padhmini
A refined dancer like Padmini,
Aadi konjam kaami nee
Show me a little dance movement!
Munnazhagu mohini
An enchanting beauty of frontal grace,
Mutham onnu thaadi nee
Give me a kiss!
Vanji undhan thaavani
O maiden, your half-saree,
Nenjil illai paaru nee
Is no longer covering your chest, look!
Iduppukku melae melae
Above the waist,
Chorus :Hey hey
Chorus: Hey hey
Female :Parakuthu paavaada
Female: The skirt flutters about!
Chorus :Oh hoo oo
Chorus: Oh hoo oo
Female :Adikadi keezhae keezhae
Female: Down below, again and again,
Chorus :Hey hey
Chorus: Hey hey
Female :Nazhuvudhu melaadai
Female: The upper garment slips down!
Chorus :Oh hoo oo
Chorus: Oh hoo oo
Gagagarisa
Ga-ga-ga-ri-sa
Riririsasa
Ri-ri-ri-sa-sa
Garisasa risasahdapa
Ga-ri-sa-sa ri-sa-sa-ha-da-pa
Sadhapadhapadha
Sa-dha-pa-dha-pa-dha
Kukkukkoo koo koo
Cuckoo-coo koo koo
Koovum kuyilakka
O cuckoo bird that sings!
Thithithai thai thai
Thithithai thai thai
Aadum mayilakka
O peacock sister that dances!
Maamalai ooram
Along the edge of the great mountain,
Aruvigal naatiyam aadum
Waterfalls dance gracefully.
Idhu polae inbam yedhu…uuu
What bliss could equal this?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kukkukkoo Koo Koo is an exuberant folk-classical celebration song from the 1993 Tamil film Valli. The song captures the pure, joyful wonder of nature, comparing singing cuckoos, dancing peacocks, cascading mountain waterfalls, and gentle southern breezes to unmatched blissful happiness. The protagonist marvels at the majestic beauty of the natural world, addressing the bamboo, riverbanks, and blooming flowers while asking who created such magnificent sights. The composition seamlessly weaves intricate Carnatic swaras (solfege notes) and rhythmic dance jathis with playful, youthful folk lyrics.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Onomatopoeia
“Kukkukkoo koo koo”
Use of natural bird calls and traditional dance rhythm syllables to evoke musicality.
Personification
“Aruvigal naatiyam aadum”
Attributing human dance performance and singing abilities to natural elements like waterfalls and breeze.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Aatrangarai mettilae”
The second consonant sound 'i' matches between 'Aatrangarai' and 'Thendral' / 'Then'.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film Valli (1993) was written and produced by Superstar Rajinikanth, featuring music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. Sung dynamically by Swarnalatha, this track became popular for its blend of traditional Carnatic musical notes (swaras) and fast-paced folk beats.
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