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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Hey Radhaiye Naan

From Kunguma Kodu · 1988

Lyricist
S. A. Rajkumar
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vidhya
Music director
S. A. Rajkumar
Movie name
Kunguma Kodu
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
7 Sept 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Hae raadhaiyae naan kannanae
Hae raadhaiyae naan kannanae
Yen innum mounam kel krishna gaanam
Yen innum mounam kel krishna gaanam
Needhaane en brindhaavanam
Hae raadhaiyae naan kannanae
Hae hae raadhaiyae naan kannanae
Nee dhaan endhan dheva dhevi
Naanoo vaasal thaedum paavi
Nee dhaan endhan dheva dhevi
Naanoo vaasal thaedum paavi
Vaai thiranthu kaadhal vaakku solla vendumae
Vaalibangal vaazha vendumae
Vaai thiranthu kaadhal vaakku solla vendumae
Vaalibangal vaazha vendumae
Paadava paadava anbu ondru kenjukkindrathae
Hae raadhaiyae naan kannanae
Hae raadhaiyae naan kannanae
Pogum paadhai engu pogum
Kaadhal endra ooril saerum
Pogum paadhai engu pogum
Kaadhal endra ooril saerum
Kannanukkum mannanukkum
Kaadhal vandhadhaal
Kaaviyangal indru vandhathu
Kannanukkum mannanukkum
Kaadhal vandhadhaal
Kaaviyangal indru vandhathu
Naanoru yaasagan kaadhal pitchai poda vendumae
Hae devanae poo thooramae
Hae devanae poo thooramae
Paadhai illadha ooril kaadhal selladhu thaeril
Paadhai illadha ooril kaadhal selladhu thaeril
Poongaatru polladhadhu
Hae devanae poo thooramae
Hae devanae poo thooramae
Hey Radha, I am Krishna!
Hey Radha, I am Krishna!
Why this silence still? Listen to Krishna's song.
Why this silence still? Listen to Krishna's song.
You alone are my Vrindavan!
Hey Radha, I am Krishna!
Hey, hey Radha, I am Krishna!
You are my divine goddess,
and I am a humble sinner searching for your doorstep.
You are my divine goddess,
and I am a humble sinner searching for your doorstep.
You must open your lips and speak words of love,
so that our youth may truly live.
You must open your lips and speak words of love,
so that our youth may truly live.
Shall I sing? Shall I sing? My love is pleading with you.
Hey Radha, I am Krishna!
Hey Radha, I am Krishna!
Where will this path lead?
It will reach the land of love.
Where will this path lead?
It will reach the land of love.
Because Krishna and mighty kings
fell in love,
great epic stories were born.
Because Krishna and mighty kings
fell in love,
great epic stories were born.
I am a beggar; you must give me the alms of your love.
Oh my lord, this flower is far out of reach.
Oh my lord, this flower is far out of reach.
To a town without a path, love cannot travel in a chariot.
To a town without a path, love cannot travel in a chariot.
The gentle breeze can be cruel.
Oh my lord, this flower is far out of reach.
Oh my lord, this flower is far out of reach.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This romantic song draws upon mythological imagery, comparing the lovers to Radha and Krishna. The male protagonist pleads with his beloved to break her silence and express her feelings, describing himself as a humble seeker asking for the 'alms' of her love. He reflects on how love has historically inspired legendary epics and transformed divine and royal beings alike. As the song progresses, the tone shifts slightly towards the challenges of love, acknowledging that romantic journeys are not always smooth—just as a chariot cannot traverse a town without proper roads. It balances passionate romantic devotion with a grounded realization of the trials inherent in love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Needhaane en brindhaavanam

The speaker directly compares his beloved to 'Brindavan' (the sacred abode of Krishna), symbolizing her as his sanctuary and source of joy.

Metaphor

Naanoru yaasagan kaadhal pitchai poda vendumae

The lover describes himself as a beggar ('yaasagan') asking for love as alms ('pitchai').

Allusion

Hae raadhaiyae naan kannanae

Uses the legendary divine lovers Radha and Krishna to contextualize the deep devotional nature of his love.

Monai (Initial Rhyme/Alliteration)

Kannanukkum mannanukkum / Kaadhal vandhadhaal / Kaaviyangal indru vandhathu

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across consecutive lines creates rhythmic musicality.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics for this song were written by S. A. Rajkumar in the late 1980s, during the early phase of his career before he went on to become one of Tamil cinema's most popular music directors in the 1990s.

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