Oru Poovana Kuyil
From Maragatha Veenai (1986) · 1986
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Oru poovanakkuyil maamaraththula koodu kattinathu | A garden cuckoo built a nest on a mango tree, |
| Adhu koovurathula kural inikkuthu manam mayanginathu | Its voice sounds so sweet when cooing that the heart is enchanted. |
| Female | |
| Adhu yaen inikkuthu manam mayanguthu | Why is it so sweet? Why does the heart get captivated? |
| Ennaiyum unnaiyum yaen izhukkuthu | Why does it pull both you and me towards it? |
| Thaen kulaththilae thaan kudhichchathu | Did it jump into a pool of honey? |
| Aananthaththula thaan kulichchathu | Did it take a bath in sheer joy? |
| Ammaadi ammaadi ammaadi ammammaa | Oh my, oh my, oh my goodness! |
| Chorus :Aa…ammaadi ammaadi ammaadi ammammaa | Chorus: Ah... oh my, oh my, oh my goodness! |
| Female | |
| Oru poovanakkuyil maamaraththula koodu kattinathu | A garden cuckoo built a nest on a mango tree, |
| Adhu koovurathula kural inikkuthu manam mayanginathu | Its voice sounds so sweet when cooing that the heart is enchanted. |
| Female | |
| Aaththoram oru kili kaaththaadum neram | When a parrot by the riverbank sways with the breeze, |
| Koottaali oru kili kooththaadi pogum | Its companion parrot dances along with joy. |
| Aaththoram oru kili kaaththaadum neram | When a parrot by the riverbank sways with the breeze, |
| Koottaali oru kili kooththaadi pogum | Its companion parrot dances along with joy. |
| Female | |
| Yaedhetho mella mella | Whispering various sweet things softly, |
| Kaadhoda solla solla | As it murmurs directly into the ear, |
| Joraa sirichchkirichchaam | They laughed together with pure delight. |
| Female | |
| Ennenna seedhanam ketkuthae | "What dowry gifts are being requested?" |
| Endrathu pen kiliyae | Asked the female parrot. |
| Aasai vanthiruchche nenjukkullae | Desire has blossomed deep inside the heart, |
| Anbu vanthuruchchae | True love has arrived. |
| Female | |
| Innum enna thanga nagaigalum | What need is there anymore for gold jewelry, |
| Vaira nagaigalum thevaiyillaiyadi | Or diamond jewelry, my dear? |
| Chorus :Adi ammaadi ammaadi ammaadi ammammaa | Chorus: Oh my, oh my, oh my goodness! |
| Haa ennadi ennadi ennadi kannammaa | Ha, what is it, what is it, my dear Kannamma? |
| Female | |
| Oru poovanakkuyil maamaraththula koodu kattinathu | A garden cuckoo built a nest on a mango tree, |
| Chorus :Adhu koovurathula kural inikkuthu manam mayanginathu | Chorus: Its voice sounds so sweet when cooing that the heart is enchanted. |
| Female | |
| Adhu yaen inikkuthu manam mayanguthu | Why is it so sweet? Why does the heart get captivated? |
| Ennaiyum unnaiyum yaen izhukkuthu | Why does it pull both you and me towards it? |
| Chorus :Thaen kulaththilae thaan kudhichchathu | Chorus: Did it jump into a pool of honey? |
| Aananthaththula thaan kulichchathu | Chorus: Did it take a bath in sheer joy? |
| Ammaadi ammaadi ammaadi ammammaa | Oh my, oh my, oh my goodness! |
| Chorus :Aa…ammaadi ammaadi ammaadi ammammaa | Chorus: Ah... oh my, oh my, oh my goodness! |
| Female | |
| Paal pola aruviyil yaaroda selai | Whose saree is that in the milk-like waterfall? |
