Kuyilu Kuyilu Idhu
From Selvi · 1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Haan aaa….aaa…aaa…haan..aa.. | Haan aaa... aaa... aaa... haan.. aa.. |
| Aathoram poongaathu azhagaaga veesum | The gentle breeze blows beautifully along the riverbank |
| Kaathodu ila naathu kai korthu pesum | The young crop whispers while holding hands with the wind |
| Thenpaandi chittu thaan naan allavaa | Am I not a songbird from the southern Pandyan land? |
| Themmaangu mettu thaan naan paadavaa | Shall I sing a sweet folk melody? |
| Female | |
| Kuyilu kuyilu | A cuckoo, a cuckoo |
| Idhu kaattu kuyilu | This is a wild cuckoo |
| Idhu thaan idhu thaan | This very bird, this very bird |
| Unga veettu kuyilu | Is the cuckoo of your house |
| Graamathu kuyilosa kettaa enna | What if you listen to the song of this village cuckoo? |
| Kettu thaan kai thaalam pottaa enna | What if you listen and clap your hands to the rhythm? |
| Veraarum naadaadha | Desired by no one else |
| Veraarkkum paadaadha | Sung for no one else |
| Female | |
| Kuyilu kuyilu | A cuckoo, a cuckoo |
| Idhu kaattu kuyilu | This is a wild cuckoo |
| Idhu thaan idhu thaan | This very bird, this very bird |
| Unga veettu kuyilu | Is the cuckoo of your house |
| Female | |
| Pattila thottila | In the cattle shed, in the cradle |
| Vaaikka varappula | Along the ridges of the canal |
| Paattu padichava thaan | She is the one who learned to sing |
| Koovi thirigira neela kuyilgala | The blue cuckoo birds that roam and call out |
| Kettu paadichava thaan | She learned by listening to them |
| Female | |
| Pattila thottila | In the cattle shed, in the cradle |
| Vaaikka varappula | Along the ridges of the canal |
| Paattu padichava thaan | She is the one who learned to sing |
| Koovi thirigira neela kuyilgala | The blue cuckoo birds that roam and call out |
| Kettu paadichava thaan | She learned by listening to them |
| Female | |
| Nee thaanae naan paadum paattenbadhu | You are indeed the song that I sing |
| Neengaadha reengaaram pol aanadhu | It has become like an eternal humming melody |
| Nee thaanae naan paadum paattenbadhu | You are indeed the song that I sing |
| Neengaadha reengaaram pol aanadhu | It has become like an eternal humming melody |
| Female | |
| Nalla naadham aa… aa…aa… aaa… | A fine tune aa... aa... aa... aaa... |
| Nalla naadham nalla geetham | A fine tune and a fine song |
| Onnaa serndhaa nalla yogam | It is great fortune when they unite |
| Veraarum naadaadha | Desired by no one else |
| Veraarkkum paadaadha | Sung for no one else |
| Female | |
| Kuyilu kuyilu | A cuckoo, a cuckoo |
| Idhu kaattu kuyilu | This is a wild cuckoo |
| Idhu thaan idhu thaan | This very bird, this very bird |
| Unga veettu kuyilu | Is the cuckoo of your house |
| Female | |
| Velli kizhamaiyil amman sannidhiyil | On Fridays in the presence of the Goddess |
| Enna vilakkaethi | Lighting oil lamps |
| Onna adanjida vendi kedandhenae | I prayed endlessly to unite with you |
| Vanna malar saathi | Offering colorful flowers |
| Female | |
| Velli kizhamaiyil amman sannidhiyil | On Fridays in the presence of the Goddess |
| Enna vilakkaethi | Lighting oil lamps |
| Onna adanjida vendi kedandhenae | I prayed endlessly to unite with you |
| Vanna malar saathi | Offering colorful flowers |
| Female | |
| Thaai veedu mana maala soodum vara | My mother's home until wearing the wedding garland |
| On veedu yen kangal moodum vara | Your home until my eyes close forever |
| Thaai veedu mana maala soodum vara | My mother's home until wearing the wedding garland |
| On veedu yen kangal moodum vara | Your home until my eyes close forever |
| Female | |
| Innum vaazhum jenmam ezhum | For another seven lives to come |
| Bandham undu sondham undu | We have a bond and a lasting relationship |
| Veraarum naadaadha | Desired by no one else |
| Veraarkkum paadaadha | Sung for no one else |
| Female | |
| Kuyilu kuyilu | A cuckoo, a cuckoo |
| Idhu kaattu kuyilu | This is a wild cuckoo |
| Idhu thaan idhu thaan | This very bird, this very bird |
| Unga veettu kuyilu | Is the cuckoo of your house |
ஹான் ஆஅ....ஆஅ....ஆ....ஹா...ஆ....
