Raasavae Unnai
From Vaidehi Kathirunthal · 1984
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Vaidehi Kathirunthal1984
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Laalaa…laalaaaa.. | Vocalizing melody... |
| Laalaalaa..laalaaa | Vocalizing melody... |
| Laalaalaa..laalaaa | Vocalizing melody... |
| Laalaa…laalaaaa.. | Vocalizing melody... |
| Laalaa…laalaaaa.. | Vocalizing melody... |
| Female | |
| Raasaavae onna | Oh King, my beloved, |
| Kaanaadha nenju | The heart that does not see you, |
| Kaaththaadi polaaduthu | Flutters like a kite in the wind. |
| Raasaavae onna | Oh King, my beloved, |
| Kaanaadha nenju | The heart that does not see you, |
| Kaaththaadi polaaduthu | Flutters like a kite in the wind. |
| Female | |
| Sree raamanoda | To offer a flower garland, |
| Poo maalai poda | To Lord Sri Rama, |
| Vaidehi ullam vaaduthu | Vaidehi's heart wilts in longing. |
| Female | |
| Raasaavae onna | Oh King, my beloved, |
| Kaanaadha nenju | The heart that does not see you, |
| Kaaththaadi polaaduthu | Flutters like a kite in the wind. |
| Female | |
| {Kannukkoru vannakkili | A colorful parrot for the eyes, |
| Kaadhukkoru gaana kuyil | A singing cuckoo for the ears, |
| Nenjukkoru vanji kodi | A slender creeper vine for the heart, |
| Naan dhaanaiyaa} (2) | Is that not who I am, my dear? |
| Female | |
| Thaththi thavazhum | Toddling and crawling along, |
| Thanga chimizh naan | I am a golden casket; |
| Pongi perugum | Overflowing and surging forth, |
| Sanga thamizh naan | I am classical Sangam Tamil. |
| Female | |
| Muththam thara | To bestow a sweet kiss, |
| Niththam varum | A star that arrives every single day, |
| Natchaththiram | Who is it here for? |
| Yaarodu ingu | What conversation do I have with anyone? |
| Enakkenna pechchu | It is you alone, my darling, |
| Nee thaane kannaa | Who is the very breath I take. |
| Naan vaangum moochchu | I must live my life with you, |
| Vaazhndhaaga vendum | Come to me, come my darling! |
| Vaa vaa kannaa | Oh King, my beloved, |
| Female | |
| Raasaavae onna | The heart that does not see you, |
| Kaanaadha nenju | Flutters like a kite in the wind. |
| Kaaththaadi polaaduthu | To offer a flower garland, |
| Female | |
| Sree raamanoda | To Lord Sri Rama, |
| Poo maalai poda | Vaidehi's heart wilts in longing. |
| Vaidehi ullam vaaduthu | Oh King, my beloved, |
| Female | |
| Raasaavae onna | The heart that does not see you, |
| Kaanaadha nenju | Flutters like a kite in the wind. |
| Kaaththaadi polaaduthu | Saying the maiden is like river Ganges, |
| Female | |
| {Mangai oru gangai ena | Saying the king is like Lord Krishna, |
| Mannan oru kannan ena | A tale of love whispered in the ear, |
| Kaadhil oru kaadhal kadhai | What if you recite it to me? |
| Sonnaal enna} (2) | Is he my father's sister's son, |
| Female | |
| Aththai magano | Or my mother's brother's son? |
| Maaman magano | What relationship is this, |
| Sondham yedhuvo | What bond is this? |
| Bandham yedhuvo | Ever since we met, |
| Female | |
| Sandhiththadhum | Ever since I contemplated it, |
| Sindhiththadhum | It tastes so sweet! |
| Thiththiththida | Oh dear, without you, I am like... |
| Ammaadi nee dhaan | A sky untouched |
| Illaadha naanum | By white floating clouds. |
| Venmegam vandhu | This unbearable longing inside me, |
| Theendaadha vaanam | Is enough, it is enough! |
| Thaangaadha yekkam | Oh King, my beloved, |
| Podhum podhum | The heart that does not see you, |
| Female | |
| Raasaavae onna | Flutters like a kite in the wind. |
| Kaanaadha nenju | To offer a flower garland, |
| Kaaththaadi polaaduthu | To Lord Sri Rama, |
| Female | |
| Sree raamanoda | Vaidehi's heart wilts in longing. |
| Poo maalai poda | Oh King, my beloved, |
| Vaidehi ullam vaaduthu | The heart that does not see you, |
| Female | |
| Raasaavae onna | Flutters like a kite in the wind. |
| Kaanaadha nenju | Flutters like a kite in the wind... |
| Kaaththaadi polaaduthu | |
| Kaaththaadi polaaduthu.. | |
........................................
Vocalizing melody...
Vocalizing melody...
Vocalizing melody...
Vocalizing melody...
Vocalizing melody...