| Noolindri yaar vanthu naithaar ingae | Who came and wove it here without using any thread? |
| Mengal aninthidum aadaigal melae | Over the fine garments worn by women, |
| Yaarantha kizhisalai thaiththaar angae | Who patched up those torn spots over there? |
| Female | |
| Kompaathi kompargalum komberi mookkarkalum | Even the highest chieftains and proud folk, |
| Vanthae kaikkatti nikkonum | Must come and stand with folded arms in respect. |
| Santhana poosiya sooriyan vanthathu paarungalaen | Look, the sun smeared with sandalwood paste has arrived! |
| Vaanam ettuthadi kayirendum melam kottuthadi | The sky feels within reach, and wedding drums are beating! |
| Female | |
| Innum enna aasaipattathu | Whatever else was wished for, |
| Yaavum kittuthu koovu en kuyilae | Everything is attained; sing out loud, my cuckoo! |
| Chorus :Adi ammaadi ammaadi ammaadi ammammaa | Chorus: Oh my, oh my, oh my goodness! |
| Haan ennadi ennadi ennadi kannammaa | Ha, what is it, what is it, my dear Kannamma? |
| Female | |
| Oru poovanakkuyil maamaraththula koodu kattinathu | A garden cuckoo built a nest on a mango tree, |
| Chorus :Adhu koovurathula kural inikkuthu manam mayanginathu | Chorus: Its voice sounds so sweet when cooing that the heart is enchanted. |
| Female | |
| Adhu yaen inikkuthu manam mayanguthu | Why is it so sweet? Why does the heart get captivated? |
| Ennaiyum unnaiyum yaen izhukkuthu | Why does it pull both you and me towards it? |
| Chorus :Thaen kulaththilae thaan kudhichchathu | Chorus: Did it jump into a pool of honey? |
| Aananthaththula thaan kulichchathu | Did it take a bath in sheer joy? |
| Ammaadi ammaadi ammaadi ammammaa | Oh my, oh my, oh my goodness! |
| Aa…ammaadi ammaadi ammaadi ammammaa | Ah... oh my, oh my, oh my goodness! |
ஒரு பூவனக்குயில் மாமரத்துல கூடு கட்டினது
அது கூவுறதுல குரல் இனிக்குது மனம் மயங்கினது
A garden cuckoo built a nest on a mango tree,
Its voice sounds so sweet when cooing that the heart is enchanted.
அது ஏன் இனிக்குது மனம் மயங்குது
என்னையும் உன்னையும் ஏன் இழுக்குது
தேன் குளத்திலே தான் குதிச்சது
ஆனந்தத்துல தான் குளிச்சது
அம்மாடி அம்மாடி அம்மாடி அம்மம்மா
குழு :
ஆ.....அம்மாடி அம்மாடி அம்மாடி அம்மம்மா.......
Why is it so sweet? Why does the heart get captivated?
Why does it pull both you and me towards it?
Did it jump into a pool of honey?
Did it take a bath in sheer joy?
Oh my, oh my, oh my goodness!
Chorus: Ah... oh my, oh my, oh my goodness!
ஒரு பூவனக்குயில் மாமரத்துல கூடு கட்டினது
அது கூவுறதுல குரல் இனிக்குது மனம் மயங்கினது
A garden cuckoo built a nest on a mango tree,
Its voice sounds so sweet when cooing that the heart is enchanted.
ஆத்தோரம் ஒரு கிளி காத்தாடும் நேரம்
கூட்டாளி ஒரு கிளி கூத்தாடி போகும்
ஆத்தோரம் ஒரு கிளி காத்தாடும் நேரம்
கூட்டாளி ஒரு கிளி கூத்தாடி போகும்
When a parrot by the riverbank sways with the breeze,
Its companion parrot dances along with joy.
When a parrot by the riverbank sways with the breeze,
Its companion parrot dances along with joy.
ஏதேதோ மெல்ல மெல்ல
காதோட சொல்ல சொல்ல
ஜோரா சிரிச்சிகிறிச்சாம்
Whispering various sweet things softly,
As it murmurs directly into the ear,
They laughed together with pure delight.
