- Lyricist
- Lyricist Not Known
- Singer
- A. R. Rahman
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Movie name
- Jodhaa Akbar
- Movie release year
- 2008
- Lyrics added on
- 4 Apr 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
"Kwajaa Engal Kwajaa" is the Tamil version of the iconic Sufi devotional song "Khwaja Mere Khwaja" composed and rendered by A.R. Rahman for Ashutosh Gowariker's historical drama *Jodhaa Akbar* (2008). The song is a soul-stirring invocation dedicated to Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer, seeking his divine grace, spiritual warmth, and presence within one's soul. The devotion highlights the saint's universal love that wipes away tears without bias across religions and backgrounds. The lyricist portrays the saint as a sun pouring out light, an ocean of compassion, and a true spiritual master. Through the love of Khwaja, the seeker envisions divine truth and Prophet Muhammad, recognizing that human life is merely a fleeting dream until one surrenders at the feet of the master.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“Olivaarkkum sooriyanae thaejaa”
Comparing Khwaja to a radiant sun pouring light ("Olivaarkkum sooriyanae") and an ocean of mercy ("karunai kadalae").
Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Kwajaa engal kwajaa”
The phrase 'Kwajaa engal kwajaa' and 'En uyirukkul vaa vaa' are repeated obsessively to create a hypnotic Sufi trance and intense spiritual longing.
End Rhyme (Iyaibu)
“Shathguru naadharin kodaiyae / Vaazhvin aadhaara thaazham neeyae”
Matching end sounds created by 'kodaiyae' and 'neeyae' to maintain melodious rhythmic structure in Tamil lyrics.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed and sung by A.R. Rahman, "Khwaja Mere Khwaja" holds deep personal significance for the composer, who is a devout follower of Sufism. Although originally penned in Urdu/Hindi by Kashif, the Tamil version was crafted by Na. Muthukumar. A.R. Rahman performed the track himself in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi dubs of Jodhaa Akbar, preserving the authentic Qawwali feeling.
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