Kuyil Paattu
From Vaimaye Vellum · 1997
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Krishnaraj, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Vaimaye Vellum1997
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kukkukoo…..Kukkukoo | Cuckoo... Cuckoo... |
| Kuyil paattu ketkkuthu | The song of the cuckoo is heard |
| Kuyil paattai kulir kaattru | The cuckoo's song, the cool breeze |
| Seviyoram searkkuthu | Brings near my ear |
| Female | |
| Adi chinna manikkuyilae | Oh little precious cuckoo |
| Enthan sinthai mayanguthu paar | See how my mind gets entranced |
| Intha sindhu padiththidaththaan | To sing this song in 'sindhu' tune |
| Ingu solli koduththathu yaar | Who taught you here? |
| Female | |
| Isai thaen vanthu thaen vanthu | The honey of music comes and comes |
| Paayuthu paayuthu kuyilae | Flows and flows, oh cuckoo! |
| Male | |
| Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira | Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira |
| Theematha theematha thiranaa thira | Theematha theematha thiranaa thira |
| Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem thira | Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem thira |
| Theematha theematha thiranaa thira | Theematha theematha thiranaa thira |
| Theematha theematha thiranaa thira | Theematha theematha thiranaa thira |
| Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem | Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem |
| Male | |
| Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira | Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira |
| Theematha theematha thiranaa thira | Theematha theematha thiranaa thira |
| Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem | Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem |
| Female | |
| Vinnai vittu | Leaving the sky |
| Nilaththil irangividum | Descending down to the ground |
| Mannai thottu | Touching the soil |
| Nadanam purinthidum | Performing a rhythmic dance |
| Thooral mazhai thuliyai | Drizzling rain drops |
| Theliththidum eera mugilae | Sprinkling wet cloud! |
| Female | |
| Pachchai payil ulagil thazhaippathum | Flourishing green crops across the world |
| Pattamaram thirumpa kilaippathum | Making dried trees sprout branches again |
| Thaagangalai nodiyil | Quenching all thirsts |
| Thanippathum ungal seiyalae | In a single moment is your act |
| Female | |
| Entha verukkum neer vidum manathu | A mind that offers water even to those who hate it |
| Ingu yaarukkum vaaippathu arithu | Is rare to find in anyone here |
| Ammammaa makkal thaagangal theernthida | Oh dear, to quench the thirst of the people |
| Paadadi paadadi kuyilae | Sing, oh sing, my cuckoo! |
| Male | |
| Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira | Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira |
| Theematha theematha thiranaa thira | Theematha theematha thiranaa thira |
| Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem | Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem |
| Female | |
| Then pothigai | Born in the lap |
| Madiyil piranthaval | Of the sweet Pothigai hills |
| Then madurai nagaril pugunthaval | Entered the sweet city of Madurai |
| Senthamizhar unarvil kalanthaval | Merged into the emotions of pure Tamils |
| Thendral magalae | Oh daughter of the gentle breeze! |
| Female | |
| Unnai ingu thadukka mudiyumaa | Can anyone stop you here? |
| Aanai ittu odukka mudiyumaa | Can anyone suppress you by giving commands? |
| Koottukkullae adaikka mudiyumaa | Can anyone lock you up inside a cage? |
| Sollu magalae | Tell me, oh daughter! |
| Male | |
| Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira | Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira |
| Theematha theematha thiranaa thira | Theematha theematha thiranaa thira |
| Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem | Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem |
| Female | |
| Kukkukoo…..Kukkukoo | Cuckoo... Cuckoo... |
| Kuyil paattu ketkkuthu | The song of the cuckoo is heard |
| Kuyil paattai kulir kaattru | The cuckoo's song, the cool breeze |
| Seviyoram searkkuthu | Brings near my ear |
| Female | |
| Adi chinna manikkuyilae | Oh little precious cuckoo |
| Enthan sinthai mayanguthu paar | See how my mind gets entranced |
| Intha sindhu padiththidaththaan | To sing this song in 'sindhu' tune |
| Ingu solli koduththathu yaar | Who taught you here? |
| Female | |
| Isai thaen vanthu thaen vanthu | The honey of music comes and comes |
| Paayuthu paayuthu kuyilae | Flows and flows, oh cuckoo! |
| Male | |
| Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira | Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira |
| Theematha theematha thiranaa thira | Theematha theematha thiranaa thira |
| Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem | Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem |
| Male | |
| Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira | Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira |
| Theematha theematha thiranaa thira | Theematha theematha thiranaa thira |
| Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem | Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem |
குக்குகூகூ......குக்குகூகூ
குயில் பாட்டு கேக்குது
குயில் பாட்டை குளிர் காற்று
செவியோரம் சேர்க்குது
Cuckoo... Cuckoo...
