“Vellodin Kingini Kettiya” by Vinod Udayanapuram and Durga Viswanath appears on the album Ee Valayam. Rafeeq Ahmed wrote the lyrics with music by composer Jerry Amaldev. It opens with a description of a rooster, a friend arriving to wake the listener as morning light arrives.
Vellodin Kingini Kettiya
Durga Viswanath | Vinod Udayanapuram • From “Ee Valayam”
Lyricist
Rafeeq Ahmed
Composer
Jerry Amaldev
Ee Valayam’s Vellodin Kingini Kettiya Lyrics Translation
The lyrics move through Kerala’s agricultural calendar, from the planting of seedlings to the joy of harvest. One section notes the summer sun smiling as the land is decorated with golden shower flowers for a festival. The meaning of the “Vellodin Kingini Kettiya” lyrics is rooted in these seasonal cycles.
Vellodin Kingini Kettiya Kanni PoovaaliThe young cow with a gleaming bronze bell,
Changaathi Ninnayunarthaan Chella PoonkozhiYour friend, the beloved rooster, comes to wake you.
Kanakam Pavizham Poompodi VithariScattering gold, coral, and pollen dust,
Vaaroli VaravaayiThe morning light arrives.
Malayum PuzhayumThe mountains and the rivers,
Vayalum PunarumThe fields and the meadows,
Malayum PuzhayumThe mountains and the rivers,
Vayalum PunarumThe fields and the meadows,
Kaadinu ViravaayiHave come alive with a lush vibrancy.
Changaathi Ninne Unarthaan ChellappoonkozhiYour friend, the beloved rooster, comes to wake you,
ChellappoonkozhiThe beloved rooster.
Vellodin Kingini KettiyaWith a gleaming bronze bell tied,
Kanni PoovaaliThe young cow,
Kanakam Pavizham Poompodi VithariScattering gold, coral, and pollen dust,
Vaaroli VaravaayiThe morning light arrives.
Paadamorungana NerathuAs the paddy fields are getting ready,
Koriniraykkedi ThaalathilScoop and fill your platter to the brim.
Kinarum Thodiyum Mazhayude Nanavum Kodiya KathiraayiThe well, the yard, and the rain’s dampness have become a grand harvest sheaf.
Kinarum Thodiyum Mazhayude Nanavum Koodiya SathiraayiThe well, the yard, and the rain’s dampness have become a great spectacle.
Medaveyil Chiri ChinnukayayiThe summer sun is starting to smile,
KonnamalarkanichoodukayayiAdorning itself with ‘Konnamalar’, the golden shower flower.
Adimudi PoovaayiIt’s covered in blossoms from head to toe.
Orila Eerila KaanaaraayiOne leaf, then two, are now visible,
Aathira NaalaayiIt’s the day of the ‘Aathira’ star.
Chinganilaavala Kumbhamazhakkulirangane VaravaayiThe ‘Chingam’ moonlight and the cool ‘Kumbham’ rains are arriving.
Hoy Hoy Hoy HoyHoy Hoy Hoy Hoy
Njaaru Mulakkana KaalathuIn the season for planting seedlings,
Vaariyerinjoru ThoomuthuA pure pearl was tossed and sown.
Thalirum Kathirum Narumani NiravumThe new sprouts, the ears of grain, the fragrant kernels,
Nediya NiravaayiHave all become a great abundance.
Maankula Then Kani ChoodukayayiThe herd of deer wears the sweet first fruits,
VellarivallikalaadukayayiThe cucumber vines are swaying,
Thuduthude ViriyaaraayiReady to burst open, full and ripe,
Thuduthude ViriyaaraayiReady to burst open, full and ripe.
Paazhmulakaavadi AadukayayiThe wild chili plants are dancing a festive ‘kaavadi’,
Kaavile UlsavamaayiIt has become a festival in the sacred grove.
Mannu Maranja Nilaamathi ManjalaThe forgotten moon has become a yellow
Mazhayum MinnalumaayiRain with flashes of lightning.
Hoy Hoy Hoy HoyHoy Hoy Hoy Hoy
Vellodin Kingini KettiyaWith a gleaming bronze bell tied,
Kanni PoovaaliThe young cow,
Changaathi NinnayunarthaanYour friend, to wake you,
Chella PoonkozhiThe beloved rooster.
Kanakam Pavizham Poompodi VithariScattering gold, coral, and pollen dust,
Vaaroli VaravaayiThe morning light arrives.
PakalukalaayiramA thousand days,
IravukalaayiramA thousand nights,
Kayari Irangana NaalvazhiyeOn the path of life with its ups and downs.
Maraviyum OrmmayumaayithileAlong this way with both memory and forgetfulness,
The track develops by adding layers of sensory details from village life. It describes the path of life as an unending rain where memory and forgetfulness coexist. This structure ties the predictable rhythm of nature to the continuous passage of human time.
