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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Uyir Konda Rojaave

From Roja Kootam · 2002

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Bharathwaj
Music director
Bharathwaj
Details
Roja Kootam2002

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mmm uyir konda rojaavaeMmm, oh rose filled with life
Chorus :Rojaavae rojaavaeChorus: Oh rose, oh rose
Male :Uyir vaangum rojaavaeMale: Oh rose that takes away life
Chorus :Rojaavae rojaavaeChorus: Oh rose, oh rose
Male
Uyir konda rojaavaeOh rose filled with life
Uyir vaangum rojaavaeOh rose that takes away life
Killi pogavae vandhenI came to pluck you away
Male
Pakkam vandha rojaa pooThe rose flower that came close
Bakthan endru solliyathaalSince you called me a devotee
Poojai araiyilae vaippenI shall place you in the prayer room
Male
Andru kaadhalanaaA lover back then
Indru kaavalanaaA protector today
Vidhi sonna kadhaiIs this the story
Idhuthaana nenjamaeDecreed by fate, oh heart?
Chorus
RojaakootamA crowd of roses
Rojaa rojaa kootamRose, a crowd of roses
Arugil rojaa kootamA crowd of roses nearby
Naduvil mullin thootamIn the middle, a garden of thorns
Male
Rojaakootam ..mmmA crowd of roses ..mmm
Rojaakootam …A crowd of roses …
Male
Doorathil irukkayilWhen you were far away
Anmayil irundhaaiYou were close to my heart
Adi vaan nilavaagaOh girl, like the moon in the sky
Anmayil vandhathumWhen you came close
Doorathil tholainthaaiYou were lost in the distance
Karaimel alaiyaagaLike a wave on the shore
Male
KallamillaamalInnocently
Kai thodum poludhuWhen hands touch
Ullathil nila nadukkamAn earthquake inside the heart
Male
Oru sorgathukulInside a paradise
Siru naragamadiA small hell, my dear
En mugamae thaanMy very face
Mugamoodi paaradiLook, it has become a mask
Chorus
RojaakootamA crowd of roses
Rojaa rojaa kootamRose, a crowd of roses
Arugil rojaa kootamA crowd of roses nearby
Naduvil mullin thootamIn the middle, a garden of thorns
Male
Kangalil irunthuFrom my eyes
Urakkathai urithuPeeling away sleep
Iravil erithu vittenI burned it into the night
Nenjathil irunthuFrom my heart
Kaadhalai urithuPeeling away love
Paathiyil niruthi vittenI halted it halfway
Male
Oru sila samayamAt times
Uyir vida ninaithenI thought of giving up my life
Unakkae uyir sumanthenYet I bore life just for you
Male
Adi snehithiyaeOh female friend
Mun kaathaliyaeFormer lover
En nenjoduWithin my heart
En kaathal vegattumLet my love burn silently
Chorus
{Rojaakootam{A crowd of roses
Rojaa rojaa kootamRose, a crowd of roses
Arugil rojaa kootamA crowd of roses nearby
Naduvil mullin thootam} (2)In the middle, a garden of thorns} (2)
Male
Roja Kootam …mm…A crowd of roses …mm…
Roja Kootam ……A crowd of roses ……

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The title track from 'Roja Kootam' expresses the emotional turmoil of a protagonist who finds himself close to his beloved yet unable to claim her as his own. He reflects on how his role transformed from lover to protector, comparing the bittersweet proximity to standing amid a cluster of roses while trapped in a bed of thorns. The song captures the agonizing duality of experiencing paradise and hell simultaneously as he masks his true emotions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Naduvil mullin thootam

Compares the protagonist's painful situation amidst beauty and loved ones to 'Naduvil mullin thootam' (a garden of thorns in the middle).

Oxymoron / Contrast

Oru sorgathukul siru naragamadi

Juxtaposes paradise ('sorgathukul') with hell ('sir naragamadi') to portray conflicting inner turmoil.

Simile

Adi vaan nilavaaga

Compares the distant beloved to the moon in the sky ('vaan nilavaaga') and a receding wave on the shore ('karaimel alaiyaaga').

Antithesis / Rhyme

Andru kaadhalanaa / Indru kaavalanaa

Uses 'Andru kaadhalanaa' (Lover back then) against 'Indru kaavalanaa' (Protector today) to highlight the dramatic shift in fate.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Bharathwaj with lyrics by Vairamuthu, 'Roja Kootam' (2002) marked the silver screen debut of actor Srikanth alongside Bhumika Chawla. The film's soundtrack became a major chartbuster, helping establish Srikanth as a romantic hero in Tamil cinema.

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