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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Raja Enbar

From Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri · 1977

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Raajaa enbaarThey will call me a king
Mandhiri enbaarThey will call me a minister
Raajiyam illai aazhaThere is no kingdom to rule
Oru raaniyum illai vaazhaNor a queen to live with
Male
Oru uravumillaiThere is no relationship
Adhil pirivumillaiNor any separation in it
Andharaththil oonjalOn a swing suspended in mid-air
Aadugiren naalumI swing every single day
Andharaththil oonjalOn a swing suspended in mid-air
Aadugiren naalumI swing every single day
Male
Raajaa enbaarThey will call me a king
Mandhiri enbaarThey will call me a minister
Raajiyam illai aazhaThere is no kingdom to rule
Oru raaniyum illai vaazhaNor a queen to live with
Male
Kallukkul eeramillaiThere is no moisture inside a stone
Nenjukkul irakkamillaiThere is no compassion in the heart
Aaasaikku vetkamillaiDesire knows no shame
Anubavikka yogamillaiYet I lack the fortune to enjoy it
Paithiyam theeraTo cure this madness
Vaithiyam illaiThere is no medicine
Ulagil enakku oruvazhi illaiThere is no way for me in this world
Male
Raajaa enbaarThey will call me a king
Mandhiri enbaarThey will call me a minister
Raajiyam illai aazhaThere is no kingdom to rule
Oru raaniyum illai vaazhaNor a queen to live with
Male
Nilavukku vaanamundu, The moon has a sky
Malarukku vaasamunduThe flower has its fragrance
Kodikkoru kilaiyumunduThe creeper vine has a branch
Enakkendru enna unduWhat is there reserved for me?
Yen padaithaanooWhy did He create me?
Iraivanum ennaiEven God who created me
Manadhil enakku nimmadhi illaiThere is no peace in my mind
Female
Raajaa enbenI shall call you a king
Mandhiri enbenI shall call you a minister
Raajiyam unakku unduYou have a kingdom
Oru raajakumaran unduYou have a prince
Female
Nalla uravum unduYou have good relationships
Adhil parivum unduAnd true affection within them
Andharaththil oonjalOn a swing suspended in mid-air
Aadugiren naalumI swing every single day
Female
Devaththil unnai kandenI saw you as a deity
Dhinam dhinam poojai seidhenEvery day I offered prayers to you
Nilavukku kalangam endruThinking the moon has a spot
Uravukkul vilagi nindrenI distance myself from relationships
Mayakamum yeno kalakkamum yenoWhy this dizziness, why this confusion?
Ulagil unakku sariththiram unduYou have a history in this world
Female
Raajaa enbenI shall call you a king
Mandhiri enbenI shall call you a minister
Raajiyam unakku unduYou have a kingdom
Oru raajakumaran unduYou have a prince
Female
Nalla uravum unduYou have good relationships
Adhil parivum unduAnd true affection within them
Andharaththil oonjalOn a swing suspended in mid-air
Aadugiren naalumI swing every single day

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'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.

Keep listening

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