Vannathi Puzhayude Theerath - Kaliyattam

Vannathi Puzhayuda Theerath – Kaliyattam

Composition – Kaithapram

Lyrics – Kaithapram

Singer – KJ Yesudas

Prelude –  The songs from the film “ Kaliyattam “ released in 1997, have been a mystery for me for a long time   . I used to wonder at the majestic wordplay done by Kaithpram in writing the lyrics of the song . “Vannathi Puzhayude Theerath “ is a song that I got hooked on lately . “Kaliyattam “ is a film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “ Othello “ and it centres around the characters of the “ Theyyam “ ritual in Northern Malabar region of Kerala . 

Vannathi puzhayude theerath

On the bank of the “ Vannathi “ river.

Thinkal kannadi nokkum nerath

During the time when the moon looks at the mirror ( The reflection of the moon on the river ).

Swapnam kand irangi vannole

The girl who descended with myriad dreams .

Chemmanam poo muttam neeraye mani manjadi vari erinna ole

The girl who scattered rosary red peas on the floor of the flowery courtyard of the crimson sky  .

Kumkuma itta kavil thadamode , minnukal ilakiya pon arayode

Your cheeks were rosy red, and your waist chain was made of chiming gold beads .

Manjal alinja oru poo maiyode , nilavil orungi mayanganna kanne

Your body, as soft as a flower, is anointed with turmeric .

Oh girl ! You adorned yourself in the moonlight and waited in a drowsy state for the groom to come .

Thiruvathirayil sree parvathiyayi penne nee ee rathriyil are thedunnu ?

Oh girl ! On the day of the “ Thiruvathira “ star in the Sagittarius month , whom do you search for in this night looking, as auspicious as Goddess Parvati ?

Sreemangalayay vanamallikayay poomala kavil nee enthinu vannu ?

Oh girl ! Why did you come to the shrine decorated with a festoon of flowers as a blessed married woman and like a jasmine flower blossoming in the forest ?

Nirattin erangum shivapournami elle ne , nelanjanam eriyum nin mohangalil nan ille ?

Oh girl ! Am I not the one in your desires which come in your burning eyes with collyrium when you step in the river for taking a bath like the full moon of Shiva Pournami ( Shiva Pournami falls on the full moon of the lunar month of Dhanu ( Sagittarius ) . The night is believed to be suffused with the consciousness of Lord Shiva . The full moon symbolises the illuminated mind, and Shiva represents pure consciousness beyond thought. Meditating on Shiva during this night is believed to calm the mind , dissolve ego and prepare one for the deeper stillness of Maha Shivaratri later in the year. In Kerala's mystic understanding , Shiva Pournami is the moon of renunciation - much like the moon turning towards its waning phase after fullness). 

Trikarthikayil niradeepavumay kaliyattakadavil nee are thirayunnu  ?

Oh girl ! Whom do you search for holding a fully lighted lamp on the day of the"Krittika" star of the Scorpio month (Trikarthika falls on the day when the Kritikka star coincides with the full moon in the month of Scorpio. Houses are decorated with earthen lamps in the evening on doorsteps, windows and courtyards . Traditionally women and children light the lamps , symbolising divine brilliance and feminine energy . The day is believed to honour the feminine Goddess Shakti . Lighting lamps during Trikarthika represents the awakening of inner light and victory of illumination over darkness) in the riverbank of the shrine where the ritual of “ Theyyam “( It is a ritualistic dance form of worship prevalent in North Kerala. During the Theyyam performance the performer acts as a channel which allows divine beings to appear physically among humans .  )  is done. 

Ani mey niraye alankaravumay ekakini ayi nee are thedunnu ?

Oh girl ! Whom do you search for solitarily bedecked with ornaments in your  beautiful body ?

Kannal adi irangi mudi enthiya theyyam thottam pattu edarum nin idanenjil njan ille ?

Oh girl ! Am I not the one who walked on cinders with a headdress in your bosom from which  the invocation song of the “ Theyyam “ ritual arose in your faltering sound ?

Pooram kooliyude poo vili pole

Like the hooting done on the riverbank after attending the temple festival.

Poovil urangiya gandham pole

Like the fragrance sleeping inside the flower

Maran meetum thamburu pole

Like the lute plucked by the Kamadev ( God of desire and love ) .

Nilavil urangi mayangane kanne

Oh girl ! You adorned yourself in the moonlight and  waited in a drowsy state for the groom to come .

