The New Malabari Football Wave “Panthal Chant”
When an English publication ranked the top ten football anthems, it considered three key criteria: intimidation, memorability, and resonance. Malayalam film maker and writer Muhsin Parari’s recently released Panthal Chant (can loosely translated to ‘let’s go football’), which features talented Malayalam (or Malabar) artists Dabzee (of Manavaalan Thug), Baby Jean (of KAAYI), and JOKER (of Malabari Banger), perfectly aligns with these benchmarks with its highly emotional and breath-taking lyrics, presentation, and the visual presentation. The anthem’s electrifying lyrics and captivating visuals have swiftly gone viral, becoming a sensation among football fans.
Panthal Chant embodies the deep-rooted passion for football within the Malabar region, particularly Malappuram. Muhsin Parari (aka Mu.Ri. in his lyricist avatar), known for his politically charged work like Native Bapa and its sequel Funeral of a Native Son, channels the collective pride of this region into this anthem. Muhsin Parari, who came to the limelight of Kerala’s public discourse with his Native albums announcing his artistic excursions as showcasing of ‘collective self-respect of the oppressed’, leaves his marks here as well, with capturing the emotional connection between football and the region. His previous major work as a writer which had football in its heart, Sudani from Nigeria, had discussed universal humanism exploring the bond between people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds, reflecting the power of compassion and empathy to transcend borders.
Dabzee, known for his powerful artistic expression rooted in regional identity, leads the way in this anthem, using the local dialect to encapsulate the community’s love for the beautiful game.
The lyrics were crafted by the trio of Dabzee, Baby Jean, and JOKER, with Parari providing creative oversight. Together, they created an anthem that fuses cultural authenticity with musical brilliance, and Panthal Chant comes out as an explosion of those words and emotions about football in the process.
The Malabar region has a centuries-old love for football, a legacy deeply ingrained in its identity. In Malappuram, it’s the football icons like Pele, Maradona, Ronaldo, Messi, and Neymar that adorn the walls, not cricket stars. This passion is also reflected in the region’s famed ‘Seven’s football,’ which attracts players from Africa.
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Following the success of Malabari Banger, which blended Mappilapattu with hip-hop, Panthal Chant builds on this foundation, merging Malabar’s love for football with its musical prowess. The music video opens with Dabzee cycling in a lungi, chanting “Panthalchan pova (let’s play football)”, instantly drawing viewers into the football frenzy of the region. Baby Jean’s rapid-fire rapping, blending football commentary with colloquial dialect, adds an energetic and appealing layer to the song. JOKER, whose performance comes towards the end, switches between native language and English, elevating the song before Dabzee takes the lead once more.
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Parari’s touch shines through not only in the lyrical content but also in the visual direction. His knack for weaving traditional symbols—such as the attire of kachimundu and the folk dance kolkali—into the music video brings out the essence of Malabar’s cultural richness. The music video reaches its peak with a cameo by Kerala’s legendary footballer I. M. Vijayan, whose words, “Pass ittoodeno? (Could’ve passed it, no?)” resonate with fans, while Messi’s iconic “Hands Up” celebration is incorporated with poignant lyrics paying homage to a mother’s strength – “manathu nokeet ummane orkum (Look up, and remember my mom’s strength)”.
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Panthal Chant is expected to resonate globally, celebrating Malabar’s football culture with authenticity and emotional depth. Muhsin Parari and his team have delivered a masterpiece, capturing the heartbeat of Malabar’s football love and delivering it to the world in a powerful, unforgettable anthem.
Watch the music video here:
