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Isaimozhi
Sandakozhi 2 album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Alaalaa

From Sandakozhi 2 · 2018

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singer
Kailash Kher
Music director
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Movie name
Sandakozhi 2
Movie release year
2018
Lyrics added on
5 Aug 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Naalamithai kaathidava
Aalam athai nee kudithai
Neelamena nenjam ingae
Aalaalaa…
Yaagam ena en inaiyo
Thyagam ena en inaiyo
Agam athai udaithinayo
Aalaalaa…
Umai aval imaigal
Nanaiya kandai
Athavunaalaa
Imaiyathai unakkul
Sumathi kondai
Yen aalaalaa…
Naalamithai kaathidava
Aalam athai nee kudithai
Neelamena nenjam ingae
Aalaalaa…
Yaagam ena eninaiyo
Thyagam ena eninaiyo
Agam athai udaithinayo
Aalaalaa…
Vinnum mannum punnagayil
Ulagae punnagayil
Unmai attra punnagayil
Aalaalaa…
Otrai vizhi paasa vizhi
Maru vizhi kaadhal vizhi
Vizhum thuli entha thuli
Aalaalaa…
Intha moottam panimoottam
Ithan ullae tholainthayo
Intha vedam kodum vedam
Ithu yeno aninthayo
Kuraiyaa kuraiyaa
Ithuvae vazhiya
Irulae ozhiya
Yeh aalaalaa aalaalaa
Sol…ithu nizhaiya
Was it to protect these lives,
that you drank the poison from the deep?
With an endlessly aching heart here,
Oh, Alaala...
Did you think of it as a sacred offering?
Did you think of it as a selfless sacrifice?
Did you shatter your own heart within?
Oh, Alaala...
You saw Uma's eyes
drenched in tears;
was it because of you,
that you took the weight of the Himalayas
upon yourself,
my Alaala...
Was it to protect these lives,
that you drank the poison from the deep?
With an endlessly aching heart here,
Oh, Alaala...
Did you think of it as a sacred offering?
Did you think of it as a selfless sacrifice?
Did you shatter your own heart within?
Oh, Alaala...
The sky and the earth are smiling,
the whole world is smiling,
in a smile that is false and hollow...
Oh, Alaala...
One eye is filled with family affection,
the other eye is filled with love,
which eye does this falling tear belong to?
Oh, Alaala...
Inside this heavy fog and mist,
did you lose yourself?
This harsh and cruel disguise,
why did you put it on?
Will this pain never lessen?
Is this the only way?
Has darkness become your light?
Oh Alaala, Alaala...
Tell me... is this forever?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Alaala' uses rich mythological imagery to parallel the sacrifice of a protector with Lord Shiva drinking the deadly Halahala (Aalaalam) poison to save the universe. The narrator witnesses the deep pain, hidden suffering, and silent tears of a loved one who takes on immense burdens and puts on a harsh facade to shield others from harm.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Mythological Allusion (Purana Kurippu)

Aalam athai nee kudithai

Refers to Lord Shiva (Aalaala Sundaran) swallowing poison (Aalam) to protect the world, representing noble sacrifice.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Imaiyathai unakkul Sumathi kondai

Compares the emotional burden and suffering within the individual to carrying the vast Himalayan mountain range.

Contrast / Juxtaposition

Unmai attra punnagayil

Contrasts genuine emotion with a mask of deceit and suffering ('unmai attra punnagai' - false smile).

Anaphora / Repetition

Aalaalaa…

Repeats the divine invocation 'Aalaalaa' across verses to emphasize grief, reverence, and pleading.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Alaala' from Sandakozhi 2 (2018) was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja with lyrics penned by Madhan Karky and sung by Rahul Nambiar. The term 'Aalaalam' refers to Halahala, the mythological divine poison, symbolizing the protagonist's willingness to absorb pain for the safety of his village and loved ones.

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