Teri meri baatein - Piku

 

My eyes have teared up, and it is because of your kindness. When I see you, I get some hope , and beyond the hope, there is an interesting story to unfold. My shawl just floats in the breeze, and it’s because of your kindness. When I see you, I get some hope,  and beyond the hope, there is an interesting story to unfold. Our talks are just like the waves and deeper than the ocean. It makes me cry and makes me laugh even when I am tense. My every breath takes your name. In the shade of your eyelashes , I rest for a couple of moments. The threads of our relationship are very tender and in the nascent stage, and the colours you bring into my life are just new at the moment. If you touch me with your caring attitude and concern, I can just live a few moments with you even when my life is monotonous and the daily grind of life is taking a toll on me . The fingers of both my hands are intertwined as I call the sleep to come and sing a lullaby. What I want to talk about remains left unsaid in the corner of the blanket covered over my head. There is a trace of my dreams in the sky. Love sends ripples in the heart of the night.  

Lamhe Guzar Gaye - Piku

 

Moments have passed by; we met umpteen faces, and they too changed. We were in unknown paths. Life made us cry and laugh in seconds with the multitude of experiences with people. We stood in the paths, not knowing how to react and adjust to the situations we were getting into. Sometimes life paints our days by using some water and colours. Sometimes life gives us shade to come to terms with our sorrows and a shoulder to cry on. Sometimes life gives us happiness by radiating the sun’s rays in all the directions and giving hope. There is sweetness in pain, and the distances between people have also reduced with time. Let’s decorate life’s journey with dreams; let's make some beautiful memories in our hearts. Let anger disappear from our minds since life is too short to be wasted in anguish. We are tired of seeking answers from the innumerable unanswerable questions that life poses us with. We attain success in our journey and touch the sky, but when we achieve everything in life, we are not able to figure out what we want out of life next. We are constantly seeking meaning out of life and are not able to come to terms with the impermanence that is the most distinct feature of life.

Devaloka Rathavumayi - Vivahita

Devaloka Rathavumayi – Vivahita

Composition – G Devarajan

Lyrics – Vayalar Rama Varma

Singer – KJ Yesudas 

Prelude – The song “ Devaloka Rathavumayi “ is from the 1970 film “ Vivahitha “, which has a cast including Padmini , Prem Nazir and Sathyan . The song is picturized with Prem Nazir singing for his love interest, Padmini . Padmini is drawn to the song as he sings from far away in the valley . 

Devaloka rathavumayi thenale thenale

Oh breeze ! You have come riding a celestial chariot.

Thedivanath are nee thennale thennale

Oh breeze ! Who do you come searching for  ?

 

Nalumani poo virinnal

When the “ Nalumani poo “ ( periwinkle or sadabahar ) blooms.

Nilavanam ponnaninnal

When the trees with blue flowers in the forest adorn themselves with gold ornaments.

Manodu malarikil

Where the deer runs at the edge of the mountain.

Njan alayum thalvarayil

I wander in the valley.

Nanuvumayi odivarum premavathikko

Poomanavum kulirum nee konduvannu

Oh breeze !  You bring the fragrance of the flower and coolness for the beloved who comes running towards me shyly .

 

Anthiveyil poo kozhinnal

The flowers are blown off the branches by the breeze in the evening.

Allikkalil mannu veenal

The dew drops fall on the flower petals.

Njan padum puzhaarikil

I sing a song near the river.

Nan irikkum pulpadavil

I sit on the stairs covered with grass leading to the river . 

