Question

The popularity of the famous Mappila song Kappappattu was so immense that the word Safeena/Sabeena subsequently came to be used as the generic name for the whole body of Arabi Malayalam poetry. What is the meaning of Sabeena ?

• A. Music
• B. Ship
• C. God's love
• D. Isal

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Ship

• The word Safeena/Sabeena means "ship" or "vessel" in Arabic.

• Initially, early Mappila poems were written on long, narrow pieces of paper, which were also called safeena due to their resemblance to a boat or ship's sail.

• This is why the popular Mappila song Kappappattu (meaning "song of the ship") was titled as such and the word safeena subsequently became a generic term for the entire body of Arabi Malayalam poetry.