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Lyrics & meaning

Thookkanam Kuruvi Koodula

From Vazhkkai Chakkaram · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. V. Ponnusami
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Vazhkkai Chakkaram1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thookanaanguruvi kootulaIn the weaverbird's nest,
Maaman kaiya vachaanaeThe maternal uncle has placed his hand.
Pollaadha kuruvi onnu thaanIt is indeed a wicked bird,
Illadha saetta pannuthaanMaking non-existent mischief.
Ada thaniyaaga odam pogathammaHey, do not let the boat go alone, my dear,
Thuduppaaga naanum vaaren amma hoiI am coming as the oar, my dear, hoi!
Male
Thookanaanguruvi kootulaIn the weaverbird's nest,
Maaman kaiya vachaanaeThe maternal uncle has placed his hand.
Pollaadha kuruvi onnu thaanIt is indeed a wicked bird,
Illadha saetta pannuthaanMaking non-existent mischief.
Male
Ada thaniyaaga odam pogathammaHey, do not let the boat go alone, my dear,
Thuduppaaga naanum vaaren amma haaI am coming as the oar, my dear, haa!
Male
Oona kannil paarthaal ravanan thaanIf seen through physical eyes, I am Ravana,
Naan endrum raavanan thaanI am forever Ravana.
Gnyaana kannil paarthaal raagavan thaanIf seen through the eyes of wisdom, I am Raghavan (Rama),
Seethaiyoda raagavan thaanRaghavan along with Sita.
Male
Aanjanaeyaru indha bhakthan ammaAnjaneya is the master of this devotee, my dear,
Annae ramaru anbu thambhi naan ammaLord Rama is my elder brother and I am the loving younger brother, my dear.
Achaani illadha thaerottam yen ammaWhy run a chariot procession without a linchpin, my dear?
Machaana thalladhae pakka nee vaammmaDo not push your cousin away, come close to my side, my dear.
Chorus
Maappilla mallukkattum aambalaThe groom is a strong man ready to wrestle,
Maathikka maalaiyai maathikka aamaamExchange the garlands, yes, exchange them!
Chorus
Thookanaanguruvi kootulaIn the weaverbird's nest,
Male :Maaman kaiya vachaanaeMale: The maternal uncle has placed his hand.
Male
Pollaadha kuruvi onnu thaanIt is indeed a wicked bird,
Illadha saetta pannuthaanMaking non-existent mischief.
Male
Ada dada dadaOh my my my!
Chorus :Thaniyaaga odam pogathammaChorus: Do not let the boat go alone, my dear,
Male :Thuduppaaga naanum vaaren amma hoiMale: I am coming as the oar, my dear, hoi!
Male
Dhevalogam ponaal devi vendumIf I go to the heavenly world, I need a goddess,
Ennaaasai devi vendumI need my beloved goddess.
Aalu maari ponaa kaavi vendumIf the person is lost or changed, I need saffron robes,
Sanyaasa kaavi vendumI need the saffron robes of renunciation.
Male
Sambora sambho idhu jimbora jimboSambora Sambho, this is Jimbora Jimbo!
Male
Thangachiyaalae ithana vambhooAll this trouble is because of the younger sister.
Male
Raasathi poopaathi ada naan thaanadi vaeliOh princess, queen of flowers, hey I am your protective fence,
Adi indhaadi ennoda kalyaana thaaliHey girl, take this, my sacred wedding knot (thaali).
Chorus :Oodhunga naadhaswaram oodhungaChorus: Play the Nadaswaram, play it!
Podunga pattu methai podungaSpread the silk bed, spread it!
Male
Thookanaanguruvi kootulaIn the weaverbird's nest,
Maaman kaiya vachaanaeThe maternal uncle has placed his hand.
Male
Pollaadha kuruvi onnu thaanIt is indeed a wicked bird,
Illadha saetta pannuthaanMaking non-existent mischief.
Male
Ada thaniyaaga odam pogathammaHey, do not let the boat go alone, my dear,
Thuduppaaga naanum vaaren ammaI am coming as the oar, my dear.
Chorus
………………………………………...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Thookanaanguruvi Kootula' from the 1990 movie 'Vazhkkai Chakkaram' is a playful and romantic folk-style track written by lyricist Vaali. The protagonist expresses his affection for his beloved through clever metaphors, comparing himself to a supportive oar for her boat and contrasting physical perception with inner virtues using mythological references to Ravana and Rama. Throughout the song, the hero humorously insists on marriage and companionship, invoking cultural idioms of family ties, maternal uncles (maaman), traditional wedding rituals like exchanging garlands, and playing the nadaswaram. It captures a upbeat, flirtatious mood filled with rustic folk charm and playful banter.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Urvagham)

Thuduppaaga naanum vaaren amma hoi

The protagonist compares himself to an oar ('Thuduppu') guiding and navigating his lover's boat ('Odam').

Contrast / Antithesis (Muran)

Oona kannil paarthaal ravanan thaan ... Gnyaana kannil paarthaal raagavan thaan

Contrasting 'Oona kannil' (physical eye, perceiving evil/Ravana) with 'Gnyaana kannil' (eye of wisdom, perceiving virtue/Raghavan).

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Oona kannil paarthaal ravanan thaan / Gnyaana kannil paarthaal raagavan thaan

Matching second consonants in adjacent lines ('Oona' and 'Gnyaana').

Alliteration (Monaai)

Sambora sambho idhu jimbora jimbo

Repetition of initial phonetic sounds in phrases like 'Sambora sambho idhu jimbora jimbo'.

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Trivia

The film 'Vazhkkai Chakkaram' (1990) stars Sathyaraj and Gautami in lead roles, directed by P. N. Ramachandar. The music for the film was composed by S. A. Rajkumar, featuring popular folk-infused melodies typical of Tamil cinema in the early 1990s.

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