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Isaimozhi
Raayan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Oh Raaya

From Raayan · 2024

Lyricist
Dhanush
Singers
A. R. Rahman, Ganavya Duraisamy
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Movie name
Raayan
Movie release year
2024
Lyrics added on
21 Jun 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Pogura paadha theriyalaiye
Yaar thandha vidhiyo
Dhoorathil varum velicham ellam
Nee sellum vazhiyo
Inga parandhu kedakkum boomi
Unakkum thandhadhaiyaa
Ingu irukkum athana saamiyum
Unakkum sondhamaiyaa
Un kavalai ellam
Un kavalai ellam
Dhoosa parakattum raasa
Ini unakunnu oru kaalam
Porakattum raasa
O Rayaaa….(4)
O kuruviye pattu solla varuviya
O aruviye thoonga vaikka vizhuviya
Siragugal mulaikum munnae
Parakkanaum kannae
Parakkura dhisai ellam
Jeyikkanum kannae
Kaanum kanavu ellam
Ullangaiyil varum
Vaaname mannil varum kannae kannae
Oorum uravum illae
Yaarum thuniayum illa
Verva dhaan kooda varum kannae kannae
Thol iranda kallakku
Mudhukelumbha villakku
Kaalgal dhaan un pallakku
O raayaa
Thol iranda kallakku
Mudhukelumbha villakku
Kaalgal dhaan un pallakku
O raayaa
O Rayaaa….(4)
O Rayaaa….(4)
The path ahead cannot be seen,
who gave us this fate?
Is the light shining in the distance
the path you are meant to take?
This vast earth spread out here
was given to you as well.
Even every god residing here
belongs to you too.
All your worries,
all your worries,
let them blow away like dust, my king.
From now on, a time of your own
shall be born, my king.
Oh Raaya...
Oh little bird, will you come sing a song?
Oh waterfall, will you flow to lull him to sleep?
Even before your wings sprout,
you must fly, my child.
In every direction you fly,
you must win, my child.
Every dream you dream
will rest in the palm of your hand.
The sky itself will come down to earth, my child, my child.
There is no town, no kin,
there is no one to stand by you.
Only your sweat will walk beside you, my child, my child.
Turn both your shoulders into stone,
bend your spine like a bow,
your own legs are your palanquin.
Oh Raaya,
Turn both your shoulders into stone,
bend your spine like a bow,
your own legs are your palanquin.
Oh Raaya,
Oh Raaya...
Oh Raaya...
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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