SOME ONAM MEMORIES FROM BATAM

I believe it was in 2007.

We had already had Onam celebrations with various cultural programs almost every year, and I was part of these celebrations from 2004 onwards. Now programs were being planned for the 2007 celebrations and there was just a week or so left.

3 or four of us were chitchatting over a cup of tea in our house.

It was Bella who said, ‘Let us have a group song by the children this time’

We all agreed and started searching for a good childrens’ song on the net. There were a few songs available and then I said,’we will write one. Ravindra can give the music…..’

The idea appealed to everyone.

Yours truly wrote the lyrics in Malayalam. The singers Meenakshi, Vani, Neethu, Niviya  and Sharath came and the rehearsals started in our house.

Ravindra came with his synthesizer. The music was set.  Thus was born the song ‘Onamaay, Ponnonamaay…’

Some of my Indonesian friends had come from my office, during one of the rehearsals. The song became a hit in our office and a few of them started humming the tune. If I remember right, one of them used it as ringer tune on his phone.

The Lyrics, if anyone wants to use it…..

                Onamaay, Ponnonamaay…

                Onamaay, Ponnonamaayen

                Omana thumbee – ponnomana thumbee – nin

                Thumbappoovithalile madhuram

                Thulli nalkaamo… oru thulli nalkaamo …

                Onamaay, Ponnonamaayen

                Thalirilam kaatte…. En kulirilam kaatte.. en

                Onappattinneenam moolaan

                Onnu Poraamo… koode onnu poraamo…

                Onamaay, Ponnonamaayen

                Omalpoonkaave – ennomal ppoonkaave… ee

                Ponnonaththinu pookkalamiduvaan

                Pookkal nalkaamo – niraye – pookkal nalkaamo….

  

The audio clip below is taken during rehearsals. Unfortunately, I do not have a video of the performance. I only know that it was a hit…..