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Chinna Thambi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kuyila Pudichchu

From Chinna Thambi · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Chinna Thambi
Movie release year
1991
Lyrics added on
1 May 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi
Koova sollugira ulagam
Mayila pudichi kaala odachi
Aada sollugira ulagam
Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi
Koova sollugira ulagam
Mayila pudichi kaala odachi
Aada sollugira ulagam
Adhu eppadi paadum aiya
Adhu eppadi aadum aiya
Oh…. oh… oh …ohh…ohoooo….
Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi
Koova sollugira ulagam
Mayila pudichi kaala odachi
Aada sollugira ulagam
Aanpillai mudipodum
Ponthaali kayiru
Ennannu theriyaathu enakku
Aathaalai naan kettu
Arinjenae piragu
Aanaalum payan enna adhukku
Verenna ellaamae
Naan senja paavam
Yaar melae enakkenna kobam
Olai kudisaiyila
Intha yezha poranthathukku
Vanthathu thandanaiya
Ithu dheivathin ninthanaiya
Ithai yaarodu solla…….
Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi
Koova sollugira ulagam
Mayila pudichi kaala odachi
Aada sollugira ulagam
Adhu eppadi paadum aiya
Adhu eppadi aadum aiya
Oh…. oh… oh …ohh…ohoooo….
Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi
Koova sollugira ulagam
Mayila pudichi kaala odachi
Aada sollugira ulagam
Ellarkkum thalaimela
Ezhuththonnu undu
Ennannu yaar solla koodum
Kanneera kudamkondu
Vadichaalum kooda
Ennaalum azhiyaamal vaazhum
Yaaraarkku edhuvendru
Vidhi podum paadhai
Ponaalum vanthaalum
Adhu thaan
Yezhai en vaasalukku
Vanthathu poongkuruvi
Kozhai endrae irunthen
Ponathu kai nazhuvi
Idhai yaarodu solla
Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi
Koova sollugira ulagam
Mayila pudichi kaala odachi
Aada sollugira ulagam
Aada sollugira ulagam
Adhu eppadi paadum aiya
Adhu eppadi aadum aiya
Oh…. oh… oh …ohh…ohoooo….
Kuyila pudichi koondil adachi
Koova sollugira ulagam
Mayila pudichi kaala odachi
Aada sollugira ulagam
Trapping a cuckoo in a cage,
this world tells it to sing.
Breaking a peacock's legs,
this world tells it to dance.
Trapping a cuckoo in a cage,
this world tells it to sing.
Breaking a peacock's legs,
this world tells it to dance.
How can it sing, sir?
How can it dance, sir?
Oh... oh... oh... oh... oho...
Trapping a cuckoo in a cage,
this world tells it to sing.
Breaking a peacock's legs,
this world tells it to dance.
The knot that a husband ties,
the sacred golden marriage cord,
I didn't even know what it meant.
I asked my mother,
and understood only later.
Yet what is the use of that now?
What else could it be,
except the sins I have committed?
Whom can I even be angry with?
Just for being born in a thatched hut,
for this poor soul's birth,
did this punishment come upon me?
Is this a curse from God?
Whom do I share this sorrow with?
Trapping a cuckoo in a cage,
this world tells it to sing.
Breaking a peacock's legs,
this world tells it to dance.
How can it sing, sir?
How can it dance, sir?
Oh... oh... oh... oh... oho...
Trapping a cuckoo in a cage,
this world tells it to sing.
Breaking a peacock's legs,
this world tells it to dance.
On everyone's forehead,
a destiny is written;
who can ever tell what it holds?
Even if you shed
potfuls of tears,
it will never be erased.
Deciding what belongs to whom,
destiny lays down a path;
whether you go forward or return,
that remains the only way.
To the doorstep of this poor man,
a lovely songbird arrived.
I remained a helpless coward,
and she slipped right out of my hands.
Whom do I share this sorrow with?
Trapping a cuckoo in a cage,
this world tells it to sing.
Breaking a peacock's legs,
this world tells it to dance.
This world tells it to dance.
How can it sing, sir?
How can it dance, sir?
Oh... oh... oh... oh... oho...
Trapping a cuckoo in a cage,
this world tells it to sing.
Breaking a peacock's legs,
this world tells it to dance.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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

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Kanneer Thuliye2007
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