Kaavaalaa Explained

Kaavaalaa
Type:single
Cover:Kaavaalaa song.jpg
Caption:Official song cover
Artist:Shilpa Rao
Album:Jailer
Recorded:March–April 2023
Length:3:10
Label:Sun Pictures
Composer:Anirudh Ravichander
Lyricist:Arunraja Kamaraj
Producer:Anirudh Ravichander
Tracks:
  1. "Kaavaalaa"
  2. "Jailer Theme"
  3. "Rathamaarey"
  4. "Muthuvel Pandian Theme"
  5. "Hukum – Thalaivar Alappara"
  6. "Jailer Drill"
  7. "Jujubee"
  8. "Alappara Theme"

"Kaavaalaa" is an Indian Tamil-language song composed by Anirudh Ravichander, written by Arunraja Kamaraj and performed by Shilpa Rao, for the soundtrack album of the 2023 film Jailer, starring Rajinikanth and written and directed by Nelson Dilipkumar for Sun Pictures. It was released on 6 July 2023 as the lead single from the album through the production house.

Composition and recording

"Kaavaalaa" opens with a flute interlude that occurs predominantly to provide an Afrobeat-kind of music.[1] The humming after the hook line shared similarities with that of "Aadaludan Paadalai Kettu" from Kudiyirundha Koyil (1968).[2]

It was recorded during the end of March 2023, when Anirudh had recorded the female portions for the song "Chaleya" with Shilpa Rao at a jam session in his own studio.[3] [4] Impressed by her vocals, Anirudh had insisted on Rao recording the track as he found her vocals being too apt for it. As Rao's first song in Tamil after a decade, she was assisted with the pronunciation which "[made] the recording really enjoyable".

Rao was shown the footage of the song, so that she could get the tone correct. She received the tune first so that she could rehearse the lyrics for two days and had recorded the song within an hour.[5]

Lyrics

The lyrics for the song was written by Arunraja Kamaraj, who previously associated with Anirudh on writing lyrics for "Im So Cool" and "Shake That" from Kaaki Sattai (2015), "Kannula Thimiru" from Darbar (2020) and "Kutti Story" from Master (2021). Anirudh wanted to experiment with the song, as if it must be a song with Telugu lyrics, being written by a non-Telugu person.[6] Kamaraj had performed songs in five languages, which made him easier to write a song with catchphrases from various languages. After sorting out various phonetics, he found "Kaavaalaa" to be catchy and eventually becoming the hook line of the track.[7]

According to Kamaraj, he described it as a bilingual song as it mixed Telugu lyrics with Tamil lines. Since the song was written only for Bhatia's character, he tried to approach the lyrics without the "Rajini filter" but eventually surprised to see him being a part of the song. He wrote the entire lyrics for the song within 30 minutes.[8]

Music video

The song was filmed at the Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad during a brief schedule from 29 May to 1 June 2023.[9] [10] It featured Rajinikanth and Bhatia, with Sunil, Sunil Reddy, Redin Kingsley and Jaffer Sadiq also appearing. Jani Master choreographed the song.[11]

Marketing and release

The song was teased with a promo video featuring Nelson, Anirudh and Kamaraj that was released on 3 July 2023.[12] It was released as the lead single from the album on 6 July, accompanied with a lyrical video featuring snippets from the song.[13] The video song was released on 6 September.

It was also released in Telugu as "Kaavaali", in Hindi as "Tu Aa Dilbara", in Kannada as "Kaavaalaayya", and in Malayalam under the same title, with Sindhuja Srinivasan performing all the versions in place of Shilpa Rao. The Telugu version was supposed to release along with an event at CMR College in Hyderabad on 26 July, cancelled due to the heavy rains, and instead released directly through digital platforms.[14] However, a promotional event was held to release the song's Hindi version in Mumbai on 27 July.[15] [16]

Reception

Meera Venugopal of Radio Mirchi described it as "one of the most delightful item tracks in recent times".[17] A critic from The Indian Express described it as a "raunchy number" with lyrics that are "more about the rhyming words and less about the meaning." Anindita Mukherjee of India Today wrote "Tamannaah Bhatia owns the track and makes it her own with her sizzling moves."[18] DT Next wrote: "The percussion-heavy peppy song has been well-staged in a colourful set. Arunraja Kamaraj just came up with the right ingredients needed for the lyrics to be instantly attractive. Jani Master's choreography too is on the mark."[19] In his year-ender review for Scroll.in, Devarsi Ghosh mentioned the song which "scores for its tune, beats, and Shilpa Rao's uncharacteristic star turn in an item song."[20]

