Manjal Prasadavum - Nakakshathangal

Manjal Prasadavum – Nakakshathangal

Composition – Bombay Ravi

Lyrics – ONV Kurup

Singer – KS Chitra

Prelude – The song “ Manjal Prasadavum “ from the film “ Nakakshathangal “ charms us with its rustic charm . It’s like a song when we hum on seeing the golden sheaves of grain fluttering in the fields in the idyllic villages of Kerala, welcoming the temple festivals with its golden hue . The song comes at the situation when Ramu and Gauri, played by Vineeth and Monisha, meet by chance on a temple visit to Guruvayoor . The song fetched the coveted national award for best playback singer for KS Chitra . The talent of Bombay Ravi is that even after being a North Indian , he mingled with the cultural landscape of Kerala and brought out the colour of the state of Kerala in his music,  respecting our cultural ethos . 

Manjal prasadavum nettiyil charthi

Manja kuri mudum chutti

I applied a religious offering made of turmeric to my forehead . I applied a religious mark made of   sandalwood paste and was attired in a  brocade saree .

Inn ente muttathu pon ona poove nee

Vannu chiri thuki ninnu

ooooo – vannu chiri thuki ninnu

Oh dear golden onam flower ! - Today you smiled at me from my courtyard .

Kunimani cheppil ninnum

oru nullu kumkumam njan thottu eduthu

oh njan thotta eduthu

I took a pinch of vermillion powder from a box made of rosary peas.

En viral thumbil ninna varna renukkal

En nenjil ake padarnnu

The powder of vermillion from my fingers spread to my heart.

Oru poombularvela vidarnnu

Oh pumbularvela vidarnnu

A dawn hued in red with a myriad of flowers blossomed.

Pinne njan padioru enangal okkeyum

Ninne kurich ayirunnu

All the tunes which I sang after meeting you were about you .

Anthimayangiya nerath nee onnum

mindathe mindathe poyi

You left when the evening slept without saying anything. 

Ente nenjile maynaiyum thengi

Oh nenjile maynaiyum thengi

The mynah bird in my heart sobbed.

Postlude – The song begins with the panchavadyam ( the ensemble of five instruments ) with the rhythmic beats of hourglass- drums like the timila , the maddalam made of wood of the jackfruit tree ; the ilathalam, which are like cymbals made of bronze , the damru ( hourglass drum which produces sound from rattling cords striking on resonators ) like the edakka and horn-shaped kombu, which is a wind instrument . The panchavadyam sets the whole stage of the background of this song taking place in the temple precincts . The beginning lines of the song bring out the heroine's visit to the temple and she marks the religious offering of turmeric and sandalwood paste on her forehead,  clad in a traditional Kerala brocade saree . The vermilion powder,  which she took from a box made of rosary peas, which are also red in colour, spread in her heart, which resulted in the appearance of the dawn with its red hue . Before the second stanza of the song begins,  the sound of the nadaswaram, which is also called an auspicious instrument played at weddings comes to the fore,  indicating the wish of the hero and heroine for a happily ever after . The heroine is so smitten by the hero that she only sings songs in his remembrance after meeting him . The song is the perfect love song which makes the heart flutter to the innocent love . It emerges in the hearts of lovers who first meet each other on the temple premises by chance. 

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 .

Parayu Prabhatame - Pranayakalam

Parayu Prabhatame – Pranayakalam

Composition – Ouseppachan

Lyrics – Rafeeq Ahmed

Singer – Gayathri Ashokan

Prelude – The song “ Parayu Prabhatame “ from the 2007 film “ Pranayakalam “ is a psychedelic track which takes us inward to the dark recess of our soul, coming to terms with the secrets of our mind . . The song is like a clarion call of lamentation from the beloved to her lover, wishing for union . The song is based on raag “ Shivranjini “, which derives strength from sadness and pathos and is sung during late evenings .

Parayu prabhathame

Ithile varan maranno

Oh morning ! Did you forget to come this way ?

Thirayay pathanja maunam

karaye thodannath enthe

Why did the silence which foamed like waves not touch the seashore ?

Oru rathri nilumi nishwasampol

Varum nilavitha

The moonlight comes like the breath which extends during nighttime.

Pravukkal parum gopurameri

kathuninnu njan

I ascended the gopuram ( the pyramidal tower over the entrance of the temple ) around which pigeons fly, and waited for you.

Pathiravil veruthe neeri

nitya tarajalam

The constant lattice of stars sobbed simply at midnight.

