‘Koothu Kondakari’ is a traditional composition of the Irular community featuring the National award-winning singer Nanjiyamma along with Azad Kala Sangam. This song is very close to our heart for many reasons. This marks ARPO Earthlore’s inaugural collaboration with a group of rustic and gifted musicians who share an immense passion for music.
ARPO Earthlore is the first-of-its-kind initiative dedicated to the exploration, digital documentation, and unification of the diverse indigenous musicians of Kerala. Earthlore brings together indigenous musicians and young international musicians for a musical ensemble which takes the lores of the land across borders to a larger global audience. In the first season, Earthlore features the two indigenous communities of Kerala namely Irular and Kattunaykkar along with multi-percussionist and music producer Charu Hariharan, playback singer Sreekanth Hariharan, American multi-instrumentalist Julian Schoming and Kerala State Folklore Academy Award winner Majeesh Karayad.
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Lyrics in Irula Bhasha and the meaning
Koothu kondakkari sinna doore Mama makalaami sinna meethe
Aasaivathu pasamvaithu Palaki nadantha kala kala
A young girl who elegantly carries her hair tied up in a knot, who is the daughter of my uncle. The one who wanders around carrying a lot of love and desire in her heart.
Lale lale lale lale lale lale lale lale Thille lelo thillelelo thille lelo thillelelo
Thekkatha pottethee nee ponaakee Thedippokuthe ennamanassu… [Thille lelo...]
If you go to the street on the South, my mind follows you in the same direction
Paathu paakkathe nee ponakee Ethu manassu ennakumo… [Lale...]
I ain’t know what might happen to me if you walk away without giving a glance
Kalakatha vettethee nee ponankkee kalanki pokuthe ennamanassu… [Lale...]
If you go to the street in the West, my mind would become distressed.
Vadakaththa vettenthee nee ponakee vaadi pokuthe enna manassu [Thille lelo...]
If you go to the street in the North, my mind would get depressed..
Credits
Lead vocal - Nanjiamma
Chorus - Kavita, Thangamani, Maruthi, Priya, Roja
Davil - Murugan
Pora - Swaminathan
Jalra - Kaliyappan
Music conceptualised and produced by Charu Hariharan and Sreekanth Hariharan
Live recording engineer - Vishnu Namboodiri
Assistant engineer - Aadi
Technical assistance - Varun John
Additional programming - Sreekanth Hariharan, Charu Hariharan
Percussions - Charu Hariharan
Guitar, Banjo and Ukulele - Julian Schoming
Percussions recorded by Sreekanth at Madras Music Productions, Chennai
Mixed and Mastered by Mani Ratnam at The Mystic’s Room, Chennai
Cinematographer - Shyam Subrahmoniam
Associate Cinematographer - Shamil Ibrahim
Colorist - Akhil Prakash
Editor - Sneha Angel
Director - Jeevan Ram
Production Coordinator - Parvathi AR
Executive Producer - Sruthin Lal
Supported by Experion Technologies