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Lyrics & meaning

Roja Poo Kannathile Thaen Payum

From Chitrangi · 1964

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. Jamunarani
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Details
Chitrangi1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Rojapoo kannathilae thaen paayumHoney flows in the rose-like cheeks,
Raajathi kangalilae meen paayumFish dart in the eyes of the queen of hearts.
Sittagaavae paranthu singaramaai thirindhaFlying like a sprightly bird and roaming around gracefully,
Sittagaavae paranthu singaramaai thirindhaFlying like a sprightly bird and roaming around gracefully,
Kanna en kangalilae maan paayumOh Kanna, deer dart within my eyes!
Kanna en kangalilae maan paayumOh Kanna, deer dart within my eyes!
Haan rojapoo kannathilae thaen paayumAh, honey flows in the rose-like cheeks.
Female
Malaril thaen eduthuTaking honey from the flower,
Idhazhil naan koduthuAnd offering it with my lips,
Ahaan nilavil naan varuvenAh, I will come under the moonlight,
Nenjil kudi iruppenAnd make a home inside your heart.
Ahaan nilavil naan varuvenAh, I will come under the moonlight,
Nenjil kudi iruppenAnd make a home inside your heart.
Paavai palaga vandhaal paavamaIs it a sin if a maiden comes to get acquainted?
Paavai palaga vandhaal paavamaIs it a sin if a maiden comes to get acquainted?
Haan paruvam maraivadhilae laabamaaAh, is there any gain in letting youth fade away?
Paruvam maraivadhilae laabamaaIs there any gain in letting youth fade away?
Female
Rojapoo kannathilae thaen paayumHoney flows in the rose-like cheeks,
Raajathi kangalilae meen paayumFish dart in the eyes of the queen of hearts.
Sittagaavae paranthu singaramaai thirindhaFlying like a sprightly bird and roaming around gracefully,
Sittagaavae paranthu singaramaai thirindhaFlying like a sprightly bird and roaming around gracefully,
Kanna en kangalilae maan paayumOh Kanna, deer dart within my eyes!
Kanna en kangalilae maan paayumOh Kanna, deer dart within my eyes!
Haan rojapoo kannathilae thaen paayumAh, honey flows in the rose-like cheeks.
Female
Thingal mugam irukkaWhen there is a face like the full moon,
Alli malaraagumThe night-lily flower blooms.
Sevvai sivandhirukkaWhen the lips blush crimson red,
Aasai valaraadhoo ahaaWon't desire grow higher? Ah!
Sevvai sivandhirukkaWhen the lips blush crimson red,
Aasai valaraadhooWon't desire grow higher?
Kaaadhal kaniya vandhaal paavamaaIs it a sin if love ripens into fruition?
Kaaadhal kaniya vandhaal paavamaa haanIs it a sin if love ripens into fruition? Ah,
Kannai moodi kondaal laabamaaIs there any gain in closing one's eyes to it?
Kannai moodi kondaal laabamaaIs there any gain in closing one's eyes to it?
Female
Rojapoo kannathilae thaen paayumHoney flows in the rose-like cheeks,
Raajathi kangalilae meen paayumFish dart in the eyes of the queen of hearts.
Sittagaavae paranthu singaramaai thirindhaFlying like a sprightly bird and roaming around gracefully,
Sittagaavae paranthu singaramaai thirindhaFlying like a sprightly bird and roaming around gracefully,
Kanna en kangalilae maan paayumOh Kanna, deer dart within my eyes!
Kanna en kangalilae maan paayumOh Kanna, deer dart within my eyes!
Haan rojapoo kannathilae thaen paayumAh, honey flows in the rose-like cheeks.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Rojapoo kannathilae thaen paayum is a playful romantic song from the 1964 Tamil movie Chitrangi. The song uses vivid imagery of nature—roses, nectar, fish, deer, moonlight, and blooming water lilies—to illustrate a young woman's natural allure and her blossoming passion for her beloved (addressed as 'Kanna'). Through poetic questioning, the heroine challenges her lover's reluctance, asking whether it is wrong to express romantic interest or if there is any sense in allowing youth to slip away without enjoying love. K. Jamuna Rani's expressive vocal rendition combined with Vaali's evocative imagery captures the classic 1960s Tamil cinema romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm / Uvamai)

Rojapoo kannathilae thaen paayum

Compares rosy cheeks to honey-dripping flowers ('Rojapoo kannathilae'), and restless eyes to darting fish ('meen paayum') and bounding deer ('maan paayum').

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Sittagaavae paranthu singaramaai thirindha

Repetition of the 'S' sound creating a rhythmic, musical quality across the line.

Rhetorical Question

Paavai palaga vandhaal paavama

The lyrics use rhetorical questions to convey romance and urge the lover to embrace youth and love before time passes.

Personification

Thingal mugam irukka Alli malaraagum

Connecting the blooming of the water lily (Alli) with the presence of a moon-like face (Thingal mugam).

Did you know?

Trivia

Chitrangi (1964) featured music composed by S. Vedhachalam with lyrics by Vaali. K. Jamuna Rani's playful voice made this upbeat track a popular light music favorite of the era.

Keep listening

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