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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aagaya Gangai

From Dharma Yuddham · 1979

Lyricists
Not listed
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Dharma Yuddham1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
…………………………………..
Male
Aagaya gangaiThe heavenly Ganges
Poonthaen malar soodiAdorned with sweet honey-dripping flowers
Male
Pon maan vizhi thediSearching for the golden deer-like eyes
Medai katti melam thattiErecting a stage, beating the drums
Paadudhae mangalamIt sings of auspiciousness
Naadudhae sangamamIt seeks the sacred union
Female
Kunguma theril naanIn the saffron chariot, I
Thediya devan seetha pugazhThe lord I sought, praised like Rama of Sita
Raman thaalam thottu raagamTouching the rhythm, touching the melody
Thottu paaduvaan mangalamHe will sing auspiciousness
Naaduvaan sangamamHe will seek the union
Male
Kaadhal nenjilIn the loving heart
Female
Hey hey hey heyHey hey hey hey
Male
Mela thaalamRhythmic beat of the drums
Female
Oh oh oh ohOh oh oh oh
Male
Kaadhal nenjilIn the loving heart
Female
Hey hey hey heyHey hey hey hey
Male
Mela thaalamRhythmic beat of the drums
Female
Ha ha ha haHa ha ha ha
Male
Kaalai velai paadum boobalamSinging the morning raga Boopalam
Female
Manna ini un tholilaeO King, hereafter upon your shoulders
Padarum kodi naanae paruva poo thaanaeI am the creeping vine, I am the youthful flower
Male
Poo manjam un meniYour body is a bed of flowers
En naalil arangerumoOn which day will it debut?
Female
Kunguma therilIn the saffron chariot
Naan thediya devanThe lord I searched for
Seetha pugazh ramanRama praised by Sita
Male
Medai katti melam thattiErecting a stage, beating the drums
Female
Paaduvaan mangalamHe will sing auspiciousness
Naaduvaan sangamamHe will seek the union
Female
…………………………………….
Female
{ Thevai yaavumAll that is needed
Male
Hey hey hey heyHey hey hey hey
Female
Therindha pinnumEven after knowing it all
Male
Ho ho ho ho } (2)Ho ho ho ho
Female
Poovai nenjilIn this flower-like woman's heart
Naanam poraadumShyness struggles inside
Male
Oor koodiyae uravaanadhumOnce the town gathers and legitimizes our bond
Tharuven pala nooruI shall grant hundreds of delights
Paruga kani chaaruThe sweet fruit juice to drink
Female
Thaliraadho en meniWill my tender frame not bloom with joy?
Thaangaadhu un mogamYour passion cannot be restrained
Male
Aagaya gangai poonthaenThe heavenly Ganges, sweet honey
Malar soodi pon maan vizhi thediAdorned with flowers, searching for golden deer eyes
Female
Thaalam thottu raagam thottuTouching the rhythm, touching the melody
Paaduvaan mangalam naaduvaan sangamamHe will sing auspiciousness, seeking the union

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

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