Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Koottil

From Kolangal · 1995

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, Lekha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kolangal1995

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Oru koottilIn one nest,
Chinna kokilam iranduTwo little cuckoos
Ondru koodumAre coming together.
Indru vaalibam thiranduToday, youth unfolds,
Indha naal mana naalThis day is the wedding day,
Mudhal naal sangama naalThe first day, the day of union,
Nalla inba naal thirunaalA day of sweet joy, a sacred festive day,
Perunaal mangala naalA grand day, an auspicious day.
Male
Oru koottilIn one nest,
Chinna kokilam iranduTwo little cuckoos
Ondru koodumAre coming together.
Male
Maanam kaakka vendinaalTo protect my honor,
Mayil thogaiyaeOh peacock feather-like beloved,
Maarbil naanum soodinenI too wore on my chest
Poo maalaiyaeA flower garland.
Female
Sol yedhu mozhi yedhuWhat words, what language exist
Nandriyai naan ingu solvadharkkuFor me to express my gratitude here?
Male
Naal yedhu pozhudhaedhuWhat time or hour is needed
Naan indha thaen alli kolvadharkkuFor me to partake in this sweetness?
Female
Kukku kukkoo kukku kukkooCuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo,
Koovum kuyil kukku kukkoo kooThe singing cuckoo goes 'kukku kukkoo koo',
Thithithidum kukkoo kooSweetly sounding 'kukkoo koo',
Muthatthilum kukkoo kooEven in kisses, 'kukkoo koo',
Suthi chuthi thathumHopping and dancing all around.
Male
Oru koottilIn one nest,
Chinna kokilam iranduTwo little cuckoos
Ondru koodumAre coming together.
Indru vaalibam thiranduToday, youth unfolds,
Indha naal mana naalThis day is the wedding day,
Mudhal naal sangama naalThe first day, the day of union,
Nalla inba naal thirunaalA day of sweet joy, a sacred festive day,
Perunaal mangala naalA grand day, an auspicious day.
Female
Oru koottilIn one nest,
Chinna kokilam iranduTwo little cuckoos
Ondru koodumAre coming together.
Female
Mannil ulla naal varaiUntil the end of our days on this earth,
VilagaamalaeWithout ever separating,
Mannan kooda vaazhndhidumShe lives alongside her king,
PoonthendralaeOh gentle flower breeze!
Male
Oyaamal thaeiyaamalUnceasingly, without fading,
Punnagai sindhidu pon nilavaeScatter your smiles, golden moon!
Female
Saayaamal sariyaamalWithout faltering or fading away,
Ullathil ulladhu un azhagaeYour beauty resides within my heart.
Kukku kukkoo kukku kukkooCuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo,
Koovum kuyil kukku kukkoo kooThe singing cuckoo goes 'kukku kukkoo koo',
Thithithidum kukkoo kooSweetly sounding 'kukkoo koo',
Muthatthilum kukkoo kooEven in kisses, 'kukkoo koo',
Suthi suthi thathumHopping and dancing all around.
Male
Oru koottilIn one nest,
Chinna kokilam iranduTwo little cuckoos
Ondru koodumAre coming together.
Indru vaalibam thiranduToday, youth unfolds,
Female
Indha naal mana naalThis day is the wedding day,
Mudhal naal sangama naalThe first day, the day of union,
Nalla inba naal thirunaalA day of sweet joy, a sacred festive day,
Perunaal mangala naalA grand day, an auspicious day.
Male
Oru koottilIn one nest,
Chinna kokilam iranduTwo little cuckoos
Ondru koodumAre coming together.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Oru Koottil' is a joyful celebration of marriage, romance, and life-long togetherness. Using the bird metaphor of two little cuckoos sharing a nest, lyricist Vaali beautifully depicts two newlyweds coming together to start their shared journey. The lyrics echo the ecstasy of their nuptial night, celebrating it with rich auspicious vocabulary such as 'mana naal' (wedding day), 'sangama naal' (day of union), and 'mangala naal' (auspicious day).

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Oru koottil / Chinna kokilam irandu

Compares the newlywed couple to two small cuckoos inhabiting a single nest.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Indha naal mana naal / Mudhal naal sangama naal / Nalla inba naal thirunaal / Perunaal mangala naal

The deliberate repetition of the suffix 'naal' (day) at the end of consecutive lines creates a rhythmic, festive cadence.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Maanam kaakka vendinaal / Mayil thogaiyae / Maarbil naanum soodinen

The repeating starting sound 'M' across consecutive lines enhances the musical flow.

Onomatopoeia

Kukku kukkoo kukku kukkoo

Uses phonetics imitating bird sounds to evoke a joyful, lighthearted, and playful ambience.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is featured in the 1995 Tamil family drama 'Kolangal', directed by I. V. Sasi and starring Jayaram and Khushbu. The music for the film was composed by Deva, with lyrics crafted by veteran poet Vaali.

Keep listening

More from Kolangal