Haan aaa... aaa... aaa... haan.. aa..
The gentle breeze blows beautifully along the riverbank
The young crop whispers while holding hands with the wind
Am I not a songbird from the southern Pandyan land?
Shall I sing a sweet folk melody?
ஆத்தோரம் பூங்காத்து
அழகாக வீசும்
காத்தோடு இள நாத்து
கைகோத்து பேசும்
A cuckoo, a cuckoo
This is a wild cuckoo
This very bird, this very bird
Is the cuckoo of your house
What if you listen to the song of this village cuckoo?
What if you listen and clap your hands to the rhythm?
Desired by no one else
Sung for no one else
தென்பாண்டி சிட்டுத்தான்
நானல்லவா
தெம்மாங்கு மெட்டுத்தான்
நான் பாடவா
A cuckoo, a cuckoo
This is a wild cuckoo
This very bird, this very bird
Is the cuckoo of your house
குயிலு குயிலு
இது காட்டுக் குயிலு
இதுதான் இதுதான்
உங்க வீட்டுக் குயிலு
In the cattle shed, in the cradle
Along the ridges of the canal
She is the one who learned to sing
The blue cuckoo birds that roam and call out
She learned by listening to them
கிராமத்து குயிலோசை
கேட்டா என்ன
கேட்டுத்தான் கைத்தாளம்
போட்டா என்ன
வேறாரும் நாடாத
வேறார்க்கும் பாடாத.....
In the cattle shed, in the cradle
Along the ridges of the canal
She is the one who learned to sing
The blue cuckoo birds that roam and call out
She learned by listening to them
குயிலு குயிலு
இது காட்டுக் குயிலு
இதுதான் இதுதான்
உங்க வீட்டுக் குயிலு
You are indeed the song that I sing
It has become like an eternal humming melody
You are indeed the song that I sing
It has become like an eternal humming melody
பட்டில தொட்டில
வாய்க்கா வரப்பில
பாட்டு படிச்சவதான்
கூவித் திரியிற
நீலக் குயில்களை
கேட்டுப் படிச்சவதான்
A fine tune aa... aa... aa... aaa...
A fine tune and a fine song
It is great fortune when they unite
Desired by no one else
Sung for no one else
பட்டில தொட்டில
வாய்க்கா வரப்பில
பாட்டு படிச்சவதான்
கூவித் திரியிற
நீலக் குயில்களை
கேட்டுப் படிச்சவதான்
A cuckoo, a cuckoo
This is a wild cuckoo
This very bird, this very bird
Is the cuckoo of your house
நீதானே நான் பாடும்
பாட்டென்பது
நீங்காத ரீங்காரம் போலானது
நீதானே நான் பாடும்
பாட்டென்பது
நீங்காத ரீங்காரம் போலானது
On Fridays in the presence of the Goddess
Lighting oil lamps
I prayed endlessly to unite with you
Offering colorful flowers
நல்ல நாதம்....ஆஅ....
