கலி�ெதாைக

Kalithokai – கலி�ெதாைக

Kalithokai is one of the Eight Anthologies. It is Akam literature, which deals with all the 5 phases of love

experience. This book has 150 songs in the kali meter, of 12 to 80 lines by 5 poets, each of whom has

treated a different akam theme. Kalithokai and Thirumurukātrupadai are the later books, and could be

from the 5th century A.D.

Views about the authors: According to S. V. Damodaram Pillai, the entire Kalithokai was written by poet

Nallanthuvar. He found these original manuscripts and wrote urai for them.

Also, the Sangam poet Kapilar lived a few centuries earlier. Dr. Kamil Zvelebil is also of the view that the

whole book was written by one person in the Pandiyan kingdom. K.N. Sivaraja Pillai, Rajamanickam,

Takanobu Takahashi and others hold the same view. Others believe that it was compiled by

நல��வனா�, and there were 5 poets in total. கப�ல� sang the kurinji thinai songs, பாைல

பா�ய ெப��க��ேகா sang the Palai thinai songs, நல��வனா� sang the Neythal thinai

songs, ந���திர� sang the Mullai thinai songs, and ம�த� இளநாகனா� sang the

marutham thinai songs. Kalithokai was compiled much later, around the 5th century.

Dr. Zvelebil also writes that if this poet is a Kapilar, it is another Kapilar , and not the same one who was

a prolific poet in the earlier books – since Kalithokai was written a couple of centuries later than the

other Sangam books. There are more Sanskrit origin words in Kalithokai than in most of the other

anthologies. Much more influence of Hinduism can be seen here, than in the earlier books.

“ந!றிைண நல $%�ெதாைக , ஐ�$%'%, ஒ�த பதி!%)ப�� ஓ�$

ப+பாட, க!றறி�தா� ஏ��� கலிேயா�, அக�, /ற� எ�% இ�திற�த

எ1�� ெதாைக”.

The five land tracts (divisions) are used in Akam poems. Each poem will belong to one of these five

divisions. They are Kurinji, Mullai, Marutham, Neythal and Pālai - named after plants in the tract that

they grow in. The birds, animals, trees and flowers in that tract are described in the poem. The terrain in

that tract is the scenery in the poem. Each tract has a god, but there is no role of creator and created

here. The gods are just part of the scene; they preside, but only as natives of the landscape. Each tract is

associated with a phase of love.

Kurinji – lovers union, and mountain country, Pālai - separation, and the dry desert, Mullai – patient

waiting for the lover, and the forest, Neythal – anxious waiting and the seashore, Marutham – lover’s

infidelity and the beloved’s resentment, and the land is cultivated agricultural land or lowland.

These songs are the voices of the hero, his male friend, the heroine, her girl friend, her girl friend’s

mother (foster mother), her own mother, the concubine and the passers-by. The Akam poet does not

speak in his own voice. The reader only overhears what the characters say to each other, or to

themselves, or to a natural element. There are no names or places mentioned in such poems. They were

written to be love poems for all times, and for all the readers to feel that it applies to them. Poems in

this tradition imply, evoke, and enact drama in a monologue.

எ1��ெதாைக 'கள2 ஒ�% – Please read the opinions of scholars about the

authorship. Kalithokai is a later book (possibly 4th or 5th century A.D.), and Kapilar is not the same

Kapilar who sang in the much earlier Puram, Akam, Natrinai, Ainkurunuru and Kurunthokai. It is either a

later day Kapilar, or later commentators just assigned Kurinji thinai to Kapilar because he was quite an

expert in writing Kurinji poems. Thamodaram Pillai was of the opinion that the entire book is written by

நல��வனா�.

Songs - 9, 37, 38, 48, 51, 55, 57, 58, 59, 62, 65, 115, 135

கலி�ெதாைக 9 – பாைல 9, இய!றியவ�- நல��வனா� – ெசவ�லிய��

வ�னவ�� அ�தண+� வழி)ப���� ேப78� (Dr. Rukmani’s urai)

‘எறி�த� கதி� தா�கி ஏ�திய $ைட ந:ழ,

உறி� தா<�த கரக=�, உைரசா�ற =�ேகா��,

ெநறி)பட7 8வ அைசஇ, ேவ% ஓரா ெந>ச���

$றி)/ ஏவ ெசய மாைல7 ெகாைளநைட அ�தண :�! –

ெவ@இைட7 ெசல மாைல ஒA�க�த:�; இ@இைட,

எ�மகB ஒ��திC�, ப�றBமக� ஒ�வD�,

த�=ேள /ண��த தா� அறி/ண�7சிய�;

அ�னா� இ�வைர� காண :ேரா? – ெப�ம!’

‘காேண� அேல�; கEடன�, கட�திைட;

ஆE எழி அEணேலா� அ�>8ர� =�ன2ய

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நிைனC�கா, H�மகB Hம�$� ஆ�$ அைனயேள.

சீ� ெகA ெவE =�த� அண�பவ��$ அலைத,

ந:�ேள ப�ற)ப�D�, ந:��$ அைவ தா� எ� ெசGC�?

ேத��கா, H�மகB Hம�$ ஆ�$ அைனயேள.

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யாAேள ப�ற)ப�D�, யா<�$ அைவ தா� எ� ெசGC�?

JA�கா, H� மகB Hம�$ ஆ�$ அைனயேள

என ஆ�$ –

இற�த க!ப�னா1$ எ@வ� படர�மி�;

சிற�தாைன வழிபKஇ7 ெச�றனB;

அற� தைல)ப�+யா ஆ%� ம!% அ�ேவ.’

க���ைர – எறி�தைல த�கி�ற ஞாய�!றி� ெவ�ைமைய�

தா�$வத!காக ஏ�திய $ைடய�� நிழலி உறிய�ேல ைவ�த

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கEKேரா?ெப�ம! எ�றNட� அவ��,

“காணாம இ��ேத� அேல�. கEேட�. கா1�ைடேய

ஆEமகD�$+ய அழகிைனCைடய தைலவேனா� அ+ய 8ர�ைத� கட��

ேபாக� க�திய மா1சிைம)ப1ட அண�கல�கைள அண��த

மட)ப�ைதCைடய ெபEண�� தாயா் ேபாவ :�!

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அைத) ேபா�றவேள!

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மகQ� உம�$ அ�த�ைமயானவேள!

ஏAநர�/களா M1ட)ப1ட இன2ய இைச பா�ேவா��ேக பயன2ைன�

த�கி�ற�. அ� யாAேல ப�ற�தி��தா�� யாA�$ அ� எைத7

ெசGகி�ற�? சி�தி��) பா��கி� H� மகQ� உம�$ அைத)

ேபா�றவேள! எ�பதா, மிக உய��த க!ப�ைனCைடய அ)ெபER�$�

��ப�ைத� தராத:�! அவேளா, சிற�தவ� ப��ேன ெச�றனB.

அற�திலி��� மா%படா� ெச�� சிற�த வழிC� அ�ேவயா$�.”

எ�றா�.

ெசா!ெபா�B வ�ள�க� - எறி�த� – எறி�தைல த�கி�ற, கதி�தா�கி-

ஞாய�!றி� ெவ�ைமைய� தா�$வத!காக, ஏ�திய $ைட ந:ழ- ஏ�திய

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ெதா$தி, மாைல7 – இய/, ெகாைள – ெகாBைக, நைட-ஒA�க�, அ�தண :�! –

அ�தணேர! ெவ@இைட7 ெசல- ெவ�ைமயான கா1�ட�ேத

ெச�கி�றவ�, மாைல – இய/, ஒA�க�த:�-ெச�தைல உைடயS�;

இ@இைட- இ�கா1�ட�ேத, எ�மகB ஒ��திC�, ப�றBமக� ஒ�வD� –

எ� மகQ� ேவெறா��திய�� மகD�, த�=ேள – தம�$Bேள, /ண��த-

M�ன, தா� –அவ�கள2� M1ட�, அறி/ண�7சிய� – அயலா�� அவ�கள2�

/ண�7சிைய அறி�தன� ;அ�னா� இ�வைர� காண :ேரா? – அவ�கB

இ�வைரC� கEKரா? ெப�ம!-ெப�மாேள, காேண� அேல� – பா��காம

இ��ேத� எ�% மா%படவ�ைல ; கEடன�-கEேட�, கட�திைட-

கா1�ைடேய; ஆE எழி – அழகிய ஆEமக�, அEணேலா� –

தைலவேனா�, அ�>8ர�-கட�த!க+ய கா�, =�ன2ய-ேபாக� �ண��த,

மாE இைழ மடவர – மா1சிைம)ப1ட அண�கல�கைள அண��த ெபE,

தாய�� – தாய�, ந:�ேபாறி�-ேபாகி�ற:� ந:�, பலஉ% ந%>சா�த� –

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அலைத- Pசி� ெகாBபவ��$) பய� ெகா��கிறேத தவ�ர, மைலCேள

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மைல�$ அைவ எ�ன ெசGகி�றன? நிைனC�கா- நிைன��) பா��தா,

H�மகB- உ� மகQ�, Hம�$� ஆ�$ அைனயேள – உன�$

அ�த�ைமயேள, சீ�ெகA – சிற)பான ஒள2வ :8�, ெவE=�த� –

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ெதள2�தா, H�மகB – உ� மகQ�, Hம�$-உன�$, ஆ�$ அைனயேள-

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இைச, =ரபவ��$ அலைத – பா�ேவா��$ அலா�, யாAேள

ப�ற)ப�D�-யாழிட��) ப�ற�தா��, யா<�$-யாA�$, அைவதா� எ�

ெசGC�?-அைவ எ�ன ெசGகி�றன? JA�கா-ஆராG�தா, H� மகB

Hம�$ ஆ�$ அைனயேள-உ� மகQ� உன�$ அ�த�ைமயானவேள,என

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வா<ைவ ேம!ெகாEடவQ�$,(களவ�ேல தா� கE� ந1/

ெகாEடவேனா� இலற வா<ைவC� ேம!ெகாBளவேத அற� எ�%

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படர�மி�-ெப��காத:�, சிற�தாைன –சிற�த தைலவைன, வழிபKஇ7 –

ப��ப!றி, ெச�றனB-ெச�றி��கி�றாB; அற� – இலற�, தைல – சிற�த,

ப�+யா – ேவ%படாத, ஆ%�-(இலற�தி�) இய/� , ம!% அ�ேவ-

ேம�� அ�ேவயா�.’

