(Translation on request for VS)
This naadan paattu/folk song was written by Thikkodiyan and composed by K Raghavan master originally for a cultural performance in Kozhikode for visiting Russian delegates[1] before it was widely released as part of the movie in 1983. The lyrics talk about a young woman Neeli who wished to go to a festival in the neighborhood with Koran. She got ready in excitement, but on the way a feudal landlord saw and abducted her. The catchy refrain of the song says – ‘Did I not tell you that you shouldn’t have come along’- probably said by Koran reminding her about issues like these faced by economically/socially disadvantaged women during the feudal era. A song about Neeli who wished to go to a festival from the movie Kadamba.
To listen to the song click play:
Kadamba:
Thaikudam Bridge Cover by Peethambaran Menon:
Appolum paranjille poranda porandaannu!
…poranda porandaannu!
[Did I not tell you then that you shouldn’t have come along!
…that you shouldn’t have come along!]
Appolum paranjille poranda porandaannu!
…poranda porandaannu!
[Did I not tell you then that you shouldn’t have come along!
…that you shouldn’t have come along!]
Kaitha pookkana kanni paadathu kaattu moolana nerathu (kaattu moolana nerathu)
Ooraan kunninte paala* molilu kooman moolana nerathu (kooman moolana nerathu)
[While the breeze hums in the new field where screw pine bushes flower (while the breeze hums)
While the owl hoots sitting on the top of the devil tree on Ooran hill (while the owl hoots)]
Kaitha pookkana kanni paadathu kaattu moolana nerathu
Ooraan kunninte paala molilu kooman moolana nerathu
[While the breeze hums in the new field where screw pine bushes flower
While the owl hoots sitting on the top of the paala* tree on Ooran hill]
Appolum paranjille poranda porandaannu!
…poranda porandaannu!
[Did I not tell you then that you shouldn’t have come along!
…that you shouldn’t have come along!]
Mele kaavile vela kaanan koran chekkanu poothi vannu
Koran chekkante koode pokaan neeli penninum poothi vannu
[The Koran boy wished to watch the festival at the sacred grove up the hill
Neeli girl then wished to go along with Koran boy]
Appolum paranjille poranda porandaannu!
…poranda porandaannu!
[Did I not tell you then that you shouldn’t have come along!
…that you shouldn’t have come along!]
Poothi kondu mudi cheeki vechu pennu
pinne kaathilu kaithola** thiruki vechu
[She combed her hair well with desire (to go to the festival)
Then in her ear lobes she wedged screw pine leaf earrings]
kallem maalem maaril aninju
thullichopparam pennu nadannu (thullichopparam pennu nadannu)
[Wore the stone pendant necklace on chest
and walked along with a skip in her step]
Appolum paranjille poranda porandaannu!
…poranda porandaannu!
[Did I not tell you then that you shouldn’t have come along!
…that you shouldn’t have come along!]
Neeli pennine thambranum kandu, thambrante ullilu idiminnal odi
Aalum kolum kootti vilichu Neeli pennine kattondum poyi!
[The landlord saw Neeli and a lightning struck his heart
He called his people and stole Neeli away!]
Appolum paranjille poranda porandaannu!
poranda porandaannu!
[Did I not tell you then that you shouldn’t have come along!
…that you shouldn’t have come along!]
Appolum paranjille poranda porandaannu!
…poranda porandaannu!
[Did I not tell you then that you shouldn’t have come along!
…that you shouldn’t have come along!]
Appolum paranjille poranda porandaannu!
…poranda porandaannu!
[Did I not tell you then that you shouldn’t have come along!
…that you shouldn’t have come along!]
*Paala or the Indian devil tree is a very tall tree found in Kerala which produces fragrant flowers. As the legend goes, yakshis or scorned woman demons who had an unnatural death is supposed to be the inhabitant of such trees. At night yakshis would take on the form of a beautiful sensuous women to lure men and drink their blood.
**Kaithola is a combination of two words – Kaitha and ola – leaf of a screw pine bush which is a common native plant found in marshy places in Kerala.(Picture) The leaves have thorny edges, so they need to be processed by getting rid of the thorny edges and baking in embers to make them sturdy. Then beeswax is applied on the leaf before rolling it. Some even stick kunnikuru(small red/black seed) on the rolled kaithola to make choothumani kammal/earring.[2] Kaithola is also used to make mats and baskets.
Here are some amazing pictures of Tribal women of Wayanad by Joshi Daniel:
1. Tribal woman wearing Kaithola Kammal
2. Paniya Woman wearing Choothumani kammal
[1] Ee gaanam marakkumo – Episode 11| Mazhavil Manorama
[2] Article describing the making of choothumani kammal
+Image copyright to the original uploader.