Meghame nee duthikeyayi ekidamo

avan ente sandesham

Oh clouds ! Will you give my letter to my lover, acting as messenger ?

Thantrikal ennil nonthu pidannu

veena ayi njan

The strings gasped for breath sorrowfully, and I became a lute

Jalakathil veerikal anangi

Varika ille veendum

Oh beloved ! Won’t you slide the curtain of my window and come to see me again ?

Arumarum ariyathe nee adidamo

uyirinte sangeetham

Will you dance unknown to anyone to the music of my soul ?

Postlude – The story is centred around star-crossed lovers Renjith and Mariya, played by Ajmal and Vimala Raman ,respectively,  who belong to different religions . Their love is met with the disapproval of their parents . The first line of the song by Rafeeq Ahmed points out how the life of the heroine is filled with darkness due to the hostility of her parents in approving her love for a guy of a different religion . According to the story of the movie , the hero gets caught when he goes to meet the heroine during one of his many secret visits to the heroine’s home at night to meet her . The heroine asks the clouds to deliver the message to the hero to come and meet her again as he used to do before . The panes of the window through which they intertwined their fingers find mention in the song when the heroine wishes the hero would come to meet her again and slides the curtain of her window at night . . The struggle of the heroine in her lamentation and longing to meet her lover is covered in the lyrics . This song is a treat to all those lovers who have experienced the pain , pleasure , thrills and stolen moments of being in love . 

Gopike - Nandanam

Gopike – Nandanam

Composition – Raveendran

Lyrics – Gireesh Puthencherry

Singer – KJ Yesudas

Prelude – The song “ Gopike “ from the film Nandanam is like the heartache of everybody who has experienced love . This song comes when Balamani , the character played by Navya Nair, faces impediments in uniting with the love of her life ,Manu, the character played by Prithviraj Sukumaran . The raag “ Megh “, on which the song is set,is like drenching oneself in sorrow in the incessant rainfall of grief .

Gopike hridayam our venshanku pole

Oh maiden of Vrindavan – Your heart is like a white conch shell which produces a meditative and soothing sound

Thira vyadhakalil vingunuvvo

Your heart sobs in unending worries

Eatho vishadmam snehadra sagaram

Uruki ninte karalil

An unknown grief, wet by the water of the loving ocean, melts in your heart .

Eatho vibhatam padum sopanam ganam pole

Your dawn sings a song just like the “ Sopana sangeetham “  ( songs sung standing on the steps leading to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple )

Gandharva hridayam meetum hindola ragam pole

The “ Hindol “ raga is plucked by the heart of the celestial singer in heaven. 

Pranadrdamayi nin manasam

Your heart melts in love .

Oru poorna chandrodayam kadaline alamalaye

Punarunna pole swayam marunnu

You forgot yourself in love as the full moon embraced the waves in the ocean.

Dhyanichu nilkkum poovin kanal minnal elkkum ravil

The flower meditating on the smouldering embers was hit by the lightning in the night

Ganam churathhum nenjin mridu tantri takarum novil

Ekanthamayi nin sreelakam

The sanctum sanctorum of your prayer room becomes desolate just like the grief when the tender strings producing the song in the lute of the heart break .

Oru swarna deepankuram kattinte neduvirpinal pidyunna pole

Swayam polinnnuvo

Did you burn yourself down in sorrow just like the golden flame flickers in the presence of the sighs of the breeze ?

Postlude – The song is an ode to the pangs of separation of Goddess Radha, who burns herself in the fire of her heart due to separation from Lord Krishna . She spends most of her time meditating in her love for Lord Krishna, wandering in the groves of Vrindavan . The first line of the song compares the heart of the heroine to that of a conch shell, which produces a soothing and meditative sound on mildly blowing it . The lyricist mentions the Hindol raga, in which the word “ Hindol “ refers to the swing . Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha were rocked in the swing by their maiden friends infinite times during the monsoon season during their amorous pastimes in Vrindavan . The dawn is said to sing “ Sopana sangeetham “ which refers to raag Hindol being a morning raga . Raag Hindol personifies the beauty and the love felt by Lord Krishna for the maidens of Vrindavan . The second stanza compares Goddess Radha to a flower standing on smouldering embers and meditating in contemplation in her love for “ Shyamsundar Krishna “ . Goddess Radha is said to burn in sorrow like the flame of a lamp . 

