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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Odai Kuyil

From Thalattu Padava · 1990

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
K. S. Chithra, Arun Mozhi
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thalattu Padava1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
………………………….Did the cuckoo by the stream sing a song?
Male
Odai kuyil oru paattuDidn't it sing? Hoi... hoi...
Padikkaliyaa hoi…hoiDid the summer flower listen to it,
Kodai malar adhai kettuAnd enjoy it? Hoi... hoi...
Rasikkaliyaa hoi..hoiDidn't love bloom in your heart?
Female
Thonaliyaa kaadhalDidn't you dream sweet dreams?
Kanavugal kaanaliyaaDidn't you rest on my shoulder?
Thoongaliyaa tholilDidn't you long to be united?
Inaindhida yengaliyaaDid the cuckoo by the stream sing a song?
Male
Odai kuyil oru paattuDidn't it sing? Hoi... hoi...
Padikkaliyaa hoi…hoiFemale: Listening to that, did the summer flower...
Female :Kodai malar adhai kettu...not enjoy it? Hoi... hoi...
Rasikkaliyaa hoi..hoiHoi..hoi...hoi... (2)
Chorus
Hoi..hoi…hoi…(2)Dancing upon the flower,
Female
Poovin meedhu aadumAre tiny drops of morning dew,
Thuli thuli pani thuliSinging alongside the young woman,
Kodhaiyodu paadumIs the sweet voice of a young parrot.
Ilangkili isaimozhiAt the corner of the lips,
Male
Idhazhgalin oramaeLies the pure essence of sweetness,
Inimaiyin saaramaeTelling a brand new story,
Pudhu kadhai koorumaeAs an intoxicating feeling rises.
Bhodhaiyum yerumaeYou and I,
Female
Neeyum naanumLike milk and honey,
Paalum thaenumIt is time for us to come together and unite.
Pola sera kaala neramae inaindhidaDid the cuckoo by the stream sing a song?
Male
Odai kuyil oru paattuDidn't it sing? Hoi... hoi...
Padikkaliyaa hoi…hoiFemale: Hoi hoi
Female :Hoi hoiDid the summer flower listen to it,
Kodai malar adhai kettuAnd enjoy it? Hoi... hoi...
Rasikkaliyaa hoi..hoiMale: Hoi... hoi...
Male :Hoi…hoi…Spoken during the moment of love,
Male
Kaadhal neram pesumAre sweet words and unique words.
Kanimozhi thanimozhiWhenever I look, my two eyes
Kaanumbhodhu yengumLong for her gentle eyes.
Iruvizhi ivalvizhiThe pain of loneliness,
Female
Thanimaiyin vedhanaiThought of the god of love.
Ninaithadhu kaamanaiThe trial within solitude,
Thanimaiyil sodhanaiAnd the ache that embraces us.
Thazhuvidum vedhanaiWhen honey and honey
Male
Thaenum thaenumCome together in time,
Koodum neramAs I lean on your shoulder, heaven reveals itself.
Tholil sera devalogamae therindhadhuDid the cuckoo by the stream sing a song?
Female
Odai kuyil oru paattuDidn't it sing? Hoi... hoi...
Padikkaliyaa hoi…hoiDid the summer flower listen to it,
Kodai malar adhai kettuAnd enjoy it? Hoi... hoi...
Rasikkaliyaa hoi..hoiDidn't love bloom in your heart?
Male
Thonaliyaa kaadhalDidn't you dream sweet dreams?
Kanavugal kaanaliyaaDidn't you rest on my shoulder?
Thoongaliyaa tholilDidn't you long to be united?
Inaindhida yengaliyaaDid the cuckoo by the stream sing a song?
Female
Odai kuyil oru paattuDidn't it sing? Hoi... hoi...
Padikkaliyaa hoi…hoiMale: Hoi hoi
Male :Hoi hoiDid the summer flower listen to it,
Kodai malar adhai kettuAnd enjoy it? Hoi... hoi...
Rasikkaliyaa hoi..hoiFemale: Hoi hoi............
Female :Hoi hoi…………….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Odai Kuyil Oru Paattu' from the 1990 Tamil movie Thalattu Padava is a charming, nature-infused romantic duet. The song draws rich parallels between human romance and the beauty of nature—comparing the lovers' dialogue to a stream-side cuckoo singing to a summer flower, and dew drops dancing on fresh blossoms. Through soft questioning and affectionate banter, the couple reflects on how love blossomed between them, turning solitude into intimate joy. As the song progresses, the emotional tone deepens into passion and sweet togetherness. Comparing their union to the harmonious blending of milk and honey, the lovers describe how their shared intimacy melts away the trial of loneliness, bringing a feeling of heavenly bliss whenever they are in each other's embrace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uwamai)

Neeyum naanum / Paalum thaenum / Pola sera

Compares the seamless union of the two lovers to the harmonious blending of milk and honey ('paalum thaenum pola').

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Thonaliyaa kaadhal / Kanavugal kaanaliyaa / Thoongaliyaa tholil / Inaindhida yengaliyaa

The deliberate use of the matching '-iyaa' ending across consecutive lines creates a rhythmic, song-like cadence.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Ilangkili isaimozhi

Metaphorically equates the sweet tone of the heroine's voice directly to the musical language of a young parrot.

Repetition / Adukkuthodar

Thuli thuli pani thuli

Repetition of the word 'thuli' (drop) emphasizes the delicate, abundant nature of the morning dew.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Thalattu Padava' (1990) was written and directed by R. Sundarrajan, starring Parthiban, Roopini, and Kushboo in lead roles. Although the metadata marks the composer and singers as unknown, the music for this film was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with this duet rendered by playback singers Arunmozhi and S. Janaki. Lyricist Gangai Amaran crafted the song using light, nature-inspired imagery that matches the rustic melody characteristic of early 90s Tamil cinema.

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