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Lyrics & meaning

Kukkoo Kukkoo Song Lyrics – Neeya Naana Film

From Neeya Naana – 1962 Film · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Neeya Naana – 1962 Film1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kukkoo kukkoo kuyilakkaCuckoo, cuckoo, sister cuckoo,
Idhai kobam illamal kelakkaListen to this without getting angry, sister.
Kiki kiki kiliyakkaKiki, kiki, sister parrot,
Idhai kettu solloru vazhiyakka akkaListen to this and tell me a way out, sister.
Kukkoo kukkoo kuyilakkaCuckoo, cuckoo, sister cuckoo,
Idhai kobam illamal kelakkaListen to this without getting angry, sister.
Kiki kiki kiliyakkaKiki, kiki, sister parrot,
Idhai kettu solloru vazhiyakka akkaListen to this and tell me a way out, sister.
Kukkoo kukkoo kuyilakkaCuckoo, cuckoo, sister cuckoo,
Female
Athaan endroru azhagu vaarthaiA beautiful word called 'Athaan' (beloved),
Adainthirukkirathu manadhilaeIs trapped within my heart.
Adhai azhuthamaaga solla vandhenI came to express it firmly,
Kural varavillai veliyilaeBut my voice would not come out.
Female
Athaan endroru azhagu vaarthaiA beautiful word called 'Athaan',
Adainthirukkirathu manadhilaeIs trapped within my heart.
Adhai azhuthamaaga solla vandhenI came to express it firmly,
Kural varavillai veliyilaeBut my voice would not come out.
Female
Avar udalil vilundha kaayangalaiThe wounds that fell upon his body,
Theernthu vitten viraivilaeI healed them quickly.
Udalil vilundha kaayangalaiThe wounds that fell upon his body,
Theernthu vitten viraivilaeI healed them quickly.
En manadhil vilundha kaayangalaiFor the wounds that fell upon my heart,
Maattri vaikka vazhiyillaeThere is no way to cure or mend them.
Manadhil vilundha kaayangalaiFor the wounds that fell upon my heart,
Maattri vaikka vazhiyillaeThere is no way to cure or mend them.
Female
Kukkoo kukkoo kuyilakkaCuckoo, cuckoo, sister cuckoo,
Idhai kobam illamal kelakkaListen to this without getting angry, sister.
Kiki kiki kiliyakkaKiki, kiki, sister parrot,
Idhai kettu solloru vazhiyakka akkaListen to this and tell me a way out, sister.
Kukkoo kukkoo kuyilakkaCuckoo, cuckoo, sister cuckoo,
Female
Noiyai kodutha manidharkkuThe man who gave me this sickness,
Marundhu kodukka theriyalaiDoes not know how to give the medicine.
Naan paayil vilundhu padutha podhumEven when I lie down on the mat,
Paalum urakkam pidikkalaiNeither milk nor sleep brings me comfort.
Female
Paarkka therindhu paarvai ellaamAll the expressive looks I knew,
Paarthu vitten kuyilakkaI have tried them all, sister cuckoo.
Therindhu paarvai ellaamAll the looks I knew,
Paarthu vitten kuyilakkaI have tried them all, sister cuckoo.
Pudhu paadam yedhum therindhirundhaalIf you know any new lesson,
Padithu solloru vazhiyakkaTeach it and tell me a way out, sister.
Paadam yedhum therindhirundhaalIf you know any lesson,
Padithu solloru vazhiyakkaTeach it and tell me a way out, sister.
Female
Kukkoo kukkoo kuyilakkaCuckoo, cuckoo, sister cuckoo,
Idhai kobam illamal kelakkaListen to this without getting angry, sister.
Kiki kiki kiliyakkaKiki, kiki, sister parrot,
Idhai kettu solloru vazhiyakka akkaListen to this and tell me a way out, sister.
Kukkoo kukkoo kuyilakkaCuckoo, cuckoo, sister cuckoo.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses the poignant emotional turmoil and unspoken love of a young woman who confides her sorrow to birds in nature. She speaks to the cuckoo and parrot as her companions, sharing how the endearing term 'Athaan' remains choked in her throat, unable to be voiced aloud. She laments that while she easily cured the physical wounds of her beloved, the emotional wounds in her own heart remain unhealable because the person who caused her heart's illness does not know how to cure it. Restless and unable to sleep or eat, she reflects on how all her affectionate glances have failed to resolve her heartache. In her vulnerability, she asks the birds if they have any wisdom or new lessons to teach her to overcome her sorrow.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia & Apostrophe

Kukkoo kukkoo kuyilakka

The lyrics use bird sounds ('Kukkoo', 'Kiki') to personify nature ('kuyilakka', 'kiliyakka') as intimate female confidantes.

Antithesis / Contrast

Avar udalil vilundha kaayangalai

Contrasting physical wounds ('udalil vilundha kaayangalai') which were cured easily with emotional wounds ('manadhil vilundha kaayangalai') which have no cure.

Paradox

Noiyai kodutha manidharkku / Marundhu kodukka theriyalai

Highlighting the irony that the person who inflicted the emotional pain is incapable of providing its remedy.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Idhai kobam illamal kelakka

The repetitive suffix '-akka' across stanza lines creates a melodic and rhythmic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Addressing birds like the cuckoo (Kuyil) and parrot (Kili) as messengers or confidantes is a celebrated poetic convention in classical Tamil literature known as 'Thoodu' (messenger poetry). Kannadasan effectively adapted this Sangam-era trope into modern film lyricism, complemented by K. V. Mahadevan's gentle melody and P. Susheela's emotive voice.

Keep listening

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