கலி�ெதாைக 37, கப�ல�, $றி>சி திைண 1, தைலவ� ேதாழிய�ட� ெசா�ன�

கய மல� உE கEணாG! காணாG; ஒ�வ�

வய மா� அ�� ேத�வா� ேபால�, ெதாைட மாEட

கEண�ய�, வ�ல�, வ��; எ�ைன ேநா�$/,

=�ன�தி� கா1�த அல�, தா� உ!ற

ேநாG உைர�கலா� ெபய��ம�, ப நாQ�!

பாய ெபேற எ�, பட� M���, அவ� வய��,

ேசேய� ம� யாD� �ய� உழ)ேப�; ஆய�ைட�

கE நி�% M%த ஆ!றா�, அவ� ஆய��;

ெபE அ�%, உைர�த நம�$ ஆய��; ‘இ�னUஉ�

காணா�, கழித�� உE�’ எ�%, ஒ� நாB, எ�

ேதாB ெநகி</ உ!ற �யரா �ண�த��, ஓ�

நாE இ�ைம ெசGேத�, ந% Hதா! ஏன

இன� கிள2 யா� க��� ஓ�/� /ன�� அய,

ஊச ஊ��� ஆட, ஒ� ஞா�% வ�தாைன,

‘ஐய! சிறி� எ�ைன ஊ�கி’ என� Mற�,

‘ைதயா! ந�%’ எ�% அவ� ஊ�க�, ைக ெநகி</,

ெபாGயாக வ :<�ேத�, அவ� மா�ப�; வாGயா7 ெச��,

ஒGெயன ஆ�ேக எ��தன�; ெகாEடா� ேம

ெமG அறியாேத� ேபா கிட�ேத�ம�; ஆய�ைட

ெமG அறி�� ஏ!% எAேவ� ஆய��, ம!% ஒGெயன,

‘ஒE $ழாG! ெசக’ என� Mறி வ��� பEப��

அ�கE உைடய� அவ�!

Listen, my friend with kohl painted eyes

that look like dark lily flowers!

A peerless man carrying a bow on his shoulder

and wearing well-made flower garlands,

came to see me in the woods every day,

pretending that he was tracking wild animal pug marks.

His face expressed his painful love affliction for me,

but he chose to say nothing.

I was unable to sleep

seeing this man plunged in deep sorrow.

He did not express his love to me;

my feminine modesty prevented me

from consoling him.

Thinking that he was wasting away,

my shoulders got thin with sorrow,

and I did a shameless thing.

Oh, my friend with fragrant forehead!

Near the millet field where I stood guard,

driving clusters of parrots, and protecting grain,

I sat on a swing and swayed about;

he came there on that day,

“Sir, push my swing a little bit”, I said,

“Alright lady, I’ll do that”, he said.

Pretending that my hands slipped,

I fell on his bosom.

He thought that I really fell from the swing,

grabbed me quickly, and held me close to his chest.

I lay there pretending.

If I rose up, he’d have said, “Lady of shining ornaments! please leave”,

Such a refined gentleman he was. Translated by Vaidehi

கய மல� – dark lily, உE கEணாG – eyes painted with kohl, காணாG – you see,

ஒ�வ� – a man, வய மா� அ�� ேத�வா� ேபால – like he’s searching for wild

animal pug marks, ெதாைட மாEட – well woven, கEண�ய� – garland, வ��;

எ�ைன ேநா�$/, – will come to see me, =�ன�தி� கா1�த அல� – he does

not show any sign or, தா� உ!ற ேநாG உைர�கலா� ெபய��ம� – does not tell

about the (love) disease that he’s afflicted with, ப நாQ� – for many days, பாய

ெபேறஎ� – could not sleep, பட� M��� – sadness grew, அவ� வய�� – toward him,

ேசேய�ம� யாD� – I took pity, �ய� உழ)ேப� – became sad, ஆய�ைட� கE – from there,

M%த ஆ!றா� அவ� – he would not talk, ஆய�� – but, ெபE அ�% – being a

woman, , உைர�த நம�$ ஆய�� – speaking, my mind is not for me, ‘இ�னUஉ�

காணா� – doesn’t find a solution, கழித�� உE� – wasting himself, ஒ� நாB – ஒ�

நாB, எ� ேதாB ெநகி</ உ!ற �யரா – due to the pain my shoudlers became thin,

�ண�த�� – courageously, ஓ� நாE இ�ைம ெசGேத� – I indulged in a shameless act,

ந% Hதா – one with a fragrant forehead, ஏன – millet field, இன� கிள2 – cluster of

parrots, யா� க��� ஓ�/� – where I guard and chase, /ன�� அய – near the fields,

ஊச ஊ��� ஆட – swinging in the swing, ஒ� ஞா�% வ�தாைன – one day when he

came, ‘ஐய! சிறி� எ�ைன ஊ�கி – Sir, push me a little bit, ‘ைதயா! ந�% – Good,

lady, எ�% அவ� ஊ�க� – and he pushed, ைக ெநகி</ – hands slipped, ெபாGயாக

வ :<�ேத� – acted like I fell down, அவ� மா�ப� – அவ� மா�ப�, வாGயா7 –

truth, ெச�� – thinking, ஒGெயன ஆ�ேக எ��தன� ெகாEடா� – he caught me

with a sound & held me, ேம ெமG அறியாேத� ேபா கிட�ேத�ம� – I lay on him

like I wasn’t aware of my body, ஆய�ைட ெமG அறி�� – for if I realize the truth, ஏ!%

எAேவ� ஆய�� – if I get up, ம!% ஒGெயன – he’ll say quickly, ‘ஒE $ழாG!

ெசக’ – ‘ lady of shining jewels’ leave, என� Mறி வ��� பEப�� – he had the

class/character to say this, அ�கE – refiinement, உைடய� அவ� - he had this.

கலி�ெதாைக 38, கப�ல�, $றி>சி 2, ேதாழி தைலவன2ட� தா� Mறியைத)

ப!றி தைலவ�ய�ட� ெசா�ன� – the last paragraph is when we see the heroine’s friend

addresses the heroine directly. The rest are her words to the hero which she quotes to the heroine.

இைமய வ� வா�கிய ஈ�> சைட அ�தண�

உைம அம��� உய� மைல இ��தன� ஆக,

ஐ இ� தைலய�� அர�க� ேகாமா�

ெதா�) ெபாலி தட� ைகய�� கீ< /$��, அ� மைல

எ��க ெசலா� உழ)பவ� ேபால -

உ% /லி உ� ஏG)ப) P�த ேவ�ைகைய�

க%N ெகாE�, அத� =த $�திய மத யாைன,

ந:� இ� வ�ட� அக� சில�ப� MG�, த�

ேகா� /G�கலா�, உழ�$� நாட! ேகB;

ஆ� இைட எ�னாG ந: அரN அ>சாG வ�த�கா,

ந:� அ!ற /லேம ேபா /ெல�றாB, ைவகைற,

கா� ெப!ற /லேம ேபா, கவ�� ெப%�; அ� கவ��

த:ராம கா)ப� ஓ� திற� உEேட உைர�ைத� காE!

இ�B இைட எ�னாG ந: இரN அ>சாG வ�த�கா,

ெபா�B இலா� இளைம ேபா /ெல�றாB, ைவகைற,

அ�B வலா� ஆ�க� ேபா அண�ெப%�; அ@ அண�

ெத�ளாம கா)ப� ஓ� திற� உEேட, உைர�ைத� காE;

மற�தி��தா� எ�னாG ந: மைல இைட வ�த�கா,

அற� சாரா� X)ேப ேபா அழித�காB, ைவகைற,

திற� ேச��தா� ஆ�க� ேபா தி��த$�; அ� தி�)

/ற�M!%� த:�)ப� ஓ� ெபா�B உEேட உைர�ைத� காE;

என ஆ�$,

நி� உ% வ�Aம� Mற� ேக1�

வ�ேம, ேதாழி! ந மைல நாட� -

ேவ�ைக வ�+N இட� ேநா�கி,

வ :�$ இைற) பைண� ேதாB வைர�தன� ெகாள!ேக.

I said to him:

Man of the mountain country where such elephants live, listen!

The Brāhmin with his curved bow and wet hair

is seated with Uma in the tall mountains;

the demon king with bright anklets puts his wide hands underneath

and struggles to lift that mountain and fails.

A forest elephant thinks that a vengai tree in bloom is a tiger,

thrusts his tusks into it in anger,

screams in frustration unable to pull them out,

and sounds echo between the mountain crevices.

You came through difficult paths at night and without fear;

my friend who was sad like land without rain before you came,

became beautiful in the morning, like land with rainfall.

That beauty

needs to be protected; there is a way. Listen to me!

You came in the dark night and without fear,

my friend who was like a young poor person before you came,

became beautiful in the morning, like a rich person with grace.

That beauty

needs to be protected; there is a way. Listen to me!

You came through rough forest tribal land,

my friend who was like an uncharitable old person before you came,

became beautiful like a smart and rich person with wealth.

That beauty

should not come under attack by slanderers; there is a way to end it. Listen to me!

