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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Raagam Sad

From Aanandha Raagam · 1982

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
K. J. Yesudass
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Aanandha Raagam1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aaa….aaa….aaa….aa….aa….aaa….Aaa….aaa….aaa….aa….aa….aaa….
Aaa….aaa….aaa….aa….aa….aaa….Aaa….aaa….aaa….aa….aa….aaa….
Aa….aa…aa…aa…haa…aa…Aa….aa…aa…aa…haa…aa…
Male
Oru raagam paadaloduA melody, along with a song,
Kaadhil kettadhoWas it heard in the ears?
Mandhodu oonjalaadudhoDoes it swing like a cradle within the heart?
Dhinam urangaamal vaadudhaeSleepless, it slumps and suffers every single day,
Nijam nizhalaagi ponadhaeReality has turned into a mere shadow.
O nenjamae poongaatrilaeOh my heart, in the gentle breeze,
Badhil koduGive me an answer.
Male
Oru raagam paadaloduA melody, along with a song,
Kaadhil kettadhoWas it heard in the ears?
Mandhodu oonjalaadudhoDoes it swing like a cradle within the heart?
Male
Engae sendra podhumWherever you may go,
Manam pola vaazhga vaazhgaMay you live long and prosper as your heart desires!
Ezhai nenjil paadalThe song residing in this poor heart,
Unai chaera vendum vaazhgaMust reach you; long may you live!
Male
Ezhai endhan peraam'Pauper' is my name,
Sogam endhan ooraam'Sorrow' is my hometown.
Oorai paarthu pogirenLooking back at this town, I depart,
Anaadhai aaga pogirenI am leaving to become a helpless orphan.
En ullam endrum unnai paadumaeYet my heart will forever sing of you.
Male
Oru raagam paadaloduA melody, along with a song,
Kaadhil kettadhoWas it heard in the ears?
Mandhodu oonjalaadudhoDoes it swing like a cradle within the heart?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'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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