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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
Movie name
Akka Thangai
Movie release year
1969
Lyrics added on
14 May 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kuruvigala kuruvigala
Ullaasa kuruvigala
Tharuvigala badhil tharuvigala
Thadai indri tharuvigala
Kulandhaigalae kulandhaigalae
College kulandhaigalae
Peruvigalae peruvigalae
Thadaiyindri peruvigalae
Manjali marandhadhum
Yen yen yen
Malarai thurndhadhum yen yen
Female :Kanjiyai marandhadhum
Yen yen yen
Cofee kudippadhum yen yen
Vaettiyai maranthathum
Yen yen yen
Meesai kurainthathum yen yen
Paattikku powderum
Yen yen yen
Pagati thirivathum yen yen
Ohoo hoo hoo
Kulandhaigalae kulandhaigalae
College kulandhaigalae
Peruvigalae peruvigalae
Thadaiyindri peruvigala
Kudumi parandhadhum
Yen yen yen
Konal krappugal yen yen
Udaiyum kuraindhadhum
Yen yen yen
Ottu mudigalum yen yen
Maridum kaalathai
Paar paar paar
Maattram thaduthavar yaar yaar yaar
Male :Ponadhu pogattum va va va
Pogum vazhi ondru thaan
Kuruvigala kuruvigala
Ullaasa kuruvigala
Tharuvigala badhil tharuvigala
Thadai indri tharuvigala
Kulandhaigalae kulandhaigalae
College kulandhaigalae
Peruvigalae peruvigalae
Thadaiyindri peruvigalae
O little birds, little birds,
O joyful, carefree birds,
Will you give, will you give an answer?
Will you answer without hesitation?
O children, dear children,
O college students,
You will get it, you will get it,
You will surely get it without hesitation!
Forgetting to apply turmeric,
Why, why, why?
And giving up flowers in your hair, why, why?
Female: Forgetting traditional porridge,
Why, why, why?
And drinking coffee instead, why, why?
Forgetting the traditional veshti,
Why, why, why?
And trimming down your moustaches, why, why?
Face powder for grandmothers,
Why, why, why?
And showing off in modern style, why, why?
Oho ho ho!
O children, dear children,
O college students,
You will get it, you will get it,
Will you get it without any hindrance?
The traditional hair tuft disappearing,
Why, why, why?
And slanted modern haircuts arriving, why, why?
Clothes growing shorter and smaller,
Why, why, why?
And wearing false wigs of hair, why, why?
Look at these changing times,
Look, look, look!
Who has ever stopped change, who, who, who?
Male: Let bygones be bygones, come, come, come,
The path ahead for us is only one!
O little birds, little birds,
O joyful, carefree birds,
Will you give, will you give an answer?
Will you answer without hesitation?
O children, dear children,
O college students,
You will get it, you will get it,
You will surely get it without hesitation!
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'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.

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