Oru Raagam
From Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren · 1992
- Lyricist
- Piraisoodan
- Singers
- K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Oru raagam tharaatha veenai | A veena that does not yield a melody, |
| Nalla kadhal sollatha penmai | Womanhood that does not express true love, |
| Intha mannil yaenadi | Why should it exist on this earth, my dear? |
| Badhil kooru kanmani | Answer me, my precious one. |
| Intha mannil yaenadi | Why should it exist on this earth, my dear? |
| Badhil kooru kanmani | Answer me, my precious one. |
| Azhagaana kaigal meettum velai | When beautiful hands gently pluck its strings, |
| Female | |
| Raagam vanthaadum veenai | The veena dances with sweet melodies, |
| Nalla kadhal kondaadum penmai | And womanhood celebrates true love! |
| Female | |
| Nadhiyin vegam paruva mogam | Youthful desire flows with the speed of a river, |
| Kadalai saera maarippogum | Changing course as it meets the vast ocean. |
| Naalum kadhal raagam paadum paadum | Every day, it continuously sings the melody of love. |
| Male | |
| : Idhazhil podum idhazhin kaayam | The loving wound inflicted on the lips by another's lips, |
| Idhazhilaarum inimaiyaagum | Heals right upon the lips and turns into pure sweetness. |
| Thegam theendum neram yogam yogam | The precious moment bodies touch is ultimate good fortune! |
| Female | |
| Unnai vaazhththi | Praising you, |
| Paadum paadal udhaya raagamo | Is the song being sung a morning melody? |
| Male :Namma vaazhththum | Male: Wishing us well, |
| Namathu uzhagam udhayamaagumo | Will our world dawn into a bright new beginning? |
| Female | |
| Pudhu kanavu kaalam therinthathae | The era of fresh dreams has now revealed itself! |
| Male :Nenjinil inbamum | Male: Joy in the heart |
| Konjuthu kenjuthu | Coos and pleads with deep affection. |
| Female | |
| Raagam vanthaadum veenai | The veena dances with sweet melodies, |
| Nalla kadhal kondaadum penmai | And womanhood celebrates true love. |
| Intha mannil thevaiyae | You are truly cherished on this earth, |
| Ezhil konjum poovaiyae | Oh beautiful flower-like maiden! |
| Azhagaana kaigal meettum velai | When beautiful hands gently pluck its strings, |
| Male | |
| Raagam tharaatha veenai | A veena that yields no melody, |
| Nalla kadhal sollatha penmai | Womanhood that does not express true love... |
| Female | |
| Aa….aa….aa….aaa….aa…. | Aa....aa....aa....aaa....aa.... |
| Aa….aa….aa….aaa….aa…. | Aa....aa....aa....aaa....aa.... |
| Aa….aa….aa….aaa….aa…. | Aa....aa....aa....aaa....aa.... |
| Male | |
| Ilamai kaattil inimai koottil | In the forest of youth, inside the nest of sweetness, |
| Irukkum thaenai edukkumpothu | When gathering the rich honey hidden within, |
| Kaalam neram thevai illai illai | There is no need for auspicious time or hour! |
| Female | |
| Malaiyin oram malarntha poovai | For the flower that bloomed along the mountain cliff, |
| Parikkum veeram irukkumpothu | When there is courage to pluck it, |
| Kaaval thaandum poovai mullai mullai | The delicate jasmine overcomes every obstacle and guard! |
| Male | |
| Maanum meenum | Like a deer and a fish, |
| Saernthu maayam seivathaenadi | Why are your eyes merging to weave such magic, my dear? |
| Female :Paanam podum | Female: Aiming his love arrows, |
| Kaaman neram koodaththaanaiyaa | Lord Kamadeva's hour has arrived, my beloved! |
| Male | |
| Ada manadhil saaral adiththathaa | Ah, has a gentle shower refreshed your heart? |
| Female :Karpanai arputham ennamo pannuthu | Female: A wondrous imagination is working its magic! |
| Male | |
| Raagam vanthaadum veenai | The veena dances with sweet melodies, |
| Nalla kadhal kondaadum penmai | And womanhood celebrates true love. |
| Female | |
| Intha mannil thevaiyae | You are truly cherished on this earth, |
| Ezhil konjum poovaiyae | Oh beautiful flower-like maiden! |
| Azhagaana kaigal meettum velai | When beautiful hands gently pluck its strings, |
| Male | |
| Raagam vanthaadum veenai | The veena dances with sweet melodies, |
| Nalla kadhal kondaadum penmai | And womanhood celebrates true love. |
| Female :Puthu raagam vanthaadum veenai | Female: The veena dances with a vibrant new melody, |
| Nalla kadhal kondaadum penmai | And womanhood celebrates true love. |
ஒரு ராகம் தராத வீணை
நல்ல காதல் சொல்லாத பெண்மை
இந்த மண்ணில் ஏனடி
பதில் கூறு கண்மணி
இந்த மண்ணில் ஏனடி
பதில் கூறு கண்மணி
அழகான கைகள் மீட்டும் வேலை
A veena that does not yield a melody,
Womanhood that does not express true love,
Why should it exist on this earth, my dear?
