“Polika Polika” from the album Chaver is a collaboration by artists including Justin Varghese and Govind Vasantha. It opens by addressing a “fearsome spirit that guards the sacred grove.” The lyrics immediately establish a world governed by ancient and dangerous forces.
Released: October 5, 2023
Polika Polika
Govind Vasantha | Justin Varghese • From “Chaver”
Chaver’s Polika Polika Lyrics Translation
The initial aggression gives way to fear with the question, “Is the brave hero perishing in the fire?” This vulnerability deepens as the singers admit they are “growing weak and falling today.” They call upon thirty-nine gods, including Wayanatt Kulavan, for immediate help.
Kaaval Nokkana Kaavile Bheekara BhoothamathaeO, fearsome spirit that guards the sacred grove
Kaatham Neettanu Theeyithu Neettidu KaatharameThe fire spreads for miles, stretch it further, you coward
Kaali Karaalikaladana Kaanana KaahalameO, the forest’s trumpet call where the fierce ‘Kali’ dances
Kaarum Peranu Novana Kaanana NaadamitheThis is the pained sound of the forest as the wind howls
Kariyaeriya Poompunamullin NeeranuHe is the essence of the thorn that grew on the scorched tree
KaelikaladiyavanThe one who plays his games
Karivelakal Kotthiya NenjileIn the chest pecked by dark eagles
Murivil Neettanu KaalanavanHe is fate, smoldering in the wound
Kariyambinum Ambaram Ambili MaeliluUpon the charcoal, the sky, and the moon above
Ambalam Aettilum AenthanaHeld aloft in the temple’s heights
Thenthithu Pukayithu Padaranu KarikaramudayanuThe spark, the smoke, it spreads, the one with the charred hand
Thudayile Pidivalli Podiyana ThudalithuThe grip on the loincloth crumbles to dust
Veerum Vambum Choorum Kettittodum NeramAs courage, pride, and valor are tied up and forced to flee
Theeram Kaanaathaadippaadi Thaalam ThettiDancing and singing without a shore in sight, the rhythm is lost
Kaelan Veeran Theeyil TheerunnoIs the brave hero perishing in the fire?
Polika Polika Polika PolikaMay we be blessed, may we be blessed, may we be blessed, may we be blessed
Polika Polika PolipolikaMay we be blessed, may we be blessed, let us be blessed
Polika Polika Polika PolikaMay we be blessed, may we be blessed, may we be blessed, may we be blessed
Polika Polika PolipolikaMay we be blessed, may we be blessed, let us be blessed
Polika Polika Polika PolikaMay we be blessed, may we be blessed, may we be blessed, may we be blessed
Polika Polika PolipolikaMay we be blessed, may we be blessed, let us be blessed
Onnukure Naalppathu Daivangalum ThunaykkaLet the thirty-nine gods come to my aid
Poompunam Petta Kandanaar Daivavum ThunaykkaLet the deity ‘Kandanar’, born of ‘Poompunam’, also aid me
Thunayouttu Koottinudaney Varikente Wayanatt KulavanumCome quickly to my side, my ‘Wayanatt Kulavan’
Kayyaloru Pantham KolutthiWith a torch lit in hand
Venthu Pokunnithayyo Njaan OrutthanAlas, I am burning all alone
Vayyaathinnu Veenu PokunninnuI am growing weak and falling today
Varikavenam DaivathaanmaareYou must come, O divine spirits
Koodum Kombum Choodil Thinnum TheeThe fire that consumes the nest and the branch in its heat
Mudiyattam Muttaanodum Neelan TheeThe tall flame that rushes to clash with the ritual dance
Kanalaadum Neram Kayyil KollaatheWhen the embers dance, it cannot be contained in hand
Kanalaadiykkullil Vevum Novin TheeThe fire of pain that burns within the dancing embers
Ninnaranikal Vithariya KanalithuThese are the embers scattered by your ritual fire sticks
Nirayanu Udalithu MarayanuIt fills this body, it disappears
Urukanu Pakalithu Nee NeeThis day is melting away, it is you, you
Kaaval Nokkana Kaavile Bheekara BhoothamathaeO, fearsome spirit that guards the sacred grove
Kaatham Neettanu Theeyithu Neettidu KaatharameThe fire spreads for miles, stretch it further, you coward
Kaali Karaalikaladana Kaanana KaahalameO, the forest’s trumpet call where the fierce ‘Kali’ dances
Kaarum Peranu Novana Kaanana NaadamitheThis is the pained sound of the forest as the wind howls
Kariyaeriya Poompunamullin NeeranuHe is the essence of the thorn that grew on the scorched tree
KaelikaladiyavanThe one who plays his games
Karivelakal Kotthiya NenjileIn the chest pecked by dark eagles
Murivil Neettanu KaalanavanHe is fate, smoldering in the wound
Kariyambinum Ambaram Ambili MaeliluUpon the charcoal, the sky, and the moon above
Ambalam Aettilum AenthanaHeld aloft in the temple’s heights
Thenthithu Pukayithu Padaranu KarikaramudayanuThe spark, the smoke, it spreads, the one with the charred hand
Thudayile Pidivalli Podiyana ThudalithuThe grip on the loincloth crumbles to dust
Veerum Vambum Choorum Kettittodum NeramAs courage, pride, and valor are tied up and forced to flee
Theeram Kaanaathaadippaadi Thaalam ThettiDancing and singing without a shore in sight, the rhythm is lost
Kaelan Veeran Theeyil TheerunnoIs the brave hero perishing in the fire?
Polika Polika Polika PolikaMay we be blessed, may we be blessed, may we be blessed, may we be blessed
Polika Polika PolipolikaMay we be blessed, may we be blessed, let us be blessed
Polika Polika Polika PolikaMay we be blessed, may we be blessed, may we be blessed, may we be blessed
Polika Polika PolipolikaMay we be blessed, may we be blessed, let us be blessed
Polika Polika Polika PolikaMay we be blessed, may we be blessed, may we be blessed, may we be blessed
Polika Polika PolipolikaMay we be blessed, may we be blessed, let us be blessed
Polika Polika Music Video
The repeated chant “Polika,” typically for prosperity, becomes a desperate plea for survival. The song moves from a challenge against dark forces to an admission of human weakness. The meaning of the ‘Polika Polika’ lyrics is found in this urgent prayer to local deities for intervention against impending fate.