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Lyrics & meaning

Oh Vasantha Raaja

From Neengal Kettavai · 1984

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Neengal Kettavai1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Oh vasantha raajaOh king of spring,
Thaen sumantha rojaA rose laden with honey,
Un dhegam en thesamYour body is my domain,
En naalum santhosamJoy forevermore,
En thaagangal theerthidaTo quench all my deep thirsts,
Nee piranthaayaeYou were born into this world!
Oh vasantha raajaOh king of spring,
Thaen sumantha roja… ohoo..A rose laden with honey... ohoo..
Male
Men panju megangalSoft, cotton-like clouds,
Un pinju paadhangalAnd your tender, delicate feet,
Mann thottathaal indruBecause they touched the earth today,
Sevaanam pol aachuThe ground turned red like a crimson sky!
Male
Vin sorgamae poi poiThe paradise in heaven is false, all false,
En sorgam nee pennaeYou are my true paradise, my lady,
Vin sorgamae poi poiThe paradise in heaven is false, all false,
En sorgam nee pennaeYou are my true paradise, my lady,
Soodiya poocharam vaanavil thaanoIs the flower garland adorning you actually a rainbow?
Female
Oh vasantha raajaOh king of spring,
Male :Thaen sumantha rojaMale: A rose laden with honey,
Un dhegam en thesamYour body is my domain,
En naalum santhosamJoy forevermore,
En thaagangal theerthidaTo quench all my deep thirsts,
Nee piranthaayaeYou were born into this world!
Female
Oh vasantha raajaOh king of spring,
Male :Thaen sumantha roja… ohoo…Male: A rose laden with honey... ohoo...
Female
Aaraathanai neramIt is the hour of adoration and worship,
Aalabanai raagamA melodic melody soaring in improvisation,
Alaipaayuthae thaagamMy thirst surges like ocean waves,
Analaaguthae mogamDesire turns into burning embers,
Female
En megamae vaa vaaCome, my cloud, come, come,
Ithazh neerai thoovuShower the nectar-water from your lips,
En megamae vaa vaaCome, my cloud, come, come,
Ithazh neerai thoovuShower the nectar-water from your lips,
Manmatha kovilil paalabishegamA sacred milk bath ritual in the temple of the God of Love!
Female
Oh vasantha raajaOh king of spring,
Male :Thaen sumantha rojaMale: A rose laden with honey,
Female :Un dhegam en thesamFemale: Your body is my domain,
En naalum santhosamJoy forevermore,
Male
En thaagangal theerthidaTo quench all my deep thirsts,
Nee piranthaayaeYou were born into this world!
Female :Oh vasantha raajaFemale: Oh king of spring,
Male :Thaen sumantha roja…Male: A rose laden with honey...
Male & Female :Ohoo..Male & Female: Ohoo..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Oh Vasantha Raaja' is a romantic duet expressing intense passion, affection, and devotion between lovers. The song uses vivid imagery comparing the beloved to elements of nature—a honey-filled rose, spring, clouds, and a crimson sky—to highlight the divinity and heavenly sweetness of their love. The lovers celebrate each other's presence, considering earth with their partner far superior to any celestial paradise.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor (உவமை / உருவகம்)

Un dhegam en thesam

Comparing the lover's body to a sovereign realm ('Un dhegam en thesam') and the lover's soft feet touching earth to the crimson evening sky ('Sevaanam pol aachu').

Monai / Alliteration (மோனை)

Men panju megangal / Un pinju paadhangal

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Men panju' and 'pinju paadhangal' creating rhythmic softness matching the description of cotton clouds.

Edupada (Rhyme / Ethirai)

Aaraathanai neram / Aalabanai raagam

End-rhyme and internal rhyme structures like 'Aaraathanai' / 'Aalabanai' and 'thaagam' / 'mogam'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the 1984 film 'Neengal Kettavai' directed by Balu Mahendra, this track features vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki. Set in a lush, sensual arrangement, the lyrics penned by Pulamaipithan showcase classic 80s Tamil romantic poetry rich in classical imagery.

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