S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and K.J. Yesudas’s vibrant duet “Kattu Kuyilu,” AKA “Poda Ellam Vittu Thallu” from the iconic Tamil film Thalapathi (1991) starring Rajinikanth and Mammootty is a song that bursts with infectious energy and a deep appreciation for life’s simple joys. Forget your troubles, the song urges, and embrace the present moment like the carefree cuckoo that sings without care.
Valee and the legendary Ilaiyaraaja wrote the lyrics, which are lighthearted and thought-provoking. They encourage listeners to cast aside their worries (“Thavilai that thullikkittu, Kavalai vittu kattchaik kattu adaththan”) and revel in the shared happiness of the moment (“Yellorum moththaththilae sandhogs theppaththilae”).
But “Kattu Kuyilu” offers more than just a fleeting escape. It also celebrates the enduring power of true friendship. The chorus urges us to forget societal bonds and embrace the unwavering support of a close confidant (“Bhandham yenna sontham yenna poana yenna vandha yenna…Uravukkellam kavalappatta janmam nanilla”).
THALAPATHI (1991) MOVIE | KATTU KUYILU SONG LYRICS ENGLISH MEANING
Kattukkuyilu Manasukkulla
In the heart of the wild cuckoo,
Pattukkendrum Panjammillae Padaththan
There is no dearth of songs to sing.
Thavilai thattu thullikkittu
Beat the drums with exuberance,
Kavalai vittu kattchaik kattu adaththan
Forget all your worries, and get dressed to dance in joy.
Yellorum moththaththilae sandhoasha theppaththilae
Everyone altogether are afloat in happiness.
Thalladum naeraththilae ullasam nenjaththilae
At the time when things become unsteady, there is happiness in the heart.
Poada yellam vittuththallu
Hey dude! let go off everything!
Pazhasa yellam suttuththallu
Burn away all your old memories (which are not pleasant).
Pudhusa ippo porandhoamunnu
Think that you were re-born again now!
Payanam yengae poanalenna
Where ever this journey may take us to,
Padhai nooru analenna
Even if our paths diverge into a hundred other,
Thoattam vechchavan thanneer viduvan
The one who planted the garden (God who created human) will water and take care of it.
Summa nillada
Don’t worry, just bear it for now.
Oodhak katru veesa odambukkulla koosa
While the cool breeze blows and as the body ecstatically flinches,
Kuppa koolam paththavachchi kayalam
Let us make a bon-fire out of the trash, and dwell in the warmth.
Thai porakkum nalai vidiyum nalla vaelai
Tomorrow is the dawn of Thai (Tamil month for harvest), it marks the birth of good times.
Pongap palu vellam poalap payalam
Let the milk boil and overflow like a flood, and strike down all our miseries.
Achchu vellam pachcharisi vetti vechcha sengarumbu
The Jaggery, The raw rice and the harvested red sugarcane,
Aththanaiyum thiththikkira naldhan
it is the day when all these taste sweet.
Bhandham yenna sontham yenna poana yenna vandha yenna
What are bonds and relationships? what if they formed or broke?
Uravukkellam kavalappatta janmam nanilla
I am not the one who worries about these ties.
Pasam veikka naesam veikka thoazhan undu vazhaveikka
To show affection, to show love, I have my friend, who will take care of me.
Avanaiththavira uravukkaran yarum ingillaye
I do not have any other relation here, other than him!
Ullamattum nanaye Usiraik koodaththanae
Until I am alive, If my friend asks for even my breath,
Yen nanban kaetta vangikkannu solluvaen
I will readily give it to him.
Yen nanban poatta soaru nidhamum thinnaen paru
I survived of the food served by my friend every day.
Natpaik kooda karpaip poala yennuvaen
I treat my friendship to be as pure as chastity!
Soagam vittu sorgham thottu
Let go of your worries, reach for the heavens,
Ragam ittuth thalam ittu
With the melody and rhythm,
Pattup padum vanambadi namdhan
We sing the song like the nightingales.
KATTU KUYILU MUSIC VIDEO
The song ends on a high note, promising a future filled with sweetness and joy. As the Tamil harvest month of Thai dawns, let’s embrace the sweetness of life, with melodies and rhythms guiding us like the nightingales, fueled by the unwavering support of true friendship.
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| Movie | Thalapathi |
| Singer(s) | K. J. Yesudas, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| Lyrics Writer(s) | Valee |
| Music Composer(s) | Ilaiyaraaja |
| Actor(s) | Rajinikanth |