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Lyrics & meaning

Ootha Kaathu

From Gramathu Athiyayam · 1980

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
P. Jayachandran, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Gramathu Athiyayam1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oodha kaathu veesayila kuyilu koovayila…When the cool purple breeze blows and the cuckoo sings...
Oodha kaathu veesayila kuyilu koovayila…When the cool purple breeze blows and the cuckoo sings...
Konjidum aasayila kuruvinga paesayilaWhen sparrows chirp in affectionate longing,
Vaada thaan enna aattudhu vaattudhuThe chilly wind sways me and torments me...
Female
Aa…Ah...
Oodha kaathu veesayila kuyilu koovayila…When the cool purple breeze blows and the cuckoo sings...
Oodha kaathu veesayila kuyilu koovayila…When the cool purple breeze blows and the cuckoo sings...
Konjidum aasayila kuruvinga paesayilaWhen sparrows chirp in affectionate longing,
Vaada thaan enna aattudhu vaattudhuThe chilly wind sways me and torments me...
Female
Oodha kaathu veesayila kuyilu koovayila…When the cool purple breeze blows and the cuckoo sings...
Female
Kothamalli poo vaasam atha magan un naesamThe scent of coriander flowers, and your affection, my cousin,
Suthudhu enna vaegamaa mogamaaMake me spin wildly with passion!
Kothamalli poo vaasam atha magan un naesamThe scent of coriander flowers, and your affection, my cousin,
Suthudhu enna vaegamaa mogamaaMake me spin wildly with passion!
Male
Naan ennatha seiya aa… aa… aa…What am I to do, ah... ah... ah...
Female
Nee vandhu kaiya thottadhum yaerudhuThe moment you touch my hand, it surges.
Aasa kattala pottu kattura paattuThe song that binds desire beyond boundaries,
Ennaiyum meerudhuTranscends even me.
Female
Oodha kaathu veesayila kuyilu koovayila…When the cool purple breeze blows and the cuckoo sings...
Female
Pakkatthula nee vaenumI want you by my side,
Katti kolla thaan vaenumI just want to embrace you.
Sokki sokki ennam odudhu thaedudhuMesmerized, my thoughts run and search for you.
Pakkatthula nee vaenumI want you by my side,
Katti kolla thaan vaenumI just want to embrace you.
Sokki sokki ennam odudhu thaedudhuMesmerized, my thoughts run and search for you.
Male
Adha solladi pulla aa… aa… aa…Tell me that, my girl, ah... ah... ah...
Female
Adha sollura pullaThe girl who says that,
Vekkattha mella vittuttu kaekkudhuGently shedding her shyness, she asks.
Neeyum allura podhum killura podhumWhen you gather me close and lovingly pinch me,
Aasainga thaakkudhuDesires assault me.
Female
Oodha kaathu veesayila kuyilu koovayila…When the cool purple breeze blows and the cuckoo sings...
Female
Vaasam ulla poo mullaO fragrant jasmine flower,
Vaada pattu thaan mellaTouched gently by the chilly wind,
Vaaduraen romba naeramaa oramaaI have been wilting for a long time on the side.
Male
Adha en kitta solluTell that to me...
Female
Aa… aa… aa… adha un kitta sonnaaAh... ah... ah... if I tell that to you,
Aasainga onnaa ennaiyum merattudhuAll desires gather together and intimidate me.
Nee paakkura podhum kaekkura podhumWhen you look at me and ask,
Paarvaiyum verattudhuEven your gaze chases me away.
Female
Oodha kaathu veesayila kuyilu koovayila…When the cool purple breeze blows and the cuckoo sings...
Konjidum aasayila kuruvinga paesayilaWhen sparrows chirp in affectionate longing,
Vaada thaan enna aattudhu vaattudhuThe chilly wind sways me and torments me...
Female
Oodha kaathu veesayila kuyilu koovayila…When the cool purple breeze blows and the cuckoo sings...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'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.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Gramathu Athiyayam' (1980) was directed by C. Rudhraiya. Although credited as unknown in the prompt, the soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by his brother Gangai Amaran. The song is celebrated as one of the finest examples of 1980s Tamil village folk music, blending rustic acoustic orchestration with authentic rural slang.

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