The song of the cuckoo is heard
The cuckoo's song, the cool breeze
Brings near my ear
அடி சின்ன மணிக்குயிலே
எந்தன் சிந்தை மயங்குது பார்
இந்த சிந்து படித்திடத்தான்
இங்கு சொல்லி கொடுத்தது யார்
Oh little precious cuckoo
See how my mind gets entranced
To sing this song in 'sindhu' tune
Who taught you here?
இசை தேன் வந்து தேன் வந்து
பாயுது பாயுது குயிலே
The honey of music comes and comes
Flows and flows, oh cuckoo!
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர தீம் திர
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர தீம்
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர தீம்
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem
விண்ணை விட்டு
நிலத்தில் இறங்கிடும்
மண்ணை தொட்டு
நடனம் புரிந்திடும்
தூறல் மழைத் துளியை
தெளித்திடும் ஈர முகிலே
Leaving the sky
Descending down to the ground
Touching the soil
Performing a rhythmic dance
Drizzling rain drops
Sprinkling wet cloud!
பச்சை பயிர் உலகில் தழைப்பதும்
பட்ட மரம் திரும்ப கிளைப்பதும்
தாகங்களை நொடியில்
தணிப்பதும் உங்கள் செயலே
Flourishing green crops across the world
Making dried trees sprout branches again
Quenching all thirsts
In a single moment is your act
எந்த வேருக்கும் நீர் விடும் மனது
இங்கு யாருக்கும் வாய்ப்பது அரிது
அம்மம்மா மக்கள் தாகங்கள் தீர்ந்திட
பாடடி பாடடி குயிலே
A mind that offers water even to those who hate it
Is rare to find in anyone here
Oh dear, to quench the thirst of the people
Sing, oh sing, my cuckoo!
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர தீம்
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem
தென் பொதிகை
மடியில் பிறந்தவள்
தென் மதுரை நகரில் புகுந்தவள்
செந்தமிழர் உணர்வில் கலந்தவள்
தென்றல் மகளே
Born in the lap
Of the sweet Pothigai hills
Entered the sweet city of Madurai
Merged into the emotions of pure Tamils
Oh daughter of the gentle breeze!
உன்னை இங்கு தடுக்க முடியுமா
ஆணை இட்டு ஒடுக்க முடியுமா
கூட்டுக்குள்ளே அடைக்க முடியுமா
சொல்லு மகளே
Can anyone stop you here?
Can anyone suppress you by giving commands?
Can anyone lock you up inside a cage?
Tell me, oh daughter!
இந்த பெண்ணினம்
அப்படி இருக்கும்
இது உன்னினம்
என்பதை நினைக்கும்
அம்மம்மா பெண்மை
வாழ்கின்ற வாழ்வென்று
பாடடி பாடடி குயிலே
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர தீம்
Cuckoo... Cuckoo...
The song of the cuckoo is heard
The cuckoo's song, the cool breeze
Brings near my ear
குக்குகூகூ… குக்குகூகூ…
குயில் பாட்டு கேக்குது
குயில் பாட்டை குளிர் காற்று
செவியோரம் சேர்க்குது
Oh little precious cuckoo
See how my mind gets entranced
To sing this song in 'sindhu' tune
Who taught you here?
அடி சின்ன மணிக்குயிலே
எந்தன் சிந்தை மயங்குது பார்
இந்த சிந்து படித்திடத்தான்
இங்கு சொல்லி கொடுத்தது யார்
The honey of music comes and comes
Flows and flows, oh cuckoo!
இசை தேன் வந்து தேன் வந்து
பாயுது பாயுது குயிலே
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர தீம்
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர
தீம்த தீம்த திரனா திர தீம்
Kukkukoo…..Kukkukoo
Cuckoo... Cuckoo...
Kuyil paattu ketkkuthu
The song of the cuckoo is heard
Kuyil paattai kulir kaattru
The cuckoo's song, the cool breeze
Seviyoram searkkuthu
Brings near my ear
Adi chinna manikkuyilae
Oh little precious cuckoo
Enthan sinthai mayanguthu paar
See how my mind gets entranced
Intha sindhu padiththidaththaan
To sing this song in 'sindhu' tune
Ingu solli koduththathu yaar
Who taught you here?
