Unnikuttan,
You have probably realized your parents’ love affair with NYC by now. We make it a point to go to the city 2-3 times every summer – sometimes to visit Ammayi and sometimes for no reason. We love taking the ferry, grabbing lunch at some restaurant in West Village, riding the metro, just wading through the crowded streets, shopping at the Macy’s (at least mom does ;D), keeping abreast of developments at the Ground Zero/Freedom Tower site, walking through the beautiful Central park, sitting at the WTC dock waiting for the water taxi back, enjoying the breeze while watching the New Jersey skyline at night. I don’t know if you remember going to the Skippyjon Jones play one time (may be it’s time to go again) or our trip to the Liberty island last summer. You really like to travel and enjoy each new experience to its fullest.
Hmmm… Now, this is a song your dad strongly dislikes. 😀 I love the music, especially the mix of Indian and western instruments, but not the lyrics. It’s fast, easy to sing with lots of English words in it, so you like it. 🙂
Johny mone Johny
You are my kannin mani*
[Johny son Johny
You are the apple of my eye]
Johny mone Johny
Why you want plenty money?
(What goes around round round, comes around -2
Fool around round… you fool around
Daddy knows, he knows!)
Pappa bharanam vendappa…
Ithu New York life entappa..
[Pappa, don’t try to rule me
This is New York life dude!]
We are New York boys pappa…
Sorry Pappa!…
Johny mone johny
You are my kannin mani*
[Johny son Johny
You are the apple of my eye]
Johny mone johny
Why you want plenty money?
+Enthathishayame Daivathin sneham
Ethra manoharame…
[How wonderful is God’s love
How beautiful it is!]
Athu chinthayil adanga sindhu samanamai
Santhatham kanunnu njan….
[It is something we cannot fathom, just like the vast oceans]
Enthathishayame Daivathin sneham
Ehtra Manoharame….
[How wonderful is God’s love
How beautiful it is!]
Vinnil melle melle mutham vekkum ente New York**
[Kissing the skies softly, my New York]
Oh… New York..
Njanum enno enno nintethayi ente New York
[I have also become yours, my New York]
Oh… New York…
Minnum nin kannale nee aare thedunnu
Vannethan undo veendum aaro aaro…
[With your twinkling eyes, who are you searching for?
Is there anyone else who you are waiting for?]
Oh Johny…Oh Johny…You are Crazy..You are freaky…
New Yorkil minni paayum ABCD…
[Living up the fast life in New York, you ABCD***]
Pappa bharanam vendappa..
Ithu New York life entappa..
[Pappa, don’t try to rule me
This is New York life dude!]
We are New York boys pappa…
Sorry Pappa!..
Twinkle twinkle thaaram chayanethum ente New York..
[Twinkling stars comes to sleep in my New York]
Oh… New York…
Ormapoovil mayathennum ennil chernnee dew drop..
[You stay in my memories, like a dew drop]
Oh.. New York..
++ Neeyaro… Njanaro… Ooretho… Peretho…
Chodikkillaarum aarum nero nero?..
[Who are you? Who am I? Where are you from? What’s your name?
No one will ask you, is it true?]
Oh Johny…Oh Johny… mohathin thereri
Ennennum engottani magic journey….
[Oh Johny…Oh Johny…riding the chariot of wishes,
which magic journey are going on everyday? ]
Pappa bharanam vendappa..
Ithu New York life entappa..
[Pappa, don’t try to rule me
This is New York life dude!]
We are New York boys pappa…
Sorry Pappa!..
* Kannin mani or kannmani means iris of the eye – used in reference to being precious.
** It is referring to the skyscrapers in NYC.
*** ABCD – American Born Confused Desi – Your dad and I are trying so hard to NOT make you one..:D…Jokes aside, I feel the confused part happens when parents try to impart their own strict cultural lessons to their American born kids, without letting them assimilate to the American culture. We try to bring a balance to your life. Hope we are successful in the long run and help you literally live up to your name. 🙂
+ Enthathishayame is a very popular Christian hymn.
++ These two lines define NYC – A truly cosmopolitan city which just accepts you as you are, no questions asked.
Thumbi vaa... 