And so my friend,

when he heard your pain, the good mountain man

awaits the vengai blooming season;

he with big forearms and wide shoulders, will be here to fix the wedding! Translated by Vaidehi

இைமய வ� – Himalayan bow, வா�கிய – curved, ஈ�> சைட அ�தண� – wet hair

brahmin, உைம அம��� – sat with Uma, உய� மைல இ��தன� ஆக – he was in the

tall mountains, ஐ – lord, இ� தைலய�� – two headed, அர�க� ேகாமா� – demon king,

ெதா�) ெபாலி – bright anklets, தட� ைகய�� – with big hands, கீ< /$�� – thrust it

under, அ� மைல – that mountain, எ��க ெசலா� – unable to life, உழ)பவ� –

one who struggles, ேபால – like, உ% /லி – strong tiger, உ� ஏG)ப) – form received him,

P�த ேவ�ைகைய� – bloomed vengai trees (has yellow flowers, appears like a tiger), க%N

ெகாE�, got angry – அத� =த $�திய மத யாைன – elephant which pierced it,

ந:� இ� – long two, வ�ட� அக� – wide mountain crevices, சில�ப� – loud sound, MG�,

த� – it made loud noises, ேகா� – tusks, /G�கலா� – unable to remove, உழ�$� –

exist, நாட – man of such country, ேகB – listen ஆ� – difficult, இைட – path, ந: அரN – you

at night, அ>சாG வ�த�கா – came without fear, ந:� அ!ற /லேம – land without

water, ேபா – like /ெல�றாB – she lost her beauty, ைவகைற – morning, கா�

ெப!ற /லேம ேபா – like land which got rain, கவ�� ெப%� – become beautiful, அ�

கவ�� – that beauty, த:ராம கா)ப� – protect it from being lost, ஓ� திற� உEேட

– there’s a method, உைர�ைத� காE – listen to what I say, இ�B – dark, இைட – path,

எ�னாG ந: இரN அ>சாG வ�த�கா – you still came unafraid of the night, ெபா�B

இலா� – without material things, இளைம ேபா – like the young, /ெல�றாB – she

lost her beauty, ைவகைற – morning, அ�B வலா� – one filled with grace, ஆ�க�

ேபா அண�ெப%� – she’ll become beautiful like wealth, அ@ அண� – that beauty,

ெத�ளாம – confused, கா)ப� – protect, ஓ� திற� உEேட – there’s a method,

உைர�ைத� காE – listen to what I say, என ஆ�$ – and thus, நி� உ% வ�Aம�

Mற� ேக1� – hearing the difficulties to go through, வ�ேம – to ger here, ேதாழி – my

friend, ந மைல நாட� – our mountain country man, ேவ�ைக வ�+N இட�

ேநா�கி – she looks forward to vengai flowers blooming , வ :�$ இைற) – big forearms,

பைண� ேதாB – wide shoulders, வைர�தன� ெகாள!ேக – will come to fim (marriage).

கலி�ெதாைக 48 - கப�ல�, $றி>சி திைண 12, ேதாழி தைலவன2ட� Mறிய�

ஆ� இழி அண� மைல அல� ேவ�ைக� தைக ேபால�,

ேத X8, நைன கNB, திைச காவ ெகாள!$ ஒ�த

வாG நிலா வலி =�ப��, வE� ஊ� /க� =க�

ப� மைழ அ��க�த, மா வ�8�/ ஓ�கிய

க� மர� ���திய, கம< கடா� திக<த��

ெப� கள2!% இன�ெதா�, வ :�$ எ��� எ%< =�ப��

இ�� /லி மய�$!ற இக மைல ந நாட!

வ :< ெபய க�$லி� வ�ள2 ஓ��த ஒ��க�தா,

வாA� நாB சிற�தவB வ��� ேதாB தவ% உEேடா -

தா< ெசறி க�� கா)ப�� தாG =�ன�, நி� சார

ஊA% ேகாட ேபா, எ வைள உ$பவா?

இைன இ�B இ� என ஏ�கி, நி� வர நைசஇ,

நிைன �ய� உழ)பவB பா� இ கE பழி உEேடா -

‘இைனயB’ எ�% எ��� அர!%� அய =�ன�, நி� 8ைன�

கைன ெபய ந:ல� ேபா, கE பன2 க�<பவா?

ப நாQ� பட� அட), பசைலயா உண)ப1டாB

ெபா� உைர மண� அ�ன, மாைம� கE பழி உEேடா -

இ� Hைர7 ெச��/ அர!%� ெச@வ�CB, நி� ேசாைல -

மி� உ$ தள2� அ�ன, ெமலிN வ�� உைர)பதா?

Mountain country man! You are from where water flows down

mountain slopes,

where the guarding spotted elephant’s face is like vengai flowers,

and bees swarm around flowing fragant musth.

Your lofty mountain ranges are filled with dense forests,

your streams are strewn with big boulders,

and big-necked fierce tigers attack elephant herds.

Do you know your lover’s suffering?

Her mother has locked her up and stands guard at night,

her shoulders have drooped in sadness, her bangles

have dropped like spent kodal petals on your mountain.

When it is dark, she pines for you;

thinking of you, she is in great pain.

Slanderers gossip about her, who is not to be blamed.

She puts up with it like blue water lilies in your pond, that put up with heavy rain.

She has sufferered in pain for many days, and has withered.

Is the dark one whose skin is like gold embedded with gems to be blamed?

She is sad and thin like plants that have lost their brightness

in your garden, where waterfalls come down with sweet spray.

And so,

please give in, and come back to her.

I worry that her eyes are in pain, she

is grieving and is quite sad;

her pain is larger than your boundless mountains! Translated by Vaidehi

ஆ� இழி – water flowing down, அண� மைல – beautiful mountains, அல� – bloomed,

ேவ�ைக� தைக ேபால� – like nice vengai flowers, ேத X8 – sweet musk, நைன

கNB – wet cheeks, திைச காவ ெகாள!$ ஒ�த – protecting directions like, வாG

நிலா – unable to stand opposite, வலி =�ப�� – great strength, வE� ஊ� /க�

=க� – bees swarming around the face, ப� மைழ – அ��க�த – mountain range, மா

வ�8�/ – tall skies, ஓ�கிய – lofty, க� மர� – many trees, ���திய – boulders, கம<

கடா� – fragrant musk, திக<த�� – very strong, ெப� கள2!% இன�ெதா� – big

elephant groups, வ :�$ எ��� – thick neck, எ%< =�ப�� – great strength, இ�� /லி

– big tiger, மய�$!ற இக – fighting, மைல ந நாட -man from the good mountain

country

வ :< ெபய – heavy rains, க�$லி� – night, வ�ள2 – noise to wake her up, ஓ��த

ஒ��க�தா – sad and thinking about you, வாA� நாB சிற�தவB – she is a nice

person, வ��� ேதாB – her shoulders have become thin, தவ% உEேடா – is this her

fault, தா< ெசறி – close doors, க�� கா)ப�� தாG =�ன� – in front of her strict

guarding mother, நி� சார – your mountain, ஊA% ேகாட ேபா – like withered kodal

petals, எ வைள உ$பவா – her bangles slip down

இைன இ�B – in this darkness, இ� என ஏ�கி – yearning for you, நி� வர – your

arrival, நைசஇ – loving it, நிைன �ய� உழ)பவB – thinking about you and is sad, பா�

இ – without sleep, கE – eyes, பழி உEேடா – is it at fault, ‘இைனயB’ எ�%

எ��� அர!%� அய =�ன� – in front of others who slander her as such, நி�

8ைன� – your spring, கைன ெபய - heavy rains, ந:ல� ேபா – like blue (lily) flowers,

கE பன2 க�<பவால – crying with tears in her eyes

ப நாQ� பட� அட) – sad for many days, பசைலயா உண)ப1டாB – she’s

afflicted with pain, ெபா� உைர மண� அ�ன – like gems embedded in gold, மாைம� –

dark woman, கE பழி உEேடா – is she to blame, இ� Hைர7 – foam, ெச��/

அர!%� – noisy ெச@வ�CB – spring, நி� ேசாைல – your garden,

மி� உ$ தள2� அ�ன – like the plant without brightness, ெமலிN வ��

உைர)பதா – she has become thin I have to say

என ஆ�$ – and hence, ப�� ஈத ேவE�� – please give her, ந: ப�+�ேதாB ந1/

– your friendship to the lonely one – என ந:வ�) – remove, P� கE ப�த�� அ>8வ

– I’m afraid that her flower like eyes are sad, தா�கிய – carrying, அ�� �ய� – big sadness

அவல� – pain, U�கி� – hurt, ம��$ அறிவாரா மைலய�D� ெப+ேத – bigger

than the mountains without limits

கலி�ெதாைக 51, – $றி>சி திைண 51, தைலவ� ேதாழிய�ட� ெசா�ன�

8ட� ெதாKஇ! ேகளாG – ெத�வ� நா� ஆ��

மண சி!றி காலி� சிைதயா, அைட7சிய

ேகாைத ப+��, வ+) ப�� ெகாE� ஓ� ,

ேநாத�க ெசGC� சி% ப1�, ேம ஓ� நாB,

அ�ைனC� யாD� இ��ேதமா, ‘இலிேர!

உER ந:� ேவ1ேட�’ என வ�தா!$, அ�ைன

‘அட� ெபா� சிரக�தா வா�கி7, 8ட� இழாG!

உER ந:� ஊ1� வா’ எ�றாB; என, யாD�

த�ைன அறியா� ெச�ேற�; ம!%, எ�ைன

வைள =� ைக ப!றி நலிய�, ெத�ம�தி1�,

‘அ�னாG! இவ� ஒ�வ� ெசGத� காE!’ எ�ேறனா,

அ�ைன அலறி) பட�தர, த�ைன யா�,

‘உER ந:� வ��கினா�’ எ�ேறனா, அ�ைனC�

த�ைன) /ற�/ அழி�� ந:வ, ம!% எ�ைன�

கைட� கEணா ெகாவா� ேபா ேநா�கி, நைக M1ட�

ெசGதா�, அ� கBவ� மக�!

Listen my bright-bangled friend!

That wild brat

who used to kick our little sand houses

with his leg,

pull flower strands from our hair,

and yank striped balls from us

causing us agony,

came one day when mother and I were at home.

“O, people of this house,

please give me some water to drink”, he said.

Mother said to me, “Pour water in the thick gold vessel,

and give it to him to drink, my daughter

with bright jewels”.

And so I went unknowingly that he had come there.

He seized my bangled arm and pressed it,

shocking me.

“Mother, see what he has done”, I shouted.