Postlude – The lyricist Kaithapram has done justice to this song by mentioning  two famous festivals celebrated by women of Kerala , Thiruvathira and Trikarthika . Thiruvathira is a festival celebrated by women by keeping fast for a happy married life and longevity of husband . Trikartika is celebrated by lighting earthen lamps and paying obeisance to the Goddess Shakti . The lyricist has brought the elements of the“ Theyyam “ ritual in the song by mentioning “ Kaliyyatam “ , “ Kanal “ , “ Thottampattu “,  as the hero of the film is a Theyyam artist . This is a song which celebrates the Kerala wedding and the various metaphors associated with the Kerala bride in her quest for marital bliss .

Paarvana Paal Mazha – Ennu Swantham Janakikutty

 

Paarvana Paal Mazha – Ennu swantham Janakikutty

Composition – Kaithapram

Lyrics – Kaithapram

Singer – KS Chitra

Prelude – “ Paarvana Paal Mazha “ from Ennu Swantham Janakikutty is a song which invokes feelings of friendship and sisterhood among teenage girls . This song evokes memories of our playmates with whom we have played and shared moments imprinted in our minds. A song can return us to these memories, and we wish we had never grown up .

Paarvana paal mazha pethu ozhiyum

A shower of milky moonlight falls . 

Paalapoo mana puzha ozhukkum

A river flows with the fragrance of flowers from the “ Saptaparni tree “ .

Ayiram nilayulla oru avani kottaram akasha panayil njan paninnu tharum

I will build a thousand - storeyed palace for you in the palm tree in the azure sky in the month of Avani (the month of Chingam from mid-August to mid - September when the Onam festival is celebrated.)

Enthu venam sakhi eni enthu venam

Ninak eni enthu venam ?

Oh friend ! What do you want ? What do you want now ?

 

Rithumathi peninu norinjjudukkan kasav ani kodi kani kodi

The maiden has a beautiful brocade saree to be draped with pleats when she enters womanhood. 

Ayirathonnu thalirvetteliyum swarna nakshatra kali pakku

There are a thousand and one betel leaves and golden- starred areca nuts.

Padan swargavaathil kilipaatu

There is a bird which sings from the door of the heaven

Enthu venam sakhi eni enthu venam

Ninak eni enthu venam ?

Oh friend ! What do you want ? What do you want now ?

Chilankakal kilingum swaramelam athira ravin thiruarang

There is an ensemble of melodious notes from the tinkling of anklets in the arena during the night of the“ Thiruvathira “ star of the Sagittarius month . 

Thamara kumbilil shalaba geetham

The butterfly buzzes by the conoidal-shaped flower petals of the lotus flower . 

Ninak adaan ambili kali oonjal

There is a swing for you fastened to the moon.

Ashakal neerthum mayilpeeli

The desires spread like peacock feathers.

Enthu venam sakhi eni enthu venam

Ninak eni enthu venam ?

Oh friend ! What do you want ? What do you want now ?

Postlude – The song describes the moments of joy shared by the heroine, Janaki Kutty and a tree nymph , Kunnathol, played by Chanchal . The mention of a tree nymph usually evokes horror in Kerala, as they are vampires according to mythology and folklore . But in the twist of fate , MT Vasudevan Nair brings a tree nymph who befriends the heroine and fills her reclusive life with colours and dreams . We find mention of the Saptaparni tree in which a tree nymph resides, as well as betel quid, which she likes to savour, by the lyricist Kaithapram in the song . There is the palm tree mentioned in the song which is the usual dwelling of the tree nymph from where she surveils her prey . The raag Suddha Saveri gives an ode to the bonhomie between two young women .

Alila Thaliyumaai Varu Ne - Mizhirandilum

Alila Thali – Mizhirandilum

Composition – Raveendran

Lyrics – Vayalar Sharath Chandra Varma

Singer – P Jayachandran 

Prelude – The song “ Alilala Thaliyumaai Varu Nee “ from “ Mizhirandilum” adorned the lips of every Keralite in 2003 when the film was released . Set in raag Sudha Saveri and penned by Vayalar Sharath Chandra , the song uses the metaphor of the moon and the water lily to depict a celestial wedding . When I was in the 9th standard, its meaning was far beyond my understanding . 

Alila thaliyumay varu nee thinkale ithile ithile

Oh moon ! Come with a sacred nuptial thread made of banyan leaves .

Avani poyakayil nanam olum ambalo vadhuvaay arike

The water lily shyly stands near as a bride in the pond during the month of Avani ( The month of Chingam,starting  from mid-August to mid- September when the Onam festival is celebrated)

Manathaay mukil akale marayum

The cloud vanishes far away in the sky.

Oru yamathil anuraagam aliyum

The couple is immersed in love at night . 

Oru mangalyam raavil

There is a wedding at night .

Mele malikayil ninnum rathameri vanna mani maran

Manavattiyay vara manjulankiyude swanthamaay nimisham

The moment when the groom descended the chariot from the attic of the firmament and became one the great bride with a beautiful body is cherished. 

Varavelkku myneh nira mangalam arulu kokilame

Oh Mynah ! Welcome the couple , Oh cuckoo ! Sing auspicious songs filled with best wishes to the groom and bride .

Surabhila maai oru maniyara meneyu madhuvan manasame

Oh mind ,  like the sacred grove in Vrindavan ( One of the twelve principal forests of Vrindavan , situated on the western side of the river Yamuna where lord Shri Krishna performed pastimes and where the demon Madhu was killed)  ! Make a fragrant wedding night chamber for the groom and bride .

Chandana kuri aninnum naru kumkumathil akam ode

Kanakankuliyam aniyunna devsavidhe vilola neeye

You are the celestial nymph nearby who moves with a golden ring in her finger , sandalwood paste mark on her forehead and a heart as good as the vermillion.

Ithal aniyunello kumudiniyude kanavu nilav oliyil

The dreams of the water lily are blooming in the presence of the moon's radiant light . 

Puthiyaoru jeevitha vanikayil unaru kurumozhi mullakale

Oh jasmine flowers ! Awake with a new life in the garden( the groom and bride are given greetings to embark on a new journey of love after exchanging wedding vows )

Postlude – Raag Suddha Saveri captures the beats of the throbbing heart of the moon at night . The lyricist has tried to bring in the motifs associated with the life of Lord Krishna when he appears as a child on a banyan leaf floating in the torrents of water with the whole world safely inside his body during the dissolution of the universe to renew it afterwards with purity .  “ Madhuvan “ is a forest where Lord Krishna spent his days grazing cows and enjoying with his mates .

 

Then Thulumbum Ormayayi - Ennu Swantham Janaki Kutty

 

Then Thulumbum – Ennu swantham janaki kutty

Composition – Kaithapram

Lyrics – Kaithapram

Singer – K.J.Yesudas

Prelude – “ Ennu Swantham Janaki Kutty “ , a movie released in 1998 written by MT Vasudevan Nair, had captured my imagination since my teenage years . It is a heart - tugging love story for teenagers like us, unadulterated by the complexities of the world . Janakikutty, played by Jomol and Bhaskaran, by Sharath, enchanted the audience with their pure portrayal of emotions . The song “ Then Thulumbum Ormayayi “ is a song I came across in my twenties . The song set to Brindavan Sarang raag gives us a feeling of longing about unrequited love .

 

Then thulumbum ormayayi varu varu vasanthame

Oh spring ! Come in the form of memories brimming with sweetness like honey. 

Pathira kadambil nee varu varu nila kili

Oh bird that loves the moonlight ! Come to the burflower tree ( kadambu ) at midnight .

Sneha sagarangale swarangalayi varu

Oh loving oceans ! Come in the form of notes of music with your surging waves .

Shyamaraga rathri mulla pon kinavin poovarambil pookarayallo

The jasmine is about to bloom, hearing the melody of the night in the boundary of golden memories .

 

Mridu venuvil kelkunnitha ashamsa choriyunna sankeertham

The paean of good wishes emanates from the soft flute.

Mangalyavum malarmaleyum trikayil enthunnu vana mullakkal

The jasmines in the forest take the flower garlands in their auspicious hands during the nuptials. 

Arorum ariyathe arum kanathe athmavil nirayunnu laya saurabham

Unaware and unseen , the rhythm of music and fragrance of blossoms fill my soul .

Itra naal itra naal engu poyi ente ninavile kali thozhi ?

Oh playmate of my thoughts ! Where have you been all these days ?

Kelkunnu njan manveenayil poy poya ravinte madhumanjari

I hear the melody from the lute which is like the humming of bees sipping nectar from the bunch of blossoms in the bygone night . 

Ariyunnu njan smriti sandhayil etho nisha gana pada pallavi

I become aware of the words of the prelude of a night song in the memories which appear in the evening .

Maychalum mayatha varnangal ormayil shalabangalayi pari uyarunnu

The colours which I try to erase refuse to fade. They float and rise like butterflies in my memories.

Karmukil kudilin ullil chandralekha melle melle ezuthathe ezhuthunnu sandesham

The rays of the moon are writing a message inside the hut made of dark clouds slowly . 

