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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Hei Raja Rathirikku

From Pillai Pasam · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. Janaki, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Pillai Pasam1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
…………………………....
Female
Haei raajaa raathirikkuHey king, for the night,
Paattu paada vaaCome to sing a song,
Poo maalai kaathirukkuA flower garland is waiting,
Tholil sooda vaaCome to wear it on your shoulders.
Naan thaan nee padikkira naal yeduI am the daily journal that you read,
Dhaagam theerthu vaikkiraQuenching your deep thirst,
Thaen koodu vaaiyaaA honeycomb, come my love!
Chorus
Haei raajaa raathirikkuHey king, for the night,
Paattu paada vaaCome to sing a song,
Poo maalai kaathirukkuA flower garland is waiting,
Tholil sooda vaaCome to wear it on your shoulders.
Female
Padhi maeniyaiThe eyes that saw
Paartha kangalaeHalf of my body,
Meedhi maeniTo see the rest of my body,
Paarppadhindha naal thaanaeIsn't today the day?
Paal nilaavilae paai virikkaiyilWhen spreading a mat under the milky moonlight,
Neeyum vandhuYou too come
Saaivadhindha thol thaanaeAnd lean on this shoulder, isn't it?
Female
Neela vanna odaiyilIn the blue-colored stream,
Neengidaadha aasaiyilWith unyielding desire,
Neechal poda neram aachuIt is time to take a swim.
Chorus
Neela vanna odaiyilIn the blue-colored stream,
Neengidaadha aasaiyilWith unyielding desire,
Neechal poda neram aachuIt is time to take a swim.
Female
Gopaalan…Oh Gopala...
Raadhaiyodu bodhaiyoduWith Radha, in intoxication,
Chorus :Geethai ondruChorus: A melody of Gita,
Koora vendumMust be recited,
Female
Kettaalae..Upon listening...
Thaenum paalumHoney and milk,
Melum melumMore and more,
Chorus :Maeni engumChorus: All over the body,
Oora vaendumShould soak and drench.
Female
Veru velaiNo other work
Yedhum illaiIs there at all,
Kaalai maalaiMorning and evening,
Kkaadhal leelai yeraalamPlayful love acts are plenty!
Chorus
Haeiii….Hey...
Haei raajaa raathirikkuHey king, for the night,
Paattu paada vaaCome to sing a song,
Poo maalai kaathirukkuA flower garland is waiting,
Tholil sooda vaaCome to wear it on your shoulders.
Female
Vetkam enbadhuThe shyness that came along,
Kooda vandhadhuAccompanying me,
Unnai kanduUpon seeing you,
Oivu petru poyaachuHas taken a permanent rest.
Mogam enbadhuInfatuation,
Yaarai vittadhuWhom has it ever spared?
Aadhi andhamBeginning and end,
Undhan sondham aayaachuHave all become your domain.
Female
Dheva logam thandhadhuGranted by the heavenly realm,
Paarijaadha poovidhuIs this Parijata flower,
Vandu vandhu paada vendumThe honeybee must come and sing.
Chorus
Dheva logam thandhadhuGranted by the heavenly realm,
Paarijaadha poovidhuIs this Parijata flower,
Vandu vandhu paada vendumThe honeybee must come and sing.
Female
Raappodhil…In the nighttime...
Kaadhal saedhiLove's tidings,
Kaadhil konjamWhispered softly in the ear,
Chorus :Meedham indriChorus: Without leaving anything behind,
Pesa vendumMust be spoken.
Female
: Thoongaamal…Without sleeping...
ThuvandidaamalWithout tiring,
NeengidaamalWithout separating,
Chorus :Neenda neramChorus: For a long time,
Aada vendumWe must dance.
Female
Kelvi ketka neram illaiThere is no time to ask questions,
Sorga vaasal dhooram illaiHeaven's gate is not far away,
Vaaiyaa vaaCome, oh come!
Chorus
Haeiiii…Hey...
Female
Haei raajaa raathirikkuHey king, for the night,
Paattu paada vaaCome to sing a song,
Poo maalai kaathirukkuA flower garland is waiting,
Tholil sooda vaaCome to wear it on your shoulders.
Naan thaan nee padikkira naal yeduI am the daily journal that you read,
Dhaagam theerthu vaikkiraQuenching your deep thirst,
Thaen koodu vaaiyaaA honeycomb, come my love!
Chorus
Haei raajaa raathirikkuHey king, for the night,
Paattu paada vaaCome to sing a song,
Poo maalai kaathirukkuA flower garland is waiting,
Tholil sooda vaaCome to wear it on your shoulders.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Haei Raajaa Raathirikku' is a sensuous and passionate nocturnal duet/soliloquy in which the female protagonist invites her lover to embrace intimacy. Using alluring imagery, she compares herself to a daily journal waiting to be read, a honeycomb quenching thirst, and a celestial Parijata flower waiting for its honeybee. She addresses him affectionately as her king and 'Gopala' (Lord Krishna), framing their passion through divine allegories.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Naan thaan nee padikkira naal yedu / Dhaagam theerthu vaikkira / Thaen koodu vaaiyaa

The speaker metaphorically compares herself to a daily journal ('naal yedu') to be explored and a honeycomb ('thaen koodu') that quenches passion.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Dheva logam thandhadhu / Paarijaadha poovidhu / Vandu vandhu paada vendum

The woman compares herself to the divine heavenly flower Parijata and her beloved to a honeybee ('vandu').

Monai (First-letter Alliteration)

Neela vanna odaiyil / Neengidaadha aasaiyil / Neechal poda neram aachu

The repetition of the initial 'Nee' (நீ) sound across consecutive lines enhances the rhythmic flow.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Padhi maeniyai... / Meedhi maeni...

The second consonant 'dhi' (தி) rhymes in 'Padhi' and 'Meedhi'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Pillai Paasam' (1991) is a Tamil drama film starring Ramarajan and Gautami in lead roles. The soundtrack was composed by Deva, and veteran lyricist Vaali penned the lyrics, infusing mythological imagery of Radha and Krishna (Gopala, Geethai) into a romantic context.

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