Sreela Vasantham - Nandanam

Sreela Vasantham – Nandanam

Composition – Raveendran

Lyrics – Girish Puthenchery

Singer – KJ Yesudas

Prelude – The song “ Srila Vasantham “ from 2002 movie Nandanam has captivated my imagination due to its sprightful melody set in raag “ Yaman Kalyan “ . It’s a vibrant song which showcases the nuances of the dance of divine love between the couple Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha . Composer Raveendran has brought different hues of raag Yaman Kalyan with its vigour and vibrancy analogous to the dance steps of the maidens of Vrindavan and Lord Krishna .

Srila vasantham pili uzhinnu

Mathurayil pournami ayi

When the auspicious spring strokes the peacock feather , a full moon rises in Mathura.

Gopi hridayam tharilathamayi

Gopi's ( cowherd maiden ) heart trembles in Vrindavan  ( grove of holy basil plants)

Madhava sangamam ayi

Radha Madhava sangamam ayi

The union of Goddess Radha and Lord Krishna takes place .

 

Nin neela kannil nanam mashi ezhuthum yamam

Ee mayakannan neeyam madhu nukarum neram

Oh Goddess Radha ! – The shyness applies collyrium in your eyes in the night . The illusionary Lord Krishna kisses your honeyed lips .

Akasha kadambil viriyum our nakshatra kurunnum

The small star blooms above the burflower tree , spreading in the sky.

Yamuna yile neer ola parappil

Theliyum our ra thinkal thidambum

The moon's reflection glimmers upon the Yamuna,like the temple deity carried in procession.The reflection of the moon, which is like the replica of the deity taken out during festivals and everyday rituals of the temple, appears in the expanse of the Yamuna river's water. 

Shruti murukum amrita sangeeta layavum onnavum

Athiya rasoltsavam

There is immense joy in the dance of divine love between Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha as the musical pitch gets tightened . The nectarean music embraces the rhythm,  and they become  one . 

 

Ee sandhya ragam kattin chirakaniyum yamam

Ee venna Kannan ninnil veen aliyum neram

Oh Goddess Radha ! – This is the night when the evening melody develops wings of air . This is the time when the butter thief Lord Krishna lays his forehead on your lap and melts in your embraces .

Nin pattin swarangal

Manasil our then vandayi parannum

Oh Lord Krishna ! - The notes of your song fly like bees drinking nectar.

Pranayalaya sindhuram nukarnum

The rhythm of your music kisses the vermillion in my forehead

Muralikayil anandam thirannum

I search for joy in the music of your flute. 

Rasa bharita sugandha sammoha

Vasantha magantam ananda maroltsavam

The dance of divine love between Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha is filled with the fragrance of nectarean flowers and is enchanting . It is filled with joy and splendour just like the festival of Kamadev( the god of desire and love )  when he strikes nature with arrows made of flowers from the sugarcane bow in the spring season when mango trees are in full bloom . 

Postlude – The amorous pastimes of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha have enthralled poets and minstrels since time immemorial . The songs and poems written about the divine dance of love between Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha are infinite,  each unmatched in beauty to the other . Lyricist Gireesh Puthencherry brings a song as colourful as the spring from his repertoire of words . The first stanza brings out one of the pastimes of Lord Krishna and maidens of Vrindavan when they splash water against each other in the river of Yamuna . The second stanza describes how the spring season synchronises with the festival of colours “ Holi “ when the squirt gun of Lord Krishna sprays water into millions of streams filled with vermillion , pollen powder , camphor , musk ,etc., at the maidens of Vrindavan . The lyricist speaks of the spring season as the festival of Kamadev ( god of desire and love )when he strikes  nature with his arrows made of flowers from the sugarcane bow to set the stage for the dance of divine love between Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha .

Varmukile Vanil Nee - Mazha

Varmukile Vanil Nee – Mazha

Composition – Raveendran

Lyrics – Yusuf Ali Kecheri

Singer – KS Chitra

Prelude – The song “ Varmukile Vanil Nee “ , composed in raag Jog, describes the pangs of separation of Bhadra from Ramanuja Shastrigal,  played by Samyuktha Varma and Biju Menon, respectively,  in the film “ Mazha “ . This song is directly taken from the story of the separation of Goddess Radha from Lord Krishna due to the curse from Sridama, who was the guard of the chamber of Lord Krishna in Goloka ( abode of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha ) . 

Varmukile vanil nee vannu ninnal

Ormakalil shyama varnan

When the beautiful cloud comes in the sky , the dark- hued “ Shyamasundar “ ( Lord Krishna ) appears in my memories.

Kaliyadi nilkkum kadanam nirayum

The divine dance has stopped, and my heart is filled with grief.

