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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Raja Nee Thoongalamaa

From Manimekalai · 1959

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
T. V. Rathinam
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Manimekalai1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Rajaa nee thoongalaamaOh King, should you be sleeping?
Unnalae indha rambaavum yengalaamaBecause of you, should this heavenly beauty long for you?
Azhagu raja nee thoongalaamaHandsome King, should you be sleeping?
Unnalae indha rambaavum engloomBecause of you, this heavenly beauty long for you...
Female
Kannkolai saathi puttuShutting your eyes tightly,
Kaashayam kattikittuDrape yourself in saffron robes,
Kannkolai saathi puttuShutting your eyes tightly,
Kaashayam kattikittuDrape yourself in saffron robes,
Kamandalathai yendhi kittuCarrying the water pot of an ascetic,
Kanni ponnai yechu puttuAbandoning this young maiden,
Kamandalathai yendhi kittuCarrying the water pot of an ascetic,
Kanni ponnai yechu puttuAbandoning this young maiden,
Female
Unakku thapputhandaTo do any wrong against you,
Onnu naanum seidhu ariyaenI have never done such a thing,
Nee sanniyaasi vesham podaIf you put on the guise of a hermit,
Naanum sagiyaenEven I cannot endure it!
Female
Kattaana jadhai endruCalling it a perfect match,
Kalyanam pannikittuGetting married to me,
Kattaana jadhai endruCalling it a perfect match,
Kalyanam pannikittuGetting married to me,
Kannana kannae endruCalling me the apple of your eye,
Kannathaiyum killi puttuAnd lovingly pinching my cheek,
Kannana kannae endruCalling me the apple of your eye,
Kannathaiyum killi puttuAnd lovingly pinching my cheek,
Female
Rajaa nee thoongalaamaOh King, should you be sleeping?
Unnalae indha rambaavum yengalaamaBecause of you, should this heavenly beauty long for you?
Azhagu raja aasai rajaBeautiful king, desired king,
Endhan raaja nee thoongalaamaMy king, should you be sleeping?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this song from the 1959 Tamil film 'Manimekalai', the heroine passionately questions her prince who has chosen the path of renunciation. She pleads with him, asking how he can sleep peacefully and abandon her when she yearns for his affection like a celestial nymph (Rambha). She reminds him of his past love, how he married her claiming they were a perfect match, called her the apple of his eye, and showed tender love. She laments his transformation into an ascetic wearing saffron attire and carrying a water pot (kamandalam), pleading that she has done no wrong to deserve this separation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Kannkolai saathi puttu / Kaashayam kattikittu / Kamandalathai yendhi kittu / Kanni ponnai yechu puttu

Repetition of the 'Ka' sound across consecutive lines creates rhythmic flow: Kannkolai, Kaashayam, Kamandalathai, Kanni.

Metaphor / Hyperbole

Unnalae indha rambaavum yengalaama

The speaker compares herself to 'Rambha', the ultimate divine beauty of Hindu mythology, to emphasize her romantic devotion and allure.

Visual Imagery

Kaashayam kattikittu / Kamandalathai yendhi kittu

Evokes vivid visual details of renunciation through specific iconographic items like saffron robes (Kaashayam) and the holy water pitcher (Kamandalam).

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kannana kannae endru / Kannathaiyum killi puttu

Rhyming of the second letter 'tt' in 'Kattaana' and 'Kalyanam' (alliterative alignment) and 'Kannana' / 'Kannathaiyum'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Manimekalai' (1959) is adapted from the celebrated ancient Tamil Buddhist epic of the same name written by Seethalai Saathanar. Composed by the legendary music director G. Ramanathan and written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, the song showcases classic theatrical Tamil music composition styles of the late 1950s.

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