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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Roja Ondru Mutham

From Komberi Mookan · 1984

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Komberi Mookan1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Roja ondru mutham ketkum neramAt the time when a rose asks for a kiss
Vaanum mannum ondraai indru serumThe sky and the earth merge into one today
Female :Mayakkathil thoindhuFemale: Soaked in intoxication
Madiyin meedhu saaindhuLeaning upon the lap
Male
Roja ondru mutham ketkum neramAt the time when a rose asks for a kiss
Vaanum mannum ondraai indru serumThe sky and the earth merge into one today
Male
Thanga meni thazhuvumEmbracing the golden body
Pattu chelai nazhuvumAs the silk saree slips away
Female :Thendral vandhu vilakkumFemale: The breeze comes and uncovers it
Adhu ungalodu pazhakkamIs it intimately familiar with you?
Male
Sorgam engae endrae thediSearching for where heaven is
Vaasal vandhen moodaathaeI came to the threshold, do not close it
Female :Melam ketkum kaalam vandhaalFemale: When the time comes to hear the wedding drums
Sorgam undu vaadaathaeHeaven will be ours, do not wither away
Male
Alli poovin magalaeDaughter of the lily flower
Kanni thaenai thaaGive me the maiden honey
Female
Roja ondru mutham ketkum neramAt the time when a rose asks for a kiss
Vaanum mannum ondraai indru serumThe sky and the earth merge into one today
Male :Mayakkathil thoindhuMale: Soaked in intoxication
Madiyin meedhu saaindhuLeaning upon the lap
Male
Roja ondru mutham ketkum neramAt the time when a rose asks for a kiss
Female :Vaanum mannum ondraai indru serumFemale: The sky and the earth merge into one today
Female
Vennilaavil virunthuA feast in the silver moonlight
Anghu povom paranthuWe shall fly and go there
Male :Vinnin meenai thoduththuMale: Stringing together the stars of the sky
Selaiyaaga uduthuDraping them around as a saree
Female
Dhegam konjam nogum endruFearing the soft body might feel pain
Pookkaal ellaam paai podaAll the flowers lay down to form a bed
Male :Nammai paartha kaaman dhesamMale: Seeing us, the land of Cupid
Jannal saaththi vaayoraClosed its windows and stood by the side
Female
Kannik kovil thiranthuOpening the maiden temple
Poojai seiya vaaCome to perform the worship
Male
Roja ondru mutham ketkum neramAt the time when a rose asks for a kiss
Vaanum mannum ondraai indru serumThe sky and the earth merge into one today
Female :Mayakkathil thoindhuFemale: Soaked in intoxication
Madiyin meedhu saaindhuLeaning upon the lap
Female
Roja ondru mutham ketkum neramAt the time when a rose asks for a kiss
Male :Vaanum mannum ondraai indru serumMale: The sky and the earth merge into one today

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

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