நல்ல நாதம்.....நல்ல கீதம்
ஒண்ணா சேர்ந்தா நல்ல யோகம்
வேறாரும் நாடாத
வேறார்க்கும் பாடாத
On Fridays in the presence of the Goddess
Lighting oil lamps
I prayed endlessly to unite with you
Offering colorful flowers
குயிலு குயிலு
இது காட்டுக் குயிலு
இதுதான் இதுதான்
உங்க வீட்டுக் குயிலு
My mother's home until wearing the wedding garland
Your home until my eyes close forever
My mother's home until wearing the wedding garland
Your home until my eyes close forever
வெள்ளிக் கிழமையில்
அம்மன் சந்நதியில்
எண்ணை விளக்கேத்தி
உன்னை அடைஞ்சிட
வேண்டிக் கிடந்தேனே
வண்ண மலர் சாத்தி
For another seven lives to come
We have a bond and a lasting relationship
Desired by no one else
Sung for no one else
வெள்ளிக் கிழமையில்
அம்மன் சன்னதியில்
எண்ணெய் விளக்கேத்தி
உன்னை அடைஞ்சிட
வேண்டிக் கிடந்தேனே
வண்ண மலர் சாத்தி
A cuckoo, a cuckoo
This is a wild cuckoo
This very bird, this very bird
Is the cuckoo of your house
வெள்ளிக் கிழமையில்
அம்மன் சன்னதியில்
எண்ணெய் விளக்கேத்தி
உன்னை அடைஞ்சிட
வேண்டிக் கிடந்தேனே
வண்ண மலர் சாத்தி
தாய் வீடு
மணமாலை சூடும் வரை
உன் வீடு என் கண்கள்
மூடும் வரை
தாய் வீடு
மணமாலை சூடும் வரை
உன் வீடு என் கண்கள்
மூடும் வரை
இன்னும் வாழும்
ஜென்மம் ஏழும்
பந்தம் உண்டு சொந்தம் உண்டு
வேறாரும் நாடாத
வேறார்க்கும் பாடாத
குயிலு குயிலு
இது காட்டுக் குயிலு
இதுதான் இதுதான்
உங்க வீட்டுக் குயிலு
Haan aaa….aaa…aaa…haan..aa..
Haan aaa... aaa... aaa... haan.. aa..
Aathoram poongaathu azhagaaga veesum
The gentle breeze blows beautifully along the riverbank
Kaathodu ila naathu kai korthu pesum
The young crop whispers while holding hands with the wind
Thenpaandi chittu thaan naan allavaa
Am I not a songbird from the southern Pandyan land?
Themmaangu mettu thaan naan paadavaa
Shall I sing a sweet folk melody?
Kuyilu kuyilu
A cuckoo, a cuckoo
Idhu kaattu kuyilu
This is a wild cuckoo
Idhu thaan idhu thaan
This very bird, this very bird
Unga veettu kuyilu
Is the cuckoo of your house
Graamathu kuyilosa kettaa enna
What if you listen to the song of this village cuckoo?
Kettu thaan kai thaalam pottaa enna
What if you listen and clap your hands to the rhythm?
Veraarum naadaadha
Desired by no one else
Veraarkkum paadaadha
Sung for no one else
Kuyilu kuyilu
A cuckoo, a cuckoo
Idhu kaattu kuyilu
This is a wild cuckoo
Idhu thaan idhu thaan
This very bird, this very bird
Unga veettu kuyilu
Is the cuckoo of your house
Pattila thottila
In the cattle shed, in the cradle
Vaaikka varappula
Along the ridges of the canal
Paattu padichava thaan
She is the one who learned to sing
Koovi thirigira neela kuyilgala
The blue cuckoo birds that roam and call out
Kettu paadichava thaan
She learned by listening to them
Pattila thottila
In the cattle shed, in the cradle
Vaaikka varappula
Along the ridges of the canal
Paattu padichava thaan
She is the one who learned to sing
Koovi thirigira neela kuyilgala
The blue cuckoo birds that roam and call out
Kettu paadichava thaan
She learned by listening to them
Nee thaanae naan paadum paattenbadhu
You are indeed the song that I sing
Neengaadha reengaaram pol aanadhu
It has become like an eternal humming melody
Nee thaanae naan paadum paattenbadhu
You are indeed the song that I sing
Neengaadha reengaaram pol aanadhu
It has become like an eternal humming melody
Nalla naadham aa… aa…aa… aaa…
A fine tune aa... aa... aa... aaa...