ராசாவே உன்ன
காணாத நெஞ்சு
காத்தாடி போலாடுது
ராசாவே உன்ன
காணாத நெஞ்சு
காத்தாடி போலாடுது
Oh King, my beloved,
The heart that does not see you,
Flutters like a kite in the wind.
Oh King, my beloved,
The heart that does not see you,
Flutters like a kite in the wind.
ஸ்ரீ ராமனோட
பூ மாலை போட
வைதேஹி உள்ளம் வாடுது..
To offer a flower garland,
To Lord Sri Rama,
Vaidehi's heart wilts in longing.
ராசாவே உன்ன
காணாத நெஞ்சு
காத்தாடி போலாடுது..
Oh King, my beloved,
The heart that does not see you,
Flutters like a kite in the wind.
{கண்ணுகொரு வண்ணக்கிளி
காதுக்கொரு கானக்குயில்
நெஞ்சுக்கொரு வஞ்சிக்கொடி
நான் தான் அய்யா} (2)
A colorful parrot for the eyes,
A singing cuckoo for the ears,
A slender creeper vine for the heart,
Is that not who I am, my dear?
தத்தித் தவழும்
தங்கச் சிமிழ் நான்
பொங்கி பெருகும்
சங்கத் தமிழ் நான்
Toddling and crawling along,
I am a golden casket;
Overflowing and surging forth,
I am classical Sangam Tamil.
முத்தம் தர
நித்தம் வரும் நட்சதிரம்
யாரோடு இங்கு எனக்கென்ன பேச்சு
நீ தானே கண்ணா
நான் வாங்கும் மூச்சு
வாழ்ந்தாக வேண்டும்
வா வா கண்ணா..
To bestow a sweet kiss,
A star that arrives every single day,
Who is it here for?
What conversation do I have with anyone?
It is you alone, my darling,
Who is the very breath I take.
I must live my life with you,
Come to me, come my darling!
Oh King, my beloved,
ராசாவே உன்ன
காணாத நெஞ்சு
காத்தாடி போலாடுது
ஸ்ரீ ராமனோட பூ மாலை போட
வைதேஹி உள்ளம் வாடுது..
The heart that does not see you,
Flutters like a kite in the wind.
To offer a flower garland,
ராசாவே உன்ன
காணாத நெஞ்சு
காத்தாடி போலாடுது..
To Lord Sri Rama,
Vaidehi's heart wilts in longing.
Oh King, my beloved,
{மங்கை ஒரு கங்கை என
மன்னன் ஒரு கண்ணன் என
காதில் ஒரு காதல் கதை
சொன்னால் என்ன..} (2)
The heart that does not see you,
Flutters like a kite in the wind.
Saying the maiden is like river Ganges,
அத்தை மகனோ
மாமன் மகனோ
சொந்தம் எதுவோ பந்தம் எதுவோ
சந்தித்ததும் சிந்தித்ததும் தித்தித்திட
அம்மாடி நீதான் இல்லாத நானும்
வெண்மேகம் வந்து நீந்தாத வானம்
தாங்காத ஏக்கம் போதும் போதும்..
Saying the king is like Lord Krishna,
A tale of love whispered in the ear,
What if you recite it to me?
Is he my father's sister's son,
ராசாவே உன்ன
காணாத நெஞ்சு
காத்தாடி போலாடுது
ஸ்ரீ ராமனோட பூ மாலை போட
வைதேஹி உள்ளம் வாடுது..
Or my mother's brother's son?
What relationship is this,
What bond is this?
Ever since we met,
ராசாவே உன்ன
காணாத நெஞ்சு
காத்தாடி போலாடுது..
காத்தாடி போலாடுது..
Ever since I contemplated it,
It tastes so sweet!
Oh dear, without you, I am like...
A sky untouched
By white floating clouds.
This unbearable longing inside me,
Is enough, it is enough!
Oh King, my beloved,
The heart that does not see you,
Flutters like a kite in the wind.
To offer a flower garland,
To Lord Sri Rama,
Vaidehi's heart wilts in longing.
Oh King, my beloved,
The heart that does not see you,
Flutters like a kite in the wind.
Flutters like a kite in the wind...
Laalaa…laalaaaa..
Vocalizing melody...
Laalaalaa..laalaaa
Vocalizing melody...
Laalaalaa..laalaaa
Vocalizing melody...
Laalaa…laalaaaa..
Vocalizing melody...
Laalaa…laalaaaa..
Vocalizing melody...
Raasaavae onna
Oh King, my beloved,
Kaanaadha nenju
The heart that does not see you,
Kaaththaadi polaaduthu
Flutters like a kite in the wind.
Raasaavae onna
Oh King, my beloved,
Kaanaadha nenju
The heart that does not see you,
Kaaththaadi polaaduthu
Flutters like a kite in the wind.
Sree raamanoda
To offer a flower garland,
Poo maalai poda
To Lord Sri Rama,
Vaidehi ullam vaaduthu
Vaidehi's heart wilts in longing.
