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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Oru Raasiyilaa Raja

From Oru Thalai Ragam · 1980

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
T. Rajendar
Details
Oru Thalai Ragam1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naan oru rasiyillaa rajaI am an unlucky king,
En vaasaththukkillai idhu varai rojaThere has been no rose for my fragrance till now.
Aayiram paadattum manathuLet the heart sing a thousand tunes,
En aasaikku illai uravuThere is no companion for my desires.
Male
Naan oru rasiyillaa rajaI am an unlucky king,
En vaasaththukkillai idhu varai rojaThere has been no rose for my fragrance till now.
Male
Paattisaikka medai kandaenI found a stage to sing a song,
Raagangalai kaanavillaiYet I could not find any melodies.
Paattisaikka medai kandaenI found a stage to sing a song,
Raagangalai kaanavillaiYet I could not find any melodies.
Palar izhukka thaer aanaenI became a temple chariot pulled by many,
Oorvalamae nadakkavillaiYet no grand procession took place.
Male
Kannirendum mithakkattum neerinilaeLet both my eyes float in tears,
Kai irandum podattum thaalangalaeLet both my hands beat the rhythms.
Kannirendum mithakkattum neerinilaeLet both my eyes float in tears,
Kai irandum podattum thaalangalaeLet both my hands beat the rhythms.
Male
Naan oru rasiyillaa rajaI am an unlucky king,
En vaasaththukkillai idhu varai rojaThere has been no rose for my fragrance till now.
Male
En kadhaiyai ezhuthivittaenI have written my story,
Mudivinilae subam illaiThere is no happy ending at its conclusion.
En kadhaiyai ezhuthivittaenI have written my story,
Mudivinilae subam illaiThere is no happy ending at its conclusion.
Iyandra varai vaazhnthuvittaenI lived my life as best as I could,
Manathinilae santhi illaiYet there is no peace in my heart.
Male
Thozhvithanai ezhuthattum varalaaruLet history document my defeat,
Thunaikendru inimel yaar kooruTell me, who is left as my companion from now on?
Thozhvithanai ezhuthattum varalaaruLet history document my defeat,
Thunaikendru inimel yaar kooruTell me, who is left as my companion from now on?
Male
Naan oru rasiyillaa rajaI am an unlucky king,
En vaasaththukkillai idhu varai rojaThere has been no rose for my fragrance till now.
Aayiram paadattum manathuLet the heart sing a thousand tunes,
En aasaikku illai uravuThere is no companion for my desires.
Male
Naan oru rasiyillaa rajaI am an unlucky king,
En vaasaththukkillai idhu varai rojaThere has been no rose for my fragrance till now.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Naan Oru Rasiyillaa Raja from the iconic 1980 movie Oru Thalai Ragam expresses the tragic sorrow of unrequited love and a life burdened by misfortune. The protagonist reflects on his life, comparing himself to a king who lacks good fortune and joy. Through rich metaphors such as a stage without melodies and a temple chariot that never saw a procession, the protagonist expresses the hollow nature of his existence despite his sincere efforts to find love and peace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Naan oru rasiyillaa raja

The speaker compares himself to a king without luck ('Rasiyillaa raja'), emphasizing his tragic state despite carrying royal pain.

Metaphor & Imagery

Palar izhukka thaer aanaen / Oorvalamae nadakkavillai

Comparing his life to a temple chariot ('thaer') pulled by many people, yet never fulfilling its purpose of a procession ('oorvalam').

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Kannirendum mithakkattum neerinilae / Kai irandum podattum thaalangalae

The second consonant 'n' (nn) rhymes between 'Kannirendum' and 'En' in Tamil poetic structure, along with parallel imagery of eyes and hands.

Did you know?

Trivia

Oru Thalai Ragam (1980) was a pathbreaking romantic drama in Tamil cinema that ran for over 365 days in theaters. Created entirely by T. Rajendar—who wrote the story, screenplay, dialogue, lyrics, and composed the music—the movie's sad anthems sung by legendary vocalist T. M. Soundararajan became huge hits across South India.

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