Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oh Raaya

From Raayan · 2024

Lyricist
Dhanush
Singers
A. R. Rahman, Ganavya Duraisamy
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Raayan2024

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pogura paadha theriyalaiyeThe path ahead is not visible,
Yaar thandha vidhiyoWhose destiny brought this upon us?
Dhoorathil varum velicham ellamAll the light shining in the distance,
Nee sellum vazhiyoIs it the path you are destined to walk?
Female
Inga parandhu kedakkum boomiThis vast earth spread out here,
Unakkum thandhadhaiyaaWas it bestowed upon you as well?
Ingu irukkum athana saamiyumAll the gods residing here,
Unakkum sondhamaiyaaDo they belong to you too?
Female
Un kavalai ellamAll your worries,
Un kavalai ellamAll your worries,
Dhoosa parakattum raasaMay they scatter like dust, my king!
Ini unakunnu oru kaalamFrom now on, a time meant for you,
Porakattum raasaMay it be born, my king!
Male
O Rayaaa….(4)Oh Raaya...
Female
O kuruviye pattu solla varuviyaOh little bird, will you come to sing a song?
O aruviye thoonga vaikka vizhuviyaOh waterfall, will you cascade to put me to sleep?
Female
Siragugal mulaikum munnaeEven before your wings sprout,
Parakkanaum kannaeYou must learn to fly, my dear.
Parakkura dhisai ellamIn whichever direction you fly,
Jeyikkanum kannaeYou must conquer, my dear.
Female
Kaanum kanavu ellamEvery dream that you envision,
Ullangaiyil varumWill fall right into your palms.
Vaaname mannil varum kannae kannaeThe sky itself will descend to earth, my dear.
Oorum uravum illaeThere is no native town or kin,
Yaarum thuniayum illaThere is no companion by your side.
Verva dhaan kooda varum kannae kannaeOnly your sweat will accompany you, my dear.
Female
Thol iranda kallakkuTurn your two shoulders into solid stone,
Mudhukelumbha villakkuBend your backbone into a warrior's bow,
Kaalgal dhaan un pallakkuYour own legs are your palanquin,
O raayaaOh Raaya!
Thol iranda kallakkuTurn your two shoulders into solid stone,
Mudhukelumbha villakkuBend your backbone into a warrior's bow,
Kaalgal dhaan un pallakkuYour own legs are your palanquin,
O raayaaOh Raaya!
Male
O Rayaaa….(4)Oh Raaya...
Male
O Rayaaa….(4)Oh Raaya...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

O Raaya is a powerful, emotionally charged anthem about perseverance, resilience, and self-reliance in the face of immense struggle. The lyrics reflect the journey of an underdog who faces an uncertain path, devoid of familial support, wealth, or comfort. It offers words of solace and strength, urging the protagonist to rise above adversity and push forward despite the odds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Kaalgal dhaan un pallakku

The lyrics metaphorically compare one's own legs to a royal palanquin (pallakku), emphasizing self-reliance and moving forward by one's own power.

Metaphor

Thol iranda kallakku / Mudhukelumbha villakku

Compares shoulders to stone for strength and the spine to a bow for resilience and readiness to fight.

Iyaipu (Rhyming end words)

Siragugal mulaikum munnae / Parakkanaum kannae

The lines end with rhyming sounds ('munnae' and 'kannae'), creating a rhythmic, comforting cadence.

Personification

O kuruviye pattu solla varuviya / O aruviye thoonga vaikka vizhuviya

Personifies nature elements (a bird singing a song, a waterfall putting one to sleep) as comforting human-like companions.

Did you know?

Trivia

Raayan (2024) marks actor Dhanush's 50th feature film as a lead actor and his second directorial project. Dhanush penned the lyrics for this song himself, while Academy Award winner A. R. Rahman composed the music and sang the track alongside vocalist Ganavya Duraisamy.

Keep listening

More from Raayan