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Lyrics & meaning

Nandhavana Kuyile Song Lyrics – Ilayaraja

From Ponnu Veettukkaran · 1999

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ponnu Veettukkaran1999

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nandhavana kuyilaeOh cuckoo of the flower garden,
Pudhu innisai nee paaduSing a new sweet melody!
Pippee peeppeeppeePippee peeppeeppee
Pibi peeppee peeppeeppeePibi peeppee peeppeeppee
Male
Nandhavana kuyilaeOh cuckoo of the flower garden,
Pudhu innisai nee paaduSing a new sweet melody!
Kunguma dhevadhaiyaeOh divine goddess wearing vermilion,
Pudhu malligai nee sooduWear fresh jasmine flowers!
Sollu kiliyae sogam edharkkuTell me, oh parrot, why this sorrow?
Parandhu thiriya vaanam irukkuThe vast sky is there for you to fly freely.
Mani osai ingae poongaatril ulavudhaeThe sound of bells wanders here in the gentle breeze.
Male
Nandhavana kuyilaeOh cuckoo of the flower garden,
Pudhu innisai nee paaduSing a new sweet melody!
Kunguma dhevadhaiyaeOh divine goddess wearing vermilion,
Pudhu malligai nee sooduWear fresh jasmine flowers!
Male
Nadandhadhellaam kanavu thaanWhatever happened was merely a dream,
Kanavukku yaen nee azhudhaaiWhy did you cry for a dream?
Nee azhudhaaiWhy did you cry?
Udhirndhadhellaam sarugu thaanWhatever fell off is just dry leaves,
Vasantha magal yaen azhudhaaiWhy did you cry, daughter of spring?
Yevarodu yevar vaazhkkaiWhose life is bound with whom,
Adhai aandavan ezhudhi vaithaanAlmighty God has already written that down.
Uravenna varavennaWhat is relationship and what is gain,
Adhai avanae nadathi vaippaanHe alone will guide and execute it.
Vaazhkkai endraal naalum irukkumLife naturally consists of both day and night,
Purindhu kol kannaeUnderstand this, my dear,
Veen sogam yaenammaaWhy hold onto vain sorrow, my girl?
Male
Nandhavana kuyilaeOh cuckoo of the flower garden,
Pudhu innisai nee paaduSing a new sweet melody!
Kunguma dhevadhaiyaeOh divine goddess wearing vermilion,
Pudhu malligai nee sooduWear fresh jasmine flowers!
Sollu kiliyae sogam edharkkuTell me, oh parrot, why this sorrow?
Parandhu thiriya vaanam irukkuThe vast sky is there for you to fly freely.
Mani osai ingae poongaatril ulavudhaeThe sound of bells wanders here in the gentle breeze.
Male
Nandhavana kuyilaeOh cuckoo of the flower garden,
Pudhu innisai nee paaduSing a new sweet melody!
Hoi hoi kunguma dhevadhaiyaeHoi hoi, oh divine goddess wearing vermilion,
Pudhu malligai nee sooduWear fresh jasmine flowers!
Male
Nalladhaiyae ninaikkalaamLet us think only good thoughts,
Nenjam ingae vaeredharkku vaeredharkkuWhat else is the heart here for, what else for?
Sendradhellaam marakkalaamLet us forget everything that has passed,
Innum ingae uravirukkuRelationships still exist here.
Idhu dhevan arasaangamThis is God's kingdom,
Idhil yaarukkum thunbam illaiHere, no one faces true suffering.
Alai paayum manam thaanaeIt is only the restless, wandering mind
Indha manidharkku perun thollaiThat is a great trouble for humans.
Tholil maalai soodavillaiIf the garland did not adorn your shoulders,
Soodaadha maalai veezhndhaalIf the unadorned garland falls away,
Sogam yaenammaaWhy be sad, my girl?
Male
Nandhavana kuyilaeOh cuckoo of the flower garden,
Pudhu innisai nee paaduSing a new sweet melody!
Hoi hoi kunguma dhevadhaiyaeHoi hoi, oh divine goddess wearing vermilion,
Pudhu malligai nee sooduWear fresh jasmine flowers!
Sollu kiliyae sogam edharkkuTell me, oh parrot, why this sorrow?
Parandhu thiriya vaanam irukkuThe vast sky is there for you to fly freely.
Mani osai ingae poongaatril ulavudhaeThe sound of bells wanders here in the gentle breeze.
Male
Nandhavana kuyilaeOh cuckoo of the flower garden,
Pudhu innisai nee paaduSing a new sweet melody!
Hoi hoi kunguma dhevadhaiyaeHoi hoi, oh divine goddess wearing vermilion,
Pudhu malligai nee sooduWear fresh jasmine flowers!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Nandhavana Kuyilae is an uplifting and consoling Tamil song written by Gangai Amaran for the film Ponnu Veettukkaran (1999). The lyrics offer solace to a young woman facing grief and disappointment, reminding her that past setbacks are as fleeting as dreams or fallen dry leaves. Through rich natural imagery like cuckoos, parrots, and spring, the song encourages her to look forward with hope and adorn herself with joy again. The track emphasizes philosophical themes such as divine destiny, the transient nature of life's troubles, and the peace found in maintaining positive thoughts. It reassures her that God governs all lives and that anxiety stems merely from an unquiet mind, urging her to cast away unnecessary sorrow and embrace the endless possibilities ahead.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Nandhavana kuyilae

Compares the woman to a garden cuckoo ('Nandhavana kuyilae') and the daughter of spring ('Vasantha magal') to symbolize purity, beauty, and renewal.

Initial Rhyme (Monai)

Sollu kiliyae sogam edharkku / Parandhu thiriya vaanam irukku

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across paired lines creating rhythmic flow.

Onomatopoeia

Pippee peeppeeppee

Use of phonetic sound imitations ('Pippee peeppeeppee') to evoke the playful tune of wind instruments.

Did you know?

Trivia

Ponnu Veettukkaran (1999) stars Sathyaraj and Devayani, directed by P. Vasu with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The lyrics written by Gangai Amaran showcase his signature comforting and accessible philosophical poetic style.

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