“Nattupappadam” by Devika Sumesh, Aadith Vinod, and Adarsh Babu appears on the “Pallotty 90S Kids” soundtrack. The song, with lyrics by Suhail Koya and music by Manikandan Ayyappa, features actors Arjun Ashokan and Balu Varghese. It opens with a chant about flying kites and spinning tops, setting a fast-paced and playful tone from the beginning.
Nattupappadam
Aadith Vinod | Devika Sumesh • From “Pallotty 90S Kids”
The verses list specific childhood activities, from school life with slate stones to playing cricket with a paper ball. These images create a world of improvised fun. Other lines mention a desire to cross the wild stream and explore the town, adding a sense of youthful adventure to the memories.
Pattamkettittattamkettiyee Muttomchutti TtaaLet’s fly a kite, tie the string, and circle this yard now
Pottuthottoru Vattapolenre Chuttum Chutti TtaaLike a spinning top with a dot, it spins all around me now
NaattuppappadamVillage ‘pappadams’
ChuttannukoottanamettannamWe need to fry and gather eight of them
Thattana Pettennu PottanamTap them, and they should break instantly
Paattumeettana KuttikalettanayittukkalichaThe singing kids played until there were eight of them
KaattuthodinteyappuramethanamWe have to cross the wild stream
Pattanam Chuttanam, KottakayethanamWe have to roam the town and reach the fort
ChottupaatharamuthikkudikkanakanduppidichaWe found a hot vessel to sip from
PillereHey kids
VaanneCome on
VinnellamThe whole sky
ChonneIs red
PillereHey kids
VaanneCome on
Ye Le Le LeYe Le Le Le
Ye Le Le LeYe Le Le Le
Ye Le Le LeYe Le Le Le
Ye Le Ye Le Le LeYe Le Ye Le Le Le
Vaakkellam KoottikkettanaThe one that bundles up all the words
PusthakathaaluIs a page from a book
Chokkellam Vella PooshanaThe one that whitens with chalk
Slate-u KallukalIs a slate stone
Paathuninna NinneYou were standing there, hiding
Enninokki KandeAnd I saw you and counted
Pootha MaavelLike the blooming ‘Maaveli’
OornniranganayanneYou’ve come down to visit us
Kaattupole VanneYou came just like the wind
Kanakambarathin KambelOn the stem of a ‘kanakambaram’ flower
Aazhchathorum Nerchapole NeeyeYou are like a weekly offering
Ye Le Le LeYe Le Le Le
Ye Le Le LeYe Le Le Le
Ye Le Le LeYe Le Le Le
Ye Le Ye Le Le LeYe Le Ye Le Le Le
Kalapilayennu ThakileThe clamor of the ‘thakil’ drum
Thalaperukkana PukileThe rising smoke that gathers at the top
KaayaalolathinethireAgainst the waves of the backwaters
The song accumulates these quick images without slowing down, mimicking the boundless energy of children at play. It lists sensory details like the taste of fried pappadams and the sight of a red sky. The meaning of the ‘Nattupappadam’ lyrics is a direct celebration of a physical, pre-digital childhood.