Nalla naadham nalla geetham
A fine tune and a fine song
Onnaa serndhaa nalla yogam
It is great fortune when they unite
Veraarum naadaadha
Desired by no one else
Veraarkkum paadaadha
Sung for no one else
Kuyilu kuyilu
A cuckoo, a cuckoo
Idhu kaattu kuyilu
This is a wild cuckoo
Idhu thaan idhu thaan
This very bird, this very bird
Unga veettu kuyilu
Is the cuckoo of your house
Velli kizhamaiyil amman sannidhiyil
On Fridays in the presence of the Goddess
Enna vilakkaethi
Lighting oil lamps
Onna adanjida vendi kedandhenae
I prayed endlessly to unite with you
Vanna malar saathi
Offering colorful flowers
Velli kizhamaiyil amman sannidhiyil
On Fridays in the presence of the Goddess
Enna vilakkaethi
Lighting oil lamps
Onna adanjida vendi kedandhenae
I prayed endlessly to unite with you
Vanna malar saathi
Offering colorful flowers
Thaai veedu mana maala soodum vara
My mother's home until wearing the wedding garland
On veedu yen kangal moodum vara
Your home until my eyes close forever
Thaai veedu mana maala soodum vara
My mother's home until wearing the wedding garland
On veedu yen kangal moodum vara
Your home until my eyes close forever
Innum vaazhum jenmam ezhum
For another seven lives to come
Bandham undu sondham undu
We have a bond and a lasting relationship
Veraarum naadaadha
Desired by no one else
Veraarkkum paadaadha
Sung for no one else
Kuyilu kuyilu
A cuckoo, a cuckoo
Idhu kaattu kuyilu
This is a wild cuckoo
Idhu thaan idhu thaan
This very bird, this very bird
Unga veettu kuyilu
Is the cuckoo of your house
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song expresses the innocent affection and devotion of a village girl who compares herself to a cuckoo bird. She sings of her humble roots—learning music from nature, canal ridges, and wild cuckoos—and conveys her deep emotional attachment to her beloved, seeing him as the true inspiration behind her songs. In the later verses, she recounts praying at the local temple on auspicious Fridays for their union, expressing a lifelong commitment from marriage until death, and believing their soul bond will endure across seven lifetimes. Written by Vaali, the lyrics use rustic imagery and traditional folk tropes to capture rural romance and spiritual devotion.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Idhu kaattu kuyilu / Idhu thaan idhu thaan unga veettu kuyilu”
Comparing the singer herself to a 'katta kuyilu' (wild cuckoo) and 'veettu kuyilu' (domestic bird) to reflect her natural origin and devotion.
Personification (Tharkurippetratrai Ani / Maantharuruvakkam)
“Kaathodu ila naathu kai korthu pesum”
Attributing human actions like 'kai korthu pesum' (holding hands and speaking) to the young crop and the breeze.
Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhugai)
“Pattila thottila / Kettu paadichava thaan”
Repetition of the 'll' sound in the second character across adjacent lines ('Pattila' / 'Kettu').
Initial Rhyme (Monaai)
“Veraarum naadaadha / Veraarkkum paadaadha”
Repetition of the 'V' sound at the beginning of adjacent lines ('Veraarum' / 'Veraarkkum').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Selvi' (1985) features lyrics by the legendary Vaali. The song uses 'Themmaangu' (traditional Tamil folk style) rhythms and rustic metaphors like 'Vaaikka varappu' (canal embankments) to evoke authentic Tamil rural ambiance.
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