Sunil Mathai’s song “Kaattinu Meyaan” is from the album Narivetta and features actors Tovino Thomas and Suraj Venjaramoodu. Lyrics are by Anwar Ali with music by Jakes Bijoy. It opens by stating the wind has the clouds and the mist has the mountainside.
Kaattinu Meyaan
Sunil Mathai • From “Narivetta”
Lyricist
Anwar Ali
Composer
Jakes Bijoy
Narivetta’s Kaattinu Meyaan Lyrics Translation
The verses continue by listing homes for every creature, including the porcupine, snake, and tiger. A later line pivots to the settler, who owns vast plantations and palaces. This comparison isolates the indigenous person who has been displaced.
Kaattinu Meyaan MazhameghamThe wind has the raincloud to graze upon
Kodaykkurangaan MalameduThe mist has the mountainside to sleep upon
Kaattinu Meyaan MazhameghamThe wind has the raincloud to graze upon
Kodaykkurangaan MalameduThe mist has the mountainside to sleep upon
Eenathinoru MulamkaaduFor melody, there is a bamboo forest
Orkka Deshamiruttu ERemember, this land is steeped in darkness
Aadivaasikku PakalkkinaakkombilorFor the indigenous one, on a daydream’s branch
Erumaadam Thaanabhayama treehouse is the only shelter
Aadivaasikku PakalkkinaakkombilorFor the indigenous one, on a daydream’s branch
Erumaadam Thaanabhayama treehouse is the only shelter
Kottinum Thaalilla Aattilum NeerillaThere’s no rhythm for the drum, no water in the river
Poottaneruthilla PaadamillaThe bull isn’t yoked, for there are no fields to plow
Kottinum Thaalilla Aattilum NeerillaThere’s no rhythm for the drum, no water in the river
Poottaneruthilla PaadamillaThe bull isn’t yoked, for there are no fields to plow
Kottinum Thaalilla Aattilum NeerillaThere’s no rhythm for the drum, no water in the river
Poottaneruthilla PaadamillaThe bull isn’t yoked, for there are no fields to plow
Thenvandinundu PerumkooduThe honeybee has its great hive
Mannaya MannundurumbinnuThe ant has the very earth itself
Mullanu Maaliyum Paampinu MaalavumThe porcupine has its den, the snake has its burrow
Nathinum Pullinum PothumunduThe moth and the bird have their hollows
Aanaykku Thaara Cheenkanniykku CholaThe elephant has its grounds, the crocodile its grove
Ulkkaadukalundu KaduvaykkuAnd for the tiger, there are the deep woods
Aadivaasikku PakalkkinaakkombilorFor the indigenous one, on a daydream’s branch
Erumaadam Thaanabhayama treehouse is the only shelter
Vanthavaasikku Van ThottangalunduThe settler has vast plantations
KottaarangalunduAnd palaces
Vanthavaasikku Van ThottangalunduThe settler has vast plantations
KottaarangalunduAnd palaces
Roadundu Kaarundu Raappakal KathumaduppumThere are roads and cars, a hearth burning day and night
Vilakkum Theettayum Paattum KudiyumunduLamps and feasts, songs and drink
Aadivaasikko?And for the indigenous one?
Aadivaasikko PekkinaakkolliyilFor the indigenous one, in a valley of nightmares
Chorumillitthiri Mannuthere’s not even a handful of earth
ChaavuneerppolumillaarumaduthillaNot even water at the hour of death, with no one near
Kunjaale Neeyonnu VaayoOh, my little one, won’t you please come?
Ente Kunjaale Neeyonnu VaayoMy little one, won’t you please come?
Aadivaasikku PakalkkinaakkombilorFor the indigenous one, on a daydream’s branch
Erumaadam Thaanabhayama treehouse is the only shelter
Aadivaasikku PakalkkinaakkombilorFor the indigenous one, on a daydream’s branch
Erumaadam Thaanabhayama treehouse is the only shelter
The lyrics build a catalog of belonging for the natural world. This detailed inventory shows the Adivasi’s complete removal from their land. The song’s meaning points to a journey from a daydream shelter to having not even a handful of soil.
