Pathemari (പത്തേമാരി)

Aland of people who once earned a living by fishing or diving for pearls

A society that had braved many torments

But when oil was struck changed it all in one fell swipe

The world called it the 'Camel to Cadillac' phenomenon

An abrupt and overnight leap from backs of camels into

...plush interiors of Cadillac's The most expensive of cars those days

As oil changed fortunes beyond recognition...

...colorful tales of this gold yielding soil drew aspiring youths from afar

'Visionary gifts of rulers fused seamlessly with aspirations of local society

Culminating in an evolution of an enchanting city with magical pull...

Today's Dubai City that spellbinds the beholder

Each morning, before we get into our cars we'd have got a call from back home

Mother would have spoken about rains and hot breakfast

The word rain evokes great nostalgia to us, Malayalis

Is this earth or blissful heaven'? Or just a mrorld of illusion'?

Is it the shore of a distant dream?

Bewitching siren Alluring sweetheart

She's a city, effervescent An ever brimful goblet

Under embowed arch of her sky

the sun and moons shone vibrant

Unwavering gaze, caresses like waves

Filling us with fervor as vast as the sea

Singing, dancing in unison with all

Her mesmerizing eyes merge days and nights

Travelers like short lived bubbles

As a rhythm of joy rises slovwy

A lifetime is not enough for this ecstasy

Is this earth or blissful heaven?

Or just a mrorld of illusion?

Is it the shore of a distant dream?

No means to lure away this beloved

Ever enchanted watching her loveliness

Sweeping one and all with her spirited ardor

Often fades away yet remains a shadow

To clasp, hug and embrace in fervor

From deepest of depths

to be swept ashore at davm

Is this earth or blissful heaven'? Or just a mrorld of illusion'?

Is it the shore of a distant dream?

Bewitching siren Alluring sweetheart

She's a city, effervescent An ever brimful goblet

Under embowed arch of her sky

the sun and moons shone vibrant

N aray an'ett a'?

N aray an'ett a'?

Switch it off please Allow us to get some sleep

Satheesha

Answer the phone

Satheesha

Answer the phone

Who is this?

When?

And.,_'_:

No

I'll inform

Okay

Who was it?

Dad's not well

Oh God, and...?

Nothing to worry

Let me ask someone else

Najeeb?

Venu'ettan called to say dad was ill

Satheesh, I am there right now

What happened to dad?

He's gone

We'll do the needful here

But you must now take charge over there

Don't tell your mother now

- lsmail'kka will be here soon - I'll call you later

What's happening advocate?

I've informed the Company

The PRO will bring his passport

- Have you informed his family? - Yes, I called his son

- What about the police? - The ambulance will soon be here

The body must be sent back to his home tovm as soon as possible

How come lsmail'bhai is here?

Narayanettan and lsmail'bhai first came to Dubai in the same Pathemari/dhow

It's me

The guy in Gulf whom we are working for...

...kicked the bucket

Can we begin work for your other client?

This work will be stalled now Better to work elsewhere

Did he have to die nomf?! Nuisance!

Quick! Get in

'56th Meeran Sahib Foot Ball Tournament'

It's the last exciting fight for the 7th Meeran Sahib ever rolling trophy here

When the curtains fall on the last day of this football competition...

...who will win this trophy?

Today we shall know who will win this

A neck to neck fight, equally matched the 2 teams are playing it out here

Narayanan has scored!

Em E

Move away my dear We'll die together

Govind a'?!

You don't have to kill yourself because I asked for the money you owed me

Ivvill go away for now

But I'll be back if you don't pay up in 2 days

That day I'll be the one to jump into this well

This time we are the winners of Meeran Sahib Trophy

Narayanan was our star player

Oh! Let me see it?

Oh! Let me see it? Not bad at all

All of us can now boil and eat this for dinner

Instead of working in fields and earning...

...playing football matches!

This trophy can go in there!

3 daughters to be brought up Star player my foot!

They won't allow us to watch the Kuthu Ratheeb (ritual)

They pierce themselves with a knife and slash their tongues

You'll feel faint just watching them

No one eats until the ritual is over

Uncle is not saying anything

I asked around

There's a guy Velayudhan

Who ferries people from Chettuva in a Pathemaari(dhow)

We must meet him

Go, they must be mraiting for you

Give this to sister

Moideen's uncle is leaving to Persia

These are offerings to God to make sure he lands safely

What about Narayanan?

He must have eaten from their house

Didn't you?

Did you eat my son?

- I did mother - Didn't I tell you?!...

...he would have eaten from there

This is not like going to the Chetuva mosque fair

The voyage takes days maybe months...

...or not reach there at all

This is the mighty ocean

I am aware of it I have heard

But once we reach, our families will be free of poverty

If it will help our family and siblings live a better life...

are prepared to cross this ocean

You must take strong decisions like this in life

When I was young, I've often watched...

...Ummer sahib's boat go past

That day I took a decision

Fathemubarak is the outcome of that

I transport people from here and return with goods from there

If a calamity occurs, I promise I will be among those who perish too

That's a promise

The whole tovm knows the fee I charge for transporting people

Pathemaari will set out next Friday

Get ready with both money and your minds

Sir, our wage

Please give quarter Anna more

Why do you need a photo of this?

This jewel belongs to Moideen's aunt

She gave it to us to raise money for us to go to Persia

Pledging this will not raise enough money, so we are selling it

When we get enough money

we'll buy a replica and replace it

That's why we need a photo

Shall I take leave?

Okay mother I'm leaving

Father?

Shall I go?

See that things are done very quietly

Yes, the police can cause trouble

Yonder, a league away is my home with my dear ones

Oh breeze from the sea don't snuff out their flicker of flame

Instead, dry their tears that stream dovm their face

dry their tears that stream dovm their face

Upon waves that shimmer like molten gold of Arabia

With sails of dreams high aloft set sails the pathe maarillaunch

- Mother! - Iliyas...

Iliyas...

Nodding leaves of coconut trees bid farewell to departing men

Oh little eagle of my town lead me on in my journey

Silvery moonlight tell me more about those unknown shores

When I return from my travels be sure to welcome me home

Back with bushels of gold and pearls All from lands beyond the ocean

Look

This is what is left of the rice

Reserve half of it

Even then it will last for just one more day

Who knows ow many more days to the shore

Are there cool streams sweet as honey, bubbling with surf milky?

Or thorny paths, scorching stones strevm aplenty along the way?

How did my evergreen dreams wilt away like a bunch of blossoms

Surging waves of aspirations swell to crash beyond oceans

Back with bushels of gold and pearls All from lands beyond the ocean

Take care of him

I'll fetch some mrater

Iliyas...

Iliyas...

Looks like a storm is brewing

All of you go inside

Babu...

Iowerthe sails

Go in all of you

Fast

Everyone get inside fast...

Velayudhan... pull the rope...

E E

Pull the rope hardly...

I'll do it...

I see land! Come up here