Kuyila Pudichchu
From Chinna Thambi · 1991
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Chinna Thambi1991
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi | Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage |
| Koova sollugira ulagam | The world tells it to sing |
| Mayila pudichi kaala odachi | Catching a peacock and breaking its legs |
| Aada sollugira ulagam | The world tells it to dance |
| Male | |
| Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi | Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage |
| Koova sollugira ulagam | The world tells it to sing |
| Mayila pudichi kaala odachi | Catching a peacock and breaking its legs |
| Aada sollugira ulagam | The world tells it to dance |
| Adhu eppadi paadum aiya | How can it sing, sir? |
| Adhu eppadi aadum aiya | How can it dance, sir? |
| Oh…. oh… oh …ohh…ohoooo…. | Oh.... oh... oh ...ohh...ohoooo.... |
| Male | |
| Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi | Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage |
| Koova sollugira ulagam | The world tells it to sing |
| Mayila pudichi kaala odachi | Catching a peacock and breaking its legs |
| Aada sollugira ulagam | The world tells it to dance |
| Male | |
| Aanpillai mudipodum | A knot tied by a man |
| Ponthaali kayiru | The golden sacred thread |
| Ennannu theriyaathu enakku | I did not know what it meant |
| Aathaalai naan kettu | I asked my mother |
| Arinjenae piragu | And understood only afterwards |
| Aanaalum payan enna adhukku | Even so, what is the use of knowing now? |
| Male | |
| Verenna ellaamae | What else can this all be |
| Naan senja paavam | Except the sin I have committed? |
| Yaar melae enakkenna kobam | At whom should I hold any anger? |
| Olai kudisaiyila | In a thatched hut |
| Intha yezha poranthathukku | For this poor man to be born |
| Vanthathu thandanaiya | Was it a punishment that arrived? |
| Ithu dheivathin ninthanaiya | Is this a insult from God? |
| Ithai yaarodu solla……. | To whom can I express this... |
| Male | |
| Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi | Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage |
| Koova sollugira ulagam | The world tells it to sing |
| Mayila pudichi kaala odachi | Catching a peacock and breaking its legs |
| Aada sollugira ulagam | The world tells it to dance |
| Adhu eppadi paadum aiya | How can it sing, sir? |
| Adhu eppadi aadum aiya | How can it dance, sir? |
| Oh…. oh… oh …ohh…ohoooo…. | Oh.... oh... oh ...ohh...ohoooo.... |
| Male | |
| Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi | Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage |
| Koova sollugira ulagam | The world tells it to sing |
| Mayila pudichi kaala odachi | Catching a peacock and breaking its legs |
| Aada sollugira ulagam | The world tells it to dance |
| Male | |
| Ellarkkum thalaimela | Upon everyone's forehead |
| Ezhuththonnu undu | There is a destiny written |
| Ennannu yaar solla koodum | Who can say what it holds? |
| Kanneera kudamkondu | Even if you bring pots of tears |
| Vadichaalum kooda | And shed them all day |
| Ennaalum azhiyaamal vaazhum | It lives forever without being erased |
| Male | |
| Yaaraarkku edhuvendru | For whomever it may be |
| Vidhi podum paadhai | The path that destiny lays down |
| Ponaalum vanthaalum | Whether we come or go |
| Adhu thaan | It remains just that |
| Yezhai en vaasalukku | To the doorstep of this poor man |
| Vanthathu poongkuruvi | Came a sweet songbird |
| Kozhai endrae irunthen | I remained a coward |
| Ponathu kai nazhuvi | And it slipped right out of my hands |
| Idhai yaarodu solla | To whom can I express this? |
| Male | |
| Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi | Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage |
| Koova sollugira ulagam | The world tells it to sing |
| Mayila pudichi kaala odachi | Catching a peacock and breaking its legs |
| Aada sollugira ulagam | The world tells it to dance |
| Aada sollugira ulagam | The world tells it to dance |
| Adhu eppadi paadum aiya | How can it sing, sir? |
| Adhu eppadi aadum aiya | How can it dance, sir? |
| Oh…. oh… oh …ohh…ohoooo…. | Oh.... oh... oh ...ohh...ohoooo.... |
| Male | |
| Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi | Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage |
| Koova sollugira ulagam | The world tells it to sing |
| Mayila pudichi kaala odachi | Catching a peacock and breaking its legs |
| Aada sollugira ulagam | The world tells it to dance |
குயில புடிச்சி
கூண்டில் அடச்சி கூவச்
சொல்லுகிற உலகம்
மயில புடுச்சி கால
ஒடச்சி ஆடச்
சொல்லுகிற உலகம்
Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage
The world tells it to sing
Catching a peacock and breaking its legs
The world tells it to dance
குயில புடிச்சி
கூண்டில் அடச்சி கூவச்
சொல்லுகிற உலகம்
மயில புடுச்சி கால
ஒடச்சி ஆடச்
சொல்லுகிற உலகம்
அது எப்படி பாடுமைய்யா
அது எப்படி ஆடுமைய்யா
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓஹோ.......
Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage
The world tells it to sing
Catching a peacock and breaking its legs
The world tells it to dance
How can it sing, sir?
How can it dance, sir?
Oh.... oh... oh ...ohh...ohoooo....
குயில புடிச்சி
கூண்டில் அடச்சி கூவச்
சொல்லுகிற உலகம்
மயில புடுச்சி கால
ஒடச்சி ஆடச்
சொல்லுகிற உலகம்
Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage
The world tells it to sing
Catching a peacock and breaking its legs
The world tells it to dance
ஆண்பிள்ளை
முடிபோடும் பொன்தாலி
கயிறு என்னன்னு தெரியாது
எனக்கு ஆத்தாலை நான்
கேட்டு அறிஞ்சேனே பிறகு
ஆனாலும் பயனென்ன அதுக்கு
A knot tied by a man
The golden sacred thread
I did not know what it meant
I asked my mother
And understood only afterwards
Even so, what is the use of knowing now?
வேறென்ன
எல்லாமே நான் செஞ்ச
பாவம் யார் மேலே
எனக்கென்ன கோபம்
ஓலை குடிசையில இந்த
ஏழ பொறந்ததுக்கு வந்தது
தண்டனையா இது தெய்வத்தின்
நிந்தனையா இதை யாரோடு
சொல்ல
What else can this all be
Except the sin I have committed?
At whom should I hold any anger?
In a thatched hut
For this poor man to be born
Was it a punishment that arrived?
Is this a insult from God?
To whom can I express this...
குயில புடிச்சி
கூண்டில் அடச்சி கூவச்
சொல்லுகிற உலகம்
மயில புடுச்சி கால
ஒடச்சி ஆடச்
சொல்லுகிற உலகம்
அது எப்படி பாடுமைய்யா
அது எப்படி ஆடுமைய்யா
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓஹோ.......
Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage
The world tells it to sing
Catching a peacock and breaking its legs
The world tells it to dance
How can it sing, sir?
How can it dance, sir?
Oh.... oh... oh ...ohh...ohoooo....
குயில புடிச்சி
கூண்டில் அடச்சி கூவச்
சொல்லுகிற உலகம்
மயில புடுச்சி கால
ஒடச்சி ஆடச்
சொல்லுகிற உலகம்
Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage
The world tells it to sing
Catching a peacock and breaking its legs
The world tells it to dance
எல்லார்க்கும்
தலைமேல எழுத்தொண்ணு
உண்டு என்னான்னு யார்
சொல்லக் கூடும் கண்ணீரக்
குடம் கொண்டு வடிச்சாலும்
கூட எந்நாளும் அழியாமல்
வாழும்
Upon everyone's forehead
There is a destiny written
Who can say what it holds?
Even if you bring pots of tears
And shed them all day
It lives forever without being erased
யாரார்க்கு
எதுவென்று விதிபோடும்
பாதை போனாலும் வந்தாலும்
அது தான் ஏழை என் வாசலுக்கு
வந்தது பூங்குருவி கோழை என்றே
இருந்தேன் போனது கை நழுவி
இதை யாரோடு சொல்ல
For whomever it may be
The path that destiny lays down
Whether we come or go
It remains just that
To the doorstep of this poor man
Came a sweet songbird
I remained a coward
And it slipped right out of my hands
To whom can I express this?
குயில புடிச்சி
கூண்டில் அடச்சி கூவச்
சொல்லுகிற உலகம்
மயில புடுச்சி கால
ஒடச்சி ஆடச்
சொல்லுகிற உலகம்
ஆடச் சொல்லுகிற உலகம்
அது எப்படி பாடுமைய்யா
அது எப்படி ஆடுமைய்யா
ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓ ஓஹோ.......
Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage
The world tells it to sing
Catching a peacock and breaking its legs
The world tells it to dance
The world tells it to dance
How can it sing, sir?
How can it dance, sir?
Oh.... oh... oh ...ohh...ohoooo....
குயில புடிச்சி
கூண்டில் அடச்சி கூவச்
சொல்லுகிற உலகம்
மயில புடுச்சி கால
ஒடச்சி ஆடச்
சொல்லுகிற உலகம்
Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage
The world tells it to sing
Catching a peacock and breaking its legs
The world tells it to dance
Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi
Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage
Koova sollugira ulagam
The world tells it to sing
Mayila pudichi kaala odachi
Catching a peacock and breaking its legs
Aada sollugira ulagam
The world tells it to dance
Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi
Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage
Koova sollugira ulagam
The world tells it to sing
Mayila pudichi kaala odachi
Catching a peacock and breaking its legs
Aada sollugira ulagam
The world tells it to dance
Adhu eppadi paadum aiya
How can it sing, sir?