Raasaavae onna
Oh King, my beloved,
Kaanaadha nenju
The heart that does not see you,
Kaaththaadi polaaduthu
Flutters like a kite in the wind.
{Kannukkoru vannakkili
A colorful parrot for the eyes,
Kaadhukkoru gaana kuyil
A singing cuckoo for the ears,
Nenjukkoru vanji kodi
A slender creeper vine for the heart,
Naan dhaanaiyaa} (2)
Is that not who I am, my dear?
Thaththi thavazhum
Toddling and crawling along,
Thanga chimizh naan
I am a golden casket;
Pongi perugum
Overflowing and surging forth,
Sanga thamizh naan
I am classical Sangam Tamil.
Muththam thara
To bestow a sweet kiss,
Niththam varum
A star that arrives every single day,
Natchaththiram
Who is it here for?
Yaarodu ingu
What conversation do I have with anyone?
Enakkenna pechchu
It is you alone, my darling,
Nee thaane kannaa
Who is the very breath I take.
Naan vaangum moochchu
I must live my life with you,
Vaazhndhaaga vendum
Come to me, come my darling!
Vaa vaa kannaa
Oh King, my beloved,
Raasaavae onna
The heart that does not see you,
Kaanaadha nenju
Flutters like a kite in the wind.
Kaaththaadi polaaduthu
To offer a flower garland,
Sree raamanoda
To Lord Sri Rama,
Poo maalai poda
Vaidehi's heart wilts in longing.
Vaidehi ullam vaaduthu
Oh King, my beloved,
Raasaavae onna
The heart that does not see you,
Kaanaadha nenju
Flutters like a kite in the wind.
Kaaththaadi polaaduthu
Saying the maiden is like river Ganges,
{Mangai oru gangai ena
Saying the king is like Lord Krishna,
Mannan oru kannan ena
A tale of love whispered in the ear,
Kaadhil oru kaadhal kadhai
What if you recite it to me?
Sonnaal enna} (2)
Is he my father's sister's son,
Aththai magano
Or my mother's brother's son?
Maaman magano
What relationship is this,
Sondham yedhuvo
What bond is this?
Bandham yedhuvo
Ever since we met,
Sandhiththadhum
Ever since I contemplated it,
Sindhiththadhum
It tastes so sweet!
Thiththiththida
Oh dear, without you, I am like...
Ammaadi nee dhaan
A sky untouched
Illaadha naanum
By white floating clouds.
Venmegam vandhu
This unbearable longing inside me,
Theendaadha vaanam
Is enough, it is enough!
Thaangaadha yekkam
Oh King, my beloved,
Podhum podhum
The heart that does not see you,
Raasaavae onna
Flutters like a kite in the wind.
Kaanaadha nenju
To offer a flower garland,
Kaaththaadi polaaduthu
To Lord Sri Rama,
Sree raamanoda
Vaidehi's heart wilts in longing.
Poo maalai poda
Oh King, my beloved,
Vaidehi ullam vaaduthu
The heart that does not see you,
Raasaavae onna
Flutters like a kite in the wind.
Kaanaadha nenju
Flutters like a kite in the wind...
Kaaththaadi polaaduthu
Kaaththaadi polaaduthu..
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Raasaave Unna Kaanaadha Nenju' is an iconic classical-pop fusion track from the 1984 Tamil film Vaidehi Kathirunthal. The song expresses the deep, agonizing yearning of a young woman longing for her beloved. She compares her anxious heart to a kite flitting uncontrollably in the wind and draws a poetic parallel between her waiting and Vaidehi's (Sita's) devotion to Lord Rama. Across the verses, she describes her beauty and devotion using rich metaphors—calling herself a golden jewel box, fluent Sangam Tamil, and a cloudless sky without her lover. The melody seamlessly weaves folk elements with Carnatic ragas, expressing the bittersweet pain of separation and romantic devotion.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uwamai)
“Kaaththaadi polaaduthu”
'Kaaththaadi polaaduthu' compares the unstable, restless heart to a kite flying erratically in the wind.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Sanga thamizh naan”
'Sanga thamizh naan' compares the heroine's sweetness and rich essence directly to classical Sangam Tamil literature.
Alliteration & Rhyme (Edhugai / Mona)
“Thaththi thavazhum / Thanga chimizh naan”
Matching second consonant sounds ('th' in Thaththi/Thanga, 'ng' in Pongi/Sanga) creating rhythmic poetic flow.
Mythological Allusion
“Sree raamanoda / Poo maalai poda / Vaidehi ullam vaaduthu”
References Sita (Vaidehi) longing to garland Rama, symbolizing pure, dedicated love.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for the blockbuster movie Vaidehi Kathirunthal ( directed by R. Sundarrajan ), this song features legendary renditions by S. Janaki and P. Susheela across different album versions. Set predominantly in the serene Carnatic raga Saramati, it remains one of the most celebrated solo melodies in Tamil cinema history.
Keep listening
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