- Lyricist
- Madhan Karky
- Singer
- Sriram Parthasarathy
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Movie name
- Sarvam Thaala Mayam
- Movie release year
- 2018
- Lyrics added on
- 17 Oct 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'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.
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