My distressed mother came running

with a shriek,

and I said to her “he had hiccups while drinking water”.

Mother stroked his back gently,

and asked him to drink slowly.

He looked at me through the corners of his eyes,

smiled a lot, and gave me killer looks,

that thief. Translated by Vaidehi

8ட� ெதாKஇ – bright bangled one!, ேகளாG – listen, ெத�வ� நா� ஆ�� – when we

played on the street, மண சி!றி – little sand houses, காலி� சிைதயா – kick with his

feet, அைட7சிய ேகாைத – flower strands, ப+�� – pulled, வ+) ப�� ெகாE� ஓ�

– took away our striped ball, ேநாத�க ெசGC� – causes pain, சி% ப1� – little brat, ேம

ஓ� நாB – this one day, அ�ைனC� யாD� இ��ேதமா – when mother and I were

together, இலிேர – house residents, உER ந:� ேவ1ேட� – I’m requesting drinking

water, என வ�தா!$ – as he came, அ�ைன – mother, அட� ெபா� சிரக�தா

வா�கி7 – give him in the thick golden bowl, 8ட� இழாG – jewelled one, உER ந:�

ஊ1� வா – give him water to drink, எ�றாB – எ�றாB, என, யாD� – and so I,

த�ைன அறியா� ெச�ேற� – went unaware, ம!%, எ�ைன வைள =�ைக

ப!றி – he grabbed my bangled forearm, ப!றி நலிய� – held and pressed, ெத�ம�தி1� –

shocked, அ�னாG! இவ� ஒ�வ� ெசGத� காE – mother, see what he has done,

அ�ைன அலறி) – mother cried, பட�தர - distressed, த�ைன யா� – I said,

‘உER ந:� வ��கினா�’ – he hiccuped while drinking, அ�ைனC� த�ைன) /ற�/

அழி�� ந:வ – mother stroked his back gently, ம!% எ�ைன� கைட� கEணா

ெகாவா� ேபா ேநா�கி – subsequently, he looked at me through the corner of eyes giving

killer looks, நைக – smile, M1ட� – many, lot, அ� கBவ� மக� – that thief

கலி�ெதாைக 55, கப�ல�, $றி>சி திைண 19, தைலவ� ேதாழிய�ட� ெசா�ன�

மி� ஒள2� அவ�� அற இைட ேபாA� ெபயேல ேபா,

ெபா� அைக தைக வகி� வைக ெநறி வய�கி1�)

ேபா< இைட இ1ட கம< ந%� P� ேகாைத,

இ� நைக, இல�$ எய�!%�, ேதெமாழி�, �வ�7 ெச@வாG

ந Hதா நின�$ ஒ�% M%வா�; ேகB, இன2;

‘நி’ என, நி%�தா�; நி%�ேத வ��.

Hத��, =கD�, ேதாQ�, கER�,

இய��, ெசா��, ேநா�$/ நிைனஇ,

‘ஐ ேதG�த�%, ப�ைறC� அ�%;

ைம த:��த�%, மதிC� அ�%;

ேவG அம�ற�%, மைலC� அ�%;

P அம�ற�%, 8ைனC� அ�%;

ெமல இய��, மய��� அ�%;

ெசால� தள��, கிள2C� அ�%’

என ஆ�$,

அைனயன பல பாரா1�), ைபெயன,

வைலவ� ேபால7 ேசா� பத� ஒ!றி),

/ைலய� ேபால) /� கE ேநா�கி�,

ெதாழ�� ெதாAதா�; ெதாட�� ெதா1டா�;

கா< வைர நிலா� க�� கள2% அ�ேனா�

ெதாYஉ�; ெதாZஉ�; அவ� த�ைம

ஏைழ� த�ைமேயா இைல, ேதாழி!

“O your hair,” he said,

“It’s like rainclouds

moving between

branches of lightning.

It parts five ways

between gold ornaments,

braided with a length of flowers

and the fragrant screwpine.

“O your smiles, your glistening teeth,

words sheer honey,

mouth red as coral,

O fair brow,

I want to tell you

something,

listen, stop and listen,”

he said, and stopped me.

Came close,

to look closer

at my brow, my hands, my eyes

my walk, my speech,

and said, searching

for metaphors:

Amazed, it grows small, but it isn’t the crescent.

Unspotted, it isn’t the moon.

Like bamboo, yet it isn’t on a hill.

Lotuses, yet there’s no pool.

Walk mincing, yet no peacock.

The words languish, yet your’e not a parrot,”

On and on he praised my parts,

with words gentle and sly,

looked for my weakening

like a man with a net

stalking an animal.

watched me

as my heart melted,

stared at me

like a butcher at his prey,

O he saluted me, saluted me,

touched me O he touched me,

a senseless lusting elephant

no goad could hold back.

Salute and touch,

and touch again he did,

but believe me, friend,

I still think he is not really

a fool by nature. Translated by A.K. Ramanujan

மி� ஒள2� – shining bright, அவ�� – branches, அற – lightning, இைட ேபாA� –

moving between, ெபயேல ேபா – like the rainclouds, ெபா� – gold, – flourish, தைக –

beauty, வகி� – parting hair, ெநறி வய�கி1�) – thick hair braided, ேபா< இைட இ1ட

– screwpine (thaazampoo) tied between, கம< ந%� P� ேகாைத – aromatic/fragrant flower

garland, இ� நைக – sweet smile, இல�$ எய�!% – shining teeth, ேதெமாழி� – honey

words, �வ�7 ெச@வாG – coral red mouth, ந Hதா – the one with a fair brow,

நின�$ ஒ�% M%வா� – I want to tell you something, ேகB, இன2 – listen now, ‘நி’

என, நி%�தா� – he said stop and stopped me, நி%�ேத வ�� – came close,

Hத��, =கD�, ேதாQ�, கER� – forehead, face, shoulders, eyes, இய��

ெசா�� – walk and speech, ேநா�$/ நிைனஇ – looking steadily, ஐ – amazing,

ேதG�த�% – wanes, ப�ைறC� அ�% – not the crescent moon, ைம த:��த�% – has

no spots, மதிC� அ�% – not the moon, ேவG – bamboo, அம�ற�% – resembles,

மைலC� அ�% – not on the hill, P அம�ற�% – resembling lotus, 8ைனC�

அ�% – not the pool, ெமல இய��, மய��� அ�% – delicate walk, but not the

peacock, ெசால� தள��, கிள2C� அ�% – words languish, but not a parrot, என

ஆ�$, அைனயன பல பாரா1�) – and there, he praised all my parts, ைபெயன – gently,

வைலவ� ேபால7 – like a hunter, ேசா� – to be fatigued, பத� – followed, stalked, ஒ!றி

– spy, /ைலய� ேபால) – like a butcher, /�கE ேநா�கி� – watched my melting eyes,

ெதாழ�� ெதாAதா� – bowed to me, ெதாட�� ெதா1டா� – touched me, கா< –

goad, வைர நிலா� – unable to hold back, க�� கள2% அ�ேனா� – like a senseless

male elephant, ெதாYஉ�; ெதாZஉ�; – bow, touch, அவ� த�ைம – his nature, ஏைழ�

த�ைமேயா இைல, ேதாழி! – not a fool, my friend

கலி�ெதாைக 57, கப�ல�, $றி>சி திைண 21, தைலவ� ெசா�ன�

ேவG என� திரEட ேதாB, ெவறி கம< வண� ஐ�பா,

மா ெவ�ற மட ேநா�கி�, மய� இய, தள�/ ஒகி -

ஆG சில�/ அ+ ஆ�)ப, அவ�� ஒள2 இைழ இைம)ப�

ெகா� என, மி� என, அண�$ என, யா� ஒ�%�

ெத+கலா இைடய�� கE கE கவ�/ ஒ��$ ஓட,

வளைம சா உய� சிற)ப�� H�ைத ெதா வ�ய நக�

இளைமயா� எறி ப�ெதா� – இக�த�தாG! ேகB இன2;

P� தE தா�) /ல� சா�தி�, ெத�னவ� உய� Mட

ேத� பாய அவ�< ந:ல�� அல� ெவ�ற அம� உE கE

ஏ�� ேகா1� எழி யாைன ஒ�னாதா��$ அவ� ேவலி�,

ேச�� ந: இைனையயா; ஒ�தேதா? – சி� ெமாழி!

ெபாழி ெபய வEைமயா� அேசாக� தE காவ�DB,

கழி கவ�� இள மாவ�� தள2� அ�னாG! அத� தைல)

பைண அைம பாG மா� ேத� அவ� ெச!றா� நிற� பாG�த

கைணய�D�, ேநாG ெசGத கட)/ அ�ேறா? – கன� $ழாG!

வைக அைம தE தாரா� ேகா� உய� ெபா�)ப�� ேம,

தைக இண� இள ேவ�ைக மல� அ�ன 8ண�கினாG!

மத வலி மி$ கடாஅ�� அவ� யாைன ம�)ப�D�

கதவவா – த�கேதா? கா< ெகாEட இள =ைல!

என ஆ�$,

இைனயன Mற, இைற>8/ நில� ேநா�கி,

நிைனC/, ெந�� ஒ�% நிைன)பாB ேபா, ம!% ஆ�ேக,

�ைண அைம ேதாழிய��$ அம��த கEணB,

மைன ஆ�$) ெபய��தாB, எ� அறிN அக)ப��ேத!

Shoulders like rounded bamboo,

fragrance filled five wavy braids,

gentle glances of the deer,

peacock looks, swaying walk,

fine anklet bells jingling,

glittering jewels shining,

like a delicate vine, like lightning,

like a deity, with slender waists

not visible that my eyes seek in secrecy.

Wealthy man of high status

is your father, his house a mansion,

you ran out chasing the ball

your threw in your youthful zeal,

Let me tell you, listen now;

Your kohl painted wide eyes

are more beautiful

than those of the honey-filled,

blue lilies in bloom in lofty Koodal city,

where the Pandian king with cool

flower garlands and sandal smeared chest rules.

Your eyes cause me more pain

than that inflicted by the spears

of the Pandian king to his enemies,

as he rides his huge tusked elephant

Does this befit you, girl of few words?

