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Lyrics & meaning

Raja Enbar

From Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri · 1977

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri
Movie release year
1977
Lyrics added on
16 Nov 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Raajaa enbaar
Mandhiri enbaar
Raajiyam illai aazha
Oru raaniyum illai vaazha
Oru uravumillai
Adhil pirivumillai
Andharaththil oonjal
Aadugiren naalum
Andharaththil oonjal
Aadugiren naalum
Raajaa enbaar
Mandhiri enbaar
Raajiyam illai aazha
Oru raaniyum illai vaazha
Kallukkul eeramillai
Nenjukkul irakkamillai
Aaasaikku vetkamillai
Anubavikka yogamillai
Paithiyam theera
Vaithiyam illai
Ulagil enakku oruvazhi illai
Raajaa enbaar
Mandhiri enbaar
Raajiyam illai aazha
Oru raaniyum illai vaazha
Nilavukku vaanamundu
Malarukku vaasamundu
Kodikkoru kilaiyumundu
Enakkendru enna undu
Yen padaithaanoo
Iraivanum ennai
Manadhil enakku nimmadhi illai
Raajaa enben
Mandhiri enben
Raajiyam unakku undu
Oru raajakumaran undu
Nalla uravum undu
Adhil parivum undu
Andharaththil oonjal
Aadugiren naalum
Devaththil unnai kanden
Dhinam dhinam poojai seidhen
Nilavukku kalangam endru
Uravukkul vilagi nindren
Mayakamum yeno kalakkamum yeno
Ulagil unakku sariththiram undu
Raajaa enben
Mandhiri enben
Raajiyam unakku undu
Oru raajakumaran undu
Nalla uravum undu
Adhil parivum undu
Andharaththil oonjal
Aadugiren naalum
They call me a king,
They call me a minister,
Yet I have no kingdom to rule,
Nor a queen to live with.
There are no relationships,
And so, no pain of separation.
Like a swing suspended in mid-air,
I keep swaying every day.
Like a swing suspended in mid-air,
I keep swaying every day.
They call me a king,
They call me a minister,
Yet I have no kingdom to rule,
Nor a queen to live with.
A stone has no moisture within,
The heart has no mercy within.
Desire knows no shame,
Yet I have no fortune to enjoy it.
To cure this madness,
There is no remedy.
In this world, there is no way out for me.
They call me a king,
They call me a minister,
Yet I have no kingdom to rule,
Nor a queen to live with.
The moon has the sky,
The flower has its fragrance,
A climbing vine has a branch to hold,
What is there for me to call my own?
Why did He create me—
Why did God create me at all?
There is no peace in my heart.
I shall call you a king,
I shall call you a minister,
You truly have a kingdom,
You have a little prince.
You have a genuine bond,
Filled with tender love.
Like a swing suspended in mid-air,
I keep swaying every day.
I saw God in you,
And worshipped you every single day.
Fearing that even the moon might be stained,
I stayed away from our bond.
Why this confusion? Why this distress?
You have a lasting place in this world's history.
I shall call you a king,
I shall call you a minister,
You truly have a kingdom,
You have a little prince.
You have a genuine bond,
Filled with tender love.
Like a swing suspended in mid-air,
I keep swaying every day.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Raja Enbaar' from the film 'Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri' (1977) is a deeply philosophical and emotional duet that expresses existential isolation, heartbreak, and acceptance of fate. The male protagonist reflects on his rootless existence and internal void despite praise from society, comparing his uncertain life to a swing hanging helplessly in mid-air. He laments the lack of love, empathy, and divine relief in his tortured existence. In response, the female voice offers solace and perspective, attempting to restore his sense of worth. She reminds him of his virtues, potential, and historical place in her life, acknowledging her own decision to step back due to self-perceived flaws. Together, the song paints a tragic yet poetic picture of two souls navigating emotional distress, fate, and detachment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emoni / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

Raajiyam illai aazha / Oru raaniyum illai vaazha

Usage of second letter rhyming (Ethirai) across lines like Raajaa/Mandhiri and Raajiyam/Raaniyum, enhancing the rhythmic flow.

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagamaai)

Andharaththil oonjal / Aadugiren naalum

Comparing an unstable, anxious mind to a swing hanging in mid-air without support (Andharaththil oonjal).

Parallelism / Contrast (Edhirnilai)

Nilavukku vaanamundu / Malarukku vaasamundu

Contrasting natural elements that have a belonging (sky for moon, fragrance for flower) with the speaker's total lack of belonging.

Anaphora

Nilavukku vaanamundu / Malarukku vaasamundu / Kodikkoru kilaiyumundu

Repetition of words ending in '-undu' to build an accumulative rhythm emphasizing elements of nature before contrasting with despair.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri' (1977), directed by S. P. Muthuraman and produced/written by Panchu Arunachalam, is a landmark Tamil film that redefined Rajinikanth's career by giving him a sympathetic, main lead role alongside Sivakumar. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, featuring soulful vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki.

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