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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kuyile Kavikuyile

From Kavikkuyil · 1977

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kavikkuyil1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kuyilae kavikuyilaeO cuckoo, poetical cuckoo,
Yaar varavai thedugiraaiWhose arrival are you searching for?
Manasukkul aasai vaithaThe king whom you desired in your heart,
Mannan vanthaanaaHas he arrived?
Female
Kuyilae kavikuyilaeO cuckoo, poetical cuckoo,
Yaarai enni paadugiraaiThinking of whom are you singing?
Uravukku artham sollaTo explain the meaning of relationship,
Kannan vanthaanaaHas Lord Krishna come?
Uravukku artham sollaTo explain the meaning of relationship,
Kannan vanthaanaaHas Lord Krishna come?
Female
Kuyilae kavikuyilaeO cuckoo, poetical cuckoo,
Yaar varavai thedugiraaiWhose arrival are you searching for?
Manasukkul aasai vaithaThe king whom you desired in your heart,
Mannan vanthaanaaHas he arrived?
Female
Kuyilae kavikuyilaeO cuckoo, poetical cuckoo,
Yaarai enni paadugiraaiThinking of whom are you singing?
Uravukku artham sollaTo explain the meaning of relationship,
Kannan vanthaanaaHas Lord Krishna come?
Uravukku artham sollaTo explain the meaning of relationship,
Kannan vanthaanaaHas Lord Krishna come?
Female
Ilamai sathiraadum thottamIn the garden where youth dances,
Kaayum kaniyaanathaeUnripe fruit has turned into sweet fruit,
Inimai suvai kaanum ullamThe heart that seeks sweet taste,
Thanimai uravaaduthaeMingles with solitude,
Female
Jaadai sonnathu en kangalaeMy eyes spoke through gestures,
Vaadai kondathu en nenjamaeMy heart was caught in the cold breeze,
Kuyilae avarai varacholladiO cuckoo, ask him to come,
Idhu mohanam paadidum penmaiThis is womanhood singing Mohanam raga,
Adhai cholladiTell him that,
Female
Kuyilae kavikuyilaeO cuckoo, poetical cuckoo,
Yaar varavai thedugiraaiWhose arrival are you searching for?
Manasukkul aasai vaithaThe king whom you desired in your heart,
Mannan vanthaanaaHas he arrived?
Female
Kuyilae kavikuyilaeO cuckoo, poetical cuckoo,
Yaarai enni paadugiraaiThinking of whom are you singing?
Uravukku artham sollaTo explain the meaning of relationship,
Kannan vanthaanaaHas Lord Krishna come?
Uravukku artham sollaTo explain the meaning of relationship,
Kannan vanthaanaaHas Lord Krishna come?
Female
Paruva selippinilaeIn the richness of youth,
Paniyil nanaintha malarA flower drenched in dew,
Sirikkum siripennavooWhat is this smiling smile?
Ninaikkum ninaippennavooWhat is this thought that comes to mind?
Female
Mella mellaGently, gently,
Angam engum thulla thullaAs body parts leap and dance everywhere,
Allikkola ennai vellaTo embrace and conquer me,
Ithuthaanae neramIs this the time?
Artham solla kannan vanthaanooDid Krishna come to explain the meaning?
Idhu yavvanam kattidum mullaiTell him this jasmine tied in youth,
Ena cholladiTell him so,
Female
Kuyilae kavikuyilaeO cuckoo, poetical cuckoo,
Yaar varavai thedugiraaiWhose arrival are you searching for?
Manasukkul aasai vaithaThe king whom you desired in your heart,
Mannan vanthaanaaHas he arrived?
Female
Kuyilae kavikuyilaeO cuckoo, poetical cuckoo,
Yaarai enni paadugiraaiThinking of whom are you singing?
Uravukku artham sollaTo explain the meaning of relationship,
Kannan vanthaanaaHas Lord Krishna come?
Uravukku artham sollaTo explain the meaning of relationship,
Kannan vanthaanaaHas Lord Krishna come?
Female
Ennai aatkonda raagamThe musical melody that captivated me,
Endrum oru raagamaeIs forever a singular melody,
Indru naan konda vegamThe longing passion I possess today,
Endrum unakkaagavaeIs always for you,
Female
Vazhvil minnal pol vanthathuIt came like lightning in life,
Yaroo yevaroo yaar kandathuWho was it? Who saw it?
Kuyilae therinthaal varacholladiO cuckoo, if you know, ask him to come,
Oru thean malar vaaduthuA honey flower is wilting,
Endru nee cholladiTell him that,
Female
Kuyilae kavikuyilaeO cuckoo, poetical cuckoo,
Yaar varavai thedugiraaiWhose arrival are you searching for?
Manasukkul aasai vaithaThe king whom you desired in your heart,
Mannan vanthaanaaHas he arrived?
Female
Kuyilae kavikuyilaeO cuckoo, poetical cuckoo,
Yaarai enni paadugiraaiThinking of whom are you singing?
Uravukku artham sollaTo explain the meaning of relationship,
Kannan vanthaanaaHas Lord Krishna come?
Uravukku artham sollaTo explain the meaning of relationship,
Kannan vanthaanaaHas Lord Krishna come?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kuyilae Kavikuyilae is a soulful track from the movie Kavikkuyil (1977). The song captures a young woman expressing her romantic yearning and emotional anticipation to a cuckoo bird, using it as a messenger to invite her beloved (metaphorically addressed as her king or Krishna). Through evocative descriptions of nature, blooming flowers, and sweet fruits, the song portrays the awakening of passion and the loneliness of separation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

Mannan vanthaanaa

Describing the lover metaphorically as 'Mannan' (King) and 'Kannan' (Lord Krishna).

Repetition (அடுக்குத்தொடர்)

Mella mella

Doubled words like 'Mella mella' and 'thulla thulla' used for rhythmic and emotional emphasis.

Apostrophe (முன்னிலை விளி)

Kuyilae kavikuyilae

Directly addressing nature/the cuckoo bird ('Kuyilae') as a confidante and messenger.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film Kavikkuyil (1977) featured music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Panchu Arunachalam. The movie starred Sridevi, Rajinikanth, and Sivakumar.

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