Afsal’s “Kottum Pattum” is from the album ‘Asthra,’ written by Engandiyoor Chandrasekharan with music by Mohan Sithara. The song opens with the sound of a war drum and the sight of a frenzied dance. This introduces an immediate sense of urgent, forward movement.
Kottum Pattum
Afsal • From “Asthra”
Asthra’s Kottum Pattum Lyrics Translation
The lyrics frame this mission as a life seeking liberation, or ‘moksham,’ like a flame guarded by time. This search is exhaustive, covering entire lands, forests, and seas to gather hidden truths. The quest is shown to be both sacred and inevitable.
Kottum Paattum PadapporumaayWith the beat of drums and a song of war
Kathum Kannil KalithaalamaayWith a frenzied dance in blazing eyes
Kottum Paattum PadapporumaayWith the beat of drums and a song of war
Kathum Kannil KalithaalamaayWith a frenzied dance in blazing eyes
Minnithennum Kinaakkale Pon KinaakkaleOh, ever-shining dreams, you golden dreams
Thennippaayum Podunnane Hey PodunnaneYou slip away so suddenly, hey, so suddenly
Kaalam Kaakkum Naalam PoleLike a flame that’s guarded by time
Jeevan Thedum Moksham PoleLike a life that’s searching for liberation
Vesham Maarum Naalum NeeleThrough all the days of changing forms
Theeram Thaandum Thaalam MaattumCrossing shores and changing rhythms
Asthra Asthra Asthra AsthraAsthra, Asthra, Asthra, Asthra
Asthra Asthra Asthra AsthraAsthra, Asthra, Asthra, Asthra
Kottum Paattum PadapporumaayWith the beat of drums and a song of war
Kathum Kannil KalithaalamaayWith a frenzied dance in blazing eyes
Minnithennum Kinaakkale Pon KinaakkaleOh, ever-shining dreams, you golden dreams
Thennippaayum Podunnane Hey PodunnaneYou slip away so suddenly, hey, so suddenly
Unnam Thettaathe Munnoattu PokaamWe’ll advance with an unwavering aim
Nerum Kaatheedaam PoraadaamWe’ll protect the truth, we will fight on
Chodum Maattaathe Dhoorangal NedaamWithout faltering, we’ll conquer great distances
Mele Minnidum ThaarangalThe stars that glitter high above
Oro Izhayum AkalunneEach and every thread comes apart
Nere Nerivum TheliyunneThe very truth is becoming clear
Naadellaam Thedunne Kaadellaam ChikayunneSearching the whole land, combing through the forests
Kadalaake Veeshunne Muthellaam KorunneSweeping the whole sea, gathering all the pearls
Kottum Paattum PadapporumaayWith the beat of drums and a song of war
Kathum Kannil KalithaalamaayWith a frenzied dance in blazing eyes
Minnithennum Kinaakkale Pon KinaakkaleOh, ever-shining dreams, you golden dreams
Thennippaayum Podunnane Hey PodunnaneYou slip away so suddenly, hey, so suddenly
Varnam Pookkunna Theerangal ThedaamWe can search for shores where colors bloom
Veerum Neetteedaam UlayoothaamWe’ll show our valor, we will stoke the forge
Chithram Maarunne Bhaavangal EreThe picture’s changing, with so many new emotions
Kaanaakkanninte NottangalThe gazes of an unseen eye
Thaane Raavum PularunneThe night gives way to dawn on its own
Innoro Manavum PukayunneToday, every mind is smoldering
Nerellaam Urulunne Aarellaam PorunneAll truths are shifting, who will come to fight?
Oro Onnaay Azhiyunne Maunangal PaadunneOne by one, things unravel, and the silences begin to sing
Kottum Paattum PadapporumaayWith the beat of drums and a song of war
Kathum Kannil KalithaalamaayWith a frenzied dance in blazing eyes
Minnithennum Kinaakkale Pon KinaakkaleOh, ever-shining dreams, you golden dreams
Thennippaayum Podunnane Hey PodunnaneYou slip away so suddenly, hey, so suddenly
Kaalam Kaakkum Naalam PoleLike a flame that’s guarded by time
Jeevan Thedum Moksham PoleLike a life that’s searching for liberation
Vesham Maarum Naalum NeeleThrough all the days of changing forms
Theeram Thaandum Thaalam MaattumCrossing shores and changing rhythms
Asthra Asthra Asthra AsthraAsthra, Asthra, Asthra, Asthra
Asthra Asthra Asthra AsthraAsthra, Asthra, Asthra, Asthra
Kottum Pattum Music Video
The song’s progression follows a relentless hunt that uncovers long-hidden secrets. It begins as a march and ends with “silences beginning to sing” as the truth is revealed. The meaning in the ‘Kottum Pattum’ lyrics is the completion of a destined, all-consuming quest.