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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Raila Raila

From Naadodigal – 2 · 2019

Lyricist
Yugabharathi
Singer
Achu Rajamani
Music director
Justin Prabhakaran
Details
Naadodigal – 22019

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Heyyy…heyy…heyyy..Heyyy... heyy... heyyy..
Heyy…heyyy…heyyy…Heyy... heyyy... heyyy...
Railaa railaa odum railaaLike a running train, running train,
Manasaiyum kadathuriyaeYou are abducting my heart.
Male
Kaiyira kaiyiraIs it a rope, a rope,
Nylon kaiyiraA nylon rope,
Vayasaiyum ezhukiriyaeYou are pulling my youth.
Male
Kannaalae kavadiya..With your eyes like a Kavadi burden..
Chorus :AmmadiChorus: Oh dear!
Male :Ennaiyum nee thookuriyae..Male: You lift me up as well..
Chorus :AiyodiChorus: Oh my goodness!
Male :Unnaala en naadiyilaMale: Because of you, in my pulse,
Erumburudhadi eni naan thaan onn jodi…Ants seem to crawl; from now on, I am your pair...
Male
Heyyy…heyy…heyyy.. heyyHeyyy... heyy... heyyy.. heyy
Male
Agaaya oonjal pola un paarvaLike a sky swing, your gaze
Azhagaaga aazha thookki mela veesuthaeBeautifully lifts me from the deep and throws me up.
Oli yaethhum pechulaIn your speech that brings light,
Usuroram pei mazhaA heavy downpour hits near my soul.
Koda saanju naanum pogaAs I walk leaning under an umbrella,
Kolam poduthae…It creates artistic rangoli patterns...
Male
Kaanadha saamigala..The gods I had never seen..
Chorus :NaandhaanChorus: It is me!
Male :Paarthen un saayalilaa..Male: I saw them in your reflection..
Chorus :AaamaChorus: Yes!
Male :Un kai viral modhayilaMale: When your hand's fingers touch mine,
Kuyil koovudhu moolaiyila..A cuckoo bird sings in the corner of my mind..
Male
Heyyy…heyy…heyyy..Heyyy... heyy... heyyy..
Male
Paanchaali saelaLike Panchali's sari,
Polae en kaadhalMy love for you,
Una sera yengi yengiYearning deeply to reach you,
Neelamaaguthae…Keeps growing endless and long...
Male
Ozhungaaga kottulaEven the feet that walked strictly
Nadai potta kaalumaeIn proper order and rhythm,
Una parkkum aasaiyaalaOut of the desire to see you,
Aattam poduthae…Are now dancing in joy...
Male
Kaadhoram seithigala..The whispers near my ear..
Chorus :AaahaChorus: Ah-ha!
Male :Nee pesum velaiyilaa..Male: When you speak them..
Chorus :Ohooo..Chorus: Oh-hoo..
Male :Kan thoongavum koodalaiyaeMale: My eyes refuse to sleep,
Dhinam kootura kaadhalayae..You multiply this love every day..
Male
Heyyy…heyy…heyyy..Heyyy... heyy... heyyy..
Railaa railaa odum railaaLike a running train, running train,
Manasaiyum kadathuriyaeYou are abducting my heart.
Kaiyira kaiyira nylon kaiyiraIs it a rope, a rope, a nylon rope,
Vayasaiyum EzhukiriyaeYou are pulling my youth.
Male
Kannalae kavadiya..With your eyes like a Kavadi burden..
Chorus :KavadiyaChorus: Like a Kavadi!
Male :Ennaiyum nee thookuriyae..Male: You lift me up as well..
Chorus :ThookuriyaeChorus: You lift me up!
Male :Unnaalae en naadiyilaMale: Because of you, in my pulse,
Erumburudhadi eni naan thaan on jodi…Ants seem to crawl; from now on, I am your pair...
Chorus
Hey dhinnaku dhinnaaHey dhinnaku dhinnaa
Male :HeyyyMale: Heyyy
Chorus :Thakku dhinnakku dhinnaaChorus: Thakku dhinnakku dhinnaa
Male :HeyyyMale: Heyyy
Chorus
Dhinnaku dhinnaaDhinnaku dhinnaa
Male :HeyyyMale: Heyyy
Chorus :Thakku dhinnakku dhinnaaChorus: Thakku dhinnakku dhinnaa
Male :HeyyyMale: Heyyy

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Raila Raila from Naadodigal 2 is an energetic romantic folk track celebrating the thrill and overwhelm of falling in love. The protagonist uses playful, vivid imagery to describe his beloved's effect on him—comparing her love to a fast train kidnapping his heart, her glance to a high sky-swing, and her touch to music playing in his mind. He marvels at how her presence makes him feel alive, lifting his spirits like a ceremonial Kavadi load.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Agaaya oonjal pola un paarva

Compares the girl's captivating look to a high sky swing ('Agaaya oonjal pola un paarva').

Mythological Allusion & Hyperbole

Paanchaali saela Polae en kaadhal

Compares the infinite extension of his love to Draupadi's (Panchali's) endlessly unrolling saree ('Paanchaali saela polae en kaadhal... neelamaaguthae').

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Railaa railaa odum railaa Manasaiyum kadathuriyae

Metaphorically compares her fast-moving romance to a train abducting his heart.

Imagery & Local Idiom

Unnaala en naadiyila Erumburudhadi

Describes the tingling sensation of romantic anticipation as ants crawling through his veins/pulse.

Did you know?

Trivia

Naadodigal 2 (2019) is a social drama film directed by Samuthirakani, serving as a thematic sequel to the 2009 hit film Naadodigal. Music director Justin Prabhakaran composed this folk track 'Raila Raila', combining traditional rural rhythm arrangements with energetic vocal delivery by singer-composer Achu Rajamani and lyricist Yugabharathi.

Keep listening

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