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Gramathu Athiyayam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ootha Kaathu

From Gramathu Athiyayam · 1980

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
P. Jayachandran, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Gramathu Athiyayam
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
1 Jul 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Oodha kaathu veesayila kuyilu koovayila…
Oodha kaathu veesayila kuyilu koovayila…
Konjidum aasayila kuruvinga paesayila
Vaada thaan enna aattudhu vaattudhu
Aa…
Oodha kaathu veesayila kuyilu koovayila…
Oodha kaathu veesayila kuyilu koovayila…
Konjidum aasayila kuruvinga paesayila
Vaada thaan enna aattudhu vaattudhu
Oodha kaathu veesayila kuyilu koovayila…
Kothamalli poo vaasam atha magan un naesam
Suthudhu enna vaegamaa mogamaa
Kothamalli poo vaasam atha magan un naesam
Suthudhu enna vaegamaa mogamaa
Naan ennatha seiya aa… aa… aa…
Nee vandhu kaiya thottadhum yaerudhu
Aasa kattala pottu kattura paattu
Ennaiyum meerudhu
Oodha kaathu veesayila kuyilu koovayila…
Pakkatthula nee vaenum
Katti kolla thaan vaenum
Sokki sokki ennam odudhu thaedudhu
Pakkatthula nee vaenum
Katti kolla thaan vaenum
Sokki sokki ennam odudhu thaedudhu
Adha solladi pulla aa… aa… aa…
Adha sollura pulla
Vekkattha mella vittuttu kaekkudhu
Neeyum allura podhum killura podhum
Aasainga thaakkudhu
Oodha kaathu veesayila kuyilu koovayila…
Vaasam ulla poo mulla
Vaada pattu thaan mella
Vaaduraen romba naeramaa oramaa
Adha en kitta sollu
Aa… aa… aa… adha un kitta sonnaa
Aasainga onnaa ennaiyum merattudhu
Nee paakkura podhum kaekkura podhum
Paarvaiyum verattudhu
Oodha kaathu veesayila kuyilu koovayila…
Konjidum aasayila kuruvinga paesayila
Vaada thaan enna aattudhu vaattudhu
Oodha kaathu veesayila kuyilu koovayila…
As the cold wind blows and the cuckoo sings...
As the cold wind blows and the cuckoo sings...
As little birds chatter with affectionate longing,
This chilly wind shakes me and torments me!
Ah...
As the cold wind blows and the cuckoo sings...
As the cold wind blows and the cuckoo sings...
As little birds chatter with affectionate longing,
This chilly wind shakes me and torments me!
As the cold wind blows and the cuckoo sings...
The scent of coriander flowers and your love, my cousin,
Swirl around me swiftly with deep passion!
The scent of coriander flowers and your love, my cousin,
Swirl around me swiftly with deep passion!
What can I even do? Ah... ah... ah...
The moment you come and touch my hand, a thrill rises!
Desire commands me, and the song it weaves
Goes beyond my control!
As the cold wind blows and the cuckoo sings...
I want you close by my side,
I only want to hold you tight,
Dazed and spellbound, my thoughts race and search for you!
I want you close by my side,
I only want to hold you tight,
Dazed and spellbound, my thoughts race and search for you!
Tell me that, my girl! Ah... ah... ah...
The girl who tells you that,
Has slowly cast shyness aside and is asking...
When you gather me up and tease me with a pinch,
Waves of desire strike and overwhelm me!
As the cold wind blows and the cuckoo sings...
Like a fragrant jasmine flower,
Touched gently by the cold breeze,
I have been wilting in a corner for so long!
Tell that to me!
Ah... ah... ah... If I tell you that,
All these desires gang up and overwhelm me!
Whenever you look at me and make your demands,
Even your gaze chases after me!
As the cold wind blows and the cuckoo sings...
As little birds chatter with affectionate longing,
This chilly wind shakes me and torments me!
As the cold wind blows and the cuckoo sings...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Oodha Kaathu Veesayila' is a classic rural romantic duet set against the vibrant backdrop of nature. The song captures the playful banter, physical desire, and emotional intimacy between two lovers as the changing weather—specifically the cool 'oodha' wind—awakens their romantic feelings. Surrounded by chirping sparrows and singing cuckoos, the couple expresses how nature mirrors their internal passion and longing. Throughout the track, rural metaphors like coriander blossoms and jasmine flowers evoke a deep sense of Tamil village aesthetics. The lovers oscillate between playful shyness and tender expressions of affection, depicting a raw, heartwarming picture of innocent village romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Oodha kaathu veesayila kuyilu koovayila… / Konjidum aasayila kuruvinga paesayila

The repetitive ending sound '-ayila' across multiple consecutive lines creates a melodic rhythm typical of folk poetry.

Personification

Vaada thaan enna aattudhu vaattudhu

The chilly northern wind ('vaada') is personified as an active entity teasing and tormenting the lover.

Sensory Imagery (Olfactory & Visual)

Kothamalli poo vaasam atha magan un naesam

Connects the aromatic smell of coriander flowers directly to romantic affection, creating rich sensory imagery of rural Tamil Nadu.

Metaphor

Vaasam ulla poo mulla

The lover is metaphorically addressed as a sweet-smelling jasmine blossom.

Keep listening

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