The king showers gifts like the rain clouds,

and in his asoka grove,

are very beautiful tender leaves of the mango trees

which are of your gentle complexion.

Your eyes cause me great agony -

like that given by the king to his enemies,

when he shoots arrows and makes them bleed,

from his horse driven chariot.

Does this befit you, damsel of big ornaments?

The yellow spots on your skin resemble

the delicate vengai flowers

that bloom in bunches on the high mountains with peaks,

owned by the Pandian king wearing cool flower garlands.

Your breasts draped with pearl strands attack me.

The hurt is more than that inflicted

by the king’s strong elephants with huge tusks.

Does this befit you?

As I said all these,

she bent down looking at the earth below,

lost in her thoughts,

did not utter a word for a long time.

She saw her companions who were nearby

went back into her house,

taking my mind with her. Translated by Vaidehi

ேவG – bamboo, என� திரEட ேதாB – like rounded shoulders, ெவறி கம< – strong

fragrance, வண� ஐ�பா – wavy five braids, மா ெவ�ற மட ேநா�கி� – glaces like the

deer, மய� இய – peacock looks, தள�/ ஒகி – swaying slender walk, ஆG – beautiful,

சில�/ – anklets with bells, அ+ – anklets, ஆ�)ப – jingle, அவ�� – glitter, ஒள2 – light,

இைழ – jewels, இைம)ப – shine, ெகா� என – like a vine, மி� என – like lightning,

அண�$ என- like a goddess, யா� ஒ�%� ெத+கலா இைடய�� கE – waists

that are not even noticeable, கE கவ�/ ஒ��$ ஓட – my eyes were attracted and they

went there, வளைம சா உய� சிற)ப�� H�ைத – rich and highly esteemed

(your) father, ெதா வ�ய நக� – ancient large mansion, இளைமயா� – youthful, எறி

ப�ெதா� – throwing the ball, இக�த�தாG – what you’ve given here

ேகB இன2 – listen now.

P -P, தE – cool, தா�) – garland, /ல� சா�தி� – smeared sandal, ெத�னவ� உய�

Mட – Pandiyan’s lofty Koodal city, ேத� பாய – honey flowing, அவ�< ந:ல�� – bloomed

blue (lily), அல� – enemies, அம� – battle, ெவ�ற – won, உE கE – eyes with kohl, ஏ��

ேகா1� – large tusks, எழி யாைன – எழி யாைன, ஒ�னாதா��$ – enemies,

அவ� ேவலி� – his spear, ேச�� – anger, ந: இைனையயா – your torment,

ஒ�தேதா? – does this suit?, சி� ெமாழி – few words.

ெபாழி ெபய – gift showering, வEைமயா� – liberal donor, அேசாக� – Asoka trees,

தE – cool, காவ�DB – grove, கழி கவ�� – very beautiful, இள மாவ�� தள2�

அ�னாG – woman (with complexion like) tender mango leaves, அத� தைல) – there,

பைண – horse stables, அைம – lined, பாG – leaping, மா� – horses, ேத� – chariot,

அவ� – his, ெச!றா� நிற� பாG�த – blood color, கைணய�D� – more than the

spears, ேநாG ெசGத – causing pain, கட)/ அ�ேறா – is it not cruel, கன� $ழாG –

one with heavy jewels.

வைக அைம தE தாரா� – one wearing many colored garlands, ேகா� – mountain -

உய� – high, ெபா�)ப�� ேம – on the hill slopes, தைக – beautiful, இண� – bunch,

இள ேவ�ைக மல� அ�ன – like fresh vengai flowers, 8ண�கினாG – one with yellow

spots, மத வலி மி$ கடாஅ�� – strong elephants with musk, அவ� யாைன

ம�)ப�D� – elephant tusks, கதவவா – attack, த�கேதா – is this proper, கா<

ெகாEட இள =ைல – young breasts draped with 3 pearl strands (கா<).

என ஆ�$ – என ஆ�$, இைனயன Mற – as I said all these, இைற>8/ நில�

ேநா�கி – bent down and looked at the earth, நிைனC/ – thought, ெந�� ஒ�%

நிைன)பாB ேபா – like she thought about something for a long time, ம!% ஆ�ேக –

then there, �ைண அைம ேதாழிய��$ அம��த கEணB – she saw her friends who

were there, மைன ஆ�$) ெபய��தாB – went into her house, எ� அறிN

அக)ப��ேத – my mind went with her.

கலி�ெதாைக 58, கப�ல� , $றி>சி திைண – தைலவ� ெசா�ன�

வா� உ% வண� ஐ�பா, வண�$ இைற ெந� ெம� ேதாB,

ேப� எழி மல� உE கE, ப�ைண எழி மா� ேநா�கி�,

கா� எதி� தள2� ேமன2�, கவ�� ெப% 8ட� Hத,

M� எய�!% =ைக ெவE ப, ெகா� /ைரC� H8)ப�னாG,

ேந� சில�/ அ+ ஆ�)ப நிைர ெதா�� ைக வ :சிைன,

ஆ� உய�� ெவௗவ��ெகாE� அறி�த:யா� இற)பாG! ேகB;

உளனா, எ� உய�ைர உE�, உயN ேநாG ைக�மிக,

இளைமயா� உணராதாG! நி� தவ% இலாD�,

கைளந� இ ேநாG ெசGC� கவ�� அறி��, அண���, த�

வளைமயா� ேபா�த�த Hம� தவ% இ எ�பாG;

நைட ெமலி��, அய�N உற:இ, நாQ� எ� நலிC� ேநாG

மடைமயா� உணராதாG! நி� தவ% இலாD�,

இைட நிலா� எG�$� நி� உ� அறி��, அண���, த�

உைடைமயா ேபா�த�த Hம� தவ% இ எ�பாG;

அல M��� அழிNற, அண�$ ஆகி அட�� ேநாG

ெசாலிD� அறியாதாG! நி� தவ% இலாD�,

ஒைலேய உய�� ெவௗN� உ� அறி��, அண���, த�

ெசவ�தா ேபா�த�த Hம� தவ% இ எ�பாG;

என ஆ�$,

ஒ%)ப��, யா� ஒ%)ப� Hமைர; யா�, ம!% இ� ேநாG

ெபா%�கலா� வைர�� அ�றி) ெப+� ஆய��, ெபால� $ழாG!

ம%�� இ@ ஊ� ம�ற�� மட ஏறி,

நி%�$ெவ� ேபாவ யா�, ந: ப� பழிேய

Listen!

You beautiful girl with flowing curly hair

with five-part braids,

collyrium laden flower-like eyes,

bent forearms, long delicate shoulders,

body like the rainy season’s new sprouts,

beautiful bright forehead,

bud-like sharp teeth and vine-like slender waist

and jingling anklets,

you walk away swaying your bangle filled hands

without knowing that you are hurting me.

This painful disease is too much to bear

and it is eating away my life.

You are young and don’t understand

that it’s your fault

and that this disease cannot be cured by itself.

Your wealthy family has allowed you to step out

knowing that your beauty could cause this.

You might say that it is not their fault.

I am tired and depressed as days go by

because of this painful disease.

You are innocent and don’t understand

this constant pain.

Your wealthy family has allowed you to step out

knowing that your delicate body can cause this.

You might say that it is not their fault.

I try to tell you of my increasing

and fearful spreading disease

and you don’t understand me.

Even though it is not your mistake

this disease is hurting my life very much.

Your wealthy family has allowed you to step out

knowing that your body can cause this.

You might say that it is not their fault.

And so,

I have been punished, and I will punish you

if I am unable to bear this disease.

Girl with gold earrings!

If this pain increases, I will lose restraint

and climb the palmyra horse in the town square,

and you are the one to be blamed. Translated by Vaidehi

வா� உ% – flowing, வண� – curly, ஐ�பா – five-braided hairstyle, வண�$ இைற –

bent forearms, ெந� ெம� ேதாB – long delicate shoulders, ேப� எழி – great beauty,

மல� – flower (like), உE கE – eyes with கE ைம, ப�ைண – female, எழி – beautiful,

மா� ேநா�கி� – deer looks, கா� எதி� – like the rainy season, தள2� – delicate sprouts,

ேமன2 – body, கவ�� ெப% 8ட� Hத – beauty filled bright forehead, M� எய�!% –

sharp teeth, =ைக ெவE ப – bud (like) teeth, ெகா� /ைரC� H8)ப�னாG – waist

like a delicate vine, ேந� சில�/ – fitting anklets, அ+ ஆ�)ப – bells jingling, நிைர ெதா��

– stacked (with) bangles, ைக வ :சிைன – moved your hands, ஆ� உய�� – precious life,

ெவௗவ��ெகாE� – hurting me (by attracting), அறி�த:யா� – without knowing, இற)பாG

– you move away, ேகB – listen

உளனா, எ� உய�ைர உE� – eating away my life, உயN ேநாG – sorrowful disease,

ைக�மிக – too much, இளைமயா� – because of youth, உணராதாG – you don’t

understand, நி� தவ% இலாD� – even though it’s not your mistake, கைளந� இ

ேநாG – diseases that cannot be cured, ெசGC� – will cause, கவ�� அறி�� அண��� –

knowing your beauty, த� – their, வளைமயா� – wealthy, ேபா�த�த – allowed you to go out,

Hம� – your family, தவ% இ – not at fault, எ�பாG – you might say

நைட ெமலி�� – slow walk, அய�N உற:இ – have become tired, நாQ� – daily, எ�

நலிC� ேநாG – my painful disease, மடைமயா� – innocent girl, உணராதாG – don’t

understand, நி� தவ% இலாD� – even though it’s not your mistake, இைட நிலா�

– without gap, எG�$� நி� உ� – your delicate body, அறி�� அண��� – knowing well,

த� – their, உைடைமயா – wealthy, ேபா�த�த – allowed you to go out, Hம� – your

relatives, தவ% இ – not their fault, எ�பாG – you might say

அல – pain, M��� – increasing, அழிNற – destructive, அண�$ ஆகி அட��

ேநாG – fearful spreading disease, ெசாலிD� – even when I tell, அறியாதாG – you don’t

understand, நி� தவ% இலாD� – even though it’s not your mistake, ஒைலேய –

rapidly, உய�� – life, ெவௗN� – hurting, உ� அறி�� அண��� – knowing that your body

(will hurt others), த� – their, ெசவ�தா – wealth, ேபா�த�த – allowed you to go out,

