Before we dive into the lyrics, understanding the source is crucial. The poem is not an original story but a brilliant re-telling of an episode from the Aranya Parva (Forest Book) of the Indian epic, Mahabharata.
The sage Mandapala, after years of celibacy, realizes he has no children to perform his last rites. To attain heaven (Swarga), he is reborn as a bird. He marries a female bird named Jarita. However, Mandapala is detached and seeks liberation. He abandons Jarita and their unborn children to pursue higher spiritual goals with another bird, Lapita. Before we dive into the lyrics, understanding the
The poem focuses on Jarita—the abandoned mother—and her four sons (the Makkal). The central conflict arrives when a forest fire (symbolized by the god Agni) engulfs their nest. While Mandapala flies away to save himself, Jarita chooses to burn with her children. The children, however, force her to leave, citing the eternal debt a child owes to its mother. | Aspect | Information | |--------|-------------| | Author
Vyloppilli transforms this mythological anecdote into a profound exploration of motherhood, duty, and self-sacrifice. Four years after its debut
| Aspect | Information | |--------|-------------| | Author / Lyricist | M. Jithin Kumar (also credited as Jithin K.) – a young poet from Kozhikode who gained popularity through Instagram & YouTube poetry‑recitals. | | Composer (for the sung version) | V. S. Raghavan – known for blending classical Malayalam ragas with contemporary arrangements. | | First Publication | Uploaded as a video on YouTube (Channel: KavithaKavadi), 12 Mar 2022. The lyric sheet was later posted on the site MalayalamLyrics.in (a “lyrics‑upd” community). | | Copyright Status | The poem is protected (© 2022 M. Jithin Kumar). Any reproduction beyond short excerpts requires permission from the author or the publishing platform. |
Four years after its debut, “Jarithayum Makkalum” remains relevant because: