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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Raja Magal Roja Magal Child Version

From Pillai Nila · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Pillai Nila1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Raajaa magal… rojaa magal…A king's daughter... a rose-like daughter...
Raajaa magal rojaa magalA king's daughter, a rose-like daughter
Vaanil varum vennilaaIs she the bright white moon in the sky?
Vaazhum indha kannilaaOr does she reside within these eyes?
Konjum mozhi paadidum solai kuyilaaIs she a grove cuckoo singing in sweet, lisping words?
Female
Raajaa magal rojaa magalA king's daughter, a rose-like daughter
Female
Mullodu thaan kallodu thaanOnly amidst thorns and amidst stones,
Rojaakkalum pookkalaamEven roses can bloom,
Ammaadi naan aththodu thaanOh dear, along with those,
Un peraiyum serkkalaamI can add your name as well.
Female
Kattil vara ennam ittuHoping to reach the bridal bed,
Thottil vandhu serndhavalShe ended up reaching the cradle instead.
Mannavanae un ninaivilOh King, lost in your thoughts,
Vennilavaai thaeindhavalShe waned away like the full moon.
Female
Kobam oru kannilAnger in one eye,
Dhaabam oru kannilYearning in the other eye,
Vandhu vandhu sellaAs they keep coming and going,
Vindhai enna sollaHow do I explain this wonder?
Endhan uyirae… ae…ae…ae..ae…ae..ae…Oh my precious life...
Female
Raajaa magal rojaa magalA king's daughter, a rose-like daughter

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Pillai Nila' expresses deeply tender yet tragic emotions towards a beloved girl who is cherished like a princess and as delicate as a rose. The singer compares her to the moon and a singing cuckoo, marveling at her delicate beauty while reflecting on the hardships she endures, symbolized by roses blooming amongst thorns and stones. The lyricist captures a painful transition between romantic aspirations and life's unexpected turns, portraying a woman torn between anger and deep affection, waning emotionally in the lingering memories of her beloved.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Kattil vara ennam ittu / Thottil vandhu serndhaval

Rhyming of the second consonant sound in adjacent lines like 'Raajaa' and 'rojaa', or 'Kattil' and 'Thottil'.

Uvamai (Metaphor / Simile)

Vaanil varum vennilaa

Comparing the precious girl to a blooming rose, a grove nightingale ('solai kuyil'), and the bright white moon ('vennilaa').

Antithesis / Irony

Kobam oru kannil / Dhaabam oru kannil

Contrasting the dream of reaching the nuptial bed ('Kattil') with the reality of ending up at a cradle ('Thottil'), as well as conflicting emotions of anger ('Kobam') and longing ('Dhaabam').

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Pillai Nila' (1985) is a renowned Tamil horror-thriller directed by Manobala, starring Mohan, Radhika, and Nalini. Despite the song's tender lullaby-like tone written by Vaali, the musical score by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja seamlessly serves the haunting, supernatural narrative context of the film.

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