Adhu eppadi aadum aiya
How can it dance, sir?
Oh…. oh… oh …ohh…ohoooo….
Oh.... oh... oh ...ohh...ohoooo....
Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi
Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage
Koova sollugira ulagam
The world tells it to sing
Mayila pudichi kaala odachi
Catching a peacock and breaking its legs
Aada sollugira ulagam
The world tells it to dance
Aanpillai mudipodum
A knot tied by a man
Ponthaali kayiru
The golden sacred thread
Ennannu theriyaathu enakku
I did not know what it meant
Aathaalai naan kettu
I asked my mother
Arinjenae piragu
And understood only afterwards
Aanaalum payan enna adhukku
Even so, what is the use of knowing now?
Verenna ellaamae
What else can this all be
Naan senja paavam
Except the sin I have committed?
Yaar melae enakkenna kobam
At whom should I hold any anger?
Olai kudisaiyila
In a thatched hut
Intha yezha poranthathukku
For this poor man to be born
Vanthathu thandanaiya
Was it a punishment that arrived?
Ithu dheivathin ninthanaiya
Is this a insult from God?
Ithai yaarodu solla…….
To whom can I express this...
Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi
Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage
Koova sollugira ulagam
The world tells it to sing
Mayila pudichi kaala odachi
Catching a peacock and breaking its legs
Aada sollugira ulagam
The world tells it to dance
Adhu eppadi paadum aiya
How can it sing, sir?
Adhu eppadi aadum aiya
How can it dance, sir?
Oh…. oh… oh …ohh…ohoooo….
Oh.... oh... oh ...ohh...ohoooo....
Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi
Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage
Koova sollugira ulagam
The world tells it to sing
Mayila pudichi kaala odachi
Catching a peacock and breaking its legs
Aada sollugira ulagam
The world tells it to dance
Ellarkkum thalaimela
Upon everyone's forehead
Ezhuththonnu undu
There is a destiny written
Ennannu yaar solla koodum
Who can say what it holds?
Kanneera kudamkondu
Even if you bring pots of tears
Vadichaalum kooda
And shed them all day
Ennaalum azhiyaamal vaazhum
It lives forever without being erased
Yaaraarkku edhuvendru
For whomever it may be
Vidhi podum paadhai
The path that destiny lays down
Ponaalum vanthaalum
Whether we come or go
Adhu thaan
It remains just that
Yezhai en vaasalukku
To the doorstep of this poor man
Vanthathu poongkuruvi
Came a sweet songbird
Kozhai endrae irunthen
I remained a coward
Ponathu kai nazhuvi
And it slipped right out of my hands
Idhai yaarodu solla
To whom can I express this?
Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi
Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage
Koova sollugira ulagam
The world tells it to sing
Mayila pudichi kaala odachi
Catching a peacock and breaking its legs
Aada sollugira ulagam
The world tells it to dance
Aada sollugira ulagam
The world tells it to dance
Adhu eppadi paadum aiya
How can it sing, sir?
Adhu eppadi aadum aiya
How can it dance, sir?
Oh…. oh… oh …ohh…ohoooo….
Oh.... oh... oh ...ohh...ohoooo....
Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi
Catching a cuckoo and trapping it in a cage
Koova sollugira ulagam
The world tells it to sing
Mayila pudichi kaala odachi
Catching a peacock and breaking its legs
Aada sollugira ulagam
The world tells it to dance
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Kuyila Pudichi' from the movie Chinna Thambi is a poignant lament on innocence, societal cruelty, and unyielding fate. The protagonist expresses his helplessness through vivid metaphors: expecting a caged cuckoo to sing or a peacock with broken legs to dance represents the world's unreasonable expectations from a heart broken by circumstance and poverty.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi / Koova sollugira ulagam”
Comparing a caged cuckoo forced to sing and a broken-legged peacock forced to dance to an innocent person trapped by painful circumstances.
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Kuyila pudichi... / Mayila pudichi...”
The second letters 'yi' match in 'Kuyila' and 'Mayila', creating traditional Tamil poetic rhythm.
Rhetorical Question
“Adhu eppadi paadum aiya / Adhu eppadi aadum aiya”
Asking how a caged or injured bird can perform emphasizes the sheer absurdity and cruelty of the expectation.
Symbolism
“Yezhai en vaasalukku / Vanthathu poongkuruvi”
'Poongkuruvi' (songbird) symbolizes love and happiness that visited his humble home but slipped away.
Did you know?
Trivia
This iconic track from Chinna Thambi (1991) features music by Ilaiyaraaja, lyrics by Vaali, and vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. The song highlights the tragic turn in the life of the innocent protagonist played by Prabhu.
Keep listening
More from Chinna Thambi
Chinna Thambi
Chinna Thambi
Chinna Thambi
Chinna Thambi
Chinna Thambi
Chinna Thambi