Yamuna nadiyay mizhi neer vazhiyum

The course of the river Yamuna has its gurgling water made of my tear drops.

 

Pandu ninne kand nalil pili nirthi manasam

The time I beheld you in the past , my heart spread like a peacock feather .

Mandahasam chandanam ayi

Hridaya ramana

Oh lover !  , charming and pleasing to the heart – My gentle smile has cooled like sandalwood paste .

Innante vaniyil kozhinnu pushpangal jeevante thalangal

The flowers which shed from the branches in my garden are like the beats in the music of life .

 

Annu nee en munnil vannu poovaninju jeevitham

My life bloomed like a flower when you came in front of me.

Thenkinakal nandanamayi

Nalina nayana

Oh lover whose eyes are like lotus ! – My honeyed dreams have become like the divine garden of heaven .

Pranayama viraham niranja vazvil porumo veendum ?

Will you come back to this life filled with love and separation ?

Postlude – This story of film “ Mazha “,based on “ Nashtapetta Nilambari “ by eminent writer Kamala Das, is a tribute to the mythological story of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha and their separation of 100 years . In this film, just like Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha got separated , Bhadra and Ramanuja Shastrigal get separated due to opposition from Bhadra’s parents to their alliance . Just like Goddess Radha had to marry Abhimanyu even though her eternal love was Lord Krishna , here Bhadra had to marry a software engineer, Chandran ( played by Lal ) according to her parents’ wishes . Just like Goddess Radha pines for Lord Krishna , here Bhadra remembers Ramanuja Shastrigal , her first love . The lyricist Yusuf Ali Kecheri had done justice to the song by bringing the themes of the Braj Bhoomi ( land on the banks of river Yamuna ) like the flowing of the river Yamuna , the divine dance of love , the pleasure gardens of Vrindavan ( Grove of basil plant ) . This is a song to look out for those who want to immerse themselves in the divine love of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha . 

Padayatra - Job Kurien and Harish Sivaramakrishnan

Padayatra – Job Kurien and Harish Sivaramakrishnan

Composition – Job Kurien

Lyrics - Engadiyoor Chandrasekharan

Singers - – Job Kurien and Harish Sivaramakrishnan

 

Prelude – The song “ Padayatra “ by Job Kurien is a dedication to his friend Ajay, who went on a journey to the Himalayan mountain ranges searching for the divine and uniting with the supreme soul, leaving the past .

Ennile chudu thalamayi our yathrayi padayathrayi

A beat ignites in my heart . I start a journey on foot .

Gathakalame kulir ormayi our yathrayi padayathrayi

The times that have passed by come as memories cooling my heart .

Parayan maranna vakumayi manatharil arida

Who has come in my flower- like heart to speak what has been left unsaid ? 

Nira deepame kinavu pol enn kannil ekuvan

You give my eyes the sight of the lamp's light burning brightly like a dream.

Nizhal pole , azhal ale , vel nile padayatra

I am accompanied by my shadow , burning heat  and salubrious rays of the sun on my journey.

 

Kalam arivukalale , alivukalale , poo mazha pole

Time with its knowledge and mercy outpours on earth like rain laden with flowers. 

Mannil nila nilavin ponalayale nadalayangal

The earth is lit by the blue moonlight .The golden waves of the ocean create a rhythm of music . 

Varadayakamayi swarasagaramayi

I am being blessed by the ocean of notes of music. 

Janimokshamavumayi puthu jeevanumayi

I have been released from the cycle of death and rebirth, and I awaken to new life . It means my soul has united with the divine .

Nizhal pole , azhal ale , vel nile padayatra

I am accompanied by my shadow , burning heat and salubrious rays of the sun on my journey

Postlude – The first stanza of the song describes the journey on foot to the Himalayan mountain ranges by Ajay ( singer’s friend ) . As he starts his journey , the memories of the time gone by appear in front of his eyes . The unspoken words of those people who wanted to speak to him appear in his heart . He is only accompanied by his shadow , the gurgling rivers that he passes by and the sunlight . Based on the theme of karma ,time with its knowledge of the deeds of humans in their past lives grants them happiness , sorrow and benevolence in the current life . Ajay happens to be a singer or a musician who is blessed by the goddess of performing arts with the knowledge of music , melody , rhythm and beats in this current life . Finally, as he reaches his destination,  he leaves his current life and unites with the divine . This song speaks about liberating oneself from materialistic desires and spiritually uniting with the supreme soul, which is the ultimate goal of human life .