என்னென்ன சீதனம் கேட்குதே
என்றது பெண் கிளியே
ஆசை வந்திருச்சே நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே
அன்பு வந்துருச்சே
"What dowry gifts are being requested?"
Asked the female parrot.
Desire has blossomed deep inside the heart,
True love has arrived.
இன்னும் என்ன தங்க நகைகளும்
வைர நகைகளும் தேவையில்லையடி
குழு :
அடி அம்மாடி அம்மாடி அம்மாடி அம்மம்மா
ஹா என்னடி என்னடி என்னடி கண்ணம்மா.......
What need is there anymore for gold jewelry,
Or diamond jewelry, my dear?
Chorus: Oh my, oh my, oh my goodness!
Ha, what is it, what is it, my dear Kannamma?
ஒரு பூவனக்குயில் மாமரத்துல கூடு கட்டினது
குழு :
அது கூவுறதுல குரல் இனிக்குது மனம் மயங்கினது
A garden cuckoo built a nest on a mango tree,
Chorus: Its voice sounds so sweet when cooing that the heart is enchanted.
அது ஏன் இனிக்குது மனம் மயங்குது
என்னையும் உன்னையும் ஏன் இழுக்குது
குழு :
தேன் குளத்திலே தான் குதிச்சது
ஆனந்தத்துல தான் குளிச்சது
அம்மாடி அம்மாடி அம்மாடி அம்மம்மா
குழு :
ஆ.....அம்மாடி அம்மாடி அம்மாடி அம்மம்மா.......
Why is it so sweet? Why does the heart get captivated?
Why does it pull both you and me towards it?
Chorus: Did it jump into a pool of honey?
Chorus: Did it take a bath in sheer joy?
Oh my, oh my, oh my goodness!
Chorus: Ah... oh my, oh my, oh my goodness!
பால் போல அருவியில் யாரோட சேலை
நூலின்றி யார் வந்து நைய்தார் இங்கே
மேகங்கள் அணிந்திடும் ஆடைகள் மேலே
யாரந்த கிழிசலை தைத்தார் அங்கே
Whose saree is that in the milk-like waterfall?
Who came and wove it here without using any thread?
Over the fine garments worn by women,
Who patched up those torn spots over there?
கொம்பாதி கொம்பர்களும் கொம்பேறி மூக்கர்களும்
வந்தே கைக்கட்டி நிக்கோணும்
சந்தன பூசிய சூரியன் வந்தது பாருங்களேன்
வானம் எட்டுதடி கையிரெண்டும் மேளம் கொட்டுதடி
Even the highest chieftains and proud folk,
Must come and stand with folded arms in respect.
Look, the sun smeared with sandalwood paste has arrived!
The sky feels within reach, and wedding drums are beating!
இன்னும் என்ன ஆசைப்பட்டது
யாவும் கிட்டுது கூவு என் குயிலே
குழு :
அடி அம்மாடி அம்மாடி அம்மாடி அம்மம்மா
ஹான் என்னடி என்னடி என்னடி கண்ணம்மா......
Whatever else was wished for,
Everything is attained; sing out loud, my cuckoo!
Chorus: Oh my, oh my, oh my goodness!
Ha, what is it, what is it, my dear Kannamma?
ஒரு பூவனக்குயில் மாமரத்துல கூடு கட்டினது
குழு :
அது கூவுறதுல குரல் இனிக்குது மனம் மயங்கினது
A garden cuckoo built a nest on a mango tree,
Chorus: Its voice sounds so sweet when cooing that the heart is enchanted.
அது ஏன் இனிக்குது மனம் மயங்குது
என்னையும் உன்னையும் ஏன் இழுக்குது
குழு :
தேன் குளத்திலே தான் குதிச்சது
ஆனந்தத்துல தான் குளிச்சது
அம்மாடி அம்மாடி அம்மாடி அம்மம்மா
ஹான் என்னடி என்னடி என்னடி கண்ணம்மா.....
