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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Kaadhal Raagam

From Manathile Oru Paattu · 1995

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Minmini
Music director
Ilaya Gangai
Details
Manathile Oru Paattu1995

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oru kadhal raagam naan paaduvaenI will sing a melody of love
Urangaamal yaagam naan seigiraenI perform a ritual of sleepless yearning
Male
Nilave malarae uyirae uraveOh moon, oh flower, my life, my kin
Ennai nerungi vaaCome closer to me
Unaiththaan ninaiththaenI thought only of you
Manathai koduthaen sontham kondu vaaI gave my heart, come claim me as yours
Male
Oru kadhal raagam naan paaduvaenI will sing a melody of love
Urangaamal yaagam naan seigiraenI perform a ritual of sleepless yearning
Male
Nilave malarae uyirae uraveOh moon, oh flower, my life, my kin
Ennai nerungi vaaCome closer to me
Unaiththaan ninaiththaenI thought only of you
Manathai koduthaen sontham kondu vaaI gave my heart, come claim me as yours
Male
Oru kadhal raagam naan paaduvaenI will sing a melody of love
Urangaamal yaagam naan seigiraenI perform a ritual of sleepless yearning
Male
Vaanamennum paadhai thannil odum nilaveOh moon that traverses the path of the sky
Enthan nenil endrum thondrum unthan mugamaeYour face forever shines in my heart
Thendral vanthu theendum inbam kodi sugamaeThe touching breeze brings a million pleasures
Sonthamaaga naan paadum pudhiya raagamaeA new raga that I sing as my very own
Male
Kann imakkaatha vizhaigalEyes that do not blink
Manmathan thoduththa kanaigalArrows shot by Cupid
Thaen sinthum idhazhgal mellaLips gently dripping honey
Adhu pesum mozhigalThe words that they speak
Paavaiyae bodhaiyae en raathaiyaeOh maiden, oh intoxication, my Radha
Male
Oru kadhal raagam naan paaduvaenI will sing a melody of love
Urangaamal yaagam naan seigiraenI perform a ritual of sleepless yearning
Male
Poovai pola ennai paarththuLooking at me like a delicate flower
Neeyum siriththaaiYou smiled at me
Paarvaiyaalae kadhal valaiyaiWith your gaze, a web of love
Mella viriththaaiYou gently cast over me
Male
Paarkka paarkka nenjam yaengaAs my heart yearned the more I looked
Pazhaga thudiththaenI longed to be close to you
Paavai unnai thaanae naanumOh maiden, it is you alone
Dhinamum ninaththaenWhom I thought of every day
Male
Un mugam paarththaen maanaeI gazed upon your face, my gentle deer
En vizhi pooththaen naanaeMy eyes blossomed waiting for you
Unakkagaththaanae naan uyir vaazhgindrenaeIt is only for your sake that I remain alive
Paavaiyae bethaiyae en raathaiyaeOh maiden, oh innocent one, my Radha
Male
Oru kadhal raagam naan paaduvaenI will sing a melody of love
Urangaamal yaagam naan seigiraenI perform a ritual of sleepless yearning
Male
Nilave malarae uyirae uraveOh moon, oh flower, my life, my kin
Ennai nerungi vaaCome closer to me
Unaiththaan ninaiththaenI thought only of you
Manathai koduthaen sontham kondu vaaI gave my heart, come claim me as yours
Male
Oru kadhal raagam naan paaduvaenI will sing a melody of love
Urangaamal yaagam naan seigiraenI perform a ritual of sleepless yearning

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Oru Kadhal Raagam Naan Paaduvaen' is a passionate expression of deep romance and emotional devotion. The singer speaks of his restless, sleepless nights spent longing for his beloved, comparing his wait to a sacred sacrificial ritual ('yaagam'). Addressing his beloved as his moon, blossom, and soulmate, he recalls the mesmerising moments when her smiles and subtle glances ensnared his heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Urangaamal yaagam naan seigiraen

The lover compares his restless, sleepless state of longing to performing a 'yaagam' (sacred ritual/sacrifice).

Simile (Upamai)

Poovai pola ennai paarththu

The speaker describes the beloved looking at him as gently and delicately as a flower ('pola').

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Nilave malarae uyirae urave

Repeated elongated '-ae' sound at the end of successive affectionate terms creates a rhythmic, melodic flow.

Allusion / Imagery

Manmathan thoduththa kanaigal

Invokes the classical imagery of Manmathan (the Hindu god of love) firing love arrows to signify falling deeply in love.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features poetic Tamil lyricism classic to mid-century romantic compositions attributed to legendary poet Kannadasan. The lyrics evoke the divine-romantic pairing of Radha and Krishna through lines calling the beloved 'en raathaiyae'.

Keep listening

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