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Rettai Vaal Kuruvi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Raja Raja Chozhan

From Rettai Vaal Kuruvi · 1987

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Rettai Vaal Kuruvi
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
4 Feb 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Raaja raaja chozhan naan
Enai aazhum kaadhal dhesam nee thaan
Raaja raaja chozhan naan
Enai aazhum kaadhal dhesam nee thaan
Poovae kaadhal theevae
Mann meedhu sorgam vandhu pennaaga aanadhae
Ullaasa boomi inghu undaanathae
Raaja raaja chozhan naan
Enai aazhum kaadhal dhesam nee thaan
Poovae kaadhal theevae
Kannodu kangal yettrum karpoora deepamae
Kai theendum podhu paayum minsaaramae
Ullaasa medai melae orangha naadagam
Inbangal paadam sollum en thaayagam
Ingangu oonjalaaga naan pogiren
Angangu aasai theeyil naan vegiren
Un raaga moganam en kaadhal vaaganam
Senthaamarai senthaen mazhai en aavi neeyae devi
Raaja raaja chozhan naan
Enai aazhum kaadhal dhesam nee thaan
Poovae kaadhal theevae
Kalloora paarrkkum paarvai ulloora paayumae
Thullaamal thullum ullam sallaabamae
Villodu ambu rendu kollaamal kolludhae
Penpaavai kangal endru poi solluthae
Mundhaanai moodum raani selvaakkilae
En kaadhal kangal pogum pallaakkilae
Thaenodai oramae neeraadum neramae
Pullanguzhal thallaadumae pon meni kelaai raani
Raaja raaja chozhan naan
Enai aazhum kaadhal dhesam nee thaan
Raaja raaja chozhan naan
Enai aazhum kaadhal dhesam nee thaan
Poovae kaadhal theevae
Mann meedhu sorgam vandhu pennaaga aanadhae
Ullaasa boomi inghu undaanathae
Raaja raaja chozhan naan
Enai aazhum kaadhal dhesam nee thaan
Poovae kaadhal theevae
I am King Raja Raja Cholan,
And you are the realm of love that rules over me.
I am King Raja Raja Cholan,
And you are the realm of love that rules over me.
Oh flower, my island of love!
Heaven has come down to earth and become a woman,
A world of pure joy has blossomed right here.
I am King Raja Raja Cholan,
And you are the realm of love that rules over me.
Oh flower, my island of love!
A camphor flame lit when our eyes meet,
A surge of electricity when our hands touch.
A one-act play upon a stage of joy,
My homeland, teaching lessons of pleasure.
I sway back and forth like a swing,
Burning everywhere in the fires of desire.
Your tune is Mohanam (a melodic raga), the chariot of my love,
Red lotus, shower of sweet honey, you are my very soul, my goddess!
I am King Raja Raja Cholan,
And you are the realm of love that rules over me.
Oh flower, my island of love!
That intoxicating glance pierces deep within me,
My heart leaps with delight, lost in playful romance.
A bow with two arrows strikes without killing,
Falsely claiming to be just a woman's eyes.
Under the royal grace of the queen draped in her saree,
My loving eyes ride like royalty in a palanquin.
By the edge of a stream of honey, at bathing time,
Even the flute loses its rhythm; listen, my golden queen!
I am King Raja Raja Cholan,
And you are the realm of love that rules over me.
I am King Raja Raja Cholan,
And you are the realm of love that rules over me.
Oh flower, my island of love!
Heaven has come down to earth and become a woman,
A world of pure joy has blossomed right here.
I am King Raja Raja Cholan,
And you are the realm of love that rules over me.
Oh flower, my island of love!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Raja Raja Chozhan Naan is a celebrated romantic track from the 1987 Tamil film Rettai Vaal Kuruvi, composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, written by lyricist Mu. Metha, and sung by K. J. Yesudas. In this song, the protagonist playfully compares his pride and stature to the great emperor Raja Raja Chola, while humbly surrendering to his beloved, whom he designates as the sovereign kingdom of love ruling over his soul. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of romantic passion, describing the beloved as heaven descended upon earth in female form, her glances as sharp as arrows, and her presence as an intoxicating melody.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Raaja raaja chozhan naan / Enai aazhum kaadhal dhesam nee thaan”

The speaker compares himself to Emperor Raja Raja Chola and his lover to a reigning kingdom of love.

Hyperbole (Adukarinutpam)

“Mann meedhu sorgam vandhu pennaaga aanadhae”

Exaggerating the beauty of the beloved by claiming heaven itself descended to Earth as a woman.

Rhyme & Alliteration (Emonai / Etukai)

“Ingangu oonjalaaga naan pogiren / Angangu aasai theeyil naan vegiren”

Rhythmic initial and internal word pairing across lines (Ingangu / Angangu).

Paradox / Oxymoron

“Villodu ambu rendu kollaamal kolludhae”

Describing eyes/arrows that kill without actually taking a life.

Did you know?

Trivia

Set to the classical pentatonic Carnatic scale Mohanam, this song is considered one of Ilaiyaraaja's finest melodic compositions. Director Balu Mahendra picturised the song featuring actor Mohan in the romantic comedy Rettai Vaal Kuruvi.

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