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Lyrics & meaning

Sarvam Thaala Mayam

From Sarvam Thaala Mayam · 2018

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singers
Arjun Chandy, Haricharan
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Sarvam Thaala Mayam2018

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Karuvukkul pookkumIt blooms within the womb
Ottrai thudipodu thodangumIt begins with a single heartbeat
Karvangal theerkkum ottraiA single beat that ends all pride
Thudipodu adangumIt settles with a single pulse
Male
Karumegam muttum bodhuWhen dark clouds clash
Vinnengum olikkaResonating across the entire sky
Aazhi kai thattum bodhuWhen the ocean claps its hands
Karai engum olikkaResonating across all the shores
Male
Udalum uyirumMay the body and the soul
AadattumaeDance together
Oh sarvam thaala mayamOh, everything is filled with rhythm
Sarvam sarvam thaala mayamEverything, everything is pervaded by rhythm
Ohh sarvam thaala mayamOhh, everything is filled with rhythm
Thaalam indri yedhu nayamWithout rhythm, where is any beauty?
Male
Siru rekkai ethir kaatrilA small wing against the opposing wind
Idum thaalam kelaaiListen to the rhythm it creates
Sara saravena ilaigal podumRustling softly, the falling leaves
Ilanthaalam kelaaiListen to their gentle, youthful rhythm
Karvangal theerkkum ottraiA single beat that ends all pride
Thudipodu adangumIt settles with a single pulse
Karumegam muttum bodhuWhen dark clouds clash
Vinn engum olikkaResonating across the sky
Aazhi kai thattum bodhuWhen the ocean claps its hands
Karai engum olikkaResonating across all the shores
Male
Udalum uyirumMay the body and the soul
AadattumaeDance together
Oh sarvam thaala mayamOh, everything is filled with rhythm
Sarvam sarvam thaala mayamEverything, everything is pervaded by rhythm
Ohh sarvam thaala mayamOhh, everything is filled with rhythm
Thaalam indri yedhu nayamWithout rhythm, where is any beauty?
Chorus
Hmm mm hmm mmHmm mm hmm mm
Hmm mmmHmm mmm
Yeh yeh yeh heiYeh yeh yeh hei
Hmm mm hmm mmm hmm mmmHmm mm hmm mmm hmm mmm
Yeh yeh yeh heiYeh yeh yeh hei
Hmm mm hmm mmm hmm mmmHmm mm hmm mmm hmm mmm
Yeh yeh yehYeh yeh yeh
Chorus
{Thakka thimi thakka jhunuThakka thimi thakka jhunu
Thaam thaamThaam thaam
Thakka thakka thimi thakka jhunnuThakka thakka thimi thakka jhunnu
Thom thomThom thom
Thakka thakka thimi thakka jhunnuThakka thakka thimi thakka jhunnu
Junutha junuthaJunutha junutha
Sarvam thaala mayam} (3)Everything is filled with rhythm (3)
Male
Erumbhugal padai eduthuAnts marching like an army
Oornthae varum thaala charamA crawling string of rhythm
Arumbugal thinam udaithuBuds opening daily as bees steal
Theni thirudum pookkalin udhiramThe blood of flowers (nectar)
Male
Tharai melaththilUpon the earth's drum
Mazhai olikkindraWhere the rain sounds
Kanamae adhilaeIn that fleeting moment
Karainthidum manamaeThe mind melts away
Theeyil moolum thaalam kettutiduListen to the rhythm kindled in fire
Neeyum naanum kaalathin thaalamYou and I are the rhythm of time
Male
Undaanom mei thaalathilWe were created in true rhythm
Vaazhgindrom poi thaalathilYet we live in a false rhythm
Thai thai thai thai thaalathilIn the rhythm of dance and strides
Thai thai thai thakka thimi thakkaThai thai thai thakka thimi thakka
Male :Thaa thaa thaa ..Male: Thaa thaa thaa ..
Male
Sarvam thaala mayamEverything is filled with rhythm
Sarvam sarvam thaala mayamEverything, everything is pervaded by rhythm
Ohh sarvam thaala mayamOhh, everything is filled with rhythm
Thaalam indri yedhu nayamWithout rhythm, where is any beauty?
Male
Karuvukkul pookkumIt blooms within the womb
Ottrai thudipodu thodangumIt begins with a single heartbeat
Chorus :Hmm hmmChorus: Hmm hmm
Male :Karvangal theerkkum ottraiMale: A single beat that ends all pride
Thudipodu adangumIt settles with a single pulse
Male
Karumegam muttum bodhuWhen dark clouds clash
Vinnengum olikkaResonating across the entire sky
Aazhi kai thattum bodhuWhen the ocean claps its hands
Karai engum olikkaResonating across all the shores
Male
Udalum uyirumMay the body and the soul
AadattumaeDance together
Oh sarvam thaala mayamOh, everything is filled with rhythm
Sarvam sarvam thaala mayamEverything, everything is pervaded by rhythm
Ohh sarvam thaala mayamOhh, everything is filled with rhythm
Thaalam indri yedhu nayamWithout rhythm, where is any beauty?
Male
Siru rekkai ethir kaatrilA small wing against the opposing wind
Idum thaalam kelaaiListen to the rhythm it creates
Male
Ohh sarvam thaala mayamOhh, everything is filled with rhythm
Sarvam sarvam thaala mayamSarvam sarvam thaala mayam
Chorus :Hei hei hei hei hei hei heiChorus: Hei hei hei hei hei hei hei
Male :Ohh sarvam thaala mayamMale: Ohh, everything is filled with rhythm
Thaalam indri yedhu nayamWithout rhythm, where is any beauty?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The title track 'Sarvam Thaala Mayam' celebrates the omnipresence of rhythm in nature and human existence. It explores how life begins with a single heartbeat in the womb and ends with a final pulse that extinguishes all ego. From thunderous rain clouds and ocean waves crashing on shores to marching ants, flapping bird wings, and rustling leaves, every natural element contributes to a universal symphony. Lyricist Madhan Karky emphasizes that while humanity was created in an authentic, natural rhythm, modern life often leads people into artificial rhythms. Ultimately, the song serves as a reminder to connect with the divine beat that flows through body, soul, and universe.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Karuvukkul pookkum / Karvangal theerkkum

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'Ka' across lines for rhythmic aesthetic.

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Karuvukkul pookkum / Karvangal theerkkum

Repetition of second letter 'ru' in Karuvukkul and Karvangal.

Personification

Aazhi kai thattum bodhu

Attributing human actions like clapping hands to the ocean.

Metaphor

Theni thirudum pookkalin udhiram

Describing nectar as the blood of flowers stolen by bees.

Onomatopoeia

Sara saravena ilaigal podum

Use of imitation sounds 'Sara saravena' to replicate the rustling of leaves.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by A. R. Rahman for Rajiv Menon's musical drama 'Sarvam Thaala Mayam' (2018), the song features vocals by Haricharan and Arjun Chandy. To capture real nature rhythms, the production team recorded natural percussion and ambient sounds across various Indian locations, matching the protagonist's journey of discovering music in everyday life.

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