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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aathangaraiyil Oru Rosa

From Orey Muththam · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, P. Jayachandran
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Orey Muththam1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aaththangaraiyil oru rosa chinna rosaA rose, a little rose on the riverbank,
Ennai alli anaikka sollichchuTold me to gather and embrace it.
Konjam pakkaththil vara sollichchuAsked me to come a little closer,
Ennai parththu rasikka sollichchuAsked me to look at it and admire it.
Chorus
Aaththangaraiyil oru rosa chinna rosaA rose, a little rose on the riverbank,
Ennai alli anaikka sollichchuTold me to gather and embrace it.
Male
Poovai parichchen ponnaaga ninaichenI plucked the flower, treasuring it like gold,
Poopola naan anaichchenI held it gently like a delicate bloom.
Vaasamo ennai vaattuthuYet its sweet fragrance torments me,
Oru vandattam naan thavichenI squirmed restlessly like a trapped bee.
Male
Nalla santhanaththu kaaleduththuStepping forward with sandalwood-smooth feet,
Ennarugil nadakkaiyilWhen walking right beside me,
Enni enni naan thudichchenMy heart throbbed with endless anticipation.
Naan dhinam dhinam thookkaththai maranthaachchuDay after day, I forgot all about sleep,
Manam un ninaippil kalanthaachchuMy mind blended entirely into thoughts of you.
Chorus
Aaththangaraiyil oru rosa chinna rosaA rose, a little rose on the riverbank,
Ennai alli anaikka sollichchuTold me to gather and embrace it.
Female
Aadiperukku aiyyaa un nenaippuLike the swelling Aadi flood, oh dear, is the rush of your thoughts,
Aaraaga kadhakadhappu aarumo manam therumoA river of comforting warmth—will my heart cool down or find solace?
Idhu aaraatti un poruppuTo soothe and comfort this heart is your responsibility.
Female
Chinna kanni manam pinju manamThe heart of a young maiden is a tender, innocent heart,
Konji vanthu sirikkuthuIt comes cooing playfully with a smile,
Enna idhu un rasippuWhat kind of deep appreciation is this of yours?
Naan kanavilae kanda sugam palichchaachuThe joy I once experienced in dreams has now blossomed into reality,
Adhu nejaminnu therinchaachuIt has been revealed to be true.
Female
Aaththangaraiyil oru raja chinna rajaOn the riverbank, a prince, a charming prince,
Vanthu kanna simmitti ninnuchchuCame, stood nearby, and winked his eyes,
Konjam kaiya pudikka sollichchuAsked me to gently hold his hand,
Enna katti anaikka sollichchuAsked me to wrap my arms around him in an embrace.
Chorus
……………....
Male
Aassai manasu ammaadi pudhusu aalaana ilam vayasuA yearning heart, oh my, brand new, in the prime of youth,
Female :Aaduthu dhinam paaduthu idhu vaadaatha pudhu sogusuFemale: It dances and sings every day, an unfading fresh elegance.
Male :Muththu pallirukku muththazhagu sollirukkuMale: Sparkling pearl-like teeth and pearl-like sweetness in speech,
Mayakkuthu kattazhagu siru vayasuYour sculpted beauty and youthful charm mesmerize me.
Female :Nee mella mella punnagaiyil virattaathaeFemale: Do not tease and drive me wild with your gentle smile,
Intha kanni manam porukkaathaeThis maiden heart cannot bear such sweet torture.
Chorus
Thanthaana thaanathantha thaanaa thantha naanaaThanthaana thaanathantha thaanaa thantha naanaa
Thaana thaanaa thanana thanthaanaaThaana thaanaa thanana thanthaanaa
Thanthaana thaanathantha thaanaa thantha naanaaThanthaana thaanathantha thaanaa thantha naanaa
Thaana thaanaa thanana thanthaanaaThaana thaanaa thanana thanthaanaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet depicts the playful and passionate affection between two young lovers meeting along a scenic riverbank. The song uses rich sensory metaphors, comparing the heroine to a delicate riverbank rose and the hero to a prince, as they express their deep longing, innocent excitement, and the sleepless joy of falling in love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Aaththangaraiyil oru rosa chinna rosa

The lover is metaphorically referred to as 'chinna rosa' (a little rose) and 'chinna raja' (a little king) to denote youth, delicacy, and royalty.

Simile (Upamaana)

Oru vandattam naan thavichen

The lover's restlessness is compared to a bee trapped around a fragrant flower using 'vandattam' (like a bee).

Repetition/Anaphora (Adukku Thodar)

Naan dhinam dhinam thookkaththai maranthaachchu

Words like 'dhinam dhinam' and 'mella mella' are repeated to emphasize rhythm and continuous emotion.

Imagery (Uvamai)

Aadiperukku aiyyaa un nenaippu

Comparing the rush of memories to the flooding river during the 'Aadiperukku' festival.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by the legendary poet Kannadasan for the 1980 movie 'Orey Muththam'. It features the harmonious duet performance of legendary singers P. Susheela and P. Jayachandran.

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