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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Raja Mohini

From Saadhanai · 1986

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. Janaki, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Saadhanai1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Raaja mohini suga raaga dhaevi neeYou are the royal enchantress, the goddess of sweet melodies.
Raaja mohini suga raaga dhaevi neeYou are the royal enchantress, the goddess of sweet melodies.
Madhu thaen kudangalPots of sweet honey,
Idaiyil sumandhu pogumCarrying around her waist as she walks.
Raaja mohini suga raaga dhaevi neeYou are the royal enchantress, the goddess of sweet melodies.
Female
Kaadhal endrum oivadhillaiLove never rests,
Kavidhai sonnadhuSo said the poetry.
Male
Kaadhal kannil thookkam illaiThere is no sleep in love's eyes,
Kavinjar sonnadhuSo said the poet.
Female
Iru kannil un peraiIn both my eyes, your name,
Ezhudhi paarkkirenI try writing and looking at it.
Male
Urangaamal irundhaalumEven without sleeping,
Kanavu kaangirenI am dreaming.
Female
Endha naalum endhan jeevanOn any given day, my life,
Male
Endha naalum endhan jeevanOn any given day, my life,
Female
Raaga raajanae nee endhan jeevanaeOh king of melodies, you are my life!
Idhayam thudikkum isaiyil surudhi serkkumAdding harmony to the music of a beating heart,
Raaga raajanae nee endhan jeevanaeOh king of melodies, you are my life!
Male
Naanam kondu pogum penmaiWomanhood overcome with bashfulness,
Ennai meeri pogumaaWill it ever cross my control?
Female
Vegamaaga pogum megamCan a fast-moving cloud
Vaanam thaandi pogumaaEver travel beyond the sky?
Male
Madi meedhu thalai vaithuPlacing my head upon your lap,
Mayanga pogirenI am going to swoon in bliss.
Female
Vizhiyodu imai vaithuClosing my eyes with eyelids,
Uranga pogirenI am going to sleep.
Male
Unnai alli konda pinbuAfter holding you close completely,
Female
Ennai alli thandha pinbuAfter surrendering myself completely to you,
Male
Raaja mohini suga raaga dhaevi neeYou are the royal enchantress, the goddess of sweet melodies.
Raaja mohini suga raaga dhaevi neeYou are the royal enchantress, the goddess of sweet melodies.
Female
Idhayam thudikkum isaiyilIn the music of the beating heart,
Surudhi serkkum raaga raajanaeOh king of melodies who brings harmony!
Male
Suga raaga dhaevi nee…You are the goddess of sweet melodies...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Raaja Mohini Suga Raaga Dhaevi Nee' is an enchanting romantic duet that weaves themes of music, love, and sweet surrender. The lovers take turns praising each other; the hero adores his beloved as a divine enchantress of melody whose graceful movements resemble carrying pots of honey, while the heroine addresses him as the king of melodies who tunes the rhythm of her beating heart. Through poetic references to poetry, sleepless dreaming, and clouds bounded by the infinite sky, the song illustrates how romantic intimacy brings divine harmony to their lives.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Madhu thaen kudangal idaiyil sumandhu pogum

Her hips/waist and graceful posture are metaphorically described as carrying pots of sweet honey ('Madhu thaen kudangal').

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Raaja mohini suga raaga dhaevi nee

Repetition of the initial 'R' sound across 'Raaja' and 'raaga' creates a musical rhythm within the line.

Rhetorical Question & Analogy

Vegamaaga pogum megam vaanam thaandi pogumaa

Comparing herself to a cloud bounded by the sky, asking if a cloud moving fast can ever cross the expanse of the sky, symbolizing her complete belonging to her lover.

Did you know?

Trivia

Saadhanai (1986) was directed by A. S. Pragasam and features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, starring Sivaji Ganesan, Prabhu, and K. R. Vijaya.

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