Hம� – your family, தவ% இ – not their fault, எ�பாG – you might say

என ஆ�$ – and thus, ஒ%)ப�� – if punished, யா� ஒ%)ப� Hமைர – I will punish

you, யா� – I, ம!% இ� ேநாG – with this disease, ெபா%�கலா� வைர��

அ�றி) – if I am unable to bear it, ெப+� ஆய�� – and it increases, ெபால� $ழாG –

one with gold earrings, ம%�� – I will oppose, இ@ ஊ� – (in) this town, ம�ற�� மட

ஏறி – climb on a palmyra horse in this town’s square, நி%�$ெவ� – to have (the disease)

stopped, ேபாவ யா� – I will go and do it, ந: ப� பழிேய – you are going to be blamed

கலி�ெதாைக 59, கப�ல�, $றி>சி திைண 23, தைலவ� ெசா�ன�

தைள ெநகி<, ப�ண� நிவ�த பா8 அைட� தாமைர

=ைள நிமி��தைவ ேபா�� =��� ேகா அவ�� ெதா�,

அ��க� நா% அல� கா�தB HE ஏ� தE ஏ� உ�வ��

��)/ என) /ைரC� நி� திரEட, ேந� அ+ =�ைக7

8ட� வ�+ வ�ைன வாG�த UைதC� பாைவC�

வ�ைளயாட, அ+) ெபGத அழ$ அைம /ைன வ�ைன

ஆG சில�/ எA�� ஆ�)ப, அ� சில இய�� நி�

ப��D வ�1� இ�ள2ய ஐ�பா கE�, எ� பால

எ�ைன வ�1� இக�தர, இற�த:வாG! ேகB, இன2;

‘ம�ள2, யா� ம�B உற இவ� உ!ற� எவ�?’ எ�D�

‘அ�B இைல இவ1$’ என அயலா� நி� பழி�$�கா,

ைவ எய�!றவ� நா)பE, வைக அண�) ெபாலி��, ந:

ைதய� ந:� ஆ�ய தவ� தைல)ப�வாேயா?

உ�B இழாG! ‘ஒள2 வாட, இவ� உB ேநாG யா�’ எ�D�

‘அ�B இைல இவ1$’ என அயலா� நி� பழி�$�கா,

ெபாGதல மகைளயாG), ப�ற� மைன) பா�, ந:

எGதிய பல��$ ஈ�த பய� பய�கி!பேதா?

ஆG ெதா�! ‘ஐ� உய����, இவ� உB ேநாG யா�?’ எ�D�

‘ேநாG இைல இவ1$’ என ெநா�மல� பழி�$� கா,

சி% =�தைன) ேபண�7 சி% ேசா% ம���, ந:

ந% Hதலவெரா� ந�க� ந�$ இையவேதா?

என ஆ�$,

அைனயைவ – உைளயN�, யா� நின�$ உைர�தைத

இைனய ந: ெசGத� உதவாG ஆய��, ேச இழாG!

ெசGதத� பய� ப!% வ�டா�;

நய� ப!% வ��� – இைல – நைசஇேயா� திற�ேத.

The one who wears pearl-studded gold bangles that look like decked lotus petals in bloom!

The one who has beautiful fingers that are like the fragrant delicate kānthal flowers of the mountain

slopes!

The one who has slender long arms like ladles!

Did you come to play with your red striped clay toys and dolls?

I saw your beautiful hair flowing down your shoulders when you walked by, with your jingling beautiful

anklets.

I lost my senses as you ignored me with your silence. Listen to me!

I am confused and infatuated with you.

‘What happened to him?’, ‘Has she no grace?’ is how others will accuse you,

wearing lots of jewels, you play with your sharp toothed girlfriends.

Will your thai month ritual bath help you now?

One with jewels on your head!

I lose luster, and others ask, ‘What happened to him?’, ‘Has she no grace?’ and blame you.

Do you benefit from the playful rituals that you did,

and the songs that you sang in strangers’ houses, and giving away charity gifts?

Beautiful jeweled one! Watching me sigh, ‘What inner disease does he have?’, ‘No he does not have a

disease’

is how others will slander you,

while you are playing with your little male doll and feeding him rice

with your friends with fragrant foreheads. Is this good to do?

I have expressed my pain and my thoughts

Beautifully jeweled one!

Your cruel act will effect you.

Having no grace will not help you.

I have come to you with love. Is this how you ignore me? Translated by Vaidehi

தைள ெநகி< – petals opening, ப�ண� – fastened, tightly set, நிவ�த – spread, பா8 – green

leaf, அைட – surrounded, தாமைர – lotus, =ைள – buds, நிமி��தைவ -lifted, ேபா��

-like, =��� ேகா – pearl set in gold, அவ�� ெதா� – beautiful bangle, அ��க� –

mountain slopes, நா% – fragrant, அல� கா�தB – bloomed kanthal, HE ஏ� – delicate

beautiful, தE ஏ� – cool beautiful, உ�வ�� – fingers, ��)/ என) – like a ladle,

/ைரC� – appearing like, நி� திரEட – நி� திரEட, ேந� அ+ – straight beautiful,

=�ைக – =�ைக, 8ட� வ�+ – red lines, வ�ைன வாG�த – created, made,

UைதC� – small clay toys, பாைவC� – doll, வ�ைளயாட – to play, அ+) ெபGத –

beauty fillled, அழ$ – அழ$, அைம – excellent, /ைன வ�ைன – well made, ஆG

சில�/ – pretty anklets, எA�� – walk, ஆ�)ப – jingle, அ� சில இய�� – such

beautiful attributes, நி� – your, ப��D வ�1� – hair braid, இ�ள2ய – black, ஐ�பா –

five part braid, கE� – கE�, எ� பால – my ability, எ�ைன வ�1� – எ�ைன

வ�1�, இக�தர – left, இற�த:வாG – quiet mouthed one, ேகB, இன2 – listen now,

‘ம�ள2, யா� ம�B உற – I’m confused, இவ� உ!ற� எவ� – what happened to

him, எ�D� – எ�%, ‘அ�B இைல இவ1$’ – she has no grace, என – என,

அயலா� – others, நி� பழி�$�கா – they will blame you, ைவ எய�!றவ� – sharp

teeth, நா)பE – in the middle, வைக அண�) ெபாலி�� – wearing many jewels, ந: – you,

ைதய� – thai month, ந:� ஆ�ய – bathed in holy stream, தவ� தைல)ப�வாேயா –

will the penance help you,

உ�B இழாG – one with a round hair jewel, ஒள2 வாட – lost luster, இவ� உB ேநாG

யா� – what is his disease, எ�D� – எ�%, ‘அ�B இைல இவ1$’ – she has no grace,

என – என, அயலா� – others, நி� பழி�$�கா – they will blame you, ெபாG –

playfully, தலமகைளயாG) – worshipping a deity, ப�ற� மைன) பா� – sing in other

homes, ந: – you, எGதிய – attained, பல��$ ஈ�த – give to some, பய� பய�கி!பேதா – does that benefit you?

ஆG ெதா� – beautiful bangled one, ஐ� உய���� – sighing, இவ� உB ேநாG யா�

– what is his inner disease, எ�D� – எ�%, ‘ேநாG இைல இவ1$’ – he is not diseased,

என ெநா�மல� பழி�$�கா – when slanderers blame you like this, சி% =�த� –

small play boy doll, அைன) ேபண�7 – tend to it, சி% ேசா% ம��� – feed the rice , ந: –

you, ந% Hதலவெரா� – lady friends with fragrant foreheads, ந�க� ந�$ இையவேதா

-

என ஆ�$ – there, அைனயைவ – everything, உைளயN� – saddened, யா�

நின�$ உைர�தைத – said what I thought, இைனய ந: ெசGத� உதவாG ஆய��

– if you don’t help me, ேச இழாG – beautiful jewelled one, ெசGதத� பய� – the result of

your actions, ப!% வ�டா� – will not go away, நய� – desire, ப!% – attachment, வ��� –

destroy, hurt, இைல – இைல, நைசஇேயா� – one who loves, திற�ேத – is proper

கலி�ெதாைக 62, கப�ல�, $றி>சி திைண 26, தைலவ�C� தைலவD�

ெசா�ன�

ஏஎ! இஃ� ஒ�த�, நாE இல� – த�ெனா�

ேமேவ� எ�பாைரC� ேமவ�ன� ைக)ப!%�;

ேமவ�D�, ேமவா�கைடC� அஃ� எலா�

ந: அறிதி; யா� அஃ� அறிகேல�; P அம�ற

ெம இண� ெசலா� ெகா� அ�னாG! நி�ைன யா�

/ இன2� ஆகலி�, /லிென�; – எலா!

தம�$ இன2� எ�%, வலிதி� ப�ற��$ இ�னா

ெசGவ� ந�% ஆேமா ம!%?

8ட� ெதாK! ேபா!றாG கைள, நி� =��$ைறைம; ேபா!ற� ேகB

ேவ1டா��$ இன2� ஆய�� அல�, ந:��$ இன2� எ�%

உEபேவா, ந:� உEபவ�?

ெசGவ� அறிகேல�; யா� ெசGேவ� ெகாேலா -

ஐ வாG அரவ�� இைட)ப1�, ைந வாரா?

‘ைம இ மதிய�� வ�ள�$� =க�தாைர

ெவௗவ�� ெகாள�� அற�’ என� கEட�%;

அறD� அ� கEட!% ஆய��, திற� இ�றி�

M%� ெசா ேகளா�, நலித��; பE� நா�

ேவ% அல� எ�ப� ஒ�% உEடா; அவெனா�

மா% உEேடா, ெந>ேச! நம�$?

