# Pennaal (music series)

Pennaal (Malayalam: പെണ്ണാൾ), meaning "The Woman," is also the title of a Malayalam music series that features five songs, each depicting a different stage in a woman's life—childhood, adolescence, youth, motherhood, and old age. The series was conceptualized by Shyla Thomas, a lyricist, media person, and technology entrepreneur, with contributions from Dr. Shani Hafees, a lyricist, author, entrepreneur and an Ayurveda doctor. Pennaal is noted as the first music series in Malayalam created entirely by women, and it explores various emotional and societal aspects of womanhood.

## Stage 1 - Baalyam (ബാല്യം) Childhood

The first song, 'Baalyam', was sung by well-known child artist Sreya Jayadeep and was released on March 3, 2019, in connection with International Women's Day. The song, filmed in Kozhikode and surrounding areas, features Sreya herself on screen.
Basic Information - Stage One - Baalyam
| Lyrics | Shyla Thomas |
| Singer & Artist | Sreya Jayadeep |
| Music | Gayathri Suresh |
| DOP | Chinnu Kuruvilla & Sumesh Sukumaran |
| Programming | Jecin George |
| Mixing & Mastering | Renjith Rajan |
| Released by | M.Jayachandran (Music Director) |
| Release date | 03 March 2019 |
| Song Link | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67hr6zFYDNM |

## Stage 2 - Kaumaaram (കൗമാരം) Adolescence

After Baalyam, Kaumaaram (Adolescence) was released on July 26, 2019, under the direction of National award-winning actress Surabhi Lakshmi, marking her directorial debut. The song portrays a girl's surreal thoughts, influenced by the traditional art form Nangiarkoothu. Promoted by prominent artists, the production featured contributions from cinematographer Pappinu and sound designer Renganath Ravee. Written by Shyla Thomas and composed by Gayathri Suresh, it was performed by Dr. Shani Hafees and filmed in Edamalayar and Kakkayam.
Basic Information - Stage Two - Kaumaaram
| Direction | Surabhi Lakshmi (Debut Direction) |
| Lyrics | Shyla Thomas |
| Singer | Dr. Shani Hafees |
| Music | Gayathri Suresh |
| DOP | Pappinu |
| Programming | Jecin George |
| Sound Design | Renganath Ravee |
| Sound Engineer | Vaitheeswaran Sankaran |
| Mixing & Mastering | Renjith Rajan |
| On Screen artists | Meenakshi Binesh, Dr. Indhu G, Kalamandalam Aswathy Aneesh, Margi Visishta, Margi Aswathy |
| Released by | Tovino Thomas, Miya, Anu Sithara, Aishwarya Lakshmi, Nimisha Sajayan and Samyuktha Menon |
| Release date | 26 July 2019 |
| Song Link | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em9Lyq16GR4 |

## Stage 3 - Youvanam (യൗവനം) Youth

Youvanam is the third song in the Pennaal series, focusing on the life of a village girl working in the handloom industry, who reflects on a past love affair. The visuals highlight the weaving process, while also paying tribute to the declining handloom industry. Directed by Shyla Thomas, the song was written and sung by Dr. Shani Hafees with music by Maduvanthi Narayan. Actress Asha Sarath released the first look poster, and Malayalam actor Mohanlal launched the song on March 1, 2020.
Basic Information - Stage Three - Youvanam
| Direction | Shyla Thomas |
| Lyrics & Singer | Dr. Shani Hafees |
| Music | Madhuvanthi Narayan |
| DOP | Pappinu |
| Programming | Vijay |
| Sound Design | Renganath Ravee |
| Sound Engineer | Vaitheeswaran Sankaran |
| Mixing & Mastering | Sujith Sreedhar, 2BQ Studios, Chennai |
| Flute | Vishnu Vijay |
| Location & Support | Shobha Viswanath, Weaver's Village |
| On Screen artists | Dhanya Ananya, Aami, Shini V, Anamika V Roy |
| Released by | Mohanlal |
| Release date | 01 March 2020 |
| Song Link | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xD3Nvo-JnI |

## Stage 4 - Maathruthvam (മാതൃത്വം) Motherhood

Maathruthvam is the fourth song in the Pennaal series, exploring the theme of motherhood. The song depicts a daughter reminiscing about her mother's care and affection through a series of scenes, as she revisits her now-empty ancestral home to relive the past. Maathruthvam has received attention in Malayalam media for its portrayal of these emotional memories and its unique features.
Basic Information - Stage Four - Maathruthvam
| Lyrics & Direction | Shyla Thomas |
| Singer | Dr.Shani Hafees |
| Creative Director | Surabhi Lakshmi |
| Music | Gayathri Suresh |
| DOP | Sumesh Sukumaran |
| Chief Associate Director | Jithu K Jayan |
| Editing | Rizal Jainy & Aravind Gopal |
| Programming | Jecin George |
| Mixing & Mastering | Renjith Rajan |
| Violin | Roopa Revathi |
| Veena | Vaibhavi R |
| On Screen artists | Savithri Sreedharan, Renju Govind, Sumitha Akhil, Baby Almithra Akhil |
| Poster Released by | Pearle Maaney |
| Song Release date | 16 October 2020 |
| Song Link | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnOmrAoiBg4 |

## Stage 5 - Vaardhakyam (വാർദ്ധക്യം) Old age

Vaardhakyam (Old Age), the fifth stage of the Pennaal series, was released on March 15, 2023, by Kerala MLA and former Health Minister KK Shailaja at the Different Art Centre in Trivandrum. The song portrays an elderly woman, a cancer survivor, rediscovering her passion for dance while interacting with differently-abled children and their mothers. The transformation in her life is captured through soothing lyrics and music, emphasizing themes of nostalgia, resilience, and joy in old age.
Basic Information - Stage Five - Vaardhakyam
| Lyrics & Direction | Shyla Thomas |
| Music & Singer | Sithara Krishnakumar |
| On Screen artists | Leela Samson, Shyla Thomas, RJ Sumi, Children and mothers of Different Art Centre |
| Venue | Different Art Centre (An initiative by Gopinath Muthukad for the differently abled children) |
| Release date | 15 March 2023 |
| Released by | KK Shailaja Teacher |
| Song Link | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKbtnxAcbXQ |

## The women within Pennaal

A group of women collaborated on the Pennaal project, contributing to various aspects of its creation. Key contributors included Shyla Thomas, Dr. Shani Hafees, Surabhi Lakshmi, Gayathri Suresh, Chinnu Kuruvilla, Madhuvanthi Narayan, Smitha Saleem, Archana Gopinath, and Devi Manoj. These women played significant roles in writing, direction, music, and production, collectively shaping the project.

## Trivia

The Pennaal music series, consisting of five songs representing the major milestones of a woman's life, is considered the first of its kind in the Malayalam music industry. Each stage is depicted through a thematic video that highlights either a traditional art form or a specific industry.