Postlude – The music composer and lyricist “ Kaithapram “ brings forth the essence of every wedding . The bride goes through vagaries of emotions .  There is jubilation of the bride on meeting her prince of dreams .  There are sorrow and memories of her parental home ,  which she has to leave in her new journey of matrimony .

 

Bahaar Aai - Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Tina Sani

 

Bahaar Aai – Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Tina Sani

Lyrics – Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Singer – Tina Sani

After a little musical respite in my home ,  the song “ Bahaar Aai “, penned by Faiz Ahmed Faiz and sung by Tina Sani, made me think about why I am rushing through life. As we pace through life chasing fame and milestones to cement a place in the world , Faiz Saheb asks us to just take a moment and watch the flowers bloom in full splendour in the spring . Faiz Saheb’s words take us to a world where there is a gathering between ourselves, the present and the past .

Bahaar aai to jaise yak – bar
Laut aae hai phir adam se
Vo khwab sare shabab sare
It’s as if all the dreams and liveliness of the youth have come altogether out of nothing in the spring season .

Jo tere honton pe mar - mite the
Jo mit ke har baar phir jiye the
Those who perished upon your lips , and dying , were born each time. (Those who kissed you died and got erased . The ones who were erased were born again ) 
 
Nikhar gaye hai gulab saare
Jo teri yaadon se mushkbu hain
Jo tere ushshaq ka lahu hain
The red roses are in splendour . They give fragrance just as the musk-scented memories of yours . The roses are red like the blood shed by your devoted lovers. 
 
Ubal pade hain azaab saare
Malal- e - ahval - e - dostan bhi
All old torments have surged again,  even the sorrow of estranged friends .  
 
Khumar - e - aghosh - e - mah – vashaan bhi
Ghubar - e – khatir ke baab saare
Tire hamare
Savaal saare javaab saare
I am intoxicated by the thoughts of embraces by moon- faced beauties. I remember the chapters of our mental agony . I remember our arguments .
 
Bahaar aai toh khul gaai hain
Naye sire se hisab saare
The arrival of the spring has reopened the accounts of the past.

Muskurahat Ko Reprise Version - Sukoon

 

Song – Muskurahat Ko Reprise

Album – Sukoon

Composition – Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Lyrics – A M Turaz

Singer – Shail Hada

The song “ Muskurahat Ko reprise “ version sung by Shail Hada in the album“ Sukoon “ is one that haunts you even after hearing it so many times . The ornamentation of the song is in such a way that it gives us the happiness of seeing someone smile at us . There are a billion questions which are unanswered in this human life . The answers to these questions have been searched for since time immemorial, but nobody has a convincing answer . The only permanent things in this uncertain life are the happiness and sorrow, like tides in the sea . A M Turaz has captured the essence of smiling in times of adversities . A smile gives us the zeal to move on in life after a setback . The piano sequences in the song  add a poignancy to the song, and it feels like we are free diving deep into the ocean of bliss . The song tells us that once a heart forgets to smile,  there will be no life left in our expressions . The heart asks us to smile and make others smile without any reason . I really don’t have any clue how Sanjay Leela Bhansali comes up with such eternal songs . Maybe this song is another pearl from the repertoire of his “ Yaman raag “ compositions .

Aye Rangrez - Tanu Weds Manu

Singer – Krsna

Lyrics – Rajshekar

Composition – Krsna

Prelude – I remember watching this song in the spring of 2011 . This song from the film stood out for me for being a qawwali track in which metaphors were used to show us a divine nature of love. The song composed by Krsna is enough to understand his calibre as a musician . The lyrics by Rajshekar celebrate the feeling of being in love in its juxtaposition of union and separation. 

 

Ae rangrez mere ,Ae rangrez mere

Oh my dyer !

Yeh baat bata rangrez mere

Oh my dyer ! Tell me this thing.
Yeh koun se pani main tune
Kaun sa rang ghola hai
Which colour did you mix in the water ?
Ke dil ban gaya saudai
My heart has become crazy.
Mera basanti chola hai
Mera basanti chola hai
My garment is hued yellow.
 
Ab tumse kya main shikwa karun
Now how do I complain to you ?
Maine hee kaha tha zid karke , rang de chunri pi ke rang main
It was me only who was insistent that my shawl should be coloured in the hue of my beloved.
Rang de rang de chunri pi ke rang main
Par mue kapas pe rang na ruke
Ki rang itna gehra ki jaano jigar tak bhi rang de
Jigar rang de
But it was not the lifeless cotton cloth that was only coloured ; even my life and heart were hued since the colour was so intense.
 
