Neeraduvan - Nakakshtangal

Neeraduvan – Nakakshthangal

Composition – Bombay Ravi

Lyrics – ONV Kurup

Singer – KJ Yesudas

Prelude – The petite figure of Ramu, played by Vineeth,  singing the song “ Neeraaduvan “ in praise of the “ Nila “ river, has captured my imagination ever since I was a teenager . This song is dear to my heart, as the film “ Nakakshtangal “ was released in the year 1986 , when my parents got married . This is the favourite Malayalam song of mine,  and I used to sing this song for hours and everywhere when I got the chance . The compositional virtuoso of Bombay Ravi and the lyrical prowess of ONV Kurup give wings to this breezy song . The song is composed in the raag “ Suddha Saveri which brings out a pleasant and soothing effect on our soul .

Neeraduvan nilayil neeraduvan

Nee enthe vaiki vannu poo thinkale

Oh moon ! Why did you come late to bathe in the Nila river ?

Eranam ven nilavin poompudava arinju

The wet white moonlight disrobed her flower-embroidered brocade saree while going to bathe.

Ee nadithan pulinanjal chandana kulir aninnu

The riverbank was garbed in the coolness like that of the sandalwood paste .

Poompudava thumbile kasava eduthu

Pookaitha kanyakamar mudiyil vachu

The screw pine flowers ( pookaitha ), who are like damsels, took the border of the flower-embroidered brocade saree and wore it in their hair .

Attuvanchi pookalum kattiladi ulanju

The “ Attuvanchi “ flowers ( river's homonoia) swayed in the breeze.

Alimali mannalthattum athira poo aninju

The riverbank was bejewelled by the “ Athira “ star’s reflection in the water.

Alinte kombathe gandharvano

Areyo mantramodi unartheedunnu

The celestial singer who dwelled in the banyan tree woke up someone by the incantation of hymns .

Postlude – The “ aakar “ at the beginning of the song is just like an invocation to the river goddess . The beats of the tabla are just like the ebb and flow of waves in the river . The Nila river is the lifeline of the southern Malabar districts of Kerala, originating from the Western Ghats, and has played an instrumental role in the spread of arts , crafts , literature , stories and poetry . The river Nila has been a muse of poets and writers for a long time . The whole sequence of lyrical poetry by ONV Kurup describes the moon as a woman who comes to bathe in the Nila river. The metaphor here is the triangular love story of Ramu , Gowri and Lakshmi, played by Vineeth , Monisha and Saleema,  respectively . The girl Lakshmi enters Ramu’s life when he is already in love with Gowri . The hero asks Lakshmi why she came into his life late when he was already in a relationship with Gowri .The entry of Lakshmi into Ramu’s life puts him in a fix as both the girls love him . The moon disrobes herself while bathing in the river . The screw pine flowers,  which are golden in colour are imagined to be maidens taking the border from the brocade and wore it in their hair . The “ Attuvanchi “ tree has flowers with fragrance which grows by the river banks . The feminine aspect associated with the “ Athira “ star when women keep fast for the longevity of their husbands in the Sagitarrius month is brought to the fore . The river is exalted by the beauty of the reflection of the “ Athira “ star in its waters . The song is the highest form of lyrical poetry, where the nuances of the river goddess , the femininity of women , the rich flora encompassing the riverbanks join the revelry in the life of a river .