Monchan Kamarkattikkembadum Lyrics English Translation | Akkuvinte Padachon | Joy Madhav

Joy Madhav’s song “Monchan Kamarkattikkembadum” is from the album Akkuvinte Padachon. The lyrics by Ashraf Palappetty open with a stylish candy called ‘Kamarkkatti’ being carried away by Arab traders. This sets up a history told through local sweets.

Monchan Kamarkattikkembadum Lyrics English Translation | Akkuvinte Padachon | Joy Madhav

Monchan Kamarkattikkembadum

Joy Madhav • From “Akkuvinte Padachon”

Lyricist
Ashraf Palappetty
Composer
Joy Madhav

Akkuvinte Padachon’s Monchan Kamarkattikkembadum Lyrics Translation

The lyrics later link a lemon candy to the arrival of European colonizers. It describes the ‘Saayippu’ craving the candy and deciding to stay, which became a problem for the local people. Another line compares cotton candy to the silver beard of a community elder.

Monchan Kamarkkattikkempaadum Porishayundente ChengaayiMy friend, the handsome ‘Kamarkkatti’ candy has so much style.
Pandokke Manjuvil Kereettarabikal Vannu Kamarkkatti KondoyeeLong ago, Arabs came on their dhows and carried the ‘Kamarkkatti’ away.
Jimbam Jimbambam Jimbara Bam JimbambamJimbam Jimbambam Jimbara Bam Jimbambam
Jimbam Jimbambam Jimbara Bam BamJimbam Jimbambam Jimbara Bam Bam
Pandu Masaladi Kondanna Kappalu Randennam KedaayiBack then, two of the ships that brought spices were lost.
Ennitto Randu Masaladi Thankam Koduthaalum Kittaano PaadaayiAnd then, it became hard to get those spices even for gold.
Beni Melinja Sulikhakku Bombay Muttaayi ThunayaayiFor the slender Sulikha, the ‘Bombay Muttaayi’ candy became a companion.
Thadiyan Manuppa Pambara Muttaayi Thinnappo Kuppaayam LoosaayiWhen stout Manuppa ate the top-shaped candy, his shirt became loose.
Chandrikapoolulla Naarangamuttaayi Kandukothiyeri SaayippuThe ‘Saayippu’ saw the lemon candy, lovely as a moon-flower, and craved it.
Indiayilethi Madangaathe Ninnappo Namma SuyippaayiWhen he reached India and stayed without returning, it became our big problem.
Jimbam Jimbambam Jimbara Bam JimbambamJimbam Jimbambam Jimbara Bam Jimbambam
Jimbam Jimbambam Jimbara Bam BamJimbam Jimbambam Jimbara Bam Bam
Injimuttaayi Koduthu Majeedum Suharayum LainaayiMajeed gave Suhara a ginger candy, and the two of them hit it off.
Annokke Kadichaaparachi Kittanamenkil Nilkkanam LainaayiBack in those days, to get that hard-to-bite candy, you had to stand in line.
Kaanthari Paathune Polum Mayakkunna Paris MuttaayiThe ‘Paris Muttaayi’, a candy that could charm even a fiery woman like Pathun.
Karinja Monthayullore Madaammapolaakkunna Chonnoru MuttaayiA red candy that makes even a madam with a sour face look sweet.
Kunjimollakkaante Vellinool Thaadipol PanjimuttaayiThe cotton candy, just like the silver-thread beard of the local ‘Kunjimollakka’.
Manjacha Pallukal Manjukanakke Minukkana Kaarakka MuttaayiThe date candy that makes yellowed teeth sparkle just like snow.
Jimbam Jimbambam Jimbara Bam JimbambamJimbam Jimbambam Jimbara Bam Jimbambam
Jimbam Jimbambam Jimbara Bam BamJimbam Jimbambam Jimbara Bam Bam

Monchan Kamarkattikkembadum Music Video

Each candy in the song gets its own story, from the ‘Bombay Muttaayi’ to the ‘Paris Muttaayi’. This method turns a list of sweets into a chronicle of Malabar’s cultural and economic history. The meaning of the ‘Monchan Kamarkattikkembadum’ lyrics comes from this unique and lighthearted historical account.