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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aasai Raja Anbin Roja

From Kadamai · 1984

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Kadamai1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aasai rajaa anbin roja thonguBeloved king, rose of love, sleep
Konjam thoonguSleep a little
Pesi kondae veesum kattrae thoonguOh wind that blows while talking, sleep
Enna veembu thanthai paavam vanthu saerumWhat stubbornness! Poor father, sin will fall upon him
Thanthai paavam vanthu saerumPoor father, sin will fall upon him
Male
Aasai rajaa anbin roja thonguBeloved king, rose of love, sleep
Konjam thoongu….Sleep a little...
Male
Enna vendum thambithaanae indru uranguWhat do you need, dear brother? Sleep today
Naalai oru thambi undu nambi uranguTomorrow you will have a brother, sleep believing this
Enna vendum thambithaanae indru uranguWhat do you need, dear brother? Sleep today
Naalai oru thambi undu nambi uranguTomorrow you will have a brother, sleep believing this
Male
Sonnaal athu thappaathuIf I say it, it won't be wrong
Kannae thoongu ippothuMy darling, sleep now
Kanavai azhaiththu imaigalai saaththuInvite dreams and close your eyelids
Thaalaelo….thaalaelo…..thaalaelo…..thaalaelo…..Lullaby... lullaby... lullaby... lullaby...
Male
Aasai rajaa anbin roja thonguBeloved king, rose of love, sleep
Konjam thoonguSleep a little
Pesi kondae veesum kattrae thoonguOh wind that blows while talking, sleep
Enna veembu thanthai paavam vanthu saerumWhat stubbornness! Poor father, sin will fall upon him
Thanthai paavam vanthu saerumPoor father, sin will fall upon him
Male
Aasai rajaa anbin roja thonguBeloved king, rose of love, sleep
Konjam thoongu…..Sleep a little...
Female
Thanthai unnai thoonga solli thatti koduppaarFather will pat you to make you sleep
Illaiyendraal kaiyil indru laththi eduppaarOtherwise today he will pick up a baton in hand
Thanthai unnai thoonga solli thatti koduppaarFather will pat you to make you sleep
Illaiyendraal kaiyil indru laththi eduppaarOtherwise today he will pick up a baton in hand
Pinju kangal moodaathu kangal naangu thoongaathuTender eyes won't close, four eyes won't sleep
Alaigal irunthaal nadhi urangaathuIf there are waves, the river will not sleep
Thaalaelo….thaalaelo…..thaalaelo…..thaalaelo…..Lullaby... lullaby... lullaby... lullaby...
Female
Aasai rajaa anbin roja thonguBeloved king, rose of love, sleep
Konjam thoonguSleep a little
Pesi kondae veesum kattrae thoonguOh wind that blows while talking, sleep
Enna veembu thanthai paavam vanthu saerumWhat stubbornness! Poor father, sin will fall upon him
Thanthai paavam vanthu saerumPoor father, sin will fall upon him
Female
Ammaa kaiyil intha paiyan kuttu paduvanAt mother's hand this boy will get a tap on the head
Aththai sonnaal saththamindri kattuppaduvaanIf aunt speaks, he will quietly obey
Ammaa kaiyil intha paiyan kuttu paduvanAt mother's hand this boy will get a tap on the head
Aththai sonnaal saththamindri kattuppaduvaanIf aunt speaks, he will quietly obey
Kattilengum mullaippooJasmine flowers all over the bed
Vendaam kannae pollaappuMy darling, don't cause trouble
Edhuvum nadakkum thalli vittu thoonguAnything can happen, step aside and sleep
Thaalaelo….thaalaelo…..thaalaelo…..thaalaelo…..Lullaby... lullaby... lullaby... lullaby...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a playful yet gentle Tamil lullaby sung to put a stubborn child to sleep. The singer lovingly calls the child 'Aasai Raja' (beloved king) and 'Anbin Roja' (rose of love), using various gentle threats and promises, such as promising a younger brother tomorrow or warning that the father might bring out a baton if he stays awake. Beneath the charming parental cajoling, the lyrics humorously hint at the parents wanting privacy on a bed covered in jasmine flowers, playfully asking the young boy to step aside and go to sleep without causing trouble.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Aasai rajaa anbin roja thongu

Compares the child affectionately to a beloved king ('Aasai rajaa'), a rose of love ('anbin roja'), and a talking wind ('pesi kondae veesum kattrae').

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Ammaa kaiyil intha paiyan kuttu paduvan / Aththai sonnaal saththamindri kattuppaduvaan

The second letters of 'kuttu paduvan' and 'kattuppaduvaan' rhyme ('tt'), enhancing rhythm.

Metaphor / Nature Analogy

Alaigal irunthaal nadhi urangaathu

Uses the image of a river unable to sleep due to constant waves as a metaphor for restless mind and eyes that refuse to shut.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Enna vendum thambithaanae indru urangu / Naalai oru thambi undu nambi urangu

Repeated use of 'urangu' and 'thoongu' at the end of poetic lines for lullaby cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by lyricist Vairamuthu, this song blends traditional Tamil lullaby phonetics ('Thaalaelo') with witty, contemporary domestic humor characteristic of 1980s Tamil cinema situational songs.

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