Why is it so sweet? Why does the heart get captivated?
Why does it pull both you and me towards it?
Chorus: Did it jump into a pool of honey?
Did it take a bath in sheer joy?
Oh my, oh my, oh my goodness!
Ah... oh my, oh my, oh my goodness!
பெண் மற்றும் குழு :
ஒரு பூவனக்குயில் மாமரத்துல கூடு கட்டினது
அது கூவுறதுல குரல் இனிக்குது மனம் மயங்கினது
Oru poovanakkuyil maamaraththula koodu kattinathu
A garden cuckoo built a nest on a mango tree,
Adhu koovurathula kural inikkuthu manam mayanginathu
Its voice sounds so sweet when cooing that the heart is enchanted.
Adhu yaen inikkuthu manam mayanguthu
Why is it so sweet? Why does the heart get captivated?
Ennaiyum unnaiyum yaen izhukkuthu
Why does it pull both you and me towards it?
Thaen kulaththilae thaan kudhichchathu
Did it jump into a pool of honey?
Aananthaththula thaan kulichchathu
Did it take a bath in sheer joy?
Ammaadi ammaadi ammaadi ammammaa
Oh my, oh my, oh my goodness!
Chorus :Aa…ammaadi ammaadi ammaadi ammammaa
Chorus: Ah... oh my, oh my, oh my goodness!
Oru poovanakkuyil maamaraththula koodu kattinathu
A garden cuckoo built a nest on a mango tree,
Adhu koovurathula kural inikkuthu manam mayanginathu
Its voice sounds so sweet when cooing that the heart is enchanted.
Aaththoram oru kili kaaththaadum neram
When a parrot by the riverbank sways with the breeze,
Koottaali oru kili kooththaadi pogum
Its companion parrot dances along with joy.
Aaththoram oru kili kaaththaadum neram
When a parrot by the riverbank sways with the breeze,
Koottaali oru kili kooththaadi pogum
Its companion parrot dances along with joy.
Yaedhetho mella mella
Whispering various sweet things softly,
Kaadhoda solla solla
As it murmurs directly into the ear,
Joraa sirichchkirichchaam
They laughed together with pure delight.
Ennenna seedhanam ketkuthae
"What dowry gifts are being requested?"
Endrathu pen kiliyae
Asked the female parrot.
Aasai vanthiruchche nenjukkullae
Desire has blossomed deep inside the heart,
Anbu vanthuruchchae
True love has arrived.
Innum enna thanga nagaigalum
What need is there anymore for gold jewelry,
Vaira nagaigalum thevaiyillaiyadi
Or diamond jewelry, my dear?
Chorus :Adi ammaadi ammaadi ammaadi ammammaa
Chorus: Oh my, oh my, oh my goodness!
Haa ennadi ennadi ennadi kannammaa
Ha, what is it, what is it, my dear Kannamma?
Oru poovanakkuyil maamaraththula koodu kattinathu
A garden cuckoo built a nest on a mango tree,
Chorus :Adhu koovurathula kural inikkuthu manam mayanginathu
Chorus: Its voice sounds so sweet when cooing that the heart is enchanted.
Adhu yaen inikkuthu manam mayanguthu
Why is it so sweet? Why does the heart get captivated?
Ennaiyum unnaiyum yaen izhukkuthu
Why does it pull both you and me towards it?
Chorus :Thaen kulaththilae thaan kudhichchathu
Chorus: Did it jump into a pool of honey?
Aananthaththula thaan kulichchathu
Chorus: Did it take a bath in sheer joy?
Ammaadi ammaadi ammaadi ammammaa
Oh my, oh my, oh my goodness!
Chorus :Aa…ammaadi ammaadi ammaadi ammammaa
Chorus: Ah... oh my, oh my, oh my goodness!
