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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kuyile Kuyile Male

From En Bommakutty Ammavukku · 1988

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
En Bommakutty Ammavukku1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kuyilae kuyilae kuyilakkaaO cuckoo, cuckoo, sister cuckoo,
Koottukkullae yaarakkaaWho is inside the nest, sister?
Kuyilae kuyilae kuyilakkaaO cuckoo, cuckoo, sister cuckoo,
Koottukkullae yaarakkaaWho is inside the nest, sister?
Solladi solladi munnaeTell me, tell me coming forward,
En sundhara senthamizh pennaeMy beautiful girl of pure Tamil,
Mellisai paadadi kannaeSing a gentle melody, my dear,
En muthu muthu pasum ponnaeMy pearl, my precious golden girl.
Male
Kuyilae kuyilae kuyilakkaaO cuckoo, cuckoo, sister cuckoo,
Koottukkullae yaarakkaaWho is inside the nest, sister?
Kuyilae kuyilae…O cuckoo, cuckoo...
Male
{Kaatru vandhu meetti vidum{The wind comes and strums,
Aatril pala nooru swaramHundreds of notes in the river,
Kettu ilam kaadhal manamHearing which, the young loving heart,
Vaanam varai yeri varum} (2)Rises up to the sky} (2)
Male
Onnaa rendaa sangeethamIs music just one or two tunes?
Kandaal sugam undaagumExperiencing it brings bliss,
Undhan isai poovaagumYour music becomes a flower,
Endhan manam vandaagumMy heart becomes the honeybee,
Male
Kanmani pennaeMy precious girl,
Vandhidu munnaeCome forward,
Kanmani pennae paaradiyoMy precious girl, look here,
En nilai konjam keladiyoListen a little to my plight,
Indru varai unnai vittaalTill today, besides you,
En thunai yaaradiyoWho else is my companion?
Male
Kuyilae kuyilae kuyilakkaaO cuckoo, cuckoo, sister cuckoo,
Koottukkullae yaarakkaaWho is inside the nest, sister?
Kuyilae kuyilae…O cuckoo, cuckoo...
Male
{Raagam thottu maalai katti{Weaving a garland out of ragas,
Thollil dhinam pottu vaippenI will place it daily on my shoulders,
Thaalam thatti nenjukkullaeClapping to the beat, inside my heart,
Naanum unnai pootti vaippen} (2)I will lock you in} (2)
Male
Paadum kuyil paattellaamAmong all songs of the singing cuckoo,
Paavai kural pol yedhuIs there anything like a maiden's voice?
Naalum isai kettaalaeIf one listens to music every day,
Dhaagam pasi thonaadhuThirst and hunger will not be felt,
Male
Kukkukku kukkooCuckoo's coo,
Mettu kalandhuBlending with the tune,
Sonnadhu enna raagathilaeIn what raga was that sung?
Sokki vizhundhen mogathilaeI fell swooned in infatuation,
Kan maniyae pon maniyaeMy precious eye, my golden jewel,
En ullam sorgatthilaeMy heart is in heaven,
Male
Kuyilae kuyilae kuyilakkaaO cuckoo, cuckoo, sister cuckoo,
Koottukkullae yaarakkaaWho is inside the nest, sister?
Solladi solladi munnaeTell me, tell me coming forward,
En sundhara senthamizh pennaeMy beautiful girl of pure Tamil,
Mellisai paadadi kannaeSing a gentle melody, my dear,
En muthu muthu pasum ponnaeMy pearl, my precious golden girl,
Male
Kuyilae kuyilae kuyilakkaaO cuckoo, cuckoo, sister cuckoo,
Koottukkullae yaarakkaaWho is inside the nest, sister?
Kuyilae kuyilae…O cuckoo, cuckoo...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kuyilae Kuyilae' from the 1988 film 'En Bommakutty Ammavukku' is a joyous and romantic melody expressed through nature-filled metaphors. The protagonist addresses a cuckoo bird, using it as a messenger or symbolic metaphor to call out to his beloved, praising her pure Tamil beauty and sweet voice. He compares her voice to music that transcends worldly hunger and thirst, creating an ethereal paradise for his heart. Throughout the track, nature and musical elements—wind, river currents, ragas, swaras, and honeybees—intertwine to portray the blissful depth of young love. The song highlights how music elevates love to heavenly heights, celebrating devotion and tender affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Apostrophe & Personification

Kuyilae kuyilae kuyilakkaa

Addressing the cuckoo bird ('Kuyilae kuyilakkaa') as a person/sister to convey love messages.

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Urvagathal)

Undhan isai poovaagum / Endhan manam vandaagum

Comparing the song to a flower ('poovaagum') and the lover's heart to a bee ('vandaagum').

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

En sundhara senthamizh pennae / Mellisai paadadi kannae

Matching second consonants in Tamil poetic structure across consecutive lines ('sundhara' / 'mellisai' / 'muthu').

Alliteration (Monaai)

Kukkukku kukkoo

Repetition of initial consonants like 'k' in 'Kukkukku kukkoo'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'En Bommakutty Ammavukku' (1988) was directed by Fazil and featured music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran. The film was a remake of Fazil's own acclaimed Malayalam movie 'Ente Sooryaputhrikku' / 'Nokkethadhoothu Kannum Nattu'. The song features vocals by K. S. Chithra and Malaysia Vasudevan.

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