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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Roja Mottu

From Vazhaiyadi Vazhai · 1972

Lyricist
Udumalai Narayanakavi
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
Kunnakudi Vaithiyanathan
Details
Vazhaiyadi Vazhai1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Roja mottum malarnthathaaHas the rose bud blossomed?
Malarntha poovum sivanthathaaHas the blossomed flower turned red?
Roja mottum malarnthathaaHas the rose bud blossomed?
Malarntha poovum sivanthathaaHas the blossomed flower turned red?
Female
Roopa sundharam pudhiya maattramHas the beautiful form undergone a new change?
Sobhithamaai adainthathaaHas it attained a radiant glory?
Roopa sundharam pudhiya maattramHas the beautiful form undergone a new change?
Sobhithamaai adainthathaaHas it attained a radiant glory?
Female
Roja mottum malarnthathaaHas the rose bud blossomed?
Malarntha poovum sivanthathaaHas the blossomed flower turned red?
Chorus
Roja mottum malarnthathaaHas the rose bud blossomed?
Malarntha poovum sivanthathaaHas the blossomed flower turned red?
Roja mottum malarnthathaaHas the rose bud blossomed?
Malarntha poovum sivanthathaaHas the blossomed flower turned red?
Female
Poovumaagi pinjumaagiBecoming a flower, then a tender fruit,
Kaayumaagi valarnthathaaAnd growing into an unripe fruit?
Chorus :Lala lallaa laalaa lalalaaChorus: Lala lallaa laalaa lalalaa
Lala lallaa laalaa lalalaaLala lallaa laalaa lalalaa
Female
Poovumaagi pinjumaagiBecoming a flower, then a tender fruit,
Kaayumaagi valarnthathaaAnd growing into an unripe fruit?
Pulippu maari inippumaagiChanging from sourness into sweetness,
Kaniyumaagi piranthathaaWas it born as a ripe fruit?
Pulippu maari inippumaagiChanging from sourness into sweetness,
Kaniyumaagi piranthathaaWas it born as a ripe fruit?
Female
Roja mottum malarnthathaaHas the rose bud blossomed?
Malarntha poovum sivanthathaaHas the blossomed flower turned red?
Chorus
Roja mottum malarnthathaaHas the rose bud blossomed?
Malarntha poovum sivanthathaaHas the blossomed flower turned red?
Roja mottum malarnthathaaHas the rose bud blossomed?
Malarntha poovum sivanthathaaHas the blossomed flower turned red?
Female
Ambujamae sengamalamOh lotus flower! Oh red lotus!
Pangajamae senbagamaeOh mud-born flower! Oh champak blossom!
Adi ambujamae sengamalamHey lotus flower! Oh red lotus!
Pangajamae senbagamaeOh mud-born flower! Oh champak blossom!
Female
Roja mottum malarnthathaaHas the rose bud blossomed?
Malarntha poovum sivanthathaaHas the blossomed flower turned red?
Chorus
Roja mottum malarnthathaaHas the rose bud blossomed?
Malarntha poovum sivanthathaaHas the blossomed flower turned red?
Roja mottum malarnthathaaHas the rose bud blossomed?
Malarntha poovum sivanthathaaHas the blossomed flower turned red?
Female
Paadaathiruntha kuyilu kunjumEven the young cuckoo chick that never sang,
Paranthu paada munainthathaaDid it try to fly and sing?
Adhu Paruva kaala kolaarunnuIs it a trick of youthfulness,
Paarkka paarkka therinjathaaAs one observes it more and more?
Adhu Paruva kaala kolaarunnuIs it a trick of youthfulness,
Paarkka paarkka therinjathaaAs one observes it more and more?
Female
Roja mottum malarnthathaaHas the rose bud blossomed?
Malarntha poovum sivanthathaaHas the blossomed flower turned red?
Female
Roopa sundharam pudhiya maattramHas the beautiful form undergone a new change?
Sobhithamaai adainthathaaHas it attained a radiant glory?
Roopa sundharam pudhiya maattramHas the beautiful form undergone a new change?
Sobhithamaai adainthathaaHas it attained a radiant glory?
Chorus
Roja mottum malarnthathaaHas the rose bud blossomed?
Malarntha poovum sivanthathaaHas the blossomed flower turned red?
Roja mottum malarnthathaaHas the rose bud blossomed?
Malarntha poovum sivanthathaaHas the blossomed flower turned red?
Roja mottum malarnthathaaHas the rose bud blossomed?
Malarntha poovum sivanthathaaHas the blossomed flower turned red?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Roja Mottum Malarnthathaa' uses evocative botanical and natural metaphors to describe a young woman coming of age and experiencing the awakening of love. The lyricist compares her physical and emotional development to a rose bud blossoming, an unripe fruit turning sweet, and a young cuckoo chick finding its voice. Through these natural transitions, the song celebrates the radiant beauty and changes brought about by youth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaai)

Roja mottum malarnthathaa / Malarntha poovum sivanthathaa

Compares a young woman's natural maturity and blossoming beauty to a rose opening and a fruit turning from sour to sweet.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Poovumaagi pinjumaagi / Kaayumaagi valarnthathaa

Repeated suffix ending -maagi across successive descriptive terms creates musical rhythm.

Personification / Imagery

Paadaathiruntha kuyilu kunjum / Paranthu paada munainthathaa

Attributes human behaviors of singing and blossoming transformations to nature to represent romantic maturation.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track from the 1972 movie 'Vazhaiyadi Vazhai' features music composed by Kunnakudi Vaithiyanathan and lyrics by the acclaimed reformist poet Udumalai Narayanakavi, rendered by playback singer L. R. Eswari.

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