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Dharma Yuddham album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Aagaya Gangai

From Dharma Yuddham · 1979

Lyricists
Not listed
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Dharma Yuddham
Movie release year
1979
Lyrics added on
13 Mar 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
…………………………………..
Aagaya gangai
Poonthaen malar soodi
Pon maan vizhi thedi
Medai katti melam thatti
Paadudhae mangalam
Naadudhae sangamam
Kunguma theril naan
Thediya devan seetha pugazh
Raman thaalam thottu raagam
Thottu paaduvaan mangalam
Naaduvaan sangamam
Kaadhal nenjil
Hey hey hey hey
Mela thaalam
Oh oh oh oh
Kaadhal nenjil
Hey hey hey hey
Mela thaalam
Ha ha ha ha
Kaalai velai paadum boobalam
Manna ini un tholilae
Padarum kodi naanae paruva poo thaanae
Poo manjam un meni
En naalil arangerumo
Kunguma theril
Naan thediya devan
Seetha pugazh raman
Medai katti melam thatti
Paaduvaan mangalam
Naaduvaan sangamam
…………………………………….
{ Thevai yaavum
Hey hey hey hey
Therindha pinnum
Ho ho ho ho } (2)
Poovai nenjil
Naanam poraadum
Oor koodiyae uravaanadhum
Tharuven pala nooru
Paruga kani chaaru
Thaliraadho en meni
Thaangaadhu un mogam
Aagaya gangai poonthaen
Malar soodi pon maan vizhi thedi
Thaalam thottu raagam thottu
Paaduvaan mangalam naaduvaan sangamam
...
The celestial Ganges,
Adorned with honey-sweet flowers,
Searching for eyes like a golden deer,
Raising a stage, beating the ceremonial drums,
It sings an auspicious tune,
It seeks a divine union.
In a vermilion chariot,
The divine lord I sought, like Rama of Sita's fame,
Touching the rhythm and the melody,
He will touch and sing an auspicious song,
He will seek a divine union.
In the loving heart,
Hey hey hey hey,
The beat of auspicious drums,
Oh oh oh oh,
In the loving heart,
Hey hey hey hey,
The beat of auspicious drums,
Ha ha ha ha,
The morning hour sings the Boopalam raga,
Oh King, henceforth upon your shoulders,
I am the vine that entwines, a blossom in full bloom,
A floral bed is your body,
On which day will our love be unveiled?
In the vermilion chariot,
The divine lord I sought,
Rama of Sita's renown,
Raising a stage, beating the ceremonial drums,
He will sing an auspicious song,
He will seek a divine union.
...
Even when every need,
Hey hey hey hey,
Is clearly understood,
Ho ho ho ho,
In this maiden's flower-like heart,
Shyness wages a gentle war.
Once the whole town gathers and unites us,
I will give hundreds of delights,
Sweet fruit nectar for you to sip,
Will my tender body not blossom?
Your passion will grow overwhelming!
The celestial Ganges, adorned with honey-sweet
Flowers, searching for eyes like a golden deer,
Touching the rhythm and touching the tune,
He will sing an auspicious song and seek a divine union.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Aagaya Gangai is a classic romantic duet expressing romantic longing, deep emotional attachment, and the joy of marital union. The heroine compares her beloved to Lord Rama and herself to Sita, anticipating the sacred bond of marriage. Through evocative poetic imagery—such as morning ragas, creeping vines, flower beds, and divine rivers—the song conveys passion tempered by bashfulness, celebrating the eternal harmony of two merging souls.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

End Rhyme (Iyaibu Todai)

“Paadudhae mangalam / Naadudhae sangamam”

The lines end with identical rhyming suffixes like 'Paadudhae mangalam' and 'Naadudhae sangamam' creating a rhythmic musical flow.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

“Padarum kodi naanae paruva poo thaanae”

Comparing the heroine to a spreading vine ('padarum kodi') and a youthful flower ('paruva poo') to signify her grace and vulnerability.

Mythological Allusion

“Thediya devan seetha pugazh raman”

Referencing the legendary devotion between Lord Rama and Sita to idealize the love between the protagonists.

Alliteration (Moonaidhodai)

“Medai katti melam thatti”

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Medai' and 'Melam' or 'Thaalam' and 'Thottu'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. Janaki and Malaysia Vasudevan, this iconic track from Dharma Yuddham (1979) is set predominantly in the Ahiri / Sindooraganam-influenced melodic structure. It picturizes Rajinikanth and Sridevi, who were one of Tamil cinema's most celebrated onscreen couples.

Keep listening

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