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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Orae Ragam Orae Thaalam

From Amutha Ganam · 1985

Lyricist
M. G. Vallaban
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Amutha Ganam1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aa…aa… aa…Ah… ah… ah…
Aa… aa… aa…Ah… ah… ah…
Aa… aa… aa…Ah… ah… ah…
Haa… haa… haa…Ha… ha… ha…
Male
Orae raagam orae thaalamIn the same melody, in the same rhythm
Orae paadal paadavaaShall I sing the same song?
Male :Orae raagamMale: The same melody
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa…Chorus: Ah… ah… ah…
Male :Orae thaalamMale: The same rhythm
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa…Chorus: Ah… ah… ah…
Male :Orae paadal paadavaaMale: Shall I sing the same song?
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa…Chorus: Ah… ah… ah…
Female
Varam neeYou are a boon
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa…Chorus: Ah… ah… ah…
Female :Tharum naalFemale: On the day it is granted
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa…Chorus: Ah… ah… ah…
Female :Madiyilae thoongavaaFemale: Shall I sleep in your lap?
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa…Chorus: Ah… ah… ah…
Male
{Orae raagam{The same melody
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa…Chorus: Ah… ah… ah…
Male :Orae thaalamMale: The same rhythm
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa…Chorus: Ah… ah… ah…
Male :Orae paadal paadavaaMale: Shall I sing the same song?
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa… } (2)Chorus: Ah… ah… ah… } (2)
Chorus
Laalaalaalaa laalaalaalaaLa la la la, la la la la
Laalaalaalaa laalaalaalaa laalaaLa la la la, la la la la, la la
Laalaalaalaa laalaa laaLa la la la, la la, la
Laalaalaalaa laalaalaalaa…La la la la, la la la la…
Female
Saayangaala megangalThe evening clouds
Maeni mooda mogangalDesires that drape over the body
Saayangaala megangalThe evening clouds
Maeni mooda mogangalDesires that drape over the body
Madi saayum podhu sondhangalRelationships realized as one rests on a lap
Tholil thaanae sorgangalHeaven itself is found upon the shoulders
Male
Idai kaavalin thadai meeravaaShall I breach the guard at your waist?
Idai kaavalin thadai meeravaaShall I breach the guard at your waist?
Innum enna kanni porvai thevaiyaaIs the veil of maidenly modesty still required?
Female
Orae raagam orae thaalamIn the same melody, in the same rhythm
Orae paadal paadavaaShall I sing the same song?
Female :Orae raagamFemale: The same melody
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa…Chorus: Ah… ah… ah…
Female :Orae thaalamFemale: The same rhythm
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa…Chorus: Ah… ah… ah…
Female :Orae paadal paadavaaFemale: Shall I sing the same song?
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa…Chorus: Ah… ah… ah…
Male
Varam neeYou are a boon
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa…Chorus: Ah… ah… ah…
Male :Tharum naalMale: On the day it is granted
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa…Chorus: Ah… ah… ah…
Male :Madiyilae thoongavaaMale: Shall I sleep in your lap?
Male
Kannil kodi minnalgalA million lightning flashes in the eyes
Kannam yengum sinnangalLove marks all over the cheeks
Kannil kodi minnalgalA million lightning flashes in the eyes
Kannam yengum sinnangalLove marks all over the cheeks
Kannan kaiyil vannangalColors in the hands of Lord Krishna
Kaanum nenja kinnangalGolden cups of the heart that behold them
Female
Idhazh vaasalil idhazh poosaigalWorship of lips at the threshold of lips
Idhazh vaasalil idhazh poosaigalWorship of lips at the threshold of lips
Kaalai maalai velai indru kaanavaaShall we witness it regardless of morning or evening?
Male
Orae raagamThe same melody
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa…Chorus: Ah… ah… ah…
Male :Orae thaalamMale: The same rhythm
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa…Chorus: Ah… ah… ah…
Male :Orae paadal paadavaaMale: Shall I sing the same song?
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa…Chorus: Ah… ah… ah…
Female
Varam neeYou are a boon
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa…Chorus: Ah… aa… ah…
Female :Tharum naalFemale: On the day it is granted
Chorus :Aa… aa… aa…Chorus: Ah… ah… ah…
Female :Madiyilae thoongavaaFemale: Shall I sleep in your lap?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Orae Raagam Orae Thaalam' is a classic romantic duet that uses musical metaphors to illustrate the complete harmony and oneness between two lovers. By likening their bond to a shared melody (Raagam) and rhythm (Thaalam) merging into a single song, the couple expresses their deep emotional and spiritual alignment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Idhazh vaasalil idhazh poosaigal

Compares kissing to a sacred ritual/worship ('poosai') performed at the doorway of lips ('idhazh vaasal').

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Kannil kodi minnalgal / Kannam yengum sinnangal

The second consonant 'n' (ன்) matches in both 'Kannil' and 'Kannam', creating rhythmic flow.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi Ani)

Kannil kodi minnalgal

Exaggerates the sparkle in the beloved's eyes as 'a million flashes of lightning'.

Monai (Initial Sound Alliteration)

Saayangaala megangal / Maeni mooda mogangal

Alliteration of the initial consonant patterns across the lines creating musical harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by lyricist MG. Vallabhan for the 1985 movie 'Amutha Ganam', this song is widely recognized in Tamil film music history as an iconic composition by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, sung by legendary playback singers K.J. Yesudas and S. Janaki.

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