Vishnu Vijay and Madhuvanthi Narayan sing Appalaale from the 2021 film Nayattu. Composer Vishnu Vijay creates frantic tribal rhythms. Lyricist Anwar Ali writes a dark folk tale through this feverish melody.
Released: 2021
Appalaale
Madhuvanthi Narayan | Vishnu Vijay • From “Nayattu”
Appalaale Lyrics Translation (from “Nayattu”)
Anwar Ali uses the ‘vakkathi’ (sickle) as a symbol of jealous violence. Madhuvanthi Narayan describes a woman hacked until ‘the shouting dies down’ with raw intensity.
Kaalakkyam AadunnaPrancing through the cycles of time
Orappalu PanduAn age-old firm belief
Kushumbinte Vakkathi KonduWith the ‘vakkathi’ (sickle) of jealousy
Vettiya KadhayallodiIsn’t it a story of being hacked, girl?
Kallu Pole PulikkanuIt’s souring like fermented ‘kallu’ (palm toddy)
Ettu KaaleO eight-legged one
Pimbiriyaam AppalaaleThe backward-turning ‘Appalaale’ (spider)
Edi Velli NilaaHey there, silver moonlight
Kallu Kodam KattavaleYou who stole the pot of ‘kallu’ (toddy)
Akkaani MottichaThe one who swiped the sweet palm sap
Pondattiya PanduThe wife from long ago
Ole Chovan Vaakathi KonduWith the ‘Chovan’ (toddy-tapper) sickle
Channam Pinnam VettiyadiHacked her into a bloody mess, girl
Kaayalonnu ChonnediThe backwaters turned a deep crimson, girl
Ettu KaaleO eight-legged one
Pimbiriyaam AppalaaleThe backward-turning ‘Appalaale’ (spider)
Edi Velli NilaaHey there, silver moonlight
Kallu Kodam KattavaleYou who stole the pot of ‘kallu’ (toddy)
Chethaanum Thengumme KerumbozhundeWhen the tapper’s climbing up the palm
Mandelu Nilaavathe OlleMoonlight’s resting right upon his head
Vakkathi Vetti ThelanganuThe ‘vakkathi’ (sickle) flashes as it cuts
Muttathu Chothi ChirikkanondeThe ‘Chothi’ (omen star) laughs in the courtyard
Pinne Onnum NokkeelaDidn’t look back at anything after that
Pennennum NokkeelaDidn’t even care she was a woman
Palathaayitt ArinjeSliced her into countless pieces
Kulavaalin Jeeru Theyum VareUntil the shrill wailing finally faded away
Appalaale Ente AppalaaleAppalaale, my dear Appalaale
Pimbiri Ettu KaalulloleYou with the eight backward-twisting legs
Koodiyedi ChiriyediGather ’round and laugh, girl
Vayar Elake Thala ThiriyeTill your belly shakes and your head spins
Mada Made Nee Ozhi KaralePour it out relentlessly, my love
Kodam Kankke Kudi KaraleGulp it down like a whole jar, my love
Thoo Nilaavin KalluThe ‘kallu’ (toddy) of pure moonlight
Vakkathi Vetti ThelanganuThe ‘vakkathi’ (sickle) flashes as it cuts
Swapnathee Chothi ChirikkanondeThe ‘Chothi’ (omen star) laughs in the dreams
Chovan Thante ChothyapoleLike the tapper’s own spirit of ‘Chothi’
Njanum Ninne Kothiyarinjotte DeyLet me also crave and hack you, hey!
Vazhu Vazhe IzhayediSlither and slide along, girl
Nadavazhiyil Thiru NadayilOn the path, at the sacred steps
Pazhankoda KavittediyeYou who overturned the ancient pot
Pulimoru CheluthediyeYou with the grace of sour buttermilk
Aaviyaatte KalluLet the ‘kallu’ (toddy) turn to steam
Ettu KaaleO eight-legged one
Pimbiriyaam AppalaaleThe backward-turning ‘Appalaale’ (spider)
Edi Velli NilaaHey there, silver moonlight
Kallu Kodam KattavaleYou who stole the pot of ‘kallu’ (toddy)
Akkaani MottichaThe one who swiped the sweet palm sap
Pondattiya PanduThe wife from long ago
Ole Chovan Vaakathi KonduWith the ‘Chovan’ (toddy-tapper) sickle
Channam Pinnam VettiyadiHacked her into a bloody mess, girl
Kaayalonnu ChonnediThe backwaters turned a deep crimson, girl
Vakkathi Vetti ThelanganuThe ‘vakkathi’ (sickle) flashes as it cuts
Swapnathee Chothi ChirikkanondeThe ‘Chothi’ (omen star) laughs in the dreams
Appalaale Music Video
The Appalaale lyrics translation shows a bloody allegory of passion and retribution. Explore Nayattu’s folk-inspired storytelling through this song.