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Lyrics & meaning

Mudhal Mudhal Raaga Deepam

From Payanangal Mudivathillai · 1982

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Payanangal Mudivathillai1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Haaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….Vocalizing melody (Haaa....aaa....)
Haaa…aaa…haaa…aaa….Vocalizing melody (Haaa...aaa...)
Haaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa..aaa..aaa….Vocalizing melody (Haaa....aaa...)
Male
Raaga deepam yetrum neramAt the time of lighting the lamp of ragas,
Puyal mazhaiyoIs it a storm and rain?
Raaga deepam yetrum neramAt the time of lighting the lamp of ragas,
Puyal mazhaiyoIs it a storm and rain?
Muthal muthalFor the very first time,
Raaga deepam yetrum neramAt the time of lighting the lamp of ragas,
Puyal mazhaiyoIs it a storm and rain?
Male
En vizhiyo kadal aanadhammaaMy eyes have turned into an ocean, O lady,
Ennangalo alai modhudhammaaMy thoughts are crashing like waves, O lady.
Pudhu raaga deepam yetrum neramAt the time of lighting a new lamp of ragas,
Puyal mazhaiyoIs it a storm and rain?
Muthal muthalFor the very first time,
Raaga deepam yetrum neramAt the time of lighting the lamp of ragas,
Puyal mazhaiyoIs it a storm and rain?
Male
Vaadidum en nenjam kulirndhidumoWill my wilting heart find cool solace?
Vasandhamum en vaazhvil malarndhidumoWill spring bloom in my life?
Vaadidum en nenjam kulirndhidumoWill my wilting heart find cool solace?
Vasandhamum en vaazhvil malarndhidumoWill spring bloom in my life?
Vizhigal paaraamal sevigal kaelaamalWithout eyes watching and without ears listening,
Kavidhai arangaerumoWill poetry be presented on stage?
Vizhigal paaraamal sevigal kaelaamalWithout eyes watching and without ears listening,
Kavidhai arangayerumoWill poetry be presented on stage?
Dhevi un kovil vaasal munnalaeIn front of your temple entrance, Goddess,
Kaaviyam thaenena bhoomiyilAn epic poem sweet as honey on earth.
Male
Muthal muthalFor the very first time,
Raaga deepam yetrum neramAt the time of lighting the lamp of ragas,
Puyal mazhaiyoIs it a storm and rain?
Muthal muthalFor the very first time,
Raaga deepam yetrum neramAt the time of lighting the lamp of ragas,
Puyal mazhaiyoIs it a storm and rain?
Male
Aanandha gangai vellamAs the flood of joyful Ganges,
Ponga pongaOverflows and surges,
Aaramba naalil inbam konja konjaOn this initial day, as bliss caresses,
Paadum ullam thulla thullaAs the singing heart leaps with excitement,
Paadal ondru solla chollaAs a song is being sung,
Paadum ullam thulla thullaAs the singing heart leaps with excitement,
Paadal ondru solla chollaAs a song is being sung,
Male
Aayiram sandham naavinil sindhumA thousand rhythms spilling from the tongue,
Ambigaikkae sondhamBelong entirely to Goddess Ambigai.
Niththam niththam ullam kalikkaFor the heart to rejoice every single day,
Kattra viththai endrum sezhikkaFor the acquired art to flourish forever,
Niththam niththam ullam kalikkaFor the heart to rejoice every single day,
Kattra viththai endrum sezhikkaFor the acquired art to flourish forever,
Muthu rathinam sindhum nithinamShedding pearls and precious gems every day,
Annai unnai vanangi nindruStanding in humble prayer to you, Mother,
Male
Raaga deepam yetrum nallaTo light the lamp of ragas, this is a good
Neramidhu-pudhuvidhaTime—a brand new kind of
Raaga deepam yetrum nalla neramidhuGood time to light the lamp of musical ragas.
Gaana mazhai ini naan pozhivenI shall pour down a rain of music from now on,
Thaen mazhaiyil ini nee nanaivaaiYou shall soak in this rain of honey from now on.
Pudhu raaga deepam yetrum nallaTo light a new lamp of ragas, this is a good
Neramidhu-pudhuvidhaTime—a brand new kind of
Raaga deepam yetrum nalla neramidhuGood time to light the lamp of musical ragas.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses a musician's emotional state as he embarks on his musical journey. He metaphorically describes lighting a lamp of ragas (musical notes) while encountering tempestuous emotions like a storm and rain. The singer wonders if his music will reach an audience and bring spring-like joy into his wilting life, offering his art as a devout prayer at the feet of the divine Mother Goddess Ambigai.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

Raaga deepam yetrum neram

Lighting the musical passion is metaphorically depicted as lighting a lamp ('Raaga deepam').

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

En vizhiyo kadal aanadhammaa

Comparing tearful eyes to an entire ocean and inner turmoil to crashing waves.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Niththam niththam ullam kalikka

The second consonant sound matches across consecutive lines ('Niththam' and 'Kattra').

Monaai (First-letter Alliteration)

Vaadidum en nenjam kulirndhidumo / Vasandhamum en vaazhvil malarndhidumo

Matching starting letter sounds across words within the line ('Vaadidum' / 'Vasandhamum').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Raaga Deepam Yetrum Neram' is a celebrated composition from the blockbuster movie Payanangal Mudivathillai (1982), directed by R. Sundarrajan. The film's soundtrack, composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, won SPB the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer.

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