Sayanora Philip sings “Ulakinulaku Thorum Her Story” on the album ‘Her’. The lyrics by Anwar Ali and music by Govind Vasantha pose a direct question. The song asks if a woman’s identity comes only from being born from a man’s rib.
Ulakinulaku Thorum Her Story
Sayanora Philip • From “Her”
Her’s Ulakinulaku Thorum Her Story Lyrics Translation
A key line observes how all of written history is only “His Story.” The song then shows a woman who meets a man’s stare directly. She takes control by looking back instead of away.
Ulakinulaku ThorumO you who searches for your essence through worlds within worlds
Thanima ThirayuvoleO you who searches for your essence
Thaniye PularuvanaayStriving to bring the dawn all alone
Uzarumudaya SooryeO you struggling morning sun
Chadula Munaru MoroAs every vibrant, awakening ray
KiranamulakiloonniPlants itself upon the earth
Velivu ChitharuvoleYou who scatters the light
Jwalitha SaurayoodheO you radiant, cosmic legion
Ulakinulakukal ThorumThrough worlds within worlds
Thanima ThirayuvoleO you who searches for your essence
Thaniye PadaruvanaayStriving to spread out all alone
ThanuveriyumanaryeO unbound one, body ablaze
Muditha MudithamoroAs every joyful, blossoming ray
KiranamulakiloonniPlants itself upon the earth
Velivu ChitharuvoleYou who scatters the light
Jwalitha SaurayoodheO you radiant, cosmic legion
Varika Varika NeeCome, you must come
Pudhiyoru PakalinaayFor a brand new day
Ulakaam Ulakam MuzhuvanAcross this entire world
Padaruka Nee Ariyuka NeeYou must spread, you must know
Ullil UllalakaleyThe surging waves within you
Puthu Pulangal ThurassukaleThe new fields, the open spaces
Thurichu NokkumaanmayeShe who, at the staring man,
Thirichu NokkinaalStares right back
KoruthedukkuvolAnd ensnares him with her gaze
Thurichu NokkumaanmayeShe who, at the staring man,
Pidanju VeenidathuninnuFrom where she fell in agony
Uyartheneeikku VolIs the one who will rise again
Kuthichu PonthuvolIs the one who will surge forth
Ulakinulaku ThorumThrough worlds within worlds
Thanima ThirayuvoleO you who searches for your essence
Thaniye PularuvanaayStriving to bring the dawn all alone
ThanuveriyumanaryeO unbound one, body ablaze
Muditha MudithamoroAs every joyful, blossoming ray
KiranamulakiloonniPlants itself upon the earth
Velivu ChitharuvoleYou who scatters the light
Jwalitha SaurayoodheO you radiant, cosmic legion
Nee Aaru Avantey VaariyilWho are you? The one born from his rib?
Pirannolo Avantey MaathramThe one who revolves only around his universe?
Prapancham ChuttikkarangunnoloThe one who revolves only around his universe?
Avantey ChavereecchayoAre you his sacrificial pawn?
Nee Aaru Aah Alla AlledoWho are you? Ah, no, you are not that
Ee Historyaake His StoryalleIsn’t all of this ‘history’ just ‘His Story’?
Aanootta Lokangale IthaO patriarchal worlds, look here
Historyillatha ValkkumundThe one without a history has a world too
Lokam Athane Her StoryThat is ‘Her Story’
Pennaay PaaraamLet’s fly forth as women
Ulakinulaku Thorum Her Story Music Video
The song moves from questioning old origins to establishing a new world. The lyrics create the term ‘Her Story’ for this new space. It presents a complete rejection of a secondary role, building an identity from an independent source.