‘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.
Watch the video
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
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