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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Hai Rama

From Rangeela · 1995

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Swarnalatha, Hariharan
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Rangeela1995

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
………………………………
Female
Aaaa…..aaa…..aaa….aa….Aaaa…..aaa…..aaa….aa….
Hai rama or varamaOh Lord Rama! Is this longing a curse or a boon?
Kan moodavillai un nyabagamaMy eyes refuse to close, is it your memory that haunts me?
Male
Kan thoongamalWithout my eyes falling asleep,
Vaadum naatkalilin these withered days,
Poongaatrai neesend the gentle breeze
Thoothu viduas your messenger.
Female
Anbae… thendralMy love… this body remains untouched
Theendidaatha dhegamithueven by the gentle breeze,
Male
Ennai… noolaadai polaenow is the time to drape me over you
Soodum neramithulike a soft garment.
Female
Hai rama or varamaOh Lord Rama! Is this longing a curse or a boon?
Kan moodavillai un nyabagamaMy eyes refuse to close, is it your memory that haunts me?
Male
Kan thoongamalWithout my eyes falling asleep,
Vaadum naatkalilin these withered days,
Poongaatrai neesend the gentle breeze
Thoothu viduas your messenger.
Female
Anbae… thendralMy love… this body remains untouched
Theendidaatha dhegamithueven by the gentle breeze,
Male
Ennai… noolaadai polaenow is the time to drape me over you
Soodum neramithulike a soft garment.
Chorus
…………………………..
Female
Hmm… munnum pinnum thodaHmm… touching front and back,
Muthiraigal idaleaving passionate impressions,
Maeni mella thudikkindrathaethe body trembles softly.
Mutham ennum seithiThe news called a kiss,
Buthagathil orua single lip reads it
Paathi idhazh padikkindrathaelike a page in a book.
Male
Thedi endrum un vaasalukkuSearching always for your doorstep,
Varum neela aagaayamcomes the vast blue sky.
Inimel ingae en koonpiraikkuFrom now on, for my crescent moon here,
Yekkam theernthidumthe deep yearning shall end.
Female
Hai rama or varamaOh Lord Rama! Is this longing a curse or a boon?
Kan moodavillai un nyabagamaMy eyes refuse to close, is it your memory that haunts me?
Male
Kan thoongamalWithout my eyes falling asleep,
Vaadum naatkalilin these withered days,
Poongaatrai neesend the gentle breeze
Thoothu viduas your messenger.
Female
Anbae… thendralMy love… this body remains untouched
Theendidaatha dhegamithueven by the gentle breeze,
Male
Ennai… noolaadai polaenow is the time to drape me over you
Soodum neramithulike a soft garment.
Female
Hai rama or varamaOh Lord Rama! Is this longing a curse or a boon?
Kan moodavillai un nyabagamaMy eyes refuse to close, is it your memory that haunts me?
Male
Kan thoongamalWithout my eyes falling asleep,
Vaadum naatkalilin these withered days,
Poongaatrai neesend the gentle breeze
Thoothu viduas your messenger.
Male
Aadhi rendum thottuTouching from top to bottom,
Meetham micham indrileaving nothing behind,
Sernthaal athu aalinganamwhen united, that is a true embrace.
Acham vetkam vittuCasting aside fear and shyness,
Antharanga poojaiperforming an intimate secret ritual,
Seithaal athu aaraathanamif done, that is sacred worship.
Female
Ingu neengiPatterns that never fade
Vidaatha kolangalaway from here,
Nee podum thaalangalare the rhythms you create.
Hm en dhegam engumHm, all over my body,
Thaalaathaedo not torment me,
Poovai poovinaalthis flower-like girl with a flower.
Female
Hai rama or varamaOh Lord Rama! Is this longing a curse or a boon?
Kan moodavillai un nyabagamaMy eyes refuse to close, is it your memory that haunts me?
Male
Kan thoongamalWithout my eyes falling asleep,
Vaadum naatkalilin these withered days,
Poongaatrai neesend the gentle breeze
Thoothu viduas your messenger.
Female
Anbae… thendralMy love… this body remains untouched
Theendidaatha dhegamithueven by the gentle breeze,
Male
Ennai… noolaadai polaenow is the time to drape me over you
Soodum neramithulike a soft garment.
Female
Hai rama or varamaOh Lord Rama! Is this longing a curse or a boon?
Kan moodavillai un nyabagamaMy eyes refuse to close, is it your memory that haunts me?
Male
Kan thoongamalWithout my eyes falling asleep,
Vaadum naatkalilin these withered days,
Poongaatrai neesend the gentle breeze
Thoothu viduas your messenger.
Female
Anbae… thendralMy love… this body remains untouched
Theendidaatha dhegamithueven by the gentle breeze,
Male
Ennai… noolaadai polaenow is the time to drape me over you
Soodum neramithulike a soft garment.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Hai Rama' is an intensely passionate and sensuous song expressing intense romantic desire, physical intimacy, and emotional yearning. The lyrics portray a lover wrestling with sleepless nights caused by overwhelming memories, questioning whether this intense feeling is a divine blessing or a tormenting curse. Vairamuthu's rich Tamil poetry weaves imagery of nature, sacred rituals, and delicate touch to elevate physical desire into a sublime, almost spiritual experience. The emotional progression moves from restless longing to complete physical and emotional surrender. The act of love is metaphorically depicted as sacred worship ('Antharanga poojai'), where fear and hesitation dissolve into complete union ('aalinganam'). The song remains an iconic classic known for blending Indian classical musical elements with deeply evocative erotic poetry.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Ennai… noolaadai polae / Soodum neramithu

Compares the act of embracing the lover to wearing a delicate silk garment ('noolaadai polae').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Antharanga poojai / Seithaal athu aaraathanam

Compares intimate romantic lovemaking to a private sacred worship or ritual ('Antharanga poojai').

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Sernthaal athu aalinganam / Seithaal athu aaraathanam

The lines end with rhyming classical terms 'aalinganam' (embrace) and 'aaraathanam' (worship).

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Aadhi rendum thottu / Meetham micham indri

Demonstrates rhythm through Tamil poetic rhyme structure.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Hai Rama' from Rangeela (1995) was composed by A.R. Rahman and sung by Hariharan and Swarnalatha in both the original Hindi version and the Tamil dubbed soundtrack. Composed in the classical raga Pantuvarali (Kamavardhani), the track is celebrated as one of the finest Indian classical-fusion tracks of the 90s, renowned for its complex vocal improvisations and visually stunning picturization featuring Urmila Matondkar and Aamir Khan.

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