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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kuruvigala Kuruvigala

From Akka Thangai · 1969

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Akka Thangai1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kuruvigala kuruvigalaOh sparrows, oh sparrows!
Ullaasa kuruvigalaOh joyful sparrows!
Tharuvigala badhil tharuvigalaWill you give an answer, will you give?
Thadai indri tharuvigalaWill you give it without hesitation?
Female
Kulandhaigalae kulandhaigalaeOh children, oh children!
College kulandhaigalaeOh college children!
Peruvigalae peruvigalaeWill you receive, will you receive?
Thadaiyindri peruvigalaeWill you receive without any obstacle?
Male
Manjali marandhadhumForgetting traditional turmeric
Yen yen yenWhy, why, why?
Malarai thurndhadhum yen yenWhy giving up flowers, why, why?
Female :Kanjiyai marandhadhumFemale: Forgetting simple rice porridge
Yen yen yenWhy, why, why?
Cofee kudippadhum yen yenWhy drinking coffee instead, why, why?
Female
Vaettiyai maranthathumForgetting the traditional dhoti
Yen yen yenWhy, why, why?
Meesai kurainthathum yen yenWhy trimming down the mustache, why, why?
Male
Paattikku powderumApplying face powder to grandmothers
Yen yen yenWhy, why, why?
Pagati thirivathum yen yenWhy roaming around in pretension, why, why?
Female
Ohoo hoo hooOhoo-hoo-hoo!
Female
Kulandhaigalae kulandhaigalaeOh children, oh children!
College kulandhaigalaeOh college children!
Peruvigalae peruvigalaeWill you receive, will you receive?
Thadaiyindri peruvigalaWill you receive without hindrance?
Female
Kudumi parandhadhumThe traditional hair tuft disappearing
Yen yen yenWhy, why, why?
Konal krappugal yen yenWhy styled crop haircuts, why, why?
Male
Udaiyum kuraindhadhumClothes getting shorter and lesser
Yen yen yenWhy, why, why?
Ottu mudigalum yen yenWhy wigs and hair extensions, why, why?
Female
Maridum kaalathaiObserve the changing times
Paar paar paarLook, look, look!
Maattram thaduthavar yaar yaar yaarWho has ever stopped change, who, who, who?
Male :Ponadhu pogattum va va vaMale: Let bygones be bygones, come, come, come!
Pogum vazhi ondru thaanThe path going forward is just one.
Male
Kuruvigala kuruvigalaOh sparrows, oh sparrows!
Ullaasa kuruvigalaOh joyful sparrows!
Tharuvigala badhil tharuvigalaWill you give an answer, will you give?
Thadai indri tharuvigalaWill you give it without hesitation?
Female
Kulandhaigalae kulandhaigalaeOh children, oh children!
College kulandhaigalaeOh college children!
Peruvigalae peruvigalaeWill you receive, will you receive?
Thadaiyindri peruvigalaeWill you receive without any obstacle?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kuruvigala Kuruvigala' from the 1969 film 'Akka Thangai' is a lively and satirical song featuring a dialogue about modern societal changes, youth fashion, and shifting traditions. The lyricist lightheartedly questions college students and modern youth about abandoning traditional customs—such as wearing dhotis, keeping traditional hairstyles (kudumi), or using turmeric and flowers—in favor of westernized habits like drinking coffee, styling crop haircuts, and wearing modern attire.\n\nUltimately, the song acknowledges that change is an inevitable part of time and evolution. Rather than resisting modern shifts, the singers accept that times change and encourage moving forward together with optimism.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Kuruvigala kuruvigala / Tharuvigala badhil tharuvigala

Rhyming of the second letter in consecutive lines, such as 'Kuruvigala' and 'Tharuvigala'.

Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Yen yen yen / Paar paar paar

Repeated emphasis on words like 'yen yen yen' (why, why, why) and 'paar paar paar' (look, look, look) to convey curiosity and satire.

Metaphor

Kuruvigala kuruvigala / College kulandhaigalae

Comparing college youth to free-spirited, chirping 'kuruvigal' (sparrows) enjoying their freedom.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Akka Thangai' (1969) is a classic Tamil family drama directed by M. A. Thirumugam, starring Jaishankar and K. R. Vijaya. The music was composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh, with memorable lyrics written by A. Maruthakasi.

Keep listening

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