Even as the heat of the local body elections gradually subsides, social media remains abuzz with ‘Pottiye Kettiye, Swarnam Chembayi Maattiye’, a catchy song that alludes to the Sabarimala gold scandal. The track, which went viral during the campaign, continues to linger on people’s lips long after the results were declared. Several political leaders have since suggested that the song played a role in the UDF’s strong performance in the polls.

In contrast to popular perception, the track was not conceived as part of any political campaign. Produced by Malappuram-based duo Subair Pandalloor and Haneefa Mudikkode, the song was created purely as a promotional effort for their studio. The lyrics were written by Kunjabdulla Chalappuram, widely known as G P Chalappuram.

A Class III dropout, Chalappuram has written nearly 600 songs over three decades. “Life was my classroom,” he says. Over the years, he taught himself nearly eight languages. “Today, with a mobile phone, anyone can learn,” he adds.

Chalappuram began his career writing Mappila songs before gradually turning his attention to social and public issues. He is also the author of Mappila Paattin Varnacharithram (A colourful history of Mappila songs). The Sabarimala gold smuggling case, he says, deeply hurt the sentiments of devotees and compelled him to respond. “I felt it was our responsibility to address it, and I chose to do so through a song,” he says. Learning later that the song may have influenced the election outcome gave him a sense of fulfilment.

“For a writer, every song is like a child. You never know which one will shine. Seeing them flourish brings happiness,” he says. Since the song went viral, he has received messages of appreciation from political leaders and social organisations alike. “Knowing that my writing has had an impact is the greatest reward.”

Chalappuram describes himself as a Congressman who believes in the party’s idea of unity in diversity. “If any political force truly upholds that idea in the future, I would support it. What matters most is loyalty to the nation. Only if the country survives can we argue, love, travel, farm and live freely,” he says.

Meanwhile, Subair Pandalloor, one of the producers, says the song’s unexpected popularity brought them more election-related work than ever before. “I have been in this field for 30 years. Our studio is located at Kattungaal in Malappuram, and we produce election songs for all political parties, including the IUML, Congress and the CPM. So far, we have composed nearly 600 election songs,” he says.

‘Pottiye Kettiye’, Subair explains, was created solely to promote their firm, with Haneefa Mudikkode and him as producers. The lyrics were written by Kunjabdulla Chalappuram, popularly known as G P Chalappuram, who runs a business in Qatar. The song was sung by Danish Malappuram. “Interestingly, the person seen in the video is not the actual singer. The face featured belongs to singer Naseer Koottilangadi,” Subair adds.

Once the song went viral, requests for election songs poured in from across the state. “Earlier, most of our work came from Malappuram and Kozhikode. This time, we even received assignments from southern districts like Kottayam. It is satisfying to see that the wave created by the song has not faded even after the elections. When people say it contributed to the UDF’s gains, it only shows that our work made an impact,” he says.

Riding on the song’s success, the team is now preparing a sequel. “A second part of Pottiye Kettiye is on the way. It will be a ‘letter song’. The letter written by N Vasu (Former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board) from jail will be addressed to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. G P Chalappuram is writing the lyrics, and the song will be released within the next 10 to 15 days,” Subair says.

The song’s viral success has unexpectedly pushed singer Danish Malappuram into the limelight. What he once saw as just another track has now turned into a phenomenon, earning him recognition among friends and locals alike.

“I work at a recording studio in Malappuram, handling programming and mixing. I also play the keyboard at live shows and sing election songs for different parties,” he says. Pottiye Kettiye was recorded at the suggestion of his mentor, Haneefa, well before the election campaign peaked.

“I had sung many songs that season and never imagined this one would go viral. I sang it like any other track. Now people say it even influenced the election results. That makes me incredibly happy,” Danish says. He adds that messages and congratulations continue to pour in from across political lines. “Seeing so many people enjoy the song is truly satisfying.”