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karunkuruvi / blackbird

by ganavya, max ridley, charles overton

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about

Sometime in 2016 or 2017, Ryan recorded Charles, Max and I before went on tour with Red Baraat. I'm hoping you enjoy this recording—Charles carried his harp up a few flights of stairs for it. I never really thought about releasing it. There's a lot to say, and perhaps I'll be able to come back and say it, but for today, this is all that needs to be said: when I recorded this, I had two sweet children in mind. I first heard this song in their house (listen, I didn't grow up listening to the Beatles), and wanted to know what it might sound being sung in my mother tongue, Tamil. So I tried translating it. Their mother, Nithya Raman, is now running for City Council in LA. Anything I get from the sales of this song will go to her campaign. I don't think all of us have the fire to keep fighting, but I hope we will take care of those who do. And for as long as I have known Nithya, she has fought for others.

If you really liked it (or didn't), please consider donating (either way) here:

nithyaforthecity.com/donate/

lyrics

karunkuruvi paadare nee
(little black sparrow, i see you sing)
parakarthaiyum kathukku nee
(learn how to fly as well, will you?)
un vaazhkai poora intha kshanathirkku thaan kaathirundhai
(all your life, you've been waiting for this very moment)

blackbird fly,
parappai
(you will fly)
bayamillamale parappai
(without any fear, you'll fly)

yen chinanchiru kiliye nee
(my dearest little parrot, you--)
yen rekkaiudan kathukko nee
(learn to fly with my wings)
all your life
you were only waiting for this moment to be free

poora intha kshanathirkku thaan kaathirundhai
(all your life, you've been waiting for this very moment)
naan irukkum varai nee badhiramai iruppai
(for as long as i am here, you will be safe)

credits

released January 1, 2020
ganavya (vox)
max ridley (bass, ever present warmth)
charles overton (harp, ever present loveliness)
ryan renteria (engineer, ever present straightforwardness)
rajna swaminathan (moral support, beatles fan)
zoe rose de paz (moral support, camera work for the video that exists somewhere in the ether)

k and k (moral support)
vali chandrasekaran (told me this song exists)


nithya raman (for her work to change this world to be a better place)

license

all rights reserved

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ganavya Cambridge, Massachusetts

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