Kaavaalaa

"Kaavaalaa" opens with a flute interlude that occurs predominantly to provide an Afrobeat-kind of music.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y3BBDPtigM |title=Jailer Songs - Decoded by Anirudh {{!}} Jailer Unlocked - Jailer Making {{!}} Streaming now on Sun NXT |date=2024-08-26 |type=Video |language=ta |time=2:45 |access-date=2024-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905233552/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y3BBDPtigM |archive-date=2024-09-05 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}} The humming after the hook line shared similarities with that of "Aadaludan Paadalai Kettu" from Kudiyirundha Koyil (1968).{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y3BBDPtigM |title=Jailer Songs - Decoded by Anirudh {{!}} Jailer Unlocked - Jailer Making {{!}} Streaming now on Sun NXT |date=2024-08-26 |type=Video |language=ta |time=3:05 |access-date=2024-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905233552/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y3BBDPtigM |archive-date=2024-09-05 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Mallik |first=Prattusa |date=5 October 2023 |title=EXCL: Shilpa Rao opens up on her musical career beyond Bollywood |url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/culture/music/2023/Oct/05/beyond-bollywood-shilpa-rao-opens-upon-her-musical-career-beyond-the-mainstream-53916.html |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=2 September 2024 |access-date=2 September 2024 |website=Indulgexpress}}{{Cite news |date=2024-07-05 |title=I still ask Anirudh why he thought of me for 'Kaavalaa': Shilpa Rao |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/i-still-ask-anirudh-why-he-thought-of-me-for-kaavalaa-shilpa-rao/articleshow/111505485.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=2024-08-01 |access-date=2024-09-17 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-10 |title=Originally, Rajini sir was not to be a part of Kaavalaa |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/interviews/2023/jul/10/originally-rajini-sir-was-not-to-be-a-part-of-kaavalaa-45489.html |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=22 August 2023 |access-date=2023-08-18 |website=Cinema Express}}

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.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOqzSY_0exI |title=Behind the Groove: Anirudh about the Making of Kaavaalaa! |date=2023-08-16 |type=Television production |language=Tamil |publisher=Sun TV |access-date=2023-08-18}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Federal |first=The |date=2023-07-16 |title=Kaavaalaa: Viral song from Jailer latest to try mish-mash of languages |url=https://thefederal.com/entertainment/kaavaalaa-viral-song-not-dancing-to-any-new-tune-with-mish-mash-of-telugu-tamil-lyrics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=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/ |archive-date=22 August 2023 |access-date=2023-08-18 |website=The Federal}}

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.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU8CbCYJTwA |title=அரைமணி நேரத்துல பாட்டு எழுதினேன்: Arunraja Kamaraj Interview {{!}} Kaavaalaa, Jailer, Rajini {{!}} Naa Ready |date=2023-07-07 |type=Interview |language=ta |publisher=IndiaGlitz |trans-title=I wrote the song within 30 minutes: Arunraja Kamaraj Interview {{!}} Kaavaalaa, Jailer, Rajini {{!}} Naa Ready |access-date=2024-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917152334/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU8CbCYJTwA |archive-date=2024-09-17 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}

The song was filmed at the Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad during a brief schedule from 29 May to 1 June 2023.{{Cite news |date=29 May 2023 |title='Jailer': Rajinikanth films for a short schedule |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/jailer-rajinikanth-films-for-a-short-schedule/articleshow/100590590.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603003632/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/jailer-rajinikanth-films-for-a-short-schedule/articleshow/100590590.cms |archive-date=3 June 2023 |access-date=1 September 2024 |work=The Times of India}}{{Cite web |date=1 June 2023 |title=Rajinikanth, Tamannaah Bhatia wrap 'Jailer' shoot with a giant cake, see pics! |url=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 |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=5 July 2023 |access-date=2 June 2023 |website=Mid-Day |language=en}} It featured Rajinikanth and Bhatia, with Sunil, Sunil Reddy, Redin Kingsley and Jaffer Sadiq also appearing. Jani Master choreographed the song.{{Cite news |date=6 July 2023 |title='Kaavaalaa': Rajinikanth, Tamannaah shake a leg in this peppy first single from 'Jailer' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kaavaalaa-rajinikanth-tamannaah-shake-a-leg-in-this-peppy-first-single-from-jailer/article67049278.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=6 July 2023 |access-date=6 July 2023 |work=The Hindu}}