Impact

The lyrical video became viral upon its release crossing 100 million views within a month.[21] The video song of the film was the 6th most-viewed music video of 2023, according to YouTube Trends.[22] [23] It was also one of the ten-most searched regional songs searched on Amazon Alexa.[24]

The hook step performed by Bhatia went viral upon social media,[25] [26] resulting in numerous recreations.[27] [28] [29] Some of them includes versions Vijay Varma,[30] and Ragini Dwivedi.[31]

Credits

Chart performance

ChartPeak
position
India (Billboard)[32] 22
Asian Music Chart (OCC)[33] 12

Awards and nominations

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s) and nominee(s)Result
Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards22 June 2024Best Female Playback SingerShilpa Rao[34]
Best LyricistArunraja Kamaraj
Filmfare Awards South3 August 2024Best Female Playback Singer – TamilShilpa Rao[35]
IIFA Utsavam27 September 2024Playback Singer – Female[36]

Notes and References

  1. Jailer Songs - Decoded by Anirudh Jailer Unlocked - Jailer Making Streaming now on Sun NXT . 2024-08-26 . Video . ta . 2:45 . 2024-09-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240905233552/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y3BBDPtigM . 2024-09-05 . live . YouTube.
  2. Jailer Songs - Decoded by Anirudh Jailer Unlocked - Jailer Making Streaming now on Sun NXT . 2024-08-26 . Video . ta . 3:05 . 2024-09-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240905233552/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y3BBDPtigM . 2024-09-05 . live . YouTube.
  3. Web site: Mallik . Prattusa . 5 October 2023 . EXCL: Shilpa Rao opens up on her musical career beyond Bollywood . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240902153409/https://www.indulgexpress.com/culture/music/2023/Oct/05/beyond-bollywood-shilpa-rao-opens-upon-her-musical-career-beyond-the-mainstream-53916.html . 2 September 2024 . 2 September 2024 . Indulgexpress.
  4. News: 2024-07-05 . I still ask Anirudh why he thought of me for 'Kaavalaa': Shilpa Rao . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240801184603/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/i-still-ask-anirudh-why-he-thought-of-me-for-kaavalaa-shilpa-rao/articleshow/111505485.cms . 2024-08-01 . 2024-09-17 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  5. Web site: 2023-07-10 . Originally, Rajini sir was not to be a part of Kaavalaa . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230822131536/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/interviews/2023/jul/10/originally-rajini-sir-was-not-to-be-a-part-of-kaavalaa-45489.html . 22 August 2023 . 2023-08-18 . Cinema Express.
  6. Behind the Groove: Anirudh about the Making of Kaavaalaa! . 2023-08-16 . Television production . Tamil . Sun TV . 2023-08-18.
  7. Web site: Federal . The . 2023-07-16 . Kaavaalaa: Viral song from Jailer latest to try mish-mash of languages . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230822131509/https://thefederal.com/entertainment/kaavaalaa-viral-song-not-dancing-to-any-new-tune-with-mish-mash-of-telugu-tamil-lyrics/ . 22 August 2023 . 2023-08-18 . The Federal.
  8. அரைமணி நேரத்துல பாட்டு எழுதினேன்: Arunraja Kamaraj Interview Kaavaalaa, Jailer, Rajini Naa Ready . 2023-07-07 . Interview . ta . IndiaGlitz . I wrote the song within 30 minutes: Arunraja Kamaraj Interview Kaavaalaa, Jailer, Rajini Naa Ready . 2024-09-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240917152334/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU8CbCYJTwA . 2024-09-17 . live . YouTube.
  9. News: 29 May 2023 . 'Jailer': Rajinikanth films for a short schedule . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230603003632/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/jailer-rajinikanth-films-for-a-short-schedule/articleshow/100590590.cms . 3 June 2023 . 1 September 2024 . The Times of India.
  10. Web site: 1 June 2023 . Rajinikanth, Tamannaah Bhatia wrap 'Jailer' shoot with a giant cake, see pics! . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230705040504/https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/regional-indian-cinema-news/article/jailer-wrap-up-party-rajinikanth-tamannaah-bhatia-wrap-jailer-shoot-with-a-giant-cake-see-pics-23289946 . 5 July 2023 . 2 June 2023 . . en.
