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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadal Raasaa Naan

From Maryan · 2013

Lyricist
Dhanush
Singer
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Maryan2013

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aadaadha kaalgalum aadumaiyaaEven feet that do not dance will dance, sir
Engal kaadhoram kadal puraa paadumaiyaaSea pigeons sing right near our ears, sir
Vangaala karai oram vaarumaiyaaPlease come to the shores of the Bay of Bengal, sir
Engal paaimara vilaiyaattai paarumaiyaaCome watch the playful motion of our sailboat, sir
Male
Komban suraa vaettai aadumThe one who hunts the tusked shark
Kadal raasaa naanI am the king of the ocean
Kadal raasaa naanI am the king of the ocean
Ratham sindhi muthu kulithidumShedding blood to dive for pearls
Kadal raasaa naan ….mariyan naanI am the king of the ocean... I am Maryan
Male
Nethili kozhambu vaada…The aroma of anchovy curry...
Hey hey hey hey…Hey hey hey hey...
Enga neerodi kaathellaamAll the breeze from our Neerody coastal lands
Veesum aiyaaBlows here, sir
Ae otha mara kallum uppu karuvaadumOh, the single-palm toddy and salted dried fish
Sitham kulirndhirum vaadaiyaiyaaBring a scent that soothes the mind, sir
Male
Yekkam konduFilled with deep yearning
Aavi azhudhidaAs my spirit weeps inside
Kobam konda vithaiyaiPerforming acts driven by anger
Kaattum komaali naanI am a clown displaying angry tricks
Male
Yekkam konduFilled with deep yearning
Aavi azhudhidaAs my spirit weeps inside
Kobam konda vithaiyaiPerforming acts driven by anger
Kaattum komaali naanI am a clown displaying angry tricks
Male
Komban suraa vaettai aadumThe one who hunts the tusked shark
Kadal raasaa naanI am the king of the ocean
Kadal raasaa naanI am the king of the ocean
Ratham sindhi muthu kulithidumShedding blood to dive for pearls
Kadal raasaa naan ….mariyan naan…I am the king of the ocean... I am Maryan...
Male
Naan othaiyil paadurenae thannaalaI am singing all alone by myself
Indha paalaivana paaraigalinIn front of these desert rocks
Munnaala… munnaala…In front... in front...
Naan othaiyil paadurenae thannaalaI am singing all alone by myself
Indha paalaivana paaraigalin munnaalaIn front of these desert rocks
Verum buthi ketta paavigal naduvaeIn the midst of pure heartless sinners
Polambum en uyirae uyirae…My soul laments, my beloved...
Male
Naan ooru vittu ooru vandhenI left my hometown and came far away
ThaniyaagaAll by myself
Ippa oonamaaga suthurenae adiyaeNow I wander around helpless and broken, my dear
En koottam varum ulla serum nenappulaThinking that my people will come and gather me
Thavichen pani malaraeI withered away yearning, my dew-dropped flower
Pani malarae pani malaraeDew-dropped flower, dew-dropped flower
Male
Komban suraa vaettai aadumThe one who hunts the tusked shark
Kadal raasaa naanI am the king of the ocean
Kadal raasaa naanI am the king of the ocean
Komban suraa vaettai aadumThe one who hunts the tusked shark
Kadal raasaa naanI am the king of the ocean
Kadal raasaa naanI am the king of the ocean

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kadal Raasa Naan' serves as an emotional and powerful monologue of the protagonist Maryan, a fearless fisherman from the coastal town of Neerody. The song brilliantly contrasts his past life—full of pride, freedom, and deep connection with the ocean—with his current miserable state as a captive surrounded by desolate desert rocks in Sudan. Through sensory memories of fish curry, toddy, sea breeze, and pearl diving, Maryan remembers his identity as the sovereign king of the ocean. In the desert, stripped of his pride, he feels like a helpless clown weeping internally while expressing rage, desperately calling out to his beloved ('Pani Malare') as he holds onto hope for freedom.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Kadal raasaa naan

The protagonist describes himself as 'Kadal raasaa' (King of the sea) to emphasize his absolute mastery and comfort in the ocean compared to his helplessness on land.

Juxtaposition / Contrast

Indha paalaivana paaraigalin munnaala

The lyrics contrast the wet, living coastal ecosystem ('Vangaala karai', 'Neerody kaathu') with the dry, dead wilderness of his captivity ('paalaivana paaraigalin munnaala').

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Thavichen pani malarae

The lover is metaphorically addressed as 'Pani malare' (dew-drop flower), highlighting her purity, delicate nature, and beauty amidst his harsh environment.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kadal Raasa Naan' from the movie Maryan (2013) features music composed by A.R. Rahman, lyrics written by actor Dhanush, and vocals rendered by composer Yuvan Shankar Raja. This song marks a celebrated rare collaboration between A.R. Rahman and Yuvan Shankar Raja.

Keep listening

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