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Komberi Mookan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Roja Ondru Mutham

From Komberi Mookan · 1984

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Komberi Mookan
Movie release year
1984
Lyrics added on
21 Oct 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Roja ondru mutham ketkum neram
Vaanum mannum ondraai indru serum
Female :Mayakkathil thoindhu
Madiyin meedhu saaindhu
Roja ondru mutham ketkum neram
Vaanum mannum ondraai indru serum
Thanga meni thazhuvum
Pattu chelai nazhuvum
Female :Thendral vandhu vilakkum
Adhu ungalodu pazhakkam
Sorgam engae endrae thedi
Vaasal vandhen moodaathae
Female :Melam ketkum kaalam vandhaal
Sorgam undu vaadaathae
Alli poovin magalae
Kanni thaenai thaa
Roja ondru mutham ketkum neram
Vaanum mannum ondraai indru serum
Male :Mayakkathil thoindhu
Madiyin meedhu saaindhu
Roja ondru mutham ketkum neram
Female :Vaanum mannum ondraai indru serum
Vennilaavil virunthu
Anghu povom paranthu
Male :Vinnin meenai thoduththu
Selaiyaaga uduthu
Dhegam konjam nogum endru
Pookkaal ellaam paai poda
Male :Nammai paartha kaaman dhesam
Jannal saaththi vaayora
Kannik kovil thiranthu
Poojai seiya vaa
Roja ondru mutham ketkum neram
Vaanum mannum ondraai indru serum
Female :Mayakkathil thoindhu
Madiyin meedhu saaindhu
Roja ondru mutham ketkum neram
Male :Vaanum mannum ondraai indru serum
This is the time when a rose asks for a kiss,
Today, the sky and the earth will unite as one.
Female: Drowned in sweet intoxication,
Leaning gently upon your lap...
This is the time when a rose asks for a kiss,
Today, the sky and the earth will unite as one.
As it caresses this golden body,
The silk saree slips away.
Female: The breeze comes and moves it aside,
It seems to have learned that habit from you.
Searching for where heaven is,
I have come to your doorway, do not shut it.
Female: When the time comes for the wedding drums,
Heaven will be yours, do not fret.
O daughter of the water lily flower,
Give me your sweet, youthful nectar.
This is the time when a rose asks for a kiss,
Today, the sky and the earth will unite as one.
Male: Drowned in sweet intoxication,
Leaning gently upon your lap...
This is the time when a rose asks for a kiss,
Female: Today, the sky and the earth will unite as one.
There is a feast on the bright moon,
We shall fly away there.
Male: Threading the stars of the sky,
Drape them around yourself as a saree.
Worrying that your body might ache,
All the flowers spread themselves like a mat.
Male: Watching us, the realm of Kaman (god of love)
Shuts its windows and stands quietly aside.
Opening the temple of youth,
Come and offer your worship.
This is the time when a rose asks for a kiss,
Today, the sky and the earth will unite as one.
Female: Drowned in sweet intoxication,
Leaning gently upon your lap...
This is the time when a rose asks for a kiss,
Male: Today, the sky and the earth will unite as one.
Male
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Male
Male
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Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Roja Ondru Mutham Ketkum Neram is a lush, romantic duet expressing intimate love, passion, and poetic affection between two lovers. The lyrics elevate physical intimacy into a celestial experience, describing a realm where the sky meets the earth, stars are woven into sarees, and flowers lay out beds of comfort. The song balances bashful romance and poetic imagery with deep passion, framing love as a sacred worship inside a maiden's temple.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Roja ondru mutham ketkum neram

Compares the beloved woman to a rose asking for a kiss and a temple waiting for worship.

Personification

Pookkaal ellaam paai poda

Attributes human actions to nature, such as the breeze intentionally uncovering clothes and flowers spreading out to serve as a bed.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Vinnin meenai thoduththu Selaiyaaga uduthu

Exaggerates cosmic elements, describing stringing stars together to wear as a saree and feasting on the moon.

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Vennilaavil virunthu / Vinnin meenai thoduththu

Rhyming of the second consonant sound in adjacent lines (e.g., 'Vennilaavil' and 'Vinnin').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for the 1984 film Komberi Mookan (starring Thyagarajan and Saritha), this track features vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki. Ilaiyaraaja himself authored the sensual and imaginative lyrics for this classic duet.

Keep listening

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