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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kukkuk Koovena

From Nethiyadi · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
R. Pandiarajan
Movie name
Nethiyadi
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
14 Apr 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kukkuk koovena koovum kuyilithu
Arangeruthu pudhu suram paaduthu
Kukkuk koovena koovum kuyilithu
Arangeruthu pudhu suram paaduthu
Idhuthaan enathu nedunaal kanavu
Pudhithaai thodangum pala naal uravu
Female :Kukkuk koovena koovum kuyilithu
Arangeruthu pudhu suram paaduthu
Male :Idhuthaan enathu nedunaal kanavu
Kannaththodu kannam vaiththu
Kalledukkum kallan naanae
Female :Thekki vaiththa thaenai ellaa
Paakki indri thanthaal maanae
Kaveri meenai kasthoori maanai
Kaiyodu yaendha kummaalamo
Female :Kaval meerum ennam vanthatho
Paavai vannam bodhai thanthatho
Kukkuk koovena koovum kuyilithu
Arangeruthu pudhu suram paaduthu
Female :Idhuthaan enathu nedunaal kanavu
Pudhithaai thodangum pala naal uravu
Merkkil pogum megam ondru
Vaanam paarkkum mannai kandu
Male :Thooral podum neram indru
Vaazha vendum vaazhakkandru
Verodum mannil neerodum pothu
Yaedhedho ennam undaagumo
Male :Kaaman podum paanam allavo
Kaayam maarum maayam sollavo…oo….
Kukkuk koovena koovum kuyilithu
Arangeruthu pudhu suram paaduthu
Kukkuk koovena koovum kuyilithu
Arangeruthu pudhu suram paaduthu
Idhuthaan enathu nedunaal kanavu
Pudhithaai thodangum pala naal uravu
Female :Kukkuk koovena koovum kuyilithu
Arangeruthu pudhu suram paaduthu
Male :Idhuthaan enathu nedunaal kanavu…
This cuckoo calling out "coo-coo"
Makes its debut, singing a new tune
This cuckoo calling out "coo-coo"
Makes its debut, singing a new tune
This is my long-cherished dream
A longstanding bond beginning anew
Female: This cuckoo calling out "coo-coo"
Makes its debut, singing a new tune
Male: This is my long-cherished dream
Pressing cheek against cheek,
I am the thief who steals sweet moments
Female: All the honey saved up,
this deer gave it all without holding back
The fish of the Cauvery, the musk deer—
is it pure joy to hold them in your hands?
Female: Did the urge to cross boundaries arise?
Did this girl's glowing beauty intoxicate you?
This cuckoo calling out "coo-coo"
Makes its debut, singing a new tune
Female: This is my long-cherished dream
A longstanding bond beginning anew
A cloud drifting to the west,
seeing the thirsty earth gazing at the sky,
Male: showers a gentle drizzle today,
so the young plant may flourish and live
When water flows through the soil to the roots,
do all kinds of sweet desires stir within?
Male: Isn't this an arrow shot by Kama (the god of love)?
Shall I tell you the magic that heals the wound? Ooh...
This cuckoo calling out "coo-coo"
Makes its debut, singing a new tune
This cuckoo calling out "coo-coo"
Makes its debut, singing a new tune
This is my long-cherished dream
A longstanding bond beginning anew
Female: This cuckoo calling out "coo-coo"
Makes its debut, singing a new tune
Male: This is my long-cherished dream...
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song is a joyful romantic duet expressing the euphoria of love and union. Using metaphors of a singing cuckoo debuting on stage, drizzling rain nourishing the earth, and sweet intimacy, the lovers celebrate their long-held dream of togetherness finally coming true as a fresh start to their deep bond.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia (Oli-kkurippu)

“Kukkuk koovena koovum kuyilithu”

The phrase 'Kukkuk koovena' mimics the natural sound of a cuckoo singing.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

“Kaveri meenai kasthoori maanai”

The lover compares the female to 'Kaveri meen' (fish of Kaveri) and 'kasthoori maan' (musk deer).

Rhyme (Edhugai)

“Merkkil pogum megam ondru / Vaanam paarkkum mannai kandu”

Second-letter rhyming ('ri' in Kaveri / 'sthoori' in kasthoori, 'rk' in Merkkil / 'rk' in Vaanam paarkkum).

Alliteration (Monaai)

“Kukkuk koovena koovum kuyilithu”

Repetition of initial 'k' sounds in 'Kakkuk koovena koovum kuyilithu'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Nethiyadi (1988) was directed by actor Pandiarajan, who also composed the music for this film. The song features lively lyrics penned by Vaali and vocals by S. Janaki and Mano.

Keep listening

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