Mizhi Ariyathe Vannu Nee - Niram

Mizhiariyathe – Niram

Composition – Vidyasagar

Lyrics – Bichu Thirumala

Singer – KJ Yesudas

Prelude – The song “ Mizhiariyathe “ from the 1999 film Niram was like a love anthem for the college goers of Kerala . This is a cult romantic movie we never get tired of watching due to the undeniable chemistry between Aby and Sona played by “ Kunchako Boban “ and “ Shalini “, respectively . This is a film which explored the boy-girl friendship and the thin line which separates friendship from love . The transition of friendship to love from the hero’s side towards the heroine has been dealt with sensitivity . A love story for every girl and every boy who dreams of a happily ever after . 

Mizhi ariyathe vannu nee mizhi oonjalil

Kanav ariyathe entho kinavu pole

Unaware of my eyes and dreams, you came like a dream in the swing of my eyes. 

Manam ariyathe pari en mana sarasoram

My heart flew unaware to the bank of a lake.

Pranaya nila kili nee shahana padi

The bird which loves the moonlight sang a song in the raag “ Shahana “.

Ethu vare vannu unarnidath oru puthu ragam

A new melody unknown to me emerged.

Evide marannu njan ee priya anuragam

Where did I forget this, dearest love ?

Kan chimmiyo nin jalakam , etho nizhal thumbikal thulliyo

Did the eyes of your window blink ? . Did the saffron reedtail damselfly ( Nizhal thumbi ) leap in front of you ?

Kathorkkeyay en ravukal kattai varum ninte kal thalavum

My nights listen  to the breeze, which comes like the sound of your footsteps.

Thanka thinkal thereri , varna poovin then thedi

Peeli thumbil kai marum mohangale

I ascend the chariot of the golden moon,  embarking on a journey to find the nectar in the flowers and give my desires to the crown of a spreading peacock feather .

Ennum nine kan konil , minnum ponnai katholam

Onnum mindathe enthe nee nilpu munnil

Why do you stand in front of me silently when I vow to protect you at the edge of my eye like glittering gold ?

 

Thoo manjinum kulirekuvan devamrutham nalkiyo thennale ?

Oh breeze ! Did you give snow the nectar of the celestial gods to make it cooler ? 

Pootheninum madhuram tharum anubhuthikal konduva shalabhame .

Oh butterfly ! Bring sweet experiences for honey in the blossoms .

In en ullil chanchadum kana swapna poopadam , koyan ethum kinnara pon prakkale .

Oh coquettish darling doves ! You come to harvest the dreamy flower field swaying in my heart .

Oro theeram thedathe ola chillil ninthathe , eran chundil mulan oru enam tharu

Give me a tune to hum in my wet lips without searching for it on any shore and which doesn't swim in any wave of water droplets.  

Postlude – The playful lyrics by Bichu Thirumala are music to the ears . He has used words which make us aware of the overwhelming emotions of the hero when he is caught unaware of the feelings of love for his friend . The song enchants us with the newly discovered love of the hero for the heroine, which was always hidden in his heart, unknown to him for a long time. The whole song centres around the humming of a melodic tune which permeates the dreamy world of love.  . 

Enthinu Vere Oru Suryodayam - Mazha Ethum Munpe

Enthinu Vere Oru Sooryodayam – Mazha Ethum Munpe

Composition – Raveendran

Lyrics – Kaithapram

Singer – KJ Yesudas , KS Chitra

Prelude – The song “ Enthinu Vere Oru Sooryodayam “ is known for its poignancy among the cinegoers of Kerala . The song caught my attention when my father mentioned it to me the other day . The film is a classic in itself which was released when I was in 2^nd standard in 1995 . At that young age, I couldn't comprehend the utopian love between the characters Nandakumar Varma and Uma Maheshwari , portrayed by Mammootty and Shobana, respectively . 

Enthinu vere oru sooryodayam

Why do I need another sunrise ?

Enthinu vere oru sooryodayam , nee en pon usha sandhya elle

Why do I need another sunrise when you are my own sweet daybreak ? 

Enthinu vere oru madhu vasantham

Why do I need a sweet spring ?

Enthinu vere oru madhu vasantham , innu nee en arikil ille

Why do I need a sweet spring when you are by my side ?

Malarvaniyil 

In the garden filled with flowers.

Enthinu vere oru madhu vasatham 

 

Ninte nupura marmaram onnu kelkanayi vannu njan

I came just to hear the tinkling of your anklet.

Ninte santhvana venuvil ragalolamay jeevitham

My life flows with the meandering melody of your benevolent flute.

Nee ente ananda neelambari , nee enuum anayath deepanjali

You are my joyous lullaby (  Neelambari raag is used to make lullabies ) , you are my immortal reverence of light.

Eniyum chilamb aniyu

Wear your anklets again !

Shyama gopike ee mizhi pookkal ennu enthe erenay

Oh beloved ! Why did your eyes,like flowers,  tear up today ?

Tavakanguli lalanangalil ardramay manasam

My mind melts in the cosseting by your fingers.

Poo kondu mudunnu vrindavanam , sindhuram aniyunnu ragambaram

The Vrindavan ( It means sacred grove of basil plants . It is considered one of the most sacred places for devotees of Krishna , as it is where he spent his childhood . It is believed to be the location where Krishna enacted his dance of divine love with Radha and other cowherd maidens )  is filled with flowers . The melodic sky is adorned with vermillion.

Padu swara yamunae

Oh Yamuna river , Sing songs with the melodic notes of your waves . 

Postlude -  The lyricist Kaithapram has tried to incorporate the story of incapacitated Uma Maheshwari, who is a dancer by profession,  in her path of recuperation . The joint journey of Uma Maheshwari and Nandakumar Varma in this moment of crisis only strengthens their bond . The way in which Nandakumar Varma supports Uma Maheshwari mentally in getting reinvigorated is a lesson to be learnt by all human beings who believe in the language of love . Nandakumar wishes to see Uma Maheshwari walk once again and dance like before . The second stanza of the song has brought the divine love of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha,  which stands testimony to the heartbeat of the universe . This song is an ode to all those people who believe in eternal love.

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.