The song was teased with a promo video featuring Nelson, Anirudh and Kamaraj that was released on 3 July 2023.{{Cite news |date=4 July 2023 |title='Jailer' first single promo: 'Kaavaalaa' is a fun-filled talk between Anirudh and Nelson |url=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 |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=8 August 2023 |access-date=8 August 2023 |work=The Times of India}} It was released as the lead single from the album on 6 July, accompanied with a lyrical video featuring snippets from the song.{{Cite web |date=6 July 2023 |title=Jailer song Kaavaalaa: Tamannaah Bhatia and Rajinikanth shake a leg to Anirudh Ravichander's new catchy song |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/kaavaalaa-from-jailer-tamannaah-anirudh-ravichander-rajinikanth-8790080/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709123717/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/kaavaalaa-from-jailer-tamannaah-anirudh-ravichander-rajinikanth-8790080/ |archive-date=9 July 2023 |access-date=8 August 2023 |website=The Indian Express}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-27 |title=Release Of Jailer's Kaavaalaa Telugu Version At CMR College cancelled, Out On YouTube |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/release-of-jailers-kaavaalaa-telugu-version-at-cmr-college-cancelled-out-on-youtube-8440195.html |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=22 August 2023 |access-date=2023-08-18 |website=News18}} However, a promotional event was held to release the song's Hindi version in Mumbai on 27 July.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-27 |title=Can't get enough of Kaavaalaa? Tamannaah Bhatia's viral track from Rajinikanth's Jailer gets a Hindi version |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/cant-get-enough-of-kaavaalaa-tamannaah-bhatias-viral-track-from-rajinikanths-jailer-gets-a-hindi-version-1232332 |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=22 August 2023 |access-date=2023-08-18 |website=PINKVILLA}}{{Cite web |date=2023-07-27 |title=Tamannaah Bhatia launches the Hindi version of Kaavaalaa from Rajinikanth's Jailer |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/news/tamannaah-bhatia-launches-the-hindi-version-of-kaavaalaa-from-rajinikanths-jailer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822135005/https://www.filmcompanion.in/news/tamannaah-bhatia-launches-the-hindi-version-of-kaavaalaa-from-rajinikanths-jailer |archive-date=22 August 2023 |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=Film Companion}}

Meera Venugopal of Radio Mirchi described it as "one of the most delightful item tracks in recent times".{{Cite web |title=Anirudh Ravichanders album for Rajinikanths Jailer is a tribute to the superstar |url=https://mirchi.in/stories/music/rajinikanths-jailer-music-review/102594787 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818085825/https://mirchi.in/stories/music/rajinikanths-jailer-music-review/102594787 |archive-date=18 August 2023 |access-date=2023-08-18 |website=mirchi.in}} 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."{{Cite web |last=Mukherjee |first=Anindita |date=2023-07-06 |title=Kaavaalaa from Jailer out. Tamannaah, Rajinikanth's chemistry is top-notch |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kaavaalaa-jailer-first-song-out-tamannaah-bhatia-rajinikanth-nelson-dilipkumar-anirudh-ravichander-2402867-2023-07-06 |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=2023-07-06 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=India Today |language=en}} 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."{{Cite web |date=2023-07-06 |title=Jailer first single: Tamannaah and Rajini on song in the peppy 'Kaavaalaa' |url=https://www.dtnext.in/news/cinema/jailer-first-single-tamannaah-and-rajini-on-song-in-the-peppy-kaavaalaa-722634 |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=2024-09-17 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=DT Next |language=en}} 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."{{Cite web |last=Ghosh |first=Devarsi |date=2023-12-26 |title=2023 year ender: The best music in films and web series |url=https://scroll.in/reel/1061079/2023-year-ender-the-best-music-in-films-and-web-series |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106145541/https://scroll.in/reel/1061079/2023-year-ender-the-best-music-in-films-and-web-series |archive-date=2024-01-06 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=Scroll.in |language=en}}

The lyrical video became viral upon its release crossing 100 million views within a month.{{Cite web |date=5 August 2023 |title=10 கோடி பார்வைகளைக் கடந்து காவாலா பாடல் சாதனை |url=https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2023/aug/05/jailer-kaavaalaa-lyric-video-reached-10-7-crore-views-on-youtube-4049784.html |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=7 August 2023 |access-date=8 August 2023 |website=Dinamani |language=Tamil}} The video song of the film was the 6th most-viewed music video of 2023, according to YouTube Trends.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-18 |title=Vicky Kaushal's Tere Vaste to Rajinikanth's Kaavaalaa: YouTube unveils the top 15 most viewed music videos of 2023 |url=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/ |url-status=live |archive-url=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/ |archive-date=2023-12-25 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2023-12-13 |title=YouTube Trends 2023: 'Tere Vaaste', 'Kaavaalaa' music videos top list |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/youtube-trends-2023-tere-vaaste-kaavaalaa-music-videos-top-list/article67630831.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218003104/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/youtube-trends-2023-tere-vaaste-kaavaalaa-music-videos-top-list/article67630831.ece |archive-date=2023-12-18 |access-date=2024-09-17 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} It was also one of the ten-most searched regional songs searched on Amazon Alexa.{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Deepali |date=2024-02-16 |title=Naatu Naatu, Kaavaalaa, Khalasi among top 10 most-searched regional songs on Alexa |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/entertainment/naatu-naatu-kaavaalaa-khalasi-among-top-10-regional-songs-searched-on-alexa-12287511.html |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=2024-07-10 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=Moneycontrol}}

