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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kukkoo Kukkoo Kuyiley

From Aagaya Pookkal -1995 · 1995

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Deva
Details
Aagaya Pookkal -19951995

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kukkoo kukkoo kuyilaeO Cuckoo bird calling cookoo cookoo
Ezhil konjum manjal veyilaeO golden yellow sunlight charming with beauty
Kukkoo kukkoo kuyilaeO Cuckoo bird calling cookoo cookoo
Ezhil konjum manjal veyilaeO golden yellow sunlight charming with beauty
Male
Intha mannil vantha devathaiAn angel who descended upon this earth
Unthan kangal vellithaaragaiYour eyes are bright like silver stars
Unnai paarkkum vizhigalThe eyes that gaze upon you
Imaippathillaiyadi mayilaeDo not blink even for a moment, my peacock
Vanna mayilaeO colorful peacock
Male
Kukkoo kukkoo kuyilaeO Cuckoo bird calling cookoo cookoo
Ezhil konjum manjal veyilaeO golden yellow sunlight charming with beauty
Male
Katti vaiththa koondhalYour neatly tied hair
Koondhal alla oonjalIs not mere hair, but a gentle swing
Siru pookkal angae asainthaalumEven as small flowers sway there
Anthi minnal indruToday, the evening lightning
Aadai katti konduAdorning itself in fine garments
Malai saaral oram nadaipodumStrolls alongside the misty mountain drizzle
Male
Antha thendral unnai thotta mayakamThe trance created when the breeze touches you
Intha desam engum suttri alaiyumWanders endlessly across the entire land
Antha kamban thirumbi vanthuWill that ancient poet Kamban return
Unthan arugirunthu paadal iyattaraTo sit beside you and compose a immortal song
Oru naal varumoWill such a day ever arrive?
Male
Kukkoo kukkoo kuyilaeO Cuckoo bird calling cookoo cookoo
Ezhil konjum manjal veyilaeO golden yellow sunlight charming with beauty
Kukkoo kukkoo kuyilaeO Cuckoo bird calling cookoo cookoo
Ezhil konjum manjal veyilaeO golden yellow sunlight charming with beauty
Male
Sembaruththi poovum kambarasa thaenumA vibrant hibiscus flower and the sweet honey of Kamban's poetry
Ondru saernthaal kannae adhu neethaanIf merged into one, my dear, that is you
Kannirendil vaangi ennuyirai yaenthiReceiving my life force through your twin eyes and holding it close
Vazhi ponaai ponaai adhu neethaanYou walked away along the path, yes, that is you
Male
Antha brahman avan nalla rasiganLord Brahma the creator is indeed a fine connoisseur of art
Unnai pettreduththa sirpa kalainganA master sculptor who gave birth to your form
Manam unnai adainthathadiMy heart went out to reach you
Ennai maranthathadiAnd completely forgot about my own self
Innum thirumpavillai yaen mayilaeIt has still not returned back to me, why my peacock?
Male
Kukkoo kukkoo kuyilaeO Cuckoo bird calling cookoo cookoo
Ezhil konjum manjal veyilaeO golden yellow sunlight charming with beauty
Kukkoo kukkoo kuyilaeO Cuckoo bird calling cookoo cookoo
Ezhil konjum manjal veyilaeO golden yellow sunlight charming with beauty
Male
Intha mannil vantha devathaiAn angel who descended upon this earth
Unthan kangal vellithaaragaiYour eyes are bright like silver stars
Unnai paarkkum vizhigalThe eyes that gaze upon you
Imaippathillaiyadi mayilaeDo not blink even for a moment, my peacock
Vanna mayilaeO colorful peacock
Male
Kukkoo kukkoo kuyilaeO Cuckoo bird calling cookoo cookoo
Ezhil konjum manjal veyilae…O golden yellow sunlight charming with beauty...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic song is a poetic eulogy celebrating the exquisite grace and natural charm of the beloved. The singer likens her to an angel who has descended onto earth, comparing her eyes to shining silver stars and her hair to a soothing swing. He wonders if even the ancient legend Poet Kamban would return to craft verses inspired by her unparalleled beauty, describing her as a divine creation sculpted by Brahma himself.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia (Auditory Imagery)

Kukkoo kukkoo kuyilae

The repetition of 'Kukkoo kukkoo' mimics the melodic sound of a cuckoo bird, establishing a musical nature theme.

Uvamai / Metaphor

Unthan kangal vellithaaragai

Comparing the eyes of the beloved directly to bright silver stars ('vellithaaragai').

Uruvagaimai / Metaphor

Koondhal alla oonjal

Equating the long hair of the woman to a swing ('oonjal'), exaggerating its motion and softness.

Personification

Anthi minnal indru Aadai katti kondu

Depicting evening lightning as a person wearing clothes and walking near mountain drizzles.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track from the 1995 movie 'Aagaya Pookkal' features the signature classic touch of composer Deva, brought to life by K. J. Yesudas's soothing vocals and Pulamaipithan's rich literary Tamil lyrics referencing Classical Tamil poet Kamban.

Keep listening

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