'Pottiye Kettiye'; Qatar connection behind Kerala's new trending parody song

KOZHIKODE: Not many know that the current rave song ‘Pottiye Kettiye Swarnam’ that doubled CPM’s setback in local elections, came out from the pen of a Nadapuram-based expat GP Kunjabdulla.

Kunjabdulla, who flew to Qatar from Nadapuram, Kozhikode, 46 years ago, can take pride that his parody song was even played in front of the parliament the other day. Kunjabdulla studied only till third grade, but the parody song he penned is so popular that even little kids in Kerala can be heard humming it.

This parody song, which became the cornerstone of the UDF's victory in Kerala, was not written for any political party. It was sent to the Youth Congress and later the Youth League, but no one considered it! Later, Haneefa Mudikode from Kozhikode composed the music and made it into a song. It became a hit when Danish Kootilangadi sang it. Haneefa is a friend of Kunjabdulla.

The UDF and NDA adopted this parody song statewide during the election campaign. The song was written to the tune of the famous devotional song "Pallikettu Sabarimalaik Kallummullum Kaliik Methe...".

“I am a person who studied only up to the third standard. I came to Qatar knowing well that I would not succeed in India with my educational qualifications. Even after coming here, my hometown and country remained etched in my mind. Ayyappan is the God of all humans. There is no caste or religion. When I heard of the Sabarimala gold theft, I felt the urge to protest. I then choose a pen as my weapon.”G.P. Kunjabdulla told Kerala Kaumudi that he is a loyal supporter of Congress.

Kunjabdulla has written about six hundred songs.