The hook step performed by Bhatia went viral upon social media,{{Cite web |date=11 July 2023 |title=Tamannaah's hook steps in 'Kaavaalaa' takes internet by storm. Fans call her Indian Shakira |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/music/2023/07/11/tamannah-jailer-tamil-movie-anirudh-indian-shakira-comparison-kaavaalaa.html |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=9 August 2023 |access-date=9 August 2023 |website=Onmanorama}}{{Cite web |date=2023-07-08 |title=Tamannaah Bhatia Grooves To 'Kavaalaa' From Jailer, Fans Call It 'Better Than The Original'; Watch |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/tamannaah-bhatia-grooves-to-kavaalaa-from-jailer-fans-call-it-better-than-the-original-watch-8285107.html |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=22 August 2023 |access-date=2023-08-18 |website=News18}} resulting in numerous recreations.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-28 |title=WATCH: Woman Recreates Kaavaalaa's Hook Step, Fans Tag Tamannaah Bhatia |url=https://www.news18.com/viral/watch-woman-recreates-kaavaalaas-hook-step-fans-tag-tamannaah-bhatia-8448115.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801142123/https://www.news18.com/viral/watch-woman-recreates-kaavaalaas-hook-step-fans-tag-tamannaah-bhatia-8448115.html |archive-date=2023-08-01 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=News18 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Korean men's dance to Tamannaah Bhatia and Rajinikanth's Kaavaalaa goes viral |url=https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/korean-mens-dance-to-tamannaah-bhatia-and-rajinikanths-kaavaalaa-goes-viral-60580.html |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=22 August 2023 |access-date=2023-08-18 |website=Filmfare}}{{Cite web |date=2023-08-21 |title=Kaavaalaa Craze Continues: 5 Viral Videos Setting Internet Ablaze |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/viral/tamannaah-bhatia-kaavaalaa-craze-continues-5-viral-videos-setting-internet-ablaze-article-102913609 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917174221/https://www.timesnownews.com/viral/tamannaah-bhatia-kaavaalaa-craze-continues-5-viral-videos-setting-internet-ablaze-article-102913609 |archive-date=2024-09-17 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=Times Now |language=en}} Some of them includes versions Vijay Varma,{{Cite web |title=Vijay Varma Dances To Girlfriend Tamannaah's Kaavaalaa Song With Salman Khan |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/vijay-varma-performs-kaavaalaa-hook-step-on-bigg-boss-ott-s-weekend-va-vaar-episode-4255923 |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=2023-09-01 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=NDTV |language=en}} and Ragini Dwivedi.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-17 |title=Watch: Ragini Dwivedi Grooves To Jailer's Trending Song Kaavaalaa But With A Twist |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/watch-ragini-dwivedi-grooves-to-jailers-trending-song-kaavaalaa-but-with-a-twist-8357071.html |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=2023-07-18 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=News18 |language=en}}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

• Anirudh Ravichander – composer, arranger, programmer, keyboard, synth and rhythm
• Shilpa Rao – vocal
• Arunraja Kamaraj – lyricist
• Navin – flute, woodwinds
• Vedha – morsing
• Ananthakrrishnan – music advisor, violin
• Shashank Vijay – rhythm, darbuka
• Kalyan – rhythm
• Arish – keyboard
• Pradeep PJ – keyboard
• Srinivasan M – recording and mixing engineer (Albuquerque Records, Chennai)
• Shivakiran S – recording engineer (Albuquerque Records, Chennai)
• Pradeep Baskaran – recording engineer (AM Studios, Chennai)
• Sathya Narayanan – recording engineer (AM Studios, Chennai)
• Ainul Haq – recording engineer (AM Studios, Chennai)
• Sathish V Saravanan – recording engineer (AM Studios, Chennai)
• Vinay Sridhar – mixing engineer (Albuquerque Records, Chennai)
• Luca Pretolesi – mastering engineer (Studio DMI, Las Vegas)
• Alistair Pintus – mastering assistance
• Sajith Satya – creative consultant
• Velavan B – music co-ordinator

{{div col end}}

{{reflist}}

{{Anirudh Ravichander}}

Category:2023 songs

Category:Indian songs

Category:Songs written for films

Category:Songs written for Tamil films

Category:Songs with music by Anirudh Ravichander

Category:Shilpa Rao songs

Category:Electronic dance music songs

Category:Pop songs