Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Neela Kuyile Solai Kuyile

From Soora Samhaaram · 1988

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Arun Mozhi, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Soora Samhaaram1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{Neela kuyilaeOh blue cuckoo,
Solai kuyilaeOh grove cuckoo,
Paadi parakkumThat flies while singing,
En paattu kuyilae} (2)My singing cuckoo!
Female
Paadi paarkalaamOh blue cuckoo,
Pudhu thevaaramOh grove cuckoo,
Paadum paattilaeThat flies while singing,
Nee aadhaaramMy singing cuckoo!
Male
Neela kuyilaeLet us sing and experience
Solai kuyilaeA brand new divine hymn;
Paadi parakkumIn this song being sung,
En paattu kuyilaeYou are the sole foundation.
Female
Paadum sangeethamOh blue cuckoo,
Kannae un mozhiOh grove cuckoo,
Paadaadhu ponaalThat flies while singing,
Vaazhaadhu jeevanMy singing cuckoo!
Female
: Pasam anboduThe music that resounds
Kanden un vizhiIs your tender speech, my dear;
Paaraadhu ponaalIf it ceases to sing,
Thaalaadhu nenjamMy life will cease to exist.
Female
Thaai pola naanumWith deep affection and love,
Thaalaattu paadaI beheld your eyes;
Thaalamal neeyumIf you look away,
Kann moodaMy heart cannot bear it.
Male
ThaaraadhadhellaamLike a loving mother,
Thandhaaga vendumI shall sing a sweet lullaby;
En annai ippodhuWithout resisting or delaying,
Nee thaanammaaClose your eyes to sleep.
Female
Neela kuyilaeEverything left ungranted before
Solai kuyilaeMust be bestowed upon you now;
Paadi parakkumMy mother right now
En paattu kuyilaeIs only you, my dear.
Male
Neela kuyilaeOh blue cuckoo,
Solai kuyilaeOh grove cuckoo,
Paadi parakkumThat flies while singing,
En paattu kuyilaeMy singing cuckoo!
Male
Boopaalam paadumOh blue cuckoo,
En poonthendralaeOh grove cuckoo,
Ila nenjai thoondumThat flies while singing,
Isai paada vendumMy singing cuckoo!
Female
Thedaamal thedumSinging the dawn raga Boopaalam,
Pon meen kangalaeOh my gentle flower breeze,
Thirai pottadhindruStirring the youthful heart,
Thisai paarthu nindruMusic must be sung.
Male
Pon alli thoovumSearching effortlessly without seeking,
Poo maalai neramOh golden fish-like eyes,
Kannae nam kaadhalA veil has been drawn today,
KalyaanamaeStanding and gazing in directions.
Female
Maalai vandhaalaeShowering golden water lilies,
Maar meedhil aadumIt is the hour of flower garlands.
Maaraadhu aaraadhuMy dear, our sweet love
Nam kaadhal therottamIs a sacred marriage.
Male
Neela kuyilaeWhen the evening arrives,
Solai kuyilaeIt sways gently upon the chest;
Paadi parakkumUnchanging and relentless,
En paattu kuyilaeIs our grand love chariot procession.
Female
Neela kuyilaeOh blue cuckoo,
Solai kuyilaeOh grove cuckoo,
Paadi parakkumThat flies while singing,
En paattu kuyilaeMy singing cuckoo!
Male
Paadi paarkalaamOh blue cuckoo,
Pudhu thevaaramOh grove cuckoo,
Paadum paattilaeThat flies while singing,
Nee aadhaaramMy singing cuckoo!
Female
Neela kuyilaeLet us sing and experience
Solai kuyilaeA brand new divine hymn;
Paadi parakkumIn this song being sung,
En paattu kuyilaeYou are the sole foundation.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Neela Kuyile is a tender romantic duet from the 1988 Tamil film Soora Samhaaram, penned by lyricist Gangai Amaran. The protagonist addresses their beloved as a nightingale/cuckoo singing in a garden, celebrating her voice as the fundamental support of their existence. The song fuses romantic longing with deep maternal warmth, as the lovers pledge to care for each other, soothe one another with lullabies, and treat their love as a sacred bond.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Neela kuyilae

Addressing the beloved as a 'Neela kuyil' (blue cuckoo/singing bird) metaphorically celebrates her melodious nature and grace.

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Neela kuyilae / Solai kuyilae

The second letter 'la' rhymes between 'Neela' and 'Solai', creating musicality in the chorus.

Monai (Initial syllable rhyming)

Thaai pola naanum / Thaalaattu paada

The repetition of initial sound 'Thaa' in 'Thaai' and 'Thaalaattu' adds poetic flow.

Imagery / Visuality

Pon meen kangalae

Comparing eyes to golden fish ('Pon meen kangalae') invokes vivid classic Tamil poetic visual imagery.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for the action thriller film Soora Samhaaram (1988) starring Kamal Haasan and Nirosha, the song is fondly remembered for its soft melody sung by K. J. Yesudas and K. S. Chithra.

Keep listening

More from Soora Samhaaram