Kannur Shareef and Vidyadharan Master’s ‘Pravasi’ from ‘Hello Dubaikkaran’ depicts expatriate hardships through Nadirsha’s somber composition. Lyricists Shareef and Vidyadharan Master frame migration as necessary sacrifice rather than opportunity.
Released: 2023
Pravasi
Kannur Shareef | Vidyadharan Master • From “Hello Dubaikkaran”
Vidyadharan Master describes packing perfume and nail clippers into a suitcase – ordinary items representing fractured domesticity. Shareef juxtaposes letters from home against desert sun burning the worker’s skin during Gulf labor shifts.
Arabi Naattil PonnuvilayanaIn the Arab land where gold is said to sprout,
Kadhakalaayiram Kettu Veettil GathiyillaandoruI heard a thousand stories, and with no other way at home,
Pokk Poyath Kelkk ChangayiI made a journey, listen to it, my friend.
Nammal Kodal Kariyana Veyil KondoruAs we get scorched by the gut-wrenching sun,
Kadalinappuram Ninn Poriyanathorkk Changayiremember we’re fighting from across the sea, my friend.
En Kadha Kelkk ChangayiListen to my story, my friend.
Veettilulla Visheshamezhuthiya Kathth Kayyil Kittum NeraththWhen I get a letter in my hand, written with news from home,
Kaththiyeriyana Sooryan Nammade Changilaalunnuthe blazing sun feels like it’s searing my very soul.
Khalbil Myna ThengunnuA ‘myna’ bird sobs in my heart.
Avalude Kannuneerilalinja VaakkukalHer words, dissolved in tears,
Kandu Karalu Pidanju Marupadi Chollidaathe VedanaI see them and my heart aches, unable to reply to the pain.
Kadichu Theerkkum NjaanI just swallow it all.
Kubboosil Kadichu Theerkkum NjaanI swallow it down with a bite of ‘kubboos’ bread.
Attharoom Nakhamvettiyum Oru PaattupettiyumPerfume, a nail clipper, and a music box,
Baamum Sigarettum Hero Penayumbalm, cigarettes, and a ‘Hero’ pen.
Cooling Glassumaayi Petti KettumpolAs I packed my suitcase with sunglasses,
Pand Petti Kettumpol Cheriyorback when I packed my suitcase a long time ago.
Kavarinullil Vaangivachoru PirishameriyaInside a small cover, I’d bought and kept
Swarnnamaalayil Cherthu Vachorua precious golden chain,
Virahamanikal Punchirikkunnuand now the beads of separation are smiling,
Kaanaan Pootthiyerunnublooming for me to see.
Ponnumakkade Kunju ChirikalumThe little laughs of my precious children,
Vendappettavar Maanju Poyathumand the passing of loved ones,
Naattilozhukana Puzhayum Mazhayuminnaru Kaanunnuthe rivers and rains flowing back home-who sees them now?
Njangade VidhiyithaakunnuThis has become our fate.
Nammude Naattilulsava Kaalamaayittum NeramEven though it’s festival season in our homeland,
Kalb Pidanjum Pokilumand even though our hearts are breaking,
Yogamilloru Naalum Njangale Orkk Changayithere’s no luck for us, just remember us, my friend.
Paavam Pravaasi ChangayiThe poor expatriate, my friend.
Arabi Naattil PonnuvilayanaIn the Arab land where gold is said to sprout,
Kadhakalaayiram Kettu Veettil GathiyillaandoruI heard a thousand stories, and with no other way at home,
Pokk Poyath Kelkk ChangayiI made a journey, listen to it, my friend.
Nammal Kodal Kariyana Veyil KondoruAs we get scorched by the gut-wrenching sun,
Kadalinappuram Ninn Poriyanathorkk Changayiremember we’re fighting from across the sea, my friend.
En Kadha Kelkk ChangayiListen to my story, my friend.
Malayalam workers’ silent endurance anchors the Pravasi lyrics translation, where family separation persists despite foreign land promises. Nadirsha’s melody underscores the gap between emigrant dreams and grinding realities.
