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Rojavin Raja album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Janaganin Magalai Sad

From Rojavin Raja · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Rojavin Raja
Movie release year
1976
Lyrics added on
5 Mar 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Janaganin magalai manamagalaaga
Raman ninaithirunthaan
Rajaraman ninaithirunthaan
Aval suyamvaram kolla
Mannavar silarum
Midhilaikku vandhirundhaar
Midhilaikku vandhirundhaar
Janaganin magalai manamagalaaga
Raman ninaithirunthaan
Rajaraman ninaithirunthaan
Nenjai maraithaal ninaivai maraithaal
Kangalai maraikkavillai
Aval manjal mugathil odiya kanneer
Maraithum maraiya villai
Munivan mun puram sreeraman pinpuram
Seethai thaniyidam aval sindhai avanidam
Mannavar ellaam suyam varam naadi
Mandapam vandhu vittar
Oru mannavan yaaro villai eduthaan
Janaki kalangi vittaal
To make Janaka's daughter his bride,
Rama had dreamed,
King Rama had dreamed.
To win her hand in the Swayamvara (groom-choosing ceremony),
Several kings
Had arrived in Mithila.
Had arrived in Mithila.
To make Janaka's daughter his bride,
Rama had dreamed,
King Rama had dreamed.
She hid her heart, she hid her thoughts,
Yet she could not hide her eyes.
The tears flowing down her bright face
Would not stay hidden, though she tried.
The sage stood in front and Sri Rama behind,
Sita stood alone, but her heart was with him.
All the kings, hoping to win her hand,
Arrived at the hall.
When some king picked up the bow,
Janaki's heart grew deeply troubled.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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