Rangrez tune afeem kya hai kha li
Jo mujhse tu ye pooche ki kaun sa rang ?
Oh dyer ! Are you so intoxicated under the effect of opium that you ask me which colour is mixed in water ?
Rangonka karobar hai tera
Yeh tu heen to jaane kaun sa rang
You trade in the dyes of various colours . Only you know which colour you have mixed in water .
 
Mera balam rang , mera sajan rang
Colour my beloved.
Mera katik rang , mera aghan rang ,mera phagan rang
Mera sawan rang
Colour the month of Kartik ( October – November ) , my autumn , my spring and my monsoon
Pal pal rangte rangte mere athon peher man bhawan rang
Keep on colouring every second that my whole day gets hued in the colours pleasing to my heart.
Ek boond ishkiyan daal koi tu
Ek boond ishkiyan daal koi tu
Mere saaton samandar jaye rang
Put a drop of love in the coloured dye so that my whole world and the seven seas are coloured.
 

Meri hadd bhi rang , Sarhad bhi rang

Colour my limit and boundary
Behad rang de , anhad bhi rang de
Colour me excessively and infinitely
Mandir masjid maikad rang
Colour the temple , mosque and tavern
Rangrez mere rangrez mere
Rangrez mere do ghar kyun rahe
Ek heen rang main dono ghar rang de , dono rang de
Oh dyer ! Why do we live in two houses ? Colour both houses in the same colour.
Pal pal rangte rangte rangte rangte
naihar peehar ka angan rang
Colour every second and colour the courtyard of the bride’s home.
Pal pal rangte rangte rangte rangte
mere athon peher man bhawan rang
Keep on colouring every second that my whole day gets hued in the colours pleasing to my heart.
Neendein rang de , karwat bhi rang
Colour my sleep and drowsy stretch of my arms. 
Khwabon pe pade salwat bhi rang
Colour the creases of my dreams
 
Ye tu heen hain , hairat rang de
Colour my amazement for the love of my beloved . 
Aa dil main sama hasrat rang de
Colour the desire which has developed in my heart.
Fir aaja aur vaslat rang de
Come and colour the meeting with my beloved.
Jo aa na sake toh furqat rang de
If you can’t come , colour our separation.
Darde hijra liye dil main darde hijra liye dil main darde main zinda rahoon
Main zinda rahu , zurrat rang de
I am living with the pain of separation in my heart . Colour my courage so that I stay alive.
 
Rangrez mere , Rangrez mere
Tera kya hain asal rang , ab toh yeh dikhla de
Oh my dyer ! Please show your real character.
Mera piya bhi tu , mera sej bhi tu
Mera rang bhi tu , rangrez bhi tu
Mera naiyya bhi tu , majhdhaar bhi
You are my beloved ,my bed scattered with flowers , my colour , my dyer ,  my boat and my whirlpool
Tujhme doobon tujhme ubaroon
Let me be immersed in you and surge in you.
Teri har ek baat sar ankhon pe
Every word of yours will be followed and fulfilled.
Mera malik tu , Mera sahib tu
You are my master and lord.
 
Meri jaa meri jaan , tere haathon main
Oh beloved ! My life is in your hands.
Mera qaatil tu , mera munsif tu
You are my murderer and arbitrator.
Tere bina kuch suje na , tere bina kuch suje na
I don’t know what to do without your cognisance. 
 
Meri raah bhi tu , mera rehbar tu
You are my path as well as guide.
Mera sarwar tu , mera akbar tu ,
You are my master and you are my greatness.
Mera mashriq tu , mera magrib tu
You are the direction in which the sun rises and sets.
Zahid bhi mera murshid bhi tu
You are my hermit and as well as spiritual master.
Ab tere bina ab main jaun kahan
Ab tere bina ab main jaun kahan
Ab tere bina ab main jaun kahan
Tere bina tere bina tere bina
Where do I go without you ?

Postlude – The song is played in the movie when the character played by Madhavan , “ Manu”, takes the character played by Kangana , “ Tanu “ , for her wedding shopping . The song has been beautifully shot with Tanu wearing a white salwar suit, waiting for her attire to be coloured in the hue of love . The unspoken love between the characters Tanu and Manu has been written with utmost perfection,taking into account the various tribulations of love . The exuberant feeling of love when the whole world and the seasons appear to be in sync with one’s emotions is penned greatly by Rajshekar . The lyricist has taken care to infuse the feeling of being one in love and how the world of a person gets concentrated on the lover .