(Translation on request for AVW)
Sethumadhavan, a youth from a middle class family, hopes to get employment in law enforcement following the path of his dad, a scrupulous police constable. He lives a carefree life where his only worry is to do good in all tests which is necessary to land the job. When his dad gets transferred to a shady town, the family accompanies him. One day Sethu witnesses his dad being beat up by the most feared local goon while trying to bring order. Sethu couldn’t keep himself from interfering as he thought his dad’s life was in danger. That single event makes him an instant hero to the people, but lands his future in jeopardy. He finds himself booked as a criminal instead of getting a respectful job. He realizes no one in his family or his girlfriend is supportive in his predicament and they blame everything on his impulsiveness. His dad’s ire and frustration forces him to go live on the streets.

Mohanlal and Thilakan has done an excellent job as dad and son in Kireedam, the movie with a cult following. Mohanlal’s understated acting as the misunderstood young man with silent, stifled pain is elevated by the beautiful lyrics by Kaithapram.

To listen to the song, click play:

Kanneer poovinte kavilil thalodi
Eenam muzhangum pazham paattil mungi…
[Caressing the cheeks of the teary flower,
immersing in a tuneful old song…]

Kanneer poovinte kavilil thalodi
Eenam muzhangum pazham paattil mungi
[Caressing the cheeks of the teary flower,
immersing in a tuneful old song…]
maruvaaku kelkkaan kaatthu nilkkathe
poothumbi enthe maranju?
[without waiting for a reply
why did the beautiful dragonfly disappear?]
Enthe, pullorkkudam pole thaengi?
[Why did it wail like a pullorkudam*?]

Kanneer poovinte kavilil thalodi
Eenam muzhangum pazham paattil mungi
[Caressing the cheeks of the teary flower,
immersing in a tuneful old song…]

Unni kidavinnu nalkaan, amma nenjil paalazhi aenthi
Aayiram kai neetti ninnu, soorya thaapam aayi thaathante shokham
[To feed the little calf/child, the mother stored an ocean of milk in her chest
Extending thousand arms like a blazing sun, remained the father’s pain]
Vida chollave, nimishangalil, jalarekhakhal veenu alinju
kanivekum ee venmeghavum, mazhaneer kinavu aayi maranju
[While saying goodbye, in those moments, water(tear)marks dissolved
this white cloud imparting kindness, also disappeared as a rainy dream]
Doore, pullorkkudam kaenu urangi
[At a distance, pullorkudam* wailed and slept (fell silent)]

Kanneer poovinte kavilil thalodi
Eenam muzhangum pazham paattil mungi…
[Caressing the cheeks of the teary flower,
immersing in a tuneful old song…]

Oru kunju paattu aayi vithummi, manju poonchola entho thiranju
Aareyo thaedi pidanju, kaattum orupaadu naal aayi alanju
[Like a sobbing short song, the chilly stream searched for something
Looking for someone and quivering, the wind also wandered for days]
Poonthennalil, ponnolam aayi oru pazhkireedam** maranju
kadhanangalil thuna aakuvaan veruthe orungunna mounam
[In the breeze, like a golden wave, a useless crown receded
To be an aid in the pain, the silence is also getting ready in vain]
engo pullorkkudam* pole vingi
[Like a pullorkudam it(the silence) sobbed]

Kanneer poovinte kavilil thalodi
Eenam muzhangum pazham paattil mungi…
[Caressing the cheeks of the teary flower,
immersing in a tuneful old song…]
maruvaaku kelkkaan kaatthu nilkkathe
poothumbi enthe maranju?
[without waiting for a reply
why did the beautiful dragonfly disappear?]
Enthe, pullorkkudam pole thaengi?
[Why did it wail like a pullorkudam*?]

*Pullorkudam: It is a string musical instrument which sounds like a wail used by Pulluva Hindu community to sing hymns.

** Here the paazh-kireedam or useless crown is referring to the hero status the protagonist gets when he defeats the villain. Even though it is an accomplishment in the eyes of the public, it is totally useless for him as it pretty much ruined his life.

+ Image copyright to the original uploader.