Hey, boy, have you no shame?

You’re trying to unite me with you

by gripping my hand,

even if I don’t want to.

Girl, you know all that.

I don’t know about it.

You are like a delicate

vine with clusters of flowers.

I desired your sweet embrace, and

embraced you.

Boy, you can’t cause distress

to others just because it’s sweet for you.

Is it good to do this?

Bright bangled one! Forget analyzing it.

Use your high intellect. Listen,

water is sweet to the thirsty person,

but it’s not sweet to the water itself.

I don’t know what to do.

Bright one with a moon like face!

Old wisdom says that it’s okay

to steal and take a girl,

if she’s distressed by a five headed snake.

He doesn’t listen to my words.

He’s wasting away. If that’s what is wisdom,

maybe we weren’t strangers in the past.

Maybe, I was united with him.

Is there a block to that thought, my heart? Translated by Vaidehi

Her – ஏஎ! இ·� ஒ�த� – hey, this guy, நாE இல� – has no shame, த�ெனா� – with

him, ேமேவ� எ�பாைரC� – those refusing to unite with him, ேமவ�ன�

ைக)ப!%� – grip her hands to unite, ேமவ�D�, ேமவா�கைடC� – even if she doesn’t

want to unite.

Him – அ·� எலா� ந: அறிதி – you know all that, யா� அ·� அறிகேல� – I don’t

know about it, P – flowers, அம�ற – close, ெம இண� – delicate clusters of flowers,

ெசலா� ெகா� – delicate vine, அ�னாG! நி�ைன – you, யா� – me, / இன2�

ஆகலி� – desired for sweet embrace, /லிென� – I embraced.

Her – எலா! – hey, தம�$ இன2� எ�% – just because it’s sweet for you, வலிதி�

ப�ற��$ இ�னா – causing pain to others, ெசGவ� ந�% ஆேமா ம!%? – is it good

to do this?

Him – 8ட� ெதாK – bright bangled one, ேபா!றாG கைள – forget thinking about it, நி�

=��$ைறைம – high intelligence, ேபா!ற� ேகB – listen to it, ேவ1டா��$ இன2�

ஆய�� – sweet for the thirsty ones, அல� – or, ந:��$ இன2� எ�% – sweet to the

water, உEபேவா – drink, ந:� உEபவ� – those who drink? ெசGவ� அறிகேல�;

யா� ெசGேவ� ெகாேலா – I don’t know what else to do, ஐ வாG அரவ�� – 5 headed

snake, இைட)ப1� – disturbance, ைந வாரா – be sad, ைம இ மதிய�� – moon

without blemish, வ�ள�$� =க�தாைர – bright faced one, ெவௗவ�� ெகாள�� –

steal and take அற� – justice, என� கEட�% – it appears.

Her – அறD� அ� கEட!% ஆய�� – If that’s what justice is, திற� இ�றி� –

without the abilitity, M%� ெசா ேகளா� – doesn’t listen to words, நலித�� – wasting

away, பE� நா� – in the past we, ேவ% அல� எ�ப� ஒ�% உEடா –

were’nt strangers, but unite, அவெனா� – with him, மா% உEேடா – is there a block,

ெந>ேச நம�$ – my heart, for us.

கலி�ெதாைக 65, கப�ல�, $றி>சி திைண 29, தைலவ� ெசா�ன�

தி��� இழாG! ேகளாG, ந� ஊ��$ எலா� சா��

ெப� நைக! அக நிக<�த�; ஒ� நிைலேய

ம�பைத எலா� ம��த இ�� க�$,

அ� �கி ேபா�ைவ அண�ெபற ைதஇ, ந�

இ� சாய மா�ப� $றி நி�ேற� யா� ஆக� -

த:ர� தைற�த தைலC�, த� க�ப��

கார� $ைற��, கைற)ப1� வ��, ந�

ேச+ய�� ேபாகா =ட =தி� பா�)பாைன�,

ேதாழி! ந: ேபா!%தி எ�றி – அவ� ஆ�ேக,

பாரா�, $றழா), பண�யா), ‘ெபாA� அ�றி

யா� இவE நி�ற:�?’ என� Mறி), ைபெயன

ைவ காE =� பக1��, ப�க�தி� ேபாகா�,

‘ைதயா! த�பல� தி�றிேயா?’ எ�%, த�

ப�$ அழி���, ‘ெகாEK’ என� தர�� – யா� ஒ�%�

வாGவாேள� நி!ப� – க�� அக�% ைகமாறி�

‘ைக)ப��க)ப1டாG சி%மி! ந: ம!%, யா�

ஏைன ப�சா8, அ�B எ�ைன நலித+�,

இ@ ஊ�) பலி ந: ெபறாஅம ெகாBேவ�’

என) பலN� தா�கா� வாG பா� நி!ப -

=� பா�)பா� அ>சின� ஆத அறி��, யா�, எ>சா�

ஒ� ைக மண ெகாE�, ேம Uவ� கEேட

க�� அர!றி) Pச ெதாட�கின�, ஆ�ேக,

ஒ��கா வய�தி�, ெகா�� ேக<�, க��கE

இ�� /லி ெகாEமா� நி%�த வைலCB ஓ�

ஏதி $% ந+ ப1ட!றா; காதல�

கா1சி அA�க, ந� ஊ��$ எலாஅ�

ஆ$ல� ஆகி வ�ைள�தைத எ�%� த�

வா<�ைக அ� ஆக� ெகாEட =� பா�)பா�

வ :<�ைக) ெப�� க�� M��.

My friend wearing perfect jewels!

Listen!

This will get our town to laugh.

It happened last night.

When our townsfolk were asleep,

draping myself in beautiful clothing, I

waited for my handsome chested man.

The bald headed leper with his clothing

partially covering his face,

the blemished one who has landed in our town,

that lame old brāhmin,

the one you warned me about, showed up,

spotted me, bowed to me and asked,

“why are you here at this unsightly hour?”.

Slowly, he stuck to my side like an old buffalo

that has sighted hay.

“lady, will you eat my betel leaves and nuts?”,

he asked me as he opened his pouch,

and said again, “take these”,

he tried to hand it to me.

I was speechless, he spoke without restraint,

and said

“girl, you have fallen into my hands!

if you are one, I am the other spirit.

You better be gracious to me.

If you trouble me, I’ll take away the offerings

you have received from this town”.

He prattled on and on,

and I realized that the old fellow

was scared of me.

I picked up a fistful of sand

and threw it at him

and he immediately caused an uproar.

It was like a useless little fox

getting trapped

in a net spread out to catch a fierce-eyed

mightly tiger with curved stripes.

This old brahmin has deprived me

of my tryst with my lover,

has brought suffering to this village.

He has made this his way of life, and his downfall

last night was a big funny street drama. Translated by Vaidehi

தி��� – perfect, இழாG – one wearing jewels, ேகளாG – ேகளாG, சா�� ெப�

நைக! – befitting laughter, அக நிக<�த� – happened last night, ஒ� நிைலேய –

when, ம�பைத – town people, எலா� ம��த – everyone in deep sleep, இ�� க�$

– dark midnight, அ� – beautiful, �கி ேபா�ைவ – wrapped clothing, அண�ெபற ைதஇ –

beautifully worn, இ� சாய மா�ப� $றி நி�ேற� யா� ஆக� – waiting for the

handsomely chested man, த:ர� தைற�த தைலC� – totally bald head, த� க�ப�� –

his clothes, கார� $ைற�� – hiding his face, கைற)ப1� – blemished, வ�� – வ��,

ந� ேச+ய�� – our town, =ட =தி� பா�)பாைன� – lame old brahmin, ேதாழி! ந:

ேபா!%தி எ�றி – friend, you warned me, அவ� ஆ�ேக – அவ� ஆ�ேக, பாரா�,

$றழா), பண�யா) – spotted, bent, and bowed, ெபாA� அ�றி யா� இவE நி�ற:�?’

என� Mறி) – why are you, here at this untimely hour, he asked, ைபெயன – slowly, ைவ

காE – see hay, =� பக1�� – old buffalo, ேபாகா� – stayed, ‘ைதயா! த�பல�

தி�றிேயா?’ எ�% – ‘lady do you want betel leaves and nuts, த� ப�$ அழி��� –

opened his pouch, ‘ெகாEK’ என� தர�� – ‘take’ he said and gave, யா� ஒ�%�

வாGவாேள� நி!ப� – I stood without saying a word, க�� அக�% ைகமாறி� – fast

and without restraint, ‘ைக)ப��க)ப1டாG சி%மி! – girl, you have fallen into my hands, ந:

ம!%, யா� ஏைன ப�சா8 – if you are one I’m the other spirit, அ�B எ�ைன

நலித+� – if you are not gracious to me, இ@ ஊ�) பலி ந: ெபறாஅம ெகாBேவ�’

– I’ll take away the offerings given, to yo by this town, என) பலN� தா�கா� வாG பா�

நி!ப – as he rattled many words and I was unable to hear it, =� பா�)பா� அ>சின�

ஆத அறி��, யா� – I realized that the old brahmin was scared, எ>சா� – didn’t stop,

ஒ� ைக மண ெகாE� – I took a handful of sand, ேம Uவ� கEேட – seeing me

throw it, க�� அர!றி) Pச ெதாட�கின� – he caused an uproar and started to yell,

ஒ��கா வய�தி� – strong tiger, ெகா�� ேக<� – curved lines, க��கE இ��

/லி – tiger with fierce eyes, ெகாEமா� – capture, நி%�த வைலCB ஓ� ஏதி $%

ந+ ப1ட!றா – like an useless small fox captured in the net,

காதல� கா1சி அA�க – seeing my lover was not possible any more, ந� ஊ��$

எலாஅ� ஆ$ல� ஆகி – brought pain to our, town people, த� வா<�ைக அ� ஆக�

ெகாEட =� பா�)பா� – this was the way of life for the old brahmin, வ :<�ைக) – his

downfall, ெப�� க�� M�� – big street drama

கலி�ெதாைக 115, =ைல திைண 15 தைலவ�C� ேதாழிC� ெசா�ன�

ேதாழி! நா�, காணாைம உEட க�� கBைள, ெமG Mர

நாணா� ெச�% ந��க உைர�தா�$�

கர�தUஉ� ைகெயா� ேகாB ப1டா�, கEடாG; ந�

/ இன�� ஆய� மக� J� வ�த� ஓ�

=ைல ஒ� காA� கEண�C�, ெமலியா!

