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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oh Maharaja

From My Dear Marthandan · 1990

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Sasirekha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
My Dear Marthandan1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Oo maharajaOh, great king!
Aa nnaa aa vannaa ii nnaa eeyannaaA, Aa, I, Ee (Reciting Tamil vowels)
Ye yuvaraaOh, prince!
Oo nnaa oovannaa yae nnaa yaeyannaaO, Oo, Ye, Yae (Reciting Tamil letters)
Female
Un paadhaiyilaeAlong your path,
Chorus :OohhoOohho
Female :Dhinamum malar thooviShowering flowers every day,
Chorus :Oo ho hoOo ho ho
Female
Pon medaiyilaeUpon a golden stage,
Chorus :OohhoOohho
Female :Dhinamum pugazh paadiSinging your praises every day,
Chorus :Oo ho hoOo ho ho
Chorus
VaraverppomWe shall welcome you!
Haa haa haaHaa haa haa
Vara vendumYou must come!
Haa haa haaHaa haa haa
VaraverppomWe shall welcome you!
Haa haa haaHaa haa haa
Vara vendumYou must come!
Haa haa haaHaa haa haa
Female
Oo maharajaOh, great king!
A yannaa B yannaa C yannaa D yannaaA, B, C, D (Reciting English alphabets)
A yuvarajaOh, young prince!
E yannaa F nnaa J yanna H nnaaE, F, J, H (Reciting English alphabets)
Chorus
Unnadi pottrumPraising your feet,
OohhoOohho
Yamae adiyaarkalWe are your humble devotees,
Oo ho hoOo ho ho
Nee padikkaamalIf you do not study,
OohhoOohho
Veraar padippaarkalWho else will study?
Oo ho hoOo ho ho
Chorus
VaraverppomWe shall welcome you!
Haa haa haaHaa haa haa
Vara vendumYou must come!
Haa haa haaHaa haa haa
VaraverppomWe shall welcome you!
Haa haa haaHaa haa haa
Vara vendumYou must come!
Haa haa haaHaa haa haa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and lighthearted song from 'My Dear Marthandan' treats the protagonist in an exaggerated royal fashion, addressing him as a 'Maharaja' (Great King) and 'Yuvaraja' (Prince). Despite the grand royal invocations of golden stages and flower showers, the song playfully blends elementary Tamil and English alphabet recitations to motivate or tease the hero about his studies.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uyarvu Navirtchi Ani (Hyperbole)

Pon medaiyilae / Dhinamum pugazh paadi

Exaggerating a simple setting by framing it as a grand royal reception on a golden stage with daily praises.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Varaverppom / Vara vendum

Repetition of the starting letter 'Va' (வ) across consecutive phrases.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Varaverppom ... Vara vendum ... Varaverppom ... Vara vendum

Structured rhythmic repetition at the ends of alternating lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

My Dear Marthandan (1990) was directed by Prathap K. Pothan and stars Prabhu and Kushboo in lead roles. The film's music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran. The movie is loosely inspired by the classic Hollywood film 'Coming to America', featuring Prabhu as a naive prince exploring the common world.

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