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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Janaganin Magalai

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 of her so.
Janaganin magalai manamagalaagaRama envisioned King Janaka's daughter as his bride,
Raman ninaithirunthaanRama had thought of her so,
Rajaraman ninaithirunthaanKing Rama had thought of her so.
Female
Aval suyamvaram kollaTo attend her Swayamvaram (groom choice ceremony),
Mannavar silarumA few kings
Midhilaikku vandhirundhaarHad arrived in Mithila.
Aval suyamvaram kollaTo attend her Swayamvaram,
Mannavar silarumA few 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 of her so,
Rajaraman ninaithirunthaanKing Rama had thought of her so.
Female
Mani muthu maanikka madathil irunthuFrom the balcony embellished with gems, pearls, and rubies,
Jaanaki paarthirunthaalJanaki stood watching.
Mani muthu maanikka madathil irunthuFrom the balcony embellished with gems, pearls, and rubies,
Jaanaki paarthirunthaalJanaki stood watching.
Iru mai vizhi sivakka malaradi kothikkaWith her kohl-lined eyes turning red and flower-like feet burning with anticipation,
Ramanai thedi nindraalShe stood searching for Rama.
Iru mai vizhi sivakka malaradi kothikkaWith her kohl-lined eyes turning red and flower-like feet burning with anticipation,
Ramanai thedi nindraalShe stood searching for Rama.
Naanam oru puram aasai oru puramShyness on one side, desire on another side,
Kavalai maru puram aval nilamai thiripuramAnxiety on the other side—her state was like a burning city.
Female
Kothikindra moochu maalaiyil vilunthuHer boiling breath fell upon her necklace,
Maniyum karugiyatheAnd even the beads scorched.
Aval koonthalil irundha malarumThe flower in her tresses
Janaki nilamaiku urugiyadhaeMelted seeing Janaki's plight.
Female
Janaganin magalai manamagalaagaRama envisioned King Janaka's daughter as his bride,
Raman ninaithirunthaanRama had thought of her so.
Female
Nenjai maraithaal ninaivai maraithaalThough she hid her heart and hid her thoughts,
Kangalai maraikkavillaiShe could not hide her eyes.
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-adorned face,
Maraithum maraiya villaiRemained unhidden despite her efforts.
Munivan mun puram sreeraman pinpuramThe sage walked ahead while Lord Rama followed behind,
Seethai thaniyidam aval sindhai avanidamSita was in her private chamber, but her thoughts were with him.
Female
Mannavar ellaam suyam varam naadiAll the kings arrived at the pavilion
Mandapam vandhu vittarSeeking her hand at the Swayamvaram.
Oru mannavan yaaro villai eduthaanWhen some unknown king lifted the sacred bow,
Janaki kalangi vittaalJanaki panicked with distress,
Janaki kalangi vittaalJanaki panicked with distress.
Female
Janaganin magalai manamagalaagaRama envisioned King Janaka's daughter as his bride,
Raman ninaithirunthaanRama had thought of her so,
Rajaraman ninaithirunthaanKing Rama had thought of her so.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic Kannadasan lyric narrates Sita's intense emotion and anxiety during the Swayamvaram event described in the Ramayana. Rama has set his mind on marrying Janaki (Sita), while kings gather in Mithila to win her hand by attempting to lift the mighty bow. Sita watches the assembly from her balcony, consumed by mixed feelings of love, shyness, and agony over whether Rama will be the one to break the bow and win her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor / Hyperbole (Uvamai / Uyarchinavarchi)

Kothikindra moochu maalaiyil vilunthu Maniyum karugiyathe

Her fiery, anxious breath is hyperbolically described as hot enough to scorch the beads of her necklace.

Rhyme / Alliteration (Monai / Ethirai)

Nenjai maraithaal ninaivai maraithaal Kangalai maraikkavillai

Kannadasan utilizes rhythmic rhyme patterns ('maraithaal', 'maraikkavillai') to emphasize Sita's inability to conceal her love through her eyes.

Personification

Aval koonthalil irundha malarum Janaki nilamaiku urugiyadhae

The flower residing in her hair is personified as feeling empathy and melting at Sita's distressed state.

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Trivia

The song is composed by the legendary M. S. Vishwanathan for the film 'Rojavin Raja' (1976), starring Sivaji Ganesan and Vaniisri. Sung flawlessly by P. Susheela, Kannadasan brings traditional epic storytelling from Ramayana into a cinematic context through classical Tamil imagery.

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