  11. News: 6 July 2023 . 'Kaavaalaa': Rajinikanth, Tamannaah shake a leg in this peppy first single from 'Jailer' . live . https://archive.today/20230706131547/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kaavaalaa-rajinikanth-tamannaah-shake-a-leg-in-this-peppy-first-single-from-jailer/article67049278.ece . 6 July 2023 . 6 July 2023 . The Hindu.
  12. News: 4 July 2023 . 'Jailer' first single promo: 'Kaavaalaa' is a fun-filled talk between Anirudh and Nelson . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230808161943/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/jailer-first-single-promo-kaavaalaa-is-a-fun-filled-talk-between-anirudh-and-nelson/articleshow/101478354.cms?from=mdr . 8 August 2023 . 8 August 2023 . The Times of India.
  13. Web site: 6 July 2023 . Jailer song Kaavaalaa: Tamannaah Bhatia and Rajinikanth shake a leg to Anirudh Ravichander's new catchy song . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230709123717/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/kaavaalaa-from-jailer-tamannaah-anirudh-ravichander-rajinikanth-8790080/ . 9 July 2023 . 8 August 2023 . The Indian Express.
  14. Web site: 2023-07-27 . Release Of Jailer's Kaavaalaa Telugu Version At CMR College cancelled, Out On YouTube . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230822135000/https://www.news18.com/movies/release-of-jailers-kaavaalaa-telugu-version-at-cmr-college-cancelled-out-on-youtube-8440195.html . 22 August 2023 . 2023-08-18 . News18.
  15. Web site: 2023-07-27 . Can't get enough of Kaavaalaa? Tamannaah Bhatia's viral track from Rajinikanth's Jailer gets a Hindi version . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230822135002/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/cant-get-enough-of-kaavaalaa-tamannaah-bhatias-viral-track-from-rajinikanths-jailer-gets-a-hindi-version-1232332 . 22 August 2023 . 2023-08-18 . PINKVILLA.
  16. Web site: 2023-07-27 . Tamannaah Bhatia launches the Hindi version of Kaavaalaa from Rajinikanth's Jailer . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230822135005/https://www.filmcompanion.in/news/tamannaah-bhatia-launches-the-hindi-version-of-kaavaalaa-from-rajinikanths-jailer . 22 August 2023 . 2023-08-22 . Film Companion.
  17. Web site: Anirudh Ravichanders album for Rajinikanths Jailer is a tribute to the superstar . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230818085825/https://mirchi.in/stories/music/rajinikanths-jailer-music-review/102594787 . 18 August 2023 . 2023-08-18 . mirchi.in.
  18. Web site: Mukherjee . Anindita . 2023-07-06 . Kaavaalaa from Jailer out. Tamannaah, Rajinikanth's chemistry is top-notch . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230706125826/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kaavaalaa-jailer-first-song-out-tamannaah-bhatia-rajinikanth-nelson-dilipkumar-anirudh-ravichander-2402867-2023-07-06 . 2023-07-06 . 2024-09-17 . India Today . en.
  19. Web site: 2023-07-06 . Jailer first single: Tamannaah and Rajini on song in the peppy 'Kaavaalaa' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240917170254/https://www.dtnext.in/news/cinema/jailer-first-single-tamannaah-and-rajini-on-song-in-the-peppy-kaavaalaa-722634 . 2024-09-17 . 2024-09-17 . DT Next . en.
  20. Web site: Ghosh . Devarsi . 2023-12-26 . 2023 year ender: The best music in films and web series . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240106145541/https://scroll.in/reel/1061079/2023-year-ender-the-best-music-in-films-and-web-series . 2024-01-06 . 2024-09-17 . Scroll.in . en.
  21. Web site: 5 August 2023 . 10 கோடி பார்வைகளைக் கடந்து காவாலா பாடல் சாதனை . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230807060922/https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2023/aug/05/jailer-kaavaalaa-lyric-video-reached-10-7-crore-views-on-youtube-4049784.html . 7 August 2023 . 8 August 2023 . . Tamil.
  22. Web site: 2023-12-18 . Vicky Kaushal's Tere Vaste to Rajinikanth's Kaavaalaa: YouTube unveils the top 15 most viewed music videos of 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231225001221/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/music/vicky-kaushals-tere-vaste-to-rajinikanths-kaavaalaa-youtube-unveils-the-top-15-most-viewed-music-videos-of-2023-9072731/ . 2023-12-25 . 2024-09-17 . The Indian Express . en.
