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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ada Va Va Raja

From Paattu Padava · 1995

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Paattu Padava1995

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaadhalae nee paduthum paadellaamOh love, all the suffering you cause,
Yettilae ezhuthilae ezhudhida koodumoCan it ever be captured in books or writing?
Serndhaalum nenjurugumThe heart melts even when united,
Pirindhaalum nenjurugumThe heart melts even when separated,
Vindhaiyilum vindhaiyadiOh, it is the wonder of wonders!
Male
Ada vaa vaa raajaa ennodu paadaCome, come my king, sing along with me,
Adhai ketkum ullam thannaalae aadaHearing that, the heart dances on its own.
Ennenna kaadhal paattukkalaeWhat varied love songs these are!
Indrum thodarudhu laila majnuvinEven today, Laila and Majnu's
Kaadhal kadhaigalae man meedhilaeLove stories continue on this earth.
Innum irukkudhu sikki thavikkudhuStill trapped and suffering,
Kaadhal siraiyilae nenjangalaeHearts remain in the prison of love.
Male
Ada vaa vaa raajaa ennodu paadaCome, come my king, sing along with me,
Adhai ketkum ullam thannaalae aadaHearing that, the heart dances on its own.
Male
Kalyaanam aagaadhaUnmarried,
Kaadhalum ingunduLove exists here too,
Kaadhalae illaadhaWithout any love,
Kalyaanamum ingunduMarriage exists here too.
Idhu pola nerndhaalum…mm….Even if it happens like this...
Neraamal irundhaalumOr even if it doesn't happen,
Kaadhal…lll… thodar kadhaiyaeLove is a continuous story!
Idhu vindhaiyilum…mmm…mmm..mm..This is the wonder...
VindhaiyadiOf wonders!
Male
Ada vaa vaa raajaa ennodu paadaCome, come my king, sing along with me,
Adhai ketkum ullam thannaalae aadaHearing that, the heart dances on its own.
Ennenna kaadhal paattukkalaeWhat varied love songs these are!
Indrum thodarudhu laila majnuvinEven today, Laila and Majnu's
Kaadhal kadhaigalae man meedhilaeLove stories continue on this earth.
Innum irukkudhu sikki thavikkudhuStill trapped and suffering,
Kaadhal siraiyilae nenjangalaeHearts remain in the prison of love.
Male
Ada vaa vaa raajaa ennodu paadaCome, come my king, sing along with me,
Adhai ketkum ullam thannaalae aadaHearing that, the heart dances on its own.
Male
Ullathil vaithu sollaamalKept inside the heart unspoken,
Pogum kaadhalLove that fades away;
Ullathai vittu veliyae sonnaalumEven if expressed out loud from the heart,
Sellaamal pogum kaadhalLove that fails to be accepted;
Male
Ulagae thiranduEven if the whole world gathers
Edhirthu nindraalumAnd stands in opposition,
Vetri maalai soodum kaadhalLove that wears the garland of victory;
Maalai soodi kondaalumEven after wearing the wedding garland,
Oruvarukkoruvar manamA love where two hearts
Porundhaadha kaadhalRemain incompatible;
Eththanai eththanai kaadhaladi…How many, how many kinds of love, my dear...
Idhu vindhaiyilum…mmm..mmm..mmmThis is the wonder...
VindhaiyadiOf wonders!
Male
Ada vaa vaa raajaa ennodu paadaCome, come my king, sing along with me,
Adhai ketkum ullam thannaalae aadaHearing that, the heart dances on its own.
Ennenna kaadhal paattukkalaeWhat varied love songs these are!
Male
Ada vaa vaa raajaa ennodu paadaCome, come my king, sing along with me,
Adhai ketkum ullam thannaalae aadaHearing that, the heart dances on its own.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song explores the multifaceted, complex, and paradoxical nature of love. Lyricist Vaali captures how love brings deep emotional agony whether lovers are united or separated, hailing love as an eternal mystery. The verses contrast various realities of love: unspoken feelings, unrequited expressions, marriages devoid of affection, romantic bonds without marriage, triumphant love overcoming world opposition, and incompatible marriages.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis / Contrast (Muran)

Serndhaalum nenjurugum / Pirindhaalum nenjurugum

Contrasts the emotional state of being united versus being separated, showing how both cause the heart to melt.

Irony / Paradox

Kalyaanam aagaadha Kaadhalum ingundu / Kaadhalae illaadha Kalyaanamum ingundu

Juxtaposes love existing without marriage against marriage existing without love.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Kaadhal siraiyilae nenjangalae

Compares love to a prison ('Kaadhal sirai') where hearts remain trapped.

Alliteration / Monai

Kaadhal kadhaigalae man meedhilae

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'K' (Kaadhal, Kadhaigalae).

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1995 musical film 'Paattu Padava', directed by R. Sundarrajan. Featuring music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, the track uses rich philosophical lyrics penned by Vaali to dissect the various shades and paradoxes of human romantic relationships.

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