Poo madiyil veenu orangum pranasakhikko

Poo madhuvum panineerum konduvannu

Oh breeze ! You bring the nectar of the flowers and rose water to my beloved who falls and sleeps in the lap of a flower 

Postlude – The whole song is addressed to the breeze for bringing gifts to the beloved by the hero . The lyricist Vayalar has painted the song with his rhyming words, speaking about the beauty of the valley as we take a stroll through it on an evening . The whole song is like a soiree with the breeze , mountain , river , trees , deer and flowers rejoicing and painting the town red with their playfulness along with the hero and heroine . Vayalar has the expertise of painting a song with multiple strokes of themes from his palette, which creates an idyllic world in the hearts of music lovers . Vayalar tells us that the breeze is like a host who arranges her home for the party in the evening with fragrance , coolness and the nectar of the flowers by shaking them off the branches for the heroine . 

Thrikarthikekku - Kadathukaran

Thrikarthikaikku – Kadathukaran

Composition – MS Baburaj

Lyrics – Vayalar Rama Varma

Singers – KP Udayanhanu , P Leela 

Prelude – The song “ Thrikarthikekku “ from the 1965 film “ Kaduthukaran “ brings along with it the grandeur of the Scorpio month . This song is a revelation in itself when Vayalar brings forth the festivals and temple rituals of Kerala in one song . His mastery over the intricacies of nature shows his greatness in penning the lyrics . Trying to understand this song and travelling through the poet’s mind was an enriching experience for me . 

Thrikarthikkaikku thiri koluthan vanna nakshtra kanyakale

Oh damsels like the stars ! You have come to light the lamps on “Thrikarthika” day.

Ningal kaithapoo kadavil kallivallam thuzhayum kadathukarane kando ?

Did you see the oarsman who rows the boat along the lake shore with “ Kaithapoo “ flowers  ( fragrant screw pine or Ketki or Kewda flowers ) ?

Neram poyi neram poyi neyambal viriyanai neram poi neram poi

Oh oh !

The time has passed and it’s time for the “ Neyambal “ ( water snowflake flowers ) to bloom .

 

Kanaka nila thiri kattil kedum munpe kaavil thozhan ponam

I should go to the sacred grove to pray before the golden flame of the lamp gets blown out by the breeze.

Kathalikali kanenam karpuram uzhiyenam

Kalamezuthum pattum kelkenam  

I have to see Kathakali ( classical dance drama of Kerala ) , burn the camphor for fragrance , and ward off negative energies , hear Kalamezuthum pattu ( the art of making powder painting on the floor with natural pigments accompanied by a song invoking the god or goddess and dance ) .

 

Puluruvan ezha ara ravulla nerath poovum prasadavumai

Kadavu kadanu ingu porum vazhikkuru kariyam kathil chollenam

Oru kayiram kathil chollenam

I will whisper a secret in your ears when we cross the lake in your boat with me having flowers and the divine offering made to God when there are seven and a half hours left for daybreak .

Thrikarthikkaikku thiri koluthan vanna nakshtra kanyakale

Oh damsels like the stars ! You have come to light the lamps on “Thrikarthika” day.

Ningal vrischika raavil vellipoo vitharum vilakkukariye kando ?

Vilakkukariye kando ?

Did you see the maiden scattering silver flowers holding a lamp during the night of the Scorpio month ?

Postlude – The resplendence of the Scorpio month is celebrated by the lyricist in the song by mentioning “ Thrikarthika “ and “ Kalamezhuthum pattu “ both celebrated from mid -November to mid- December . “ Thrikarthika “, which is the festival of light, is celebrated by lighting earthen lamps to bring knowledge and dissipate ignorance and darkness . From a feminine point of view , “ Thrikarthika “ is associated with the birthday of goddess Shakti . The earthen lamp symbolises the body, and the flame is analogous to the soul . This festival of lights is for the purification of the mind , body and soul and to attain a state of self actualisation . 

The ritual of “ Kalamezuthupattu “ is a temple ritual in which powder painting is made of natural colours and pigments accompanied by songs invoking the deity . The basic principle of Kalamezuthupattu lies in the universal law of creation , preservation and destruction of the universe,  by which the drawing is created , preserved and erased following various rituals in segments . 