Paal pola aruviyil yaaroda selai
Whose saree is that in the milk-like waterfall?
Noolindri yaar vanthu naithaar ingae
Who came and wove it here without using any thread?
Mengal aninthidum aadaigal melae
Over the fine garments worn by women,
Yaarantha kizhisalai thaiththaar angae
Who patched up those torn spots over there?
Kompaathi kompargalum komberi mookkarkalum
Even the highest chieftains and proud folk,
Vanthae kaikkatti nikkonum
Must come and stand with folded arms in respect.
Santhana poosiya sooriyan vanthathu paarungalaen
Look, the sun smeared with sandalwood paste has arrived!
Vaanam ettuthadi kayirendum melam kottuthadi
The sky feels within reach, and wedding drums are beating!
Innum enna aasaipattathu
Whatever else was wished for,
Yaavum kittuthu koovu en kuyilae
Everything is attained; sing out loud, my cuckoo!
Chorus :Adi ammaadi ammaadi ammaadi ammammaa
Chorus: Oh my, oh my, oh my goodness!
Haan ennadi ennadi ennadi kannammaa
Ha, what is it, what is it, my dear Kannamma?
Oru poovanakkuyil maamaraththula koodu kattinathu
A garden cuckoo built a nest on a mango tree,
Chorus :Adhu koovurathula kural inikkuthu manam mayanginathu
Chorus: Its voice sounds so sweet when cooing that the heart is enchanted.
Adhu yaen inikkuthu manam mayanguthu
Why is it so sweet? Why does the heart get captivated?
Ennaiyum unnaiyum yaen izhukkuthu
Why does it pull both you and me towards it?
Chorus :Thaen kulaththilae thaan kudhichchathu
Chorus: Did it jump into a pool of honey?
Aananthaththula thaan kulichchathu
Did it take a bath in sheer joy?
Ammaadi ammaadi ammaadi ammammaa
Oh my, oh my, oh my goodness!
Aa…ammaadi ammaadi ammaadi ammammaa
Ah... oh my, oh my, oh my goodness!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Oru Poovanakkuyil' from the 1986 film Maragatha Veenai, composed by Ilaiyaraaja and written by Mu. Metha, is a joyful, folk-flavored romantic song rendered by S. Janaki. The lyrics utilize pastoral imagery—cuckoos, parrots, mango trees, and riverbanks—to convey the playful exuberance of love. The song portrays how true affection renders material dowries like gold and diamond jewelry completely unnecessary, as love itself fulfills every heart's desire. As the track progresses, the natural world reflects the ecstasy of the couple. Waterfalls are poetically visualised as threadless sarees, and the morning sun appears smeared in sandalwood paste. The lyrics express a sense of triumphant joy, celebrating a love so profound that heaven itself feels close enough to touch.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uwamai Ani)
“Paal pola aruviyil yaaroda selai”
Compares the foamy white color of the waterfall to milk using the explicit comparison marker 'pola'.
Metaphor (Uruvagak Ani)
“Santhana poosiya sooriyan vanthathu paarungalaen”
Metaphorically describes the soft yellow/golden morning sun as a sun smeared in sandalwood paste.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Aasai vanthiruchche nenjukkullae / Anbu vanthuruchchae”
The initial letter 'Aa' / 'A' rhymes across lines 20 and 21.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Thaen kulaththilae thaan kudhichchathu / Aananthaththula thaan kulichchathu”
Lines 5 and 6 end with similar rhyming verbal endings ('kudhichchathu' and 'kulichchathu').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Oru Poovanakkuyil' is a popular composition from Maragatha Veenai (1986), featuring music composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics by modern Tamil poet Mu. Metha. S. Janaki's energetic vocal performance is renowned for capturing the playful, innocent, and rustic tone characteristic of Ilaiyaraaja's mid-1980s rural soundtracks.
Keep listening
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