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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Varalaama

From Sarvam Thaala Mayam · 2018

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singer
Sriram Parthasarathy
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Sarvam Thaala Mayam2018

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Heyy eyy maaaa…aa..aa..(Vocalizing sound)
Heey eyy maa…aa thaaradhaa raa(Vocalizing rhythm syllables)
Heey eyy maa…aaaa…aaa…aa…aa..(Vocalizing rhythmic chant)
Male
Varalaama un arugilMay I come near you?
Peralaama un arulaiMay I receive your grace?
Male
Varalaama un arugilMay I come near you?
Peralaama un arulaiMay I receive your grace?
Thirumbaayo en dhisaiyil…Will you turn towards my direction?
Nee asaivaayo en isaiyilWill you sway to my music?
Nee asaivaayo en isaiyilWill you sway to my music?
Adhai kaanaTo see that happen,
Male
Varalaama un arugilMay I come near you?
Peralaama un arulaiMay I receive your grace?
Thirumbaayo en dhisaiyil…Will you turn towards my direction?
Nee asaivaayo en isaiyilWill you sway to my music?
Nee asaivaayo en isaiyilWill you sway to my music?
Adhai kaanaTo see that happen,
Male
Puzhuthiyil pudhainthavanI, who was buried in the dust,
Pudhithena pirandhenWas born anew,
Mudhal murai ul manaFor the first time, my inner mind's
Vizhigalai thirandhenEyes I opened.
Male
Puzhuthiyil pudhainthavanI, who was buried in the dust,
Pudhithena pirandhenWas born anew,
Mudhal murai ul manaFor the first time, my inner mind's
Vizhigalai thirandhenEyes I opened.
Male
Viralgalai siragenaSpreading my fingers like wings,
Virinthida paranthenI spread them wide and flew,
Virinthida paranthenI spread them wide and flew.
Male
Varalaama…aaaMay I come...?
Varalaama…aaaMay I come...?
Varalaama un arugilMay I come near you?
Male
Vidhaiyinul virutchamaaiLike a giant tree inside a seed,
Sollinul porulaaiLike meaning inside a word,
Mazhalaikkul amizhthamaaiLike sweet nectar in a child's babble,
Kallinul silaiyaaiLike a sculpture waiting inside a stone,
Male
Vidhaiyinul virutchamaaiLike a giant tree inside a seed,
Sollinul porulaaiLike meaning inside a word,
Mazhalaikkul amizhthamaaiLike sweet nectar in a child's babble,
Kallinul silaiyaaiLike a sculpture waiting inside a stone,
Male
Anuvinul agilamaaiLike the entire universe contained inside an atom,
Enakullae isaiyaai…aaaaLike music residing inside me...
Unai kandu kalikkaTo see you and rejoice,
Male
Varalaama..aa..May I come...?
Varalaama un arugilMay I come near you?
Peralaama un arulaiMay I receive your grace?
Thirumbaayo en dhisaiyil…Will you turn towards my direction?
Nee asaivaayo en isaiyil…illlWill you sway to my music?
Nee asaivaayo en isaiyilWill you sway to my music?
Adhai kaanaTo see that happen,
Male
Nee asaivaayo en isaiyil…Will you sway to my music?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Varalaama' is a poignant, devotional-style plea from the film 'Sarvam Thaala Mayam', where an aspiring musician from an underprivileged background seeks acceptance and discipleship from a revered classical music maestro. The song portrays the protagonist's musical awakening as a spiritual rebirth—moving from obscurity and dust to opening his inner eyes and spreading his fingers like wings over the drum head. Through rich Tamil metaphors, the lyrics express how potential lies dormant within everything—a tree inside a seed, a sculpture within a stone, and the entire cosmos within an atom. The protagonist humbly asks if he may approach his master, receive his blessing, and witness the master sway to his rhythm.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai & Etukai (Alliteration & Rhyme)

Puzhuthiyil pudhainthavan / Pudhithena pirandhen

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('Pu') and second-letter rhymes in 'Puzhuthiyil pudhainthavan' and 'Pudhithena pirandhen' creates rhythmic flow.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Viralgalai siragena virinthida paranthen

Compares the player's fingers to bird wings ('siragena') taking flight over the instrument.

Analogy Series (Parallel Metaphors)

Vidhaiyinul virutchamaai / Sollinul porulaai / Kallinul silaiyaai / Anuvinul agilamaai

Uses a series of powerful natural analogies (tree in seed, meaning in word, sculpture in stone, cosmos in atom) to convey hidden potential and intrinsic music.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by A. R. Rahman and sung with deep emotional resonance by classical vocalist Sriram Parthasarathy, 'Varalaama' serves as a crucial narrative turning point in the film. Lyricist Madhan Karky captures the character's humility and reverence as he seeks to break social and musical barriers to learn the art of Mridangam.

Keep listening

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