Answer me, my precious one.
Why should it exist on this earth, my dear?
Answer me, my precious one.
When beautiful hands gently pluck its strings,
ராகம் வந்தாடும் வீணை
நல்ல காதல் கொண்டாடும் பெண்மை
The veena dances with sweet melodies,
And womanhood celebrates true love!
நதியின் வேகம் பருவ மோகம்
கடலைச்சேர மாறிப்போகும்
நாளும் காதல் ராகம் பாடும் பாடும்
Youthful desire flows with the speed of a river,
Changing course as it meets the vast ocean.
Every day, it continuously sings the melody of love.
இதழில் போடும் இதழின் காயம்
இதழிலாறும் இனிமையாகும்
தேகம் தீண்டும் நேரம் யோகம் யோகம்
The loving wound inflicted on the lips by another's lips,
Heals right upon the lips and turns into pure sweetness.
The precious moment bodies touch is ultimate good fortune!
உன்னை வாழ்த்திப்
பாடும் பாடல் உதயராகமோ
நம்மை வாழ்த்தும்
நமது உலகம் உதயமாகுமோ
Praising you,
Is the song being sung a morning melody?
Male: Wishing us well,
Will our world dawn into a bright new beginning?
புது கனவுக் காலம் தெரிந்ததே
நெஞ்சினில் இன்பமும்
கொஞ்சுது கெஞ்சுது
The era of fresh dreams has now revealed itself!
Male: Joy in the heart
Coos and pleads with deep affection.
ராகம் வந்தாடும் வீணை
நல்ல காதல் கொண்டாடும் பெண்மை
இந்த மண்ணில் தேவையே
எழில் கொஞ்சும் பூவையே
அழகான கைகள் மீட்டும் வேலை
The veena dances with sweet melodies,
And womanhood celebrates true love.
You are truly cherished on this earth,
Oh beautiful flower-like maiden!
When beautiful hands gently pluck its strings,
ராகம் தராத வீணை
நல்ல காதல் சொல்லாத பெண்மை
A veena that yields no melody,
Womanhood that does not express true love...
ஆ....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆஅ......ஆ....
ஆ....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆஅ......ஆ....
ஆ....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆஅ......ஆ....
Aa....aa....aa....aaa....aa....
Aa....aa....aa....aaa....aa....
Aa....aa....aa....aaa....aa....
இளமைக் காட்டில் இனிமைக் கூட்டில்
இருக்கும் தேனை எடுக்கும்போது
காலம் நேரம் தேவை இல்லை இல்லை
In the forest of youth, inside the nest of sweetness,
When gathering the rich honey hidden within,
There is no need for auspicious time or hour!
மலையின் ஓரம் மலர்ந்த பூவைப்
பறிக்கும் வீரம் இருக்கும்போது
காவல் தாண்டும் பூவை முல்லை முல்லை
For the flower that bloomed along the mountain cliff,
When there is courage to pluck it,
The delicate jasmine overcomes every obstacle and guard!
மானும் மீனும்
சேர்ந்து மாயம் செய்வதேனடி
பானம் போடும்
காமன் நேரம் கூடத்தானய்யா
Like a deer and a fish,
Why are your eyes merging to weave such magic, my dear?
Female: Aiming his love arrows,
Lord Kamadeva's hour has arrived, my beloved!
அட மனதில் சாரல் அடித்ததா
கற்பனை அற்புதம் என்னமோ பண்ணுது
Ah, has a gentle shower refreshed your heart?
Female: A wondrous imagination is working its magic!
ராகம் வந்தாடும் வீணை
நல்ல காதல் கொண்டாடும் பெண்மை
The veena dances with sweet melodies,
And womanhood celebrates true love.
இந்த மண்ணில் தேவையே
எழில் கொஞ்சும் பூவையே
அழகான கைகள் மீட்டும் வேலை
You are truly cherished on this earth,
Oh beautiful flower-like maiden!
When beautiful hands gently pluck its strings,
ராகம் வந்தாடும் வீணை
நல்ல காதல் கொண்டாடும் பெண்மை
புது ராகம் வந்தாடும் வீணை
நல்ல காதல் கொண்டாடும் பெண்மை
The veena dances with sweet melodies,
And womanhood celebrates true love.
Female: The veena dances with a vibrant new melody,
And womanhood celebrates true love.
Oru raagam tharaatha veenai
A veena that does not yield a melody,
Nalla kadhal sollatha penmai
Womanhood that does not express true love,
Intha mannil yaenadi
Why should it exist on this earth, my dear?
Badhil kooru kanmani
Answer me, my precious one.
Intha mannil yaenadi
Why should it exist on this earth, my dear?
Badhil kooru kanmani
Answer me, my precious one.
Azhagaana kaigal meettum velai
When beautiful hands gently pluck its strings,
Raagam vanthaadum veenai
The veena dances with sweet melodies,
Nalla kadhal kondaadum penmai
And womanhood celebrates true love!
Nadhiyin vegam paruva mogam
Youthful desire flows with the speed of a river,
Kadalai saera maarippogum
Changing course as it meets the vast ocean.
