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Isaimozhi
Naanal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kuyil Koovi Thuyil

From Naanal · 1965

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
R. Rajalakshmi
Music director
V. Kumar
Movie name
Naanal
Movie release year
1965
Lyrics added on
9 Jun 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Hmmm mmm mmm mm mmm
Mmmm mmm mm mmm
Kuyil koovi thuyil ezhuppa
Kodi arumbha kann vizhikka
Kadhiravanin varavu kandu
Karavaiyinam magizhndhadhamma
Magizhndhadhamma
Chediyaai avan vinaigal theerkkum thirumaanae
Nediyaanae vengadava nin koyil vaasalilae
Adiyaarum vaanavarum aram payarum soozhndhirukka
Padiyaai kidandhadhu nin pani seidhu vaazhvenae
Nilamagal madiyinmeedhu
Nimmadhi kuzhandhai vaazha
Kalaimagal padikkum bodhu
Kannae nee urangalaamoo
Kannae nee urangalaamoo
Nithiraithaan podhaadhoo nithilamae thedaayoo
Ikkaraiyil un panigal ethanaiyoo
Ezhuvaai nee ezhuvaai nee…
Mmm mmm mmm mm mmm
Mmmm mmm mm mmm
As the cuckoo calls out to wake you,
As the budding vines open their eyes,
Seeing the morning sun arrive,
The herds of cows rejoice!
Oh, they rejoice!
O Lord who destroys all our deep-rooted sins,
O supreme Lord Venkata, at the doorway of your temple,
While devotees, gods, and heavenly dancers gather around,
May I lie as a doorstep, living only to serve you!
Upon the lap of Mother Earth,
So that peace may thrive like a child,
While the Goddess of Learning reads,
My darling, can you still be asleep?
My darling, can you still be asleep?
Haven't you slept enough? My precious pearl, won't you seek your path?
There are so many duties waiting for you on this shore!
Rise up, oh rise up!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song from the 1965 Tamil movie 'Naanal' serves as a tender, morning awakening hymn (Suprabhatam style). It paints a tranquil picture of nature waking up—cuckoos calling, flower buds opening, and cattle greeting the morning sun. It intertwines intense spiritual devotion to Lord Venkateswara with a motivational plea to wake up, fulfill life's responsibilities, and work towards peace and knowledge on Earth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moanai (Initial Assonance / Alliteration)

“Kuyil koovi thuyil ezhuppa”

The initial letter 'K' is systematically repeated across the line openings (Kuyil, Kodi, Kadhiravanin, Karavaiyinam), creating a rhythmic morning cadence.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Chediyaai avan vinaigal theerkkum thirumaanae”

The second consonant 'di' rhymes between 'Chediyaai' and 'Nediyaanae'. Similarly, 'la' rhymes between 'Nilamagal' and 'Kalaimagal'.

Devotional Allusion / Literary Reference

“Padiyaai kidandhadhu nin pani seidhu vaazhvenae”

The phrase 'Padiyaai kidandhadhu' draws directly from saint Kulasekara Alvar's famed Naalayira Divya Prabandham verse, expressing the ultimate humility of wishing to be a doorway step in Tirumala.

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

“Nimmadhi kuzhandhai vaazha”

'Nimmadhi kuzhandhai' personifies peace as a child resting on the lap of Mother Earth ('Nilamagal').

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyric 'Padiyaai kidandhadhu' by Aalangudi Somu is an explicit homage to the Vaishnavite saint Kulasekara Alvar's hymn where he prays to become the threshold (Kulasekara Padi) of the Tirumala temple. The film 'Naanal' was directed by K. Balachander, with music scored by V. Kumar.

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