Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Dhayam Onnu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Raathiri Poothathu

From Dhayam Onnu · 1988

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Jikki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Dhayam Onnu
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
12 Oct 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
………………………………..
Raathiri poothathu
Kaattu roja
Paarthathum poongaram
Neettu raaja
Ival raani ival raani vaa nee
Raathiri poothathu
Kaattu roja
Paarthathum poongaram
Neettu raaja
{Idhu enna kelvi
Puriyatha maadhiri
Naan unnai thedi
Alaigindra maadhavi} (2)
Aadavum paadavum
Aasaiyil thedavum
Aayiram kelvigal
Jaadaiyil podavum
Poovaana maadhu
Aalaana podhu
Vaa vaa raaja
Raathiri poothathu
Kaattu roja
Paarthathum poongaram
Neettu raaja
………………………..
{Pennaana naanae
Enn aasai sollavo
Ulloorum thaenae
Veenaaga sellavo} (2)
Thaangavae yenginen
Yengavae thaanginen
Panjanai meedhilae
Pagalilae thoonginen
Noolaana dhaegam
Thaaladha mogam
Bodhai yerum…….
Raathiri
Raathiri poothathu
Kaattu roja
Paarthathum poongaram
Neettu raaja
Ival raani ival raani vaa nee
Raathiri poothathu
Raathiri…………
...
Bloomed in the night,
a wild rose.
Upon seeing her, extend your soft hands,
O king!
She is the queen, she is the queen, come now!
Bloomed in the night,
a wild rose.
Upon seeing her, extend your soft hands,
O king!
What kind of question is this,
as if you do not understand?
Searching for you,
I wander like Madhavi.
To dance and to sing,
to search in desire,
to pose a thousand questions
through subtle gestures,
when this flower-like woman
has come of age,
come, come, my king!
Bloomed in the night,
a wild rose.
Upon seeing her, extend your soft hands,
O king!
...
As a woman myself,
should I speak of my desire?
O honey welling up within,
will it all go to waste?
I longed to be held,
and longing, I endured standard solitude,
upon the cushioned bed
I slept even through the day.
A body delicate as thread,
an unbearable passion,
intoxication rises...
Night...
Bloomed in the night,
a wild rose.
Upon seeing her, extend your soft hands,
O king!
She is the queen, she is the queen, come now!
Bloomed in the night,
Night...
Chorus
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This sensual track from 'Dhayam Onnu' (1988) features the female lead expressing her deep romantic desire and passion. She metaphorically describes herself as a 'kaattu roja' (wild rose) blooming under the nocturnal sky, inviting her lover ('raaja') to reach out and hold her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Raathiri poothathu Kaattu roja

Compares the woman's beauty and night allure to a blooming wild rose.

Compound Metaphor (Uvamaithogai)

Paarthathum poongaram

'Poongaram' combines 'Poo' (flower) and 'Karam' (hand), comparing gentle hands to soft flowers.

Hyperbole / Simile (Uvamai)

Noolaana dhaegam

'Noolaana dhaegam' compares a delicate, slender physique to a thin thread.

Chiasmus / Word Reversal (Maranthathodai)

Thaangavae yenginen / Yengavae thaanginen

Reversing 'Thaangavae yenginen' to 'Yengavae thaanginen' creates a poetic rhythmic reflection of longing and patience.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Dhayam Onnu' is a late 1980s Tamil film featuring lyrics written by Gangai Amaran, who frequently penned rhythmically vibrant and evocative songs in the 1980s cinema era.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Dhayam Onnu

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.