Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kuruvi Koottam Pola

From Kudumba Thalaivan · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kudumba Thalaivan1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kuruvi koottam pola nikkiraStanding together like a flock of sparrows,
PoovammaaOh flower-like maiden,
Unnai kondu pogum purushan ingaeWho is the husband here who will take you away,
YaarammaaOh dear lady?
Female
Kuruvi koottam pola nikkiraStanding together like a flock of sparrows,
PoovammaaOh flower-like maiden,
Unnai kondu pogum purushan ingaeWho is the husband here who will take you away,
YaarammaaOh dear lady?
Female
Aruvadaikku kaathu nikkiraWaiting for the harvest season,
NellammaaOh paddy-like maiden,
Nee aasai konda purushan peraiTell us the name of the husband you desire,
ChollammaaTell us, dear lady!
Female
Kuruvi koottam pola nikkiraStanding together like a flock of sparrows,
PoovammaaOh flower-like maiden,
Aa…aaa…aa…oo ooo…mm..mmAa…aaa…aa…oo ooo…mm..mm
Female
Thalathalavena nadanamaadumIn the water dancing with a shimmering glow,
Thanneeril unnai kandaanaaDid he spot you?
Thalathalavena nadanamaadumIn the water dancing with a shimmering glow,
Thanneeril unnai kandaanaaDid he spot you?
Salakku salakku nadai nadandhuWalking with a brisk, rustling stride,
Kaiyaal unnai thottaanaaDid he touch you with his hand?
Salakku salakku nadai nadandhuWalking with a brisk, rustling stride,
Kaiyaal unnai thottaanaaDid he touch you with his hand?
Malamalavena alliyeduthuSwiftly scooping you up,
Madiyil unnai vaithaanaaDid he place you on his lap?
Vandaada varum sendaagaLike a cluster of flowers frequented by humming bees,
Unnai maarbil anaithu kondaanaaDid he embrace you against his chest?
Female
Kuruvi koottam pola nikkiraStanding together like a flock of sparrows,
PoovammaaOh flower-like maiden,
Unnai kondu pogum purushan ingaeWho is the husband here who will take you away,
YaarammaaOh dear lady?
Female
Kuruvi koottam pola nikkiraStanding together like a flock of sparrows,
PoovammaaOh flower-like maiden,
Aa…aaa…aa…oo ooo…mm..mmAa…aaa…aa…oo ooo…mm..mm
Female
Aarodum ila neerodumAlong with rivers and fresh tender-coconut streams,
Vanna thaerodum indha kaattilaeIn this forest where colorful chariots ride,
Aarodum ila neerodumAlong with rivers and fresh tender-coconut streams,
Vanna thaerodum indha kaattilaeIn this forest where colorful chariots ride,
Yaarodu indru poraadaWith whom are you planning to fight today,
Enni thaedugindraai kaattrilaeSearching in the cool breeze?
Yaarodu indru poraadaWith whom are you planning to fight today,
Enni thaedugindraai kaattrilaeSearching in the cool breeze?
Pullaada thalai nellaadaAs grass sways and paddy stalks bend,
Nadai thallaada varum ponnammaaOh golden girl coming with a swaying gait,
Puthaadai tharum athaanaiUpon meeting the beloved cousin who brings new clothes,
Kandu paditha paadam ennammaaWhat lesson did you learn, dear lady?
Female
Kuruvi koottam pola nikkiraStanding together like a flock of sparrows,
PoovammaaOh flower-like maiden,
Unnai kondu pogum purushan ingaeWho is the husband here who will take you away,
YaarammaaOh dear lady?
Female
Kuruvi koottam pola nikkiraStanding together like a flock of sparrows,
PoovammaaOh flower-like maiden,
Aa…aaa…aa…oo ooo…mm..mmAa…aaa…aa…oo ooo…mm..mm
Female
Aadi odi unnai polaeDancing and running around just like you,
Alaindhaval thaan naanammaaI too was once a carefree wanderer, my dear.
Aadi odi unnai polaeDancing and running around just like you,
Alaindhaval thaan naanammaaI too was once a carefree wanderer, my dear.
Androru naal avarai kandenThen one day I caught a glimpse of him,
Adangi vitten meenammaaAnd surrendered quietly like a submissive fish, my dear.
Androru naal avarai kandenThen one day I caught a glimpse of him,
Adangi vitten meenammaaAnd surrendered quietly like a submissive fish, my dear.
Thaedi kidandha aasai mugathaiThe beloved face my heart was searching for,
Therindhu kondadhu kannammaaMy eyes finally recognized, my dear.
Andha thaeril indha silaiyai vaikkaTo place this idol onto that chariot,
Naalai paarthu sollammaaFind an auspicious day tomorrow and let me know!
Female
Kuruvi koottam pola nikkiraStanding together like a flock of sparrows,
PoovammaaOh flower-like maiden,
Aa…aaa…aa…oo ooo…mm..mmAa…aaa…aa…oo ooo…mm..mm

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kuruvi Koottam Pola' is a playful rural folk song from the 1962 Tamil film Kudumba Thalaivan, written by lyricist Kannadasan. The lyrics portray a warm, jovial interaction among village maidens teasing a young woman about her prospective groom. Through pastoral imagery—comparing the women to a flock of sparrows and paddy crops ripe for harvest—the song captures the joy, curiosity, and innocent banter surrounding love and courtship in a rural setting. In response to her friends' teasing, the young bride reflects on her transformation from a carefree girl to someone deeply in love. She recalls the exact moment her eyes recognized her soulmate and describes surrendering to her feelings. The song concludes on a festive note, eagerly anticipating the selection of an auspicious day to celebrate their wedding union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Kuruvi koottam pola nikkira

Compares the group of young village women standing close together to a flock of sparrows perched in a cluster.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Aruvadaikku kaathu nikkira Nellammaa

Refers to the maiden metaphorically as mature paddy ('Nellammaa') ready for harvest, symbolizing readiness for marriage.

Onomatopoeia / Double Words (Irattai Kilavi)

Thalathalavena nadanamaadum

'Thalathalavena' and 'Salakku salakku' evoke sensory visual and auditory imagery of glowing, shimmering water and rhythmic walking steps.

Alliteration & Rhyme (Monai / Etukai)

Pullaada thalai nellaada Nadai thallaada varum ponnammaa

Uses parallel rhythmic phrasing ('Pullaada / nellaada / thallaada') creating a swaying acoustic pattern that mirrors the swaying of fields.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kudumba Thalaivan (1962) stars M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) alongside B. Saroja Devi. The film's soundtrack was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, featuring lyrics by Kannadasan that celebrated authentic Tamil rural culture and folk musical traditions.

Keep listening

More from Kudumba Thalaivan