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Aanandha Raagam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Raagam Sad

From Aanandha Raagam · 1982

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
K. J. Yesudass
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Aanandha Raagam
Movie release year
1982
Lyrics added on
2 Mar 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aaa….aaa….aaa….aa….aa….aaa….
Aaa….aaa….aaa….aa….aa….aaa….
Aa….aa…aa…aa…haa…aa…
Oru raagam paadalodu
Kaadhil kettadho
Mandhodu oonjalaadudho
Dhinam urangaamal vaadudhae
Nijam nizhalaagi ponadhae
O nenjamae poongaatrilae
Badhil kodu
Oru raagam paadalodu
Kaadhil kettadho
Mandhodu oonjalaadudho
Engae sendra podhum
Manam pola vaazhga vaazhga
Ezhai nenjil paadal
Unai chaera vendum vaazhga
Ezhai endhan peraam
Sogam endhan ooraam
Oorai paarthu pogiren
Anaadhai aaga pogiren
En ullam endrum unnai paadumae
Oru raagam paadalodu
Kaadhil kettadho
Mandhodu oonjalaadudho
Aa... aa... aa... aa... aa...
Aa... aa... aa... aa... aa...
Aa... aa... aa... haa... aa...
A melody along with a song,
did it reach your ears?
Does it sway like a swing in your heart?
Sleepless each day, it pines away,
reality has turned into a mere shadow.
Oh my heart, through the gentle breeze,
give me an answer.
A melody along with a song,
did it reach your ears?
Does it sway like a swing in your heart?
Wherever you may go,
may you live happily as your heart desires.
May the song of this poor heart
reach you; may you live well.
"A poor man" is my name,
"Sorrow" is my hometown,
Looking at this town, I walk away,
I walk away like a helpless orphan.
Yet my heart will forever sing of you.
A melody along with a song,
did it reach your ears?
Does it sway like a swing in your heart?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Oru Raagam Paadalodu' is a deeply emotional, melancholic song from the movie Aanandha Raagam (1982). It captures the poignant grief of a heartbroken lover who is haunted by the sweet melody of past love. The song portrays how cherished memories disrupt his daily peace, turning his vibrant reality into a fading shadow of despair.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ezhai endhan peraam / Sogam endhan ooraam

The lyrics metaphorically assign 'Pauper' as the speaker's name and 'Sorrow' as his home town, vividly depicting his absolute emotional poverty and grief.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Ezhai endhan peraam / Sogam endhan ooraam

The lines end with identical rhyming suffixes ('peraam' and 'ooraam'), creating a rhythmic and sorrowful cadence.

Monai (Initial Sound Alliteration)

Nijam nizhalaagi ponadhae

Repetition of the 'Ni' sound at the start of words ('Nijam', 'nizhalaagi') enhances the phonetic musicality of the line.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed with unknown metadata in the context, this famous track from 'Aanandha Raagam' (1982) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by his brother Gangai Amaran. The song is celebrated for its soul-stirring rendition ( sung separately by K. J. Yesudas and S. Janaki) and remains a classic Tamil heartbreak melody.

Keep listening

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