Vayalar has mentioned  “ Kathakali “, which is the classical dance drama of the state of Kerala . Kathakali is held in the forecourt of the temple, usually related to the festival season of the temple accompanied by a fair . The silver stars in the sky are compared to maidens lighting lamps on the day of Thrikarthika . In the beginning of the song , Vayalar has mentioned two flowers , Kaitha poo ( fragrant screw pine flower ) and Neyambal ( water snowflake flower ) which both grow near water bodies symbolising the whole story of the film eponymous with an oarsman ferrying people in a boat .

Kayamboo Kannil Vidarum - Nadi

Kayamboo Kannil Vidarum – Nadi

Composition – G Devarajan

Lyrics – Vayalar Rama Varma

Singer – KJ Yesudas

Prelude – I was filled with amazement on hearing this song, as it takes one to a pristine land of joy . It’s a perfect love song picturised on Prem Nazir and Sharada from the 1969 movie “ Nadi “ . The frame of Prem Nazir singing this song while strumming a guitar on a boat in endearment of Sharada creates ripples in the heart . The whole story of the film is based on the theme of the hero and heroine from two rival families staying on houseboats falling in love with each other . 

Kayamboo kannil vidarum

The “ Kayam poo “ ( a blue flower ) blooms in your eyes.

Kamaladalam kavilil vidarum

The petals of lotus bloom on your cheeks. 

Anuragavati nin chodakalil nin alipazham pozhiyum

Oh beloved ! Your lips create a rumble in my heart like a thunderstorm accompanied by hailstones.

 

Ponnarananam bhoomiku charthum

Puzhayude ekantha pulinathil

The solitary riverbank is like the golden waist chain offered to the earth.

Nin mridu smerathin indrajalam kandu

Nithya vismayavumai njan irangi

Sakhi njan irangi

Oh beloved !  I left with everlasting wonder after seeing the magic of your gentle smile.

 

Ninnekurichu njan padiya pattinu

Niravadhi olangal shruti ittu

The waves set the musical pitch for the song I sang about you.

Nin mano rajyathe nila kadambil nee

Ente ee kalithoni ketti ittu

You moored my playful boat to the burflower tree (kadambu) of your heart’s kingdom .

Postlude – The river is an important theme in this song . The golden sands of the riverbank are compared to the golden waist chain offered to earth by nature by the lyricist Vayalar . The waves are said to set a musical pitch to the song sung by the hero . As the houseboat forms the chief character in this film , the lyricist has penned the lyrics by saying that the boat of the hero is moored to the burflower tree in the kingdom of the heroine’s heart . Again the colour blue is used for denoting water, which is analogous to the river on which the story is set . The first line of the song also speaks of a blue flower called “ Kayam poo “ . The song has the hue of blue in it .  

Periyare Periyare - Bharya

Periyare Periyare – Bharya

Composition – G Devarajan

Lyrics – Vayalar Rama Varma

Singers – AM Raja , P Susheela

Prelude – On hearing the song "Periyare Periyare" , it might seem like a simple song . But the metaphor of comparing the “Periyar “ river to a young girl who traverses the journey from childhood to youth, finally meeting her lover , the ocean, is just spellbinding .The genius of Vayalar lies in giving human attributes and emotions to a river as she moves along her course, meandering her way into the hearts of people she encounters and touching their lives in innumerable ways. This song is an ode to all the river goddesses in our country ,India,  revered through generations as being the lifeline of human existence. 

Periyare periyare parvatha nirayude panineere

Oh Periyar river ! You are like the redolent rose water of the mountain ranges.

Kulirum kondu kunungi nadakkum malayali penanu nee

Oru malayalee penanu nee

You are a Malayali girl who has a frolicsome gait, feeling the coolness of the snow.

 

Mayiladum kunnil pirannu

You were born in the hill where the peacock dances.

Mayilanchi kaatil valarnu

You grew up in the grove of “ Henna “ shrubs.

