William Francis wrote and performed “Penninte Peralla” for the album “Thankamani,” starring Dileep. The song begins by declaring that Thankamani is not a woman’s name. Instead, the opening line states it is the name of a wounded land, which re-contextualizes the title for the listener.
Penninte Peralla
William Francis • From “Thankamani”
Thankamani’s Penninte Peralla Lyrics Translation
The lyrics describe a night of violence where uniformed forces acted without restraint. Verses detail how they “shattered the spine of a good land.” The account continues by suggesting the sky turned away, heartbroken by the events it witnessed below.
Penninte Peralla Music Video
The song consistently returns to its opening statement, reinforcing the new definition of the name. It transforms “Thankamani” into a record of collective pain from a specific historical event. The meaning of the ‘Penninte Peralla’ lyrics comes from this direct equation of a name with a traumatic memory.