K G Jayan composed 'Srikovil nada thurannu' while climbing Pathinettampadi at Sabarimala

Kochi: ‘Srikovil nada thurannu…ponnambalathil srikovil nada thurannu…’ was the favourite Ayyappa devotional song of K G Jayan, who passed away on Tuesday. The Carnatic singer was cremated with state honours at Tripunithura on Wednesday evening.
In an interview with ‘Malayala Manorama’, Jayan had described how he created the song. “I used to visit the Sri Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala every year. On one occasion, as soon as I climbed the ‘Pathinettampadi’ (the 18 holy steps at the temple), I felt that I should arrange a song in praise of Ayyappa. Those who accompanied me on that pilgrimage also had a similar thought. Soon, I created ‘Srikovil nada thurannu’ along with Vijayan,” said Jayan.

Later, the song in Arabhi raga became hugely popular after it was included in the album, ‘Saranamayyappa.’ Jayan rendered this song in all his concerts and people received it with a big applause. The Kerala government selected this work as the official wakeup song in Sabarimala temple much later.