Polchipaat

Polchi paat is the song,  sung  on the Maadha day and is unique type of kodava paats 

Author of this article

Kaibulira Devaiah

Source

Extracted from the folk  lore ballad

Polchipaat

Polchipaat is sung on the day of the Maadha ( a feast organised by the family members of the departed soul , 11 days after funeral ). There’s a old saying in Kodava Thakk which goes like “Chathth swarga poanavana , paadi swarga kooto ” meaning – a person who is gone to heaven after death is sent into the heaven through a song . In the olden days both men and women used to sing Polchi Paat . Men sings this song with traditional drum (Dhudi) , women sings this song with traditional Cymbals (Thaala). The tone used in Polchi Paat is entirely different from other Dhudikott paats sung at Temples and Ainemanes during festivals. Polchi Paat starts with describing the environment of Maadha ceremony . Then moves on to talk how the dead person was born , how the birth of the child brought fortunes , like there are poetic analogies in the song which says as soon as this child was born a cow gave birth to a calf , a disappeared Ox returned back to shed and so on . Then just like Chaav Paat Polchi Paat too talks about childhood, adulthood ,marriage hardwork in paddy fields , looking after one’s clan , defending from enemies , old-age , getting bedridden , family members getting herbal medicine , seeking help of various deities , slaughtering Pig as offerings to deities and so on . The song also tries to find out , if not human, what would be better form to be born in next life . One singer suggests how about a life as Ox , the other singer rejects it by citing that cattle herders will hit the Ox , one singer says how about snake , other singer rejects it saying someone will beat it to death. At last the singers come to conclusion by saying let the dead person attain peace under the silver umbrella of God almighty . Polchipaat is one of the lengthiest Kodava folk song.

Polchi Paat

Chell poaley cheroadé
Chekkathandha aramboalé
Akku oppoadé poraloadé
Oppkïtta alé poalé
Akku chaaliyanda noo poalé
Maalatt nara poalé Akku kembatt madi poalé
Pachch patt mai poalé
Akku biraali kuri poalé
Kannadi nala poalé
Akku vajjra para poalé
Muthth ra nuri poalé
Akku baanath meemboalé
Neer dhumba meemboalé

Song

Polchi Paat

Singer

Appachira Harish Devaiah , Peroor.