Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kuyile Kuyile Odi Vaa

From Thozhan · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
A. G. Rathnamala
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Thozhan1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kuyilae kuyilae odivaaO cuckoo, O cuckoo, come running!
Chorus :Kuyilae kuyilae odivaaChorus: O cuckoo, O cuckoo, come running!
Female :Konjum kuralil paadivaaFemale: Come and sing in your sweet, coaxing voice!
Chorus :Konjum kuralil paadivaaChorus: Come and sing in your sweet, coaxing voice!
Female :Mayilae naangal kaanavaeFemale: O peacock, so that we may watch,
Oyilaai asaindhae aadivaaCome dance, swaying with elegance!
Chorus :Mayilae naangal kaanavaeChorus: O peacock, so that we may watch,
Oyilaai asaindhae aadivaaCome dance, swaying with elegance!
Female
Attamum pattamum engalukaeDance and honor belong to us,
Chorus :Attamum pattamum engalukaeChorus: Dance and honor belong to us,
Female :Azhagaai solli thandhidavaeFemale: To teach us so beautifully,
Chorus :Azhagaai solli thandhidavaeChorus: To teach us so beautifully,
Female :Aandavan ungalai padaithaanoFemale: Did God create you?
Chorus :Aandavan ungalai padaithaanoChorus: Did God create you?
Female :Arivum thiramum koduthaenooFemale: Did He grant you intelligence and talent?
Chorus :Arivum thiramum koduthaenooChorus: Did He grant you intelligence and talent?
Female
Isaiyil mayangi malarellamMesmerized by the music, all the flowers...
Chorus :Isaiyil mayangi malarellamChorus: Mesmerized by the music, all the flowers...
Female :Rasithae thalaiyai aattidadhaeFemale: ...are nodding their heads in appreciation!
Chorus :Rasithae thalaiyai aattidadhaeChorus: ...are nodding their heads in appreciation!
Female :Inikkum kaatchi idhai kanduSeeing this sweet, delightful sight,
Chorus :Inikkum kaatchi idhai kanduChorus: Seeing this sweet, delightful sight,
Female :Alaiyum thaalam pottidadhaeFemale: Even the ocean waves are keeping time to the rhythm!
Chorus :Alaiyum thaalam pottidadhaeChorus: Even the ocean waves are keeping time to the rhythm!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kuyilae kuyilae odivaa' is a playful, nature-themed track from the 1960 Tamil film 'Thozhan'. The song enthusiastically invites cuckoo birds and peacocks to sing and dance, praising them as divine teachers of art who were blessed by God with intelligence and artistic skill. The lyrics paint a serene world where nature harmonizes with art—flowers sway and nod as if appreciating music, and ocean waves beat in rhythm with the melody. Composed by G. Ramanathan and written by A. Maruthakasi, the song captures a youthful and innocent celebration of music, dance, and the wonders of the natural world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Kuyilae kuyilae odivaa

The words 'Kuyilae kuyilae' are repeated consecutively to evoke enthusiasm, affection, and rhythm in addressing the bird.

Emona / Rhyming Assonance (Aetukai)

Attamum pattamum engalukae

The second letter consonant 'ட்ட' (tta) rhymes between 'Attamum' (dance) and 'Pattamum' (titles/honors), creating melodic internal rhyme.

Personification (Uruvakamm / Tharkurippaetrai)

Isaiyil mayangi malarellam / Rasithae thalaiyai aattidadhae

Flowers are personified as music lovers who nod their heads in joyful appreciation of the melody.

Personification

Alaiyum thaalam pottidadhae

The movement of ocean waves is personified as keeping beat and rhythm (thaalam) to the song.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song feature music by 'Isai Chakravarthy' G. Ramanathan with lyrics by A. Maruthakasi, sung by popular playback singer A. G. Rathnamala for the 1960 film Thozhan.

Keep listening

More from Thozhan