Isai thaen vanthu thaen vanthu
The honey of music comes and comes
Paayuthu paayuthu kuyilae
Flows and flows, oh cuckoo!
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem
Vinnai vittu
Leaving the sky
Nilaththil irangividum
Descending down to the ground
Mannai thottu
Touching the soil
Nadanam purinthidum
Performing a rhythmic dance
Thooral mazhai thuliyai
Drizzling rain drops
Theliththidum eera mugilae
Sprinkling wet cloud!
Pachchai payil ulagil thazhaippathum
Flourishing green crops across the world
Pattamaram thirumpa kilaippathum
Making dried trees sprout branches again
Thaagangalai nodiyil
Quenching all thirsts
Thanippathum ungal seiyalae
In a single moment is your act
Entha verukkum neer vidum manathu
A mind that offers water even to those who hate it
Ingu yaarukkum vaaippathu arithu
Is rare to find in anyone here
Ammammaa makkal thaagangal theernthida
Oh dear, to quench the thirst of the people
Paadadi paadadi kuyilae
Sing, oh sing, my cuckoo!
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem
Then pothigai
Born in the lap
Madiyil piranthaval
Of the sweet Pothigai hills
Then madurai nagaril pugunthaval
Entered the sweet city of Madurai
Senthamizhar unarvil kalanthaval
Merged into the emotions of pure Tamils
Thendral magalae
Oh daughter of the gentle breeze!
Unnai ingu thadukka mudiyumaa
Can anyone stop you here?
Aanai ittu odukka mudiyumaa
Can anyone suppress you by giving commands?
Koottukkullae adaikka mudiyumaa
Can anyone lock you up inside a cage?
Sollu magalae
Tell me, oh daughter!
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem
Kukkukoo…..Kukkukoo
Cuckoo... Cuckoo...
Kuyil paattu ketkkuthu
The song of the cuckoo is heard
Kuyil paattai kulir kaattru
The cuckoo's song, the cool breeze
Seviyoram searkkuthu
Brings near my ear
Adi chinna manikkuyilae
Oh little precious cuckoo
Enthan sinthai mayanguthu paar
See how my mind gets entranced
Intha sindhu padiththidaththaan
To sing this song in 'sindhu' tune
Ingu solli koduththathu yaar
Who taught you here?
Isai thaen vanthu thaen vanthu
The honey of music comes and comes
Paayuthu paayuthu kuyilae
Flows and flows, oh cuckoo!
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theematha theematha thiranaa thira
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem
Theemtha theemtha thiranaa thira theem
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kuyil Paattu Ketkkuthu from Vaimaye Vellum (1997) is a joyful, nature-centric song that connects the sweetness of a cuckoo's voice and rain with the rich legacy of the Tamil language. The lyrics celebrate nature's unconditional generosity—how clouds bring rain to nourish crops and revive dead trees without expecting anything in return, drawing a parallel to noble souls who treat even foes with kindness. In the second verse, lyricist Vaali personifies the Tamil language and the southern breeze as a daughter born in the Pothigai mountains, nurtured in Madurai, and living in the hearts of Tamils. He asserts that true freedom, music, and language can never be caged or suppressed by decrees, celebrating artistic and linguistic freedom.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvam)
“Isai thaen vanthu thaen vanthu”
Compares music directly to sweet flowing honey ('Isai thaen').
Personification (Thanithanmai Aakuthal)
“Then pothigai madiyil piranthaval... Thendral magalae”
Addresses the southern breeze/Tamil language as a daughter born in the Pothigai hills.
Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Pachchai payil ulagil thazhaippathum / Pattamaram thirumpa kilaippathum”
Repetition of the initial 'Pa' sound in consecutive words ('Pachchai', 'Pattamaram').
Anaphora (Adukku Thodar)
“Paayuthu paayuthu kuyilae”
Rhythmic repetition of 'Paayuthu' and 'Paadadi' for melodic emphasis.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Deva for the 1997 film Vaimaye Vellum, this song beautifully blends folk melody ('Sindhu' style) with rhythmic konnakol/solkattu syllables. Lyricist Vaali incorporates classical Sangam motifs—referencing the Pothigai mountains and the city of Madurai, traditionally revered as the cradles of Tamil language and literature.
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