Nagaram kanath nanam marath

Nadan pennu anu nee

Oru nadan pennanu nee

You are a shy village belle who is oblivious to the charms of the city life.

 

Ponnalakkal ponnalakkal norrinuduthu

Pokan orungaka anello

You are getting ready to start your journey after pleating your waves like a saree. 

Malayattur palliyil perunnal kudanam

Shivarathri kanenam nee

Aluva shiva rathri kanenam nee

You have to gather at the “Malayattoor church” and celebrate the annual festival there . You have to celebrate the “Aluva Shiva Rathri “ by spending the night in reverence of Lord Shiva by being awake .

 

Nadake theli neeru nalkanem

You have to give crystal clear water to the villages , towns and cities.

Nadodi pattukal padenam

You have to sing nomadic songs as you continue your journey.

Kadalil nee chellanam

Kamukane kananam

Kalyanam ariyikkenam

Ninte kalyanam ariyikkenam

You have to go to the sea and meet your lover . You should inform us about your wedding with the sea .

Postlude – This song is about the “ Periyar river “ which originates from the Sivagiri hills of the Western Ghats . The song is picturised on Sathyan and Ragini when they are on a boat ride . The boat ride gives an opportunity to move along the ebb and flow of the waves of the river . There is the mention of the river as she flows from her source in the mountains to her mature stage when she reaches the city of Kochi, situated in Kerala before joining the Arabian Sea . Two historical pilgrimage sites of Hinduism and Christianity are mentioned, namely the "Aluva Shiva temple" and the "Malayatoor St. Thomas church" situated on the banks of the “ Periyar river “ . The “Maha Shiva Rathri “ festival, which literally translates to the great auspicious night of Lord Shiva, and "Malayattur Perunnal",  which is the annual festival held on the first Sunday after Easter in Malayattoor are mentioned in the song .

 

Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal - Ashwamedham

Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal – Ashwamedham

Composition – G Devarajan

Lyrics – Vayalar Rama Varma

Singer – P Susheela 

Prelude – I just came across this song when I was searching for songs written by the greatest lyricist,“Vayalar Rama Varma “ . When I watched the video of the song on, You Tube , actress Sheela appeared with her charm and beauty . It seems this is a pre- wedding song about the desires of the bride in her conjugal life . 

Ezhu sundara ratrikal

Seven beautiful nights.

Ekanta sundara ratrikal

Solitary beautiful nights.

Vikara taralita gatrikal

The waist chain moves in the body due to passion . 

Vivaha purna ratrikal

The nights after tying the nuptial knot.

 

Manasa sarasil paranirangiya

Marala kanyakale manoharingakale

Oh gentle sensual nymphs! You have flitted down in the magical pool of my mind.

Ningade pavizha chundil ninnoru

Mangalapatram enikku tharu

Offer a benedictory verse from your red coral stone- coloured lips.

Ee poo ethiri poo pakarami poovu tharam

Offer a benedictory verse from your red coral stone-coloured lips.

 

Vasara swapnam chirakukal nalkiya

Vasantha dhutikale virunnukarikale

Oh spring messengers ! You are the guests who have been given wings by your dreams at daybreak.

Ningade swarna thalikayil ninnoru

Sangamam deepam enikku tharu

From your golden plate , give me a lamp to light as I enter my new home after taking the wedding vows of union . 

Ee poo ethiri poo pakarami poovu tharam

I will give you some flowers in return for that. 

Postlude – I am a novice as far as understanding the nuances of the songs of the yesteryears between the 1950s and 1980s is concerned . But I am trying to make sense out of it to get acquainted with the songs of my parents’ generation, which startled them and us alike  with the literary prowess of stalwarts like Vayalar Rama Varma , P Bhaskran , ONV Kurup etc . Only Vayalar can imagine sensual nymphs flitting down the pool to deliver a benedictory verse  . The spring season is imagined by Vayalar to give a panoramic view of golden flowers compared to a golden plate .