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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Janaganin Magalai Sad

From Rojavin Raja · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Rojavin Raja1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Janaganin magalai manamagalaagaRama envisioned King Janaka's daughter as his bride,
Raman ninaithirunthaanRama had thought so,
Rajaraman ninaithirunthaanKing Rama had envisioned so.
Female
Aval suyamvaram kollaFor her groom choice ceremony,
Mannavar silarumSeveral kings
Midhilaikku vandhirundhaarHad arrived in Mithila,
Midhilaikku vandhirundhaarHad arrived in Mithila.
Female
Janaganin magalai manamagalaagaRama envisioned King Janaka's daughter as his bride,
Raman ninaithirunthaanRama had thought so,
Rajaraman ninaithirunthaanKing Rama had envisioned so.
Female
Nenjai maraithaal ninaivai maraithaalThough she hid her heart and hid her thoughts,
Kangalai maraikkavillaiShe could not hide her eyes.
Aval manjal mugathil odiya kanneerThe tears flowing down her turmeric-tinted face
Maraithum maraiya villaiCould not be hidden despite her effort.
Munivan mun puram sreeraman pinpuramThe sage walked in front and Sri Rama walked behind,
Seethai thaniyidam aval sindhai avanidamSita stood alone in her place, but her thoughts rested with him.
Female
Mannavar ellaam suyam varam naadiSeeking her hand in the swayamvaram, all the kings
Mandapam vandhu vittarHad arrived at the assembly hall.
Oru mannavan yaaro villai eduthaanWhen some unknown king lifted the bow,
Janaki kalangi vittaalJanaki became distressed and anxious.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song invokes the epic mythological event of Sita's Swayamvaram from the Ramayana as an emotional allegory. It portrays Lord Rama's silent desire to wed Janaka's daughter Sita and Sita's quiet devotion as kings gather in Mithila to win her hand. Though Sita tries to conceal her anxieties, her tears reveal her deep devotion to Rama. Her mind remains steadfastly attached to Rama while other kings assemble to try lifting the heavy bow, filling her with anxious anticipation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Nenjai maraithaal ninaivai maraithaal

Repetition of the initial 'N' sound in 'Nenjai' and 'ninaivai' creates rhythmic harmony.

Oxymoron / Paradox

Maraithum maraiya villai

The phrase 'Maraithum maraiya villai' translates to 'hidden yet not hidden', highlighting the emotional tension between trying to suppress tears and failing.

Visual Imagery

Aval manjal mugathil odiya kanneer

Kannadasan paints a vivid visual picture of turmeric-tinted beauty dampened by tears of anguish.

Anaphora / Repetition

Midhilaikku vandhirundhaar

The line 'Midhilaikku vandhirundhaar' is repeated to emphasize the grand arrival of suitors from afar.

Did you know?

Trivia

In the movie 'Rojavin Raja' (1976), starring Sivaji Ganesan and Vanisri, legendary lyricist Kannadasan uses Ramayana allegories to mirror the heroine's inner romantic devotion and anxiety through M. S. Vishwanathan's classical composition sung by P. Susheela.

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