Job Kurian’s “Kaavalai Chekavarundo” is from the album L2 Empuran. Lyricist Murali Gopy opens the song by asking if a guardian exists to stand watch over the land. The initial verses question where a hero or king can be found to protect the people.
Kaavalai Chekavarundo
Job Kurian • From “L2 Empuran”
L2 Empuran’s Kaavalai Chekavarundo Lyrics Translation
The lyrics later ask if an oracle exists to remove a poisoned arrow from the people’s chests. It also questions if a potential leader has courage, vision, and passion. This directly challenges the qualifications of any would-be savior.
Kaavalai ChekavarundoIs there a guardian, a ‘Chekavar’, to stand watch?
Aashayaai NaalamonnundoIs there a single flame of hope?
Kaadumee Karayum Kaakkum VeeranethoWhere is the hero who protects this forest and this shore?
Chenchirayal Nonthu PidaykkumThe red earth writhes in pain
Vanpuzhayil Veerum NovumIn the great river, the sorrow swells
Aattuvaan Raavilerum SooryanethoWhere is the sun that rises in the night to soothe it?
Velithil MannurukumpolWhen the fences melt into the soil
Maariyaai Vin ThakarumpolWhen the sky shatters and falls like rain
Chillakal Cherthu VirikkumTo weave the branches into a canopy
AashrayamethoWhere is that refuge?
Naaduvaazhum RaajaavethoWhere is the king who rules this land?
Vaaluyarthaan KaiyundoAre there hands to raise a sword?
Ninavundo NenchundoIs there memory? Is there courage?
Kanavundo TheeyundoIs there vision? Is there fire?
Oru Deshamake InnonnavanamThis entire nation must become one today
Anjaathe Pinjaathe PalathaayiWithout fear, without being torn into pieces
PilaraatheWithout splintering apart
Oru Vaanil Keezhe InnonnavanamBeneath one sky, we must become one today
Ninavundo NenchundoIs there memory? Is there courage?
Kanavundo TheeyundoIs there vision? Is there fire?
Oru Deshamake InnonnavanamThis entire nation must become one today
Anjaathe Pinjaathe PalathaayiWithout fear, without being torn into pieces
PilaraatheWithout splintering apart
Oru Vaanil Keezhe InnonnavanamBeneath one sky, we must become one today
Ulppodil Chenthee PaattumA song of embers in the lotus heart
Aalayude MadiyilinnuIn the lap of the banyan tree today
Aapathil Paari Payattaan ChurikayundoIs there a dagger to fly and fight in times of peril?
Makkalude Chankil TharaykkumPiercing the chests of our children
Visham Thotta Koorambil KambThe shaft of a poison-tipped arrow
Oorimaatti Marunnu Pothaan KomaramundoIs there an oracle, a ‘Komaram’, to pull it out and apply a cure?
Manjithil KaatturayumpolWhen the wind freezes in the mist
Chenkanal OrmayaakumpolWhen the glowing ember becomes a memory
Choodu Thannu Paadiyurakkaan EeshwaranundoIs there a god to give us warmth and sing us to sleep?
Desham Aalum Thampuran AaroWho is the lord that governs this land?
Kaathilothaan AalundoIs there anyone to whisper it in our ears?
Ninavundo NenchundoIs there memory? Is there courage?
Kanavundo TheeyundoIs there vision? Is there fire?
Oru Deshamake InnonnavanamThis entire nation must become one today
Anjaathe Pinjaathe PalathaayiWithout fear, without being torn into pieces
PilaraatheWithout splintering apart
Oru Vaanil Keezhe InnonnavanamBeneath one sky, we must become one today
Kaavalai Chekavarundo Music Video
The track builds through a series of demanding questions directed at a potential leader. A recurring refrain calls for the nation to become one without fear or fragmentation. This structure forms a collective plea for a unifying figure.