Jacob is an NRI Malayali who owns a business in Dubai and he is actively involved in Malayali cultural gatherings where he lives. This song visually narrates the NRI  Onam celebrations and musically, it takes all Malayalis on a tear inducing nostalgic trip.

To listen to the song, click play:

Thiruvaavani raavu, manasaake nilaavu
Malayala chundil malarona* paattu
[On this auspicious night of aavani, hearts are full of moonlight
and on Malayali lips, Onam songs blossom]
Maavin komberunnoru poovaali kuyile,
Maaveli thambrante varavaayal chollu
[Hey beautiful tailed cuckoo perched on the mango tree’s branch,
let us know when Mahabali arrives]

Thiruvaavani raavu, manasaake nilaavu
Malayala chundil malarona* paattu
[On this auspicious night of aavani, hearts are full of moonlight
and on Malayali lips, Onam songs blossom]
Thiruvaavani raavu, manasaake nilaavu
Malayala chundil malarona* paattu
[On this auspicious night of aavani, hearts are full of moonlight
and on Malayali lips, Onam songs blossom]

Poove poli poove poli poove poove
Poove poli poove poove
[Chanting poove poli]**
Poove poli poove poli poove poove
Poove poli poove poove
[Chanting poove poli]**

Kadakannil mashi minnum murapennin*** kavilathu,
Kurumbinte kulirumma sammanam
[On the cheeks of my beautiful khol eyed girl,
I gift a naughty sweet kiss!]
Pookooda niraiykkuvaan pularmanjin kadavathu,
punnara kaatintae sanjaaram
[To fill our flower baskets on this foggy morning,
a playful breeze flitters]

Ilayittu vilambunna ruchikalil vidarunnu
Niravayar ooninte santhosham
[In these flavors served on the banana leaf,
blooms the happiness from a satisfying meal]
Poonkodi kasavittu oonjalil aadumbol
Ninavoramunarunnu sangeetham
[Wearing new (ethnic) outfits, when we sway on this swing,
a melodic music is rises in our minds]
Sangeetham…
[Music…]

Poove poli poove poli poove poove
Poove poli poove poove
[Chanting poove poli]**
Poove poli poove poli poove poove
Poove poli poove poove
[Chanting poove poli]**

Thiruvaavani raavu, manasaake nilaavu
Malayala chundil malarona* paattu
[On this auspicious night of aavani, hearts are full of moonlight
and on Malayali lips, Onam songs blossom]
Maavin komberunnoru poovaali kuyile,
Maaveli thambrante varavaayal chollu
[Hey beautiful tailed cuckoo perched on the mango tree’s branch,
let us know when Mahabali arrives]
Thiruvaavani raavu, manasaake nilaavu
Malayala chundil malarona* paattu
[On this auspicious night of aavani, hearts are full of moonlight
and on Malayali lips, Onam songs blossom]

*At times, this sounds as malarona paattu, and other times as palarona paattu and both doesn’t make sense. I wonder if it is palathu ona paattu which would mean different Onam songs. (OR it could be that I am completely missing something here 🙂 )

**Poove poli – Poliyuka means fall, especially used in conjunction with flowers. So poove poli literaly translates to ‘Fall flowers!’. This is a chant used by kids when they go to gather flowers for making pookkalam (floral arrangement on the ground) for Onam.

***Murapennu – A girl cousin whom you are allowed to marry in Malayali Hindu culture. Onam is one such event in Kerala where everyone in the family, near and far, meet and celebrate together in ancestral homes. Schools close for Onam vacation. So this scene may be imagined as childhood sweethearts meeting during such a celebration where a stolen kiss was exchanged.

+ Image copyright to the original uploader