Naalum kadhal raagam paadum paadum
Every day, it continuously sings the melody of love.
: Idhazhil podum idhazhin kaayam
The loving wound inflicted on the lips by another's lips,
Idhazhilaarum inimaiyaagum
Heals right upon the lips and turns into pure sweetness.
Thegam theendum neram yogam yogam
The precious moment bodies touch is ultimate good fortune!
Unnai vaazhththi
Praising you,
Paadum paadal udhaya raagamo
Is the song being sung a morning melody?
Male :Namma vaazhththum
Male: Wishing us well,
Namathu uzhagam udhayamaagumo
Will our world dawn into a bright new beginning?
Pudhu kanavu kaalam therinthathae
The era of fresh dreams has now revealed itself!
Male :Nenjinil inbamum
Male: Joy in the heart
Konjuthu kenjuthu
Coos and pleads with deep affection.
Raagam vanthaadum veenai
The veena dances with sweet melodies,
Nalla kadhal kondaadum penmai
And womanhood celebrates true love.
Intha mannil thevaiyae
You are truly cherished on this earth,
Ezhil konjum poovaiyae
Oh beautiful flower-like maiden!
Azhagaana kaigal meettum velai
When beautiful hands gently pluck its strings,
Raagam tharaatha veenai
A veena that yields no melody,
Nalla kadhal sollatha penmai
Womanhood that does not express true love...
Aa….aa….aa….aaa….aa….
Aa....aa....aa....aaa....aa....
Aa….aa….aa….aaa….aa….
Aa....aa....aa....aaa....aa....
Aa….aa….aa….aaa….aa….
Aa....aa....aa....aaa....aa....
Ilamai kaattil inimai koottil
In the forest of youth, inside the nest of sweetness,
Irukkum thaenai edukkumpothu
When gathering the rich honey hidden within,
Kaalam neram thevai illai illai
There is no need for auspicious time or hour!
Malaiyin oram malarntha poovai
For the flower that bloomed along the mountain cliff,
Parikkum veeram irukkumpothu
When there is courage to pluck it,
Kaaval thaandum poovai mullai mullai
The delicate jasmine overcomes every obstacle and guard!
Maanum meenum
Like a deer and a fish,
Saernthu maayam seivathaenadi
Why are your eyes merging to weave such magic, my dear?
Female :Paanam podum
Female: Aiming his love arrows,
Kaaman neram koodaththaanaiyaa
Lord Kamadeva's hour has arrived, my beloved!
Ada manadhil saaral adiththathaa
Ah, has a gentle shower refreshed your heart?
Female :Karpanai arputham ennamo pannuthu
Female: A wondrous imagination is working its magic!
Raagam vanthaadum veenai
The veena dances with sweet melodies,
Nalla kadhal kondaadum penmai
And womanhood celebrates true love.
Intha mannil thevaiyae
You are truly cherished on this earth,
Ezhil konjum poovaiyae
Oh beautiful flower-like maiden!
Azhagaana kaigal meettum velai
When beautiful hands gently pluck its strings,
Raagam vanthaadum veenai
The veena dances with sweet melodies,
Nalla kadhal kondaadum penmai
And womanhood celebrates true love.
Female :Puthu raagam vanthaadum veenai
Female: The veena dances with a vibrant new melody,
Nalla kadhal kondaadum penmai
And womanhood celebrates true love.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Oru Raagam Tharaatha Veenai' is a romantic duet from the 1992 Tamil film 'Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren'. It metaphorically compares a woman's unawakened heart to an unplayed Veena (an Indian classical stringed instrument). Without the gentle touch of true love, both remain silent and unfulfilled. However, when touched by tender affection, the instrument plays celestial melodies, just as a woman's heart blossoms to celebrate true love. As the duet progresses between the lovers, they exchange poetic imagery comparing their passion to rivers joining the ocean, honey gathered in the forest of youth, and wild blossoms plucked on mountain slopes. The song encapsulates the excitement, anticipation, and emotional awakening experienced in romantic love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Raagam vanthaadum veenai / Nalla kadhal kondaadum penmai”
Compares a woman's heart and beauty directly to a Veena, suggesting that under the right touch of love, her soul produces beautiful music.
Simile & Imagery (Upamai)
“Nadhiyin vegam paruva mogam / Kadalai saera maarippogum”
Uses the imagery of a rushing river merging into the ocean to describe how youthful passion surges forward to find its ultimate destination in love.
Ethugai (Second Letter Assonance)
“Ilamai kaattil inimai koottil”
The second consonant 'la/na' sound produces a pleasing rhythm in 'Ilamai' and 'inimai', as well as matching structure in 'kaattil' and 'koottil'.
Monai (First Letter Alliteration)
“Maanum meenum / Saernthu maayam seivathaenadi”
Repetition of the 'Ma' sound ('Maanum', 'meenum', 'maayam') creates musical alliteration in the line.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren' (1992) is a Tamil romantic drama film directed by Sridev, starring Parthiban, Suman Ranganathan, and Mohini. The film features a popular soundtrack composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by Piraisoodan. This song in particular features vocals by legendary playback singers S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki.
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