Vaikom Vijayalakshmi and Sudeep Kumar perform ‘Puzhayoru Nattupennu’ from the album Appooppanthadi. Lyricist Vayalar Sarathchandravarma and composer Babuji Kozhikode create a folk melody celebrating Kerala’s rivers as living entities.
Puzhayoru Nattupennu
Sudeep Kumar | Vaikom Viajaylakshmi • From “Appooppanthadi”
Appooppanthadi’s Puzhayoru Nattupennu Malayalam Lyrics English Meaning
Sarathchandravarma links agricultural work to maternal care. One lyric shows a woman planting rice seedlings like dressing a child, her black-bangled hands tending the land. Another line describes fields closing their eyes as seeds sprout during monsoon winds.
Puzhayoru NattupennuThe river’s a village girl.
Azhakozhukunna KannuHer eyes overflow with beauty.
Kasavotha Oru Udayaada Njorinju KuththiShe’s tucked in a garment pleated with gold-bordered silk,
Kathirotha Chandanakkuriyum Thottuand she’s applied a sandalwood mark like the bright sun.
Chirimani Muthukal VitharikkondeAs she scatters the pearls of her laughter,
Enganattenganattenganattengu Ponewhere’s she headed, oh where’s she going?
Enganattenganattenganattengu PoneWhere’s she headed, oh where’s she going?
Puzhayoru NattupennuThe river’s a village girl.
Azhakozhukunna KannuHer eyes overflow with beauty.
Karutha Mannin Paadavarampathoru Pidi NjaaruWith a handful of seedlings by the black soil’s ridge,
Uduthu Kuththi Cherumakale Nee Poru Porutuck in your clothes and come along, daughter of the soil.
Karimpacha Mpa Kaalakalayi Kuzhacheedunnoru MannilIn the soil churned by the dark green oxen,
O Ooh, oh,
Karivala Kaiyyaal Njaaril Kodi Nattu Makalewith hands adorned in black bangles, she’s planted a flag in the seedlings, my daughter.
Karivala Kaiyyaal Njaaril Kodi Nattu MakaleWith hands adorned in black bangles, she’s planted a flag in the seedlings, my daughter.
Thathinanathom Thakadhinanathom Thithinanathom Thaka Thaara[Rhythmic folk beats].
Thathinanathom Thakadhinanathom Thithinanathom Thaka Thaara[Rhythmic folk beats].
Vayalu Kandam Kannu Poottiye Vetha Vethache Thaka ThaaraThe field’s closed its eyes as the seeds’re being sown.
Thathinanathom Thakadhinanathom Thithinanathom Thaka Thaara[Rhythmic folk beats].
Vetha Mulache Thaliru Vanne Njaattuvela KaattadicheThe seeds’ve sprouted and tender shoots appeared as the monsoon winds blow.
Thathinanathom Thakadhinanathom Thithinanathom Thaka Thaara[Rhythmic folk beats].
Kochupenne KuyilaaleMy little girl, you’re like a cuckoo.
Veliyum Kerum Munpe KeruCome inside before the darkness climbs over the fence.
Thathinanathom Thakadhinanathom Thithinanathom Thaka Thaara[Rhythmic folk beats].
Thathinanathom Thakadhinanathom Thithinanathom Thaka Thaara[Rhythmic folk beats].
Poove Poli Poove Poli Poove Poli PooveOh flowers, bloom and thrive! Oh flowers, bloom and thrive!
Poove Poli Poove Poli Poove Poli PooveOh flowers, bloom and thrive! Oh flowers, bloom and thrive!
Ponnonam Vannappol AaWhen the golden ‘Onam’ festival arrived, ah,
Ponnonam Vannappolwhen the golden ‘Onam’ festival arrived.
Onnanaam Kunnile Pookkaitha Choodikkum Munnaazhi PoovuThe flower-palm on the first hill was adorned with three measures of blossoms.
Maatathamma Thiranju Nadannath PanayolakudakkathuThe mother goddess searched for them under her palm-leaf umbrella.
Thodi Keri Chennappam ThottavaadikkumWhen she entered the yard, the ‘touch-me-not’ plants wilted.
Naanam Kandille Naanam KandilleDidn’t you see her shyness? Didn’t you see her shyness?
Ethakkompile Pichakamottinum Uttaraada PerThe jasmine bud on the highest branch is named ‘Uthradam’.
Ethakkompile Pichakamottinum Uttaraada PerThe jasmine bud on the highest branch is named ‘Uthradam’.
Thumpappoovinu Vampere Mukkuttikko MunshuntiThe ‘Thumpa’ flower’s full of pride, and the ‘Mukkutti’ blossom has quite a short temper.
Kuda Choodikkaan Odiya Poo Veli Kadannum VegameriThe flower that rushed to provide shade’s quickly crossed over the fence.
Kuda Choodikkaan Odiya Poo Veli Kadannum VegameriThe flower that rushed to provide shade’s quickly crossed over the fence.
Poove Poli Poove Poli Poove Poli PooveOh flowers, bloom and thrive! Oh flowers, bloom and thrive!
Poove Poli Poove Poli Poove Poli PooveOh flowers, bloom and thrive! Oh flowers, bloom and thrive!
Thanthananeno Thanthananeno[Rhythmic folk melody].
Thanthanano Naane Naane Thanthananeno[Rhythmic folk melody].
Thanthananeno Thanthananeno[Rhythmic folk melody].
Thanthanano Naane Naane Thanthananeno[Rhythmic folk melody].
Puzhayoru Nattupennu Music Video
Appooppanthadi’s Puzhayoru Nattupennu lyrics meaning centers on nature’s life-giving role in rural communities. This translation presents the river as both water source and cultural symbol through Sarathchandravarma’s precise imagery.