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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yamuna Nathi Karaiyil

From Rojavai Killathe · 1993

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Deva
Details
Rojavai Killathe1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Yamunaa nathi karaiyilOn the banks of the Yamuna river,
Ilavarasi sirai irunthaalA princess was in prison,
Varuvaan thalaivan endruBelieving her hero would come,
Vannamagal uyir sumanthaalThe colorful maiden held onto her life.
Female
Theeyilae ival thoonginaalShe slept amidst the fire,
Kannilae uyir thaanginaalShe held her life force in her eyes,
Siriya paravai siraiyil irunthuWill the small bird from the prison
Veli varumaaCome outside?
Female
Yamunaa nathi karaiyilOn the banks of the Yamuna river,
Ilavarasi sirai irunthaalA princess was in prison,
Varuvaan thalaivan endruBelieving her hero would come,
Vannamagal uyir sumanthaalThe colorful maiden held onto her life.
Female
En kangaloOh, my eyes!
Thirai maraivil nee kondathenWhat did you take behind the curtain?
Nee kondathai ithu varaiyilWhat you took, until now,
Yaar kandathu…..Who has seen it?
Female
Oor kaanavae ilaiya sediFor the town to see, the young plant
Poo pooththathuBloomed a flower,
Poo kaambilae mullu ondruA thorn on the stem of the flower,
Yaar paarththathuWho noticed it?
Female
Aadi vidda vanthen niththam niththamI came to dance every single day,
Aadugindra kaalil raththam raththamThere is blood on the dancing feet,
Kaalaiyarin kannil siththam siththamDetermination is in the young man's eyes,
Kanni magal nenjil yuththam yuththamA war is in the maiden's heart.
Female
Yamunaa nathi karaiyilOn the banks of the Yamuna river,
Ilavarasi sirai irunthaalA princess was in prison,
Varuvaan thalaivan endruBelieving her hero would come,
Vannamagal uyir sumanthaalThe colorful maiden held onto her life.
Female
Vaa mannavaaCome, my king,
Kuthirai ondru nee kondu vaaBring a horse with you,
Un raaniyai sirai udaiththuBreak the prison of your queen,
Nee kondu poAnd take her away.
Female
Vaa mannavaaCome, my king,
Siragu rendu nee kondu vaaBring a pair of wings with you,
Un deviyai vaan veliyilYour goddess into the wide sky,
Nee kondu poTake her away.
Female
Poovukku edhukku sattam sattamWhy are there laws for a flower?
Vaanilae edharkku vattam vattamWhy are there circles in the sky?
Ennidam irukku thittam thittamI have a plan with me,
Vetrithan unakku kittum kittumVictory will surely come to you.
Female
Unathu kayil enathu jeevanMy life is in your hands,
Thiruppi koduGive it back to me.
Female
Yamunaa nathi karaiyilOn the banks of the Yamuna river,
Ilavarasi sirai irunthaalA princess was in prison,
Varuvaan thalaivan endruBelieving her hero would come,
Vannamagal uyir sumanthaalThe colorful maiden held onto her life.
Female
Theeyilae ival thoonginaalShe slept amidst the fire,
Kannilae uyir thaanginaalShe held her life force in her eyes,
Siriya paravai siraiyil irunthuWill the small bird from the prison
Veli varumaaCome outside?
Female
Yamunaa nathi karaiyilOn the banks of the Yamuna river,
Ilavarasi sirai irunthaalA princess was in prison,
Varuvaan thalaivan endruBelieving her hero would come,
Vannamagal uyir sumanthaalThe colorful maiden held onto her life.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Yamunaa Nathi Karaiyil' from the movie 'Rojavai Killathe' is a poignant composition depicting a captive woman who metaphorically views herself as an imprisoned princess waiting on the banks of the Yamuna River. She endures immense anguish and suffering while holding onto hope that her beloved hero will come to break her free from her metaphorical or physical prison. Lyricist Vairamuthu uses striking imagery to convey her plight, contrasting visible beauty like a blooming flower with unseen pain such as the thorn on its stem and bloody feet from continuous dancing. She desperately calls out to her king to rescue her, bring wings or a horse, and grant her freedom in the open sky.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Siriya paravai siraiyil irunthu / Veli varumaa

Compares the heroine longing for rescue to a small bird trapped in a cage.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme / Repetition)

Aadi vidda vanthen niththam niththam / Aadugindra kaalil raththam raththam

Uses repetitive rhyming words at line ends (niththam/raththam/siththam/yuththam) to create strong rhythm and emphasize suffering.

Contrast / Imagery

Poo pooththathu / Poo kaambilae mullu ondru

Juxtaposes the beauty of a blooming flower with the unseen pain of the thorn on its stem.

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie 'Rojavai Killathe' was released in 1993, starring Action King Arjun and Shobana in lead roles. The film features music composed by Deva, with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu.

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