M�த�B ெபG� =��ேத� ம�; ேதாழி! யாG

ெவEெணG உைரஇ வ�+�த க�)ேபாேட,

அ�ைனC� அ�தD� இலரா, யாG நாண,

அ�ைன =� வ :<�த�% அ) P.

அதைன வ�னவ�� ெசGயாB; சினவ�� ெசGயாB;

ெந�)/� ைக ெதா1டவ� ேபால வ�தி��தி1�,

ந:�கி) /ற�கைட ேபாய�னாB. யாD�, எ�

சா�� உள� Mைழ =�யா, நில� தா<�த

P� கைர ந:ல� தழ:இ�, தள�/ ஒகி),

பா�க�� கான�� ஒள2�ேத�. – அத!$, எலா

ஈ�$ எவ� அ>8வ�?

அ>ச – அவ� கEண� ந: /ைன�தாG ஆய��, நம��

அவ� கE அைட J<�தா� நி�ைன. அக கE

வைர)ப� மண தாழ) ெபG�, திைர)ப�

வ�ைவC� ஈ�ேக அய�ப; அ�ேவ யா�

அக�� J<�த வ�ைன!

Friend,

like someone who gets drunk secretly

on hard liquor until it oozes

from his body,

and goes on to brag shamelessly

till listeners shiver, and then gets caught

with the stolen liquor in his hand,

I too got caught

with my secret in my hands:

my goatherd lover’s string of jasmine

that I’d twined in my hair

fell before my foster-mother

as she loosened my hair to smear it with butter,

and embarassed her before Father, Mother,

and others in the house.

And she didn’t ask a thing about it, or get angry,

but like someone shaking off a live coal

she shook it off and moved into the backyard.

Then I dried my hair perfumed with sandal,

knotted it,

and picking up the end

of my blue flower-border dress

that comes down to the floor

I tiptoed in fear and hid

in the thick of the forest.”

“O you got scared because of that? No fears.

Even as you wore your young man’s garlands,

they too have conspired to give you to him.

They’ll pour soft sand in the wide yard,

put curtains all around, and make a wedding there very soon.

Not only all day today, but all night yesterday,

we’ve been scheming to do just that”. Translated by A.K. Ramanujan

ேதாழி – friend, நா�, காணாைம உEட க�� கBைள – like liquor drunk in secret,

ெமG – body, Mர – lot, நாணா� – without shame, ெச�% -go, ந��க – shiver,

உைர�தா�$� – tell about it, கர�தUஉ� – oozing, ைகெயா� ேகாB ப1டா� – got

caught with my secret, கEடாG, ந� – our, / இன�� – cattle, ஆய� மக� – herder,

J� – wore, வ�த� – came with ஓ� – one, =ைல – jasmine, ஒ� காA� a strand,

கEண�C� – garland, ெமலியா – the delicate one, M�த�B ெபG�

=��ேத� ம� – I twined it in my hair, ேதாழி, ஆG – foster mother, ெவEெணG –

butter, உைரஇ – smear, வ�+�த – spread, க�)ேபாேட – in my hair, அ�ைனC�

அ�தD� இலரா – since mother and father were there, ஆG நாண – foster mother was

shamed, அ�ைன =� வ :<�த�% அ) P. – those flowers fell before mother,

அதைன வ�னவ�� ெசGயாB – she didn’t ask about it, சினவ�� ெசGயாB – she

didn’t get angry, ெந�)/� ைக ெதா1டவ� ேபால வ�தி��தி1� – like someone shaking

off live coal, ந:�கி)/ற�கைட ேபாய�னாB – she went to the backyard, யாD� – I too,

எ� – my, சா�� உள� – with sandal, Mைழ – hair, =�யா – knotted, நில� தா<�த –

(dress) touching the ground, P� கைர ந:ல� – flower border blue, தழ:இ� – flowing down,

தள�/ ஒகி) – saddened, பா�க�� – nearby, கான�� ஒள2�ேத� – hid in the

forest, அத!$, எலா ஈ�$ எவ� அ>8வ�? Did you get scared of that?, அ>ச –

don’t be scared, அவ� கEண� ந: /ைன�தாG – you wore his garland,

ஆய�� so, நம�� – our folks, அவ� கE அைட J<�தா� நி�ைன – have

conspired to give you to him, அக கE வைர)ப� – in the wide yard, மண தாழ)

ெபG� – pour soft sand, திைர)ப� – put curtains, வ�ைவC� ஈ�ேக அய�ப –

conduct the ceremony there, அ�ேவ யா� – that’s what, அக�� – yesterday too, J<�த

வ�ைன – thinking of doing it.

கலி�ெதாைக 135, ெநGத திைண 18 – ேதாழி ெசா�ன�

�ைண /ண��� எAத�� U நிற வல�/+

இைண திரB ம�)/ ஆக எறி வள2 பாகனா -

அய� திண� ெந�� கதN அைம��, அைட�� அண� ெகாEட

எய� இ� கள2ேற ேபா இ� மண ெந� ேகா1ைட)

பய� திைர, ந� ந�னாB, பாG�� உ]உ� �ைறவ! ேகB:

க� மல�) /�ைன� கீ< கா+ைக ேதா!றாைள�

ெதா� ெநகி<�த ேதாளளா� �ற)பாயா, ம!% நி�

$�ைம� கE ெப+ய� ஓ� $!றமாG� கிடவாேதா?

ஆG மல�) /�ைன� கீ< அண� நல� ேதா!றாைள

ேநாG மலி நிைலயளா� �ற)பாயா, ம!% நி�

வாGைம� கE ெப+ய� ஓ� வ>சமாG� கிடவாேதா?

திக< மல�) /�ைன� கீ< தி� நல� ேதா!றாைள

இக< மல�� கEணளா� �ற)பாயா, ம!% நி�

/க<ைம� கE ெப+ய� ஓ� /க� ஆகி கிடவாேதா?

என ஆ�$;

ெசால� ேக1டைன ஆய��, வேல,

அண� கிள� ெந� வைர அைல�$� நி� அகல��,

மண� கிள� ஆர� தாெரா� �யவர

உய�கினB உய���$� எ� ேதாழி�$

இய�$ ஒலி ெந�� திE ேத� கடNமதி வ�ைர�ேத!

You are from the seaport town

where the conch shells are like tusks

the fierce winds are like the elephant riders

the sand dunes are like forts

the loud waves are like tall doors with spear tips

that are attacked with force by elephants at midnight.

Listen:

Under the punnai trees with fragrant flowers,

she lost her beauty to you,

her armlets have slipped from her shoulder.

If you abandon her now,

will it not be shame to your family?

Under the punnai tree with beautiful flowers,

she lost her beauty to you,

she’s afflicted with love for you.

If you abandon her now after promises,

will it not be betrayal by you?

Under the punnai tree with splendid flowers,

she lost her beauty to you,

if you abandon the one with petal like eyes,

won’t it be a blame to your fame?

You have heard what I have to say,

strong man, one with chest like tall mountains

and wide oceans,

adorned with swaying gem-filled garland.

My friend is growing thin pining for your love.

Come here fast, with your loud and tall chariot. Translated by Vaidehi

�ைண /ண��� எAத�� – combine with the partner and arise, U நிற வல�/+ –

pure white colored (right-twisted) conch shell, இைண திரB – combined, ம�)/ ஆக – horns,

எறி வள2 பாகனா – fierce wind as the elephant driver, அய� திண� – arrow tips, ெந��

கதN அைம��, அைட�� – tall doors, well-built and closed,அண� ெகாEட – beautiful,

எய� இ� கள2ேற ேபா – like fort attacked by elephtants, இ� மண ெந�

ேகா1ைட) பய� திைர – loud waves, ந� ந�னாB – mid-night, பாG�� உ]உ�

– attack with force, �ைறவ – man from such a seashore port! ேகB – listen,

க� மல�) /�ைன� – fragrant flowered punnai tree, கீ< – below, கா+ைக

ேதா!றாைள� – lost her beauty to you, ெதா� – bangles, ெநகி<�த – slipping,

ேதாளளா� – with shoulders, �ற)பாயா – if you abandon her, ம!% நி� – and further,

you, $�ைம� கE ெப+ய� ஓ� $!றமாG� கிடவாேதா – isn’t this a big fault to

your family?

ஆG மல�) /�ைன� – beautiful flowered punnai tree, கீ< – below, அண� நல�

ேதா!றாைள -lost her beauty to you, ேநாG மலி நிைலயளா� �ற)பாயா – if

you’ll abandon the afflicted girl, ம!% நி� – and further, you, வாGைம� கE ெப+ய�

ஓ� வ>சமாG� கிடவாேதா – isn’t being not truthful a big betrayal?

திக< மல�) /�ைன� – splendid flowered punnai tree, கீ< – below, தி� நல�

ேதா!றாைள – lost her beauty to you, இக< மல�� கEணளா� �ற)பாயா – if

you abandon the one with the petal like eyes, ம!% நி� – and then, your, /க<ைம� கE

ெப+ய� ஓ� /க� ஆகி கிடவாேதா – won’t it be a blame to your fame?

என ஆ�$ – and there, ெசால� ேக1டைன ஆய�� – you heard what I had to say,

வேல – strong man, அண� – beautiful, கிள� ெந� வைர – filled tall mountains,

அைல�$� -moving, நி� அகல�� – your spread chests, மண� கிள� ஆர� – gem

filled garland, தாெரா� �ய வர – garland moving, உய�கினB உய���$� – growing

thin and pining, எ� ேதாழி�$ – my friend, இய�$ ஒலி – loud sounding, ெந�� திE

ேத� – tall strong chariot, கடNமதி வ�ைர�ேத – come rapidly