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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadhaluku Raja

From Raja Kaiya Vacha · 1990

Lyricist
Kanmani Subbu
Singers
Mano, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Raja Kaiya Vacha1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaadhalukku raajaaO King of love,
Sirikkum rojaa vaa vaaSmiling rose, come, come!
Sandhanathu raaniQueen of sandalwood fragrance,
Silirkkum maeni vaa vaaBody that thrills, come, come!
Female
Naeram nalla naeramThe time is a good time,
Thendralodu nee paaduSing along with the gentle breeze!
Hae kaalam nalla kaalamHey, the time is a good time,
Kaigal korthu nee aaduHold hands and dance!
Hae hae haeHey hey hey
Male
Kaadhalukku raajaaO King of love,
Sirikkum rojaa vaa vaaSmiling rose, come, come!
Sandhanathu raaniQueen of sandalwood fragrance,
Silirkkum maeni vaa vaaBody that thrills, come, come!
Male
Andharathil sirandha pandhal ittuSetting up a grand canopy in the high sky,
Angu sendru arangam kattavaaShall I go there and set up a stage?
Mandhirathil yen anbu thandhirathilWith magic and sweet tricks, my love,
Vandhu vandhu anaithu kollavaa haeShall I come repeatedly and embrace you? Hey!
Male
Andharathil sirandha pandhal ittuSetting up a grand canopy in the high sky,
Angu sendru arangam kattavaaShall I go there and set up a stage?
Mandhirathil yen anbu thandhirathilWith magic and sweet tricks, my love,
Vandhu vandhu anaithu kollavaaShall I come repeatedly and embrace you?
Female
Man meedhu kattum kottaiA castle built upon the earth,
Maraindhu pogum kannaaWill disappear, my dear!
Veen aasai thaevaiyaaIs vain desire really needed?
Vin meedhu kottai kattumBuilding castles in the sky,
Un aasai mana kottaiYour desirable castle built in the mind,
Poi vaarthai yaenaiyaaWhy these false words, my lord?
Male
Un jaadai paarvai konjam kaattuJust show a little glance of your gestures,
Ulagam endhan kaalilaeThe whole world will lie at my feet!
Female
Kaadhalukku raajaaO King of love,
Sirikkum rojaa vaa vaaSmiling rose, come, come!
Sandhanathu raaniQueen of sandalwood fragrance,
Silirkkum maeni vaa vaaBody that thrills, come, come!
Male
Naeram nalla naeramThe time is a good time,
Thendralodu nee paaduSing along with the gentle breeze!
Hae kaalam nalla kaalamHey, the time is a good time,
Kaigal korthu nee aaduHold hands and dance!
Hae hae haeHey hey hey
Female
Kaadhalukku raajaaO King of love,
Sirikkum rojaa vaa vaaSmiling rose, come, come!
Female
Thaththai ondruLike a parrot,
Mayakkum metthai ittuLaying down an enchanting bed,
Vithai ondrai padikkum ennamaaWhat a thought to learn an art!
Katti kolla thurathi thottu thottuChasing to embrace, touching repeatedly,
Thottil katta thudikkum manmadhaa haeiO Cupid yearning to tie a cradle, hey!
Female
Thaththai ondruLike a parrot,
Mayakkum metthai ittuLaying down an enchanting bed,
Vithai ondrai padikkum ennamaaWhat a thought to learn an art!
Katti kolla thurathi thottu thottuChasing to embrace, touching repeatedly,
Thottil katta thudikkum manmadhaaO Cupid yearning to tie a cradle!
Male
Ulloorum kaadhal theeyaiThe fire of love burning inside,
Nee mootti vittu paarthuHaving stoked it up,
Seiyaadhae vaedikkaiDo not stand by and watch the show!
Sollaamal podu paayaiWithout speaking, lay out the mat,
Mayakkum undhan maayaiYour illusion is mesmerizing,
Un kaadhal vaadikkaiYour love is a habit!
Female
Un vaendukolai yaettru kollaTo accept your loving request,
Kaala naeram saerattumLet the auspicious moment arrive!
Male
Kaadhalukku raajaaO King of love,
Sirikkum rojaa vaa vaaSmiling rose, come, come!
Sandhanathu raaniQueen of sandalwood fragrance,
Silirkkum maeni vaa vaaBody that thrills, come, come!
Female
Naeram nalla naeramThe time is a good time,
Male
Haa haa haaHaa haa haa
Female
Thendralodu nee paaduSing along with the gentle breeze!
Hae kaalam nalla kaalamHey, the time is a good time,
Male
Haei haeiHei hei
Female
Kaigal korthu nee aadu haeiHold hands and dance, hey!
Male
Kaadhalukku raajaa sirikkum rojaa vaa vaaO King of love, smiling rose, come, come!
Female
Sandhanathu raani silirkkum maeni vaa vaaQueen of sandalwood fragrance, body that thrills, come, come!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a playful and romantic duet expressing deep affection, teasing banter, and longing between lovers. The male protagonist addresses his beloved as a queen of sandalwood and a smiling rose, inviting her to dance and sing as time favors their romantic reunion. He playfully talks about building grand castles in the sky and using magical tricks to embrace her. The female protagonist responds with witty skepticism, advising against building castles in the air or indulging in vain fantasies, while reassuring him of her love once the right auspicious time arrives. The lyrics blend exuberant romantic imagery with poetic metaphors of nature, Cupid, magic, and sweet impatience.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kaadhalukku raajaa / Sandhanathu raani

Matching second consonants across successive lines, such as 'Kaadhalukku' / 'Sandhanathu' and 'Naeram' / 'Kaalam'.

Moonaik Kuttai (Initial Alliteration / Rhyme)

Mandhirathil yen anbu thandhirathil

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Mandhirathil' and 'Thandhirathil' to create rhythmic harmony.

Metaphor (Uruvagatam)

Kaadhalukku raajaa, Sirikkum rojaa vaa vaa

Directly comparing the lovers to royalty and flowers ('King of love', 'Smiling rose', 'Queen of sandalwood').

Anaphora / Repetition

Katti kolla thurathi thottu thottu

Rhythmic repetition of words like 'vaa vaa' and 'thottu thottu' for emphasis and musical cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track features poetic lyrics by Kanmani Subbu. The song uses imaginative celestial metaphors such as 'Andharathil pandhal' (canopy in the sky) and 'Mana kottai' (castles in the mind) to depict exuberant, youthful romantic longing.

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