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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Rosa Malare

From Rajangam · 1981

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
P. Jayachandran
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Rajangam
Movie release year
1981
Lyrics added on
2 Feb 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Rosa malarae azhuvakkoodathu
Kanneeru veenaaguthae
Muzhukaatha magaraasi azhuthaalae paavam
Periyavanga solvaangalae
Rosa malarae azhuvakkoodathu
Kanneeru veenaaguthae
Muzhukaatha magaraasi azhuthaalae paavam
Periyavanga solvaangalae
{Thaali onnu illaama
Thooli vara poguthunnu
Suththamulla panneeru
Kottuthammaa kanneeru} (2)
Paththu maatha poo varattum
Kannukkulla naan sumappen
Thottilittaa noguminnu
Tholgalilae naan sumappaen
Sutta kanneer thaan thudaikka
Suttu viral naanirukkaen
Sutta kanneer thaan thudaikka
Suttu viral naanirukkaen
Rosa malarae azhuvakkoodathu
Kanneeru veenaaguthae
Muzhukaatha magaraasi azhuthaalae paavam
Periyavanga solvaangalae
{Poovukkulla poovirukku
Poovai sutri mullirukku
Mul kizhikkum munnaalae
Moodi vaikka aalirukku} (2)
Chinna ponnu kuththamilla
Mannikkira nenjumilla
Karpukkithu suththamilla
Suttramingae suththamilla
Nandhavanam thee pudichchaa
Naanuranga povathilla…
Nandhavanam thee pudichchaa
Naanuranga povathilla…
Rosa malarae azhuvakkoodathu
Kanneeru veenaaguthae
Muzhukaatha magaraasi azhuthaalae paavam
Periyavanga solvaangalae
Periyavanga solvaangalae
My sweet rose, you shouldn't cry,
your tears are going to waste.
It is a sin if an expectant mother cries,
that's what the elders say.
My sweet rose, you shouldn't cry,
your tears are going to waste.
It is a sin if an expectant mother cries,
that's what the elders say.
Because without a thali (sacred wedding thread),
a cradle is about to arrive,
like pure rosewater,
your tears are pouring down.
Let that ten-month flower arrive,
I will carry it gently in my eyes.
Fearing a cradle might hurt the baby,
I will carry it upon my shoulders.
To wipe away your burning tears,
my finger is right here.
To wipe away your burning tears,
my finger is right here.
My sweet rose, you shouldn't cry,
your tears are going to waste.
It is a sin if an expectant mother cries,
that's what the elders say.
There is a flower within a flower,
and thorns surround that blossom.
Before any thorn can scratch it,
there is someone here to shelter it.
It is not this young girl's fault,
yet no one has the heart to forgive.
Your virtue is not lost in this,
it is the world around us that is not pure.
If this flower garden catches fire,
I will never go to sleep...
If this flower garden catches fire,
I will never go to sleep...
My sweet rose, you shouldn't cry,
your tears are going to waste.
It is a sin if an expectant mother cries,
that's what the elders say...
that's what the elders say...
Male
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Male
Male
Male
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Rosa malarae azhuvakkoodathu is a comforting song addressing a young pregnant woman facing immense grief and societal judgment due to an unwed pregnancy. The narrator reassures her, urging her not to shed tears, reminding her of traditional wisdom that a pregnant woman's tears bring misfortune. The singer promises unconditional support, offering to bear the weight of caring for the child and standing by her side to shield her from the world's harshness. The lyrics sharply critique society's hypocrisy and lack of empathy (Suttramingae suththamilla), highlighting that while people judge her strictly on notions of chastity and family honor, they lack forgiving hearts. Through tender metaphors of flowers, thorns, and protective covers, lyricist Vairamuthu portrays a deep bond of empathy, protection, and resilience against social stigma.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Rosa malarae azhuvakkoodathu”

Compares the delicate young mother to a 'Rosa malar' (rose flower) and her unborn child to 'Poovukkulla poovirukku' (a flower inside a flower).

Second-letter Rhyme (Ethirai)

“Thaali onnu illaama / Thooli vara poguthunnu”

The second letters 'aa' in 'Thaali' and 'oo' in 'Thooli' create a rhythmic and phonetic pair connecting marriage and childbirth.

Alliteration (Monai)

“Sutta kanneer thaan thudaikka / Suttu viral naanirukkaen”

Repetition of initial 'Su' sound in 'Sutta' and 'Suttu' builds a poetic cadence.

Symbolism

“Nandhavanam thee pudichchaa”

The 'Nandhavanam' (flower garden) catching fire symbolizes a peaceful life or family being threatened by social scandal or crisis.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song features lyrics by Vairamuthu from the 1981 film 'Rajangam'. It addresses the taboo topic of unwed pregnancy and social prejudice with sensitivity, a recurring thematic element in progressive Tamil cinema during the early 1980s.

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