  23. News: 2023-12-13 . YouTube Trends 2023: 'Tere Vaaste', 'Kaavaalaa' music videos top list . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231218003104/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/youtube-trends-2023-tere-vaaste-kaavaalaa-music-videos-top-list/article67630831.ece . 2023-12-18 . 2024-09-17 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  24. Web site: Singh . Deepali . 2024-02-16 . Naatu Naatu, Kaavaalaa, Khalasi among top 10 most-searched regional songs on Alexa . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240710080708/https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/entertainment/naatu-naatu-kaavaalaa-khalasi-among-top-10-regional-songs-searched-on-alexa-12287511.html . 2024-07-10 . 2024-09-17 . Moneycontrol.
  25. Web site: 11 July 2023 . Tamannaah's hook steps in 'Kaavaalaa' takes internet by storm. Fans call her Indian Shakira . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230809033840/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/music/2023/07/11/tamannah-jailer-tamil-movie-anirudh-indian-shakira-comparison-kaavaalaa.html . 9 August 2023 . 9 August 2023 . Onmanorama.
  26. Web site: 2023-07-08 . Tamannaah Bhatia Grooves To 'Kavaalaa' From Jailer, Fans Call It 'Better Than The Original'; Watch . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230822134958/https://www.news18.com/movies/tamannaah-bhatia-grooves-to-kavaalaa-from-jailer-fans-call-it-better-than-the-original-watch-8285107.html . 22 August 2023 . 2023-08-18 . News18.
  27. Web site: 2023-07-28 . WATCH: Woman Recreates Kaavaalaa's Hook Step, Fans Tag Tamannaah Bhatia . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230801142123/https://www.news18.com/viral/watch-woman-recreates-kaavaalaas-hook-step-fans-tag-tamannaah-bhatia-8448115.html . 2023-08-01 . 2024-09-17 . News18 . en.
  28. Web site: Korean men's dance to Tamannaah Bhatia and Rajinikanth's Kaavaalaa goes viral . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230822134438/https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/korean-mens-dance-to-tamannaah-bhatia-and-rajinikanths-kaavaalaa-goes-viral-60580.html . 22 August 2023 . 2023-08-18 . Filmfare.
  29. Web site: 2023-08-21 . Kaavaalaa Craze Continues: 5 Viral Videos Setting Internet Ablaze . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240917174221/https://www.timesnownews.com/viral/tamannaah-bhatia-kaavaalaa-craze-continues-5-viral-videos-setting-internet-ablaze-article-102913609 . 2024-09-17 . 2024-09-17 . Times Now . en.
  30. Web site: Vijay Varma Dances To Girlfriend Tamannaah's Kaavaalaa Song With Salman Khan . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901215338/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/vijay-varma-performs-kaavaalaa-hook-step-on-bigg-boss-ott-s-weekend-va-vaar-episode-4255923 . 2023-09-01 . 2024-09-17 . NDTV . en.
  31. Web site: 2023-07-17 . Watch: Ragini Dwivedi Grooves To Jailer's Trending Song Kaavaalaa But With A Twist . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230718055524/https://www.news18.com/movies/watch-ragini-dwivedi-grooves-to-jailers-trending-song-kaavaalaa-but-with-a-twist-8357071.html . 2023-07-18 . 2024-09-17 . News18 . en.
  32. 26 August 2023 . India Songs . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240917181507/https://www.billboard.com/charts/india-songs-hotw/2023-08-26/ . 17 September 2024 . 17 September 2024 . Billboard.
  33. Web site: 14 July 2023 . Asian Music Chart Top 40: 14 July 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231229212620/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/asian-music-chart/20230714/asian/ . 29 December 2023 . 17 September 2024 . . en.
  34. Web site: 21 May 2024 . Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240521163957/https://awards.vikatan.com/cinema-awards . 21 May 2024 . 23 August 2024 . Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards.
  35. Web site: 2024-08-03 . Nominations for the 69th Filmfare Awards South 2024 – Tamil . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240804115118/https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards-south-2024/tamil/nominations . 2024-08-04 . 2024-08-23 . Filmfare.
  36. Web site: 2024-08-21 . IIFA 2024 Utsavam unveils nominations, honouring the diversity of South Indian cinema . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240821060722/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/iifa-2024-utsavam-unveils-nominations-honouring-the-diversity-of-south-indian-cinema-13806739.html . 2024-08-21 . 2024-08-22 . Firstpost . en-us.

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