__|OM

Natrinai is traditionally accepted as being the earliest of the eight Tamil anthologies. The word means
good thinai or good land - 00 g|OM. It is in Akam thinai, and it has 400 poems from nine
to 12 lines, by 192 poets. The poems range from 9 to 12 lines. However, poem 238 has 8 lines and 7
poems (64, 110, 221, 241, 372, 379, and 393) have 13 lines. It is missing poem 234. In addition, it has an
invocatory poem by ML@uGgOG, which was added in the 8th century, many centuries after
the poems, by the compiler. It has poems in all the five akam thinais marutham, mullai, kurinji, neydal
and plai. The compiler remains anonymous, but the anthology was completed under the patronage of
the Tamil king LGG_ gg LMG u_G O@g|, who composed poems 97 and
301 in the collection. The compiler is unknown. Linguistically speaking, there is hardly a single Sanskrit
loan word in the entire collection, writes Dr. Martha Ann Selby.

__|OM - 1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 11, 12, 17, 22, 27, 28, 30, 33, 38, 45, 52, 54, 60, 61, 64, 70, 79, 86, 90, 95,
97, 98, 100, 102, 105, 110, 111, 118, 119, 124, 136, 147, 149, 150, 152, 162, 169, 172, 175, 176, 180,
182, 184, 191, 195, 199, 200

__|OM 1, dLl0, @_|@8| g|OM gO0Ol Ggg|lLu M8GG@
|G_ M800 _ Gg@ @G|
OG@u OG Ggu LlQ _|0G[;
guO[g gM g@ 2g|, uu|O88
8g|0 Mg_gg g u GgG GL0,
QO[ uG_, QO[G GdMOu;
@G@ Ou 20du GL0g
gu @G@ Ou u @ @u|
@ @g0 L8gg0 @8|8
8|@Ou 2@LGO? M8Q _|0G[!

He is truthful in speech, eternal in sweet friendship,
and inseparable in our love and embrace.
My friendship with my esteemed man
is like a bee collecting cool pollen from the lotus
flower, carrying it to the tall sandal trees,
and making sweet honey.
Just as the world cannot live without water,
I cannot exist without him.
He loves me, is gracious, and fears that
separation will bring pallor to my forehead.
Will he even consider doing that silly act?
He does not know to do that! Translated by Vaidehi

d@g@O[ M800| M800|0|@@ u@LLgO. @G|OudL
Lg@u gGOuOL. OG GgudOu OG@u Llg0 _|gO.
(OM_)guO[L_OlG @u|88|G ud[gggg|OGg @Oug@ O_g@,
2@ |_@u 8gG u[gg|G 288|l0 MdM_GL G8g@ OOgg
@G| GgOGLGL0(guO[gg@-gO0OG|G 2uuu, 8gG u[u-
gO0OllG 2uuu, GgG @@OG GQ) |88ud 2OlOG
2OL@ 2Gg[d| gO0OG LQ. @G_| @OQ0duG@
8|_ddOl0@. @GL0, O @G_| u 8|_gg0|0O0. O@u
uu@ MdML Ol@LLgg|G d[Mud d@OMG_ LLLO.
LLl@dd, LlOg0 u uMu O u M__|l0 _L_u L8O0
LLOg_@ @gO0OL O, Llg0 OG_ 8|@OuG M8O08
M8 |OGLLG[? OO@ M8g_@dL _|gO O!

M8_ML@u Oluddu |G_ M800 u@LLg M800|OG
2OL, _ - |O0gg, GgG@ @G| @G| gGOuOL,
OG@u OG Ggu OG@u OG GgudOu, LlQ _|0G[ LlOg_@
_|gO, guO[g gM g@ -guO[ u0G @u|88|G
ud[gggg|OG, 2g| @Oug@, u Gu0|Lu, u|O8 GuG0, 8g|0
Mg_gg 8gGu[gg|0 G8g@OOgg, g u GgG GL0 @G| GgG
GL0, QO[ 2Q, uG_ - |88ud, QO[G 2Gg,
GdMOu -LQ, @G@ @00@, Ou 8|_LLdg, 20du
GL0 20dgOgL GL0, gu @G@ O @00@, Ou
8|_LLOL, u uOu, @ @u| Ol@uLl d@OMG_, @
@g0 uMu O u M__|, L8gg0 @8| L8O0 LL@u OGLg_@
@8|, 8|@Ou 2@LGO- 8|@OuG M8O08 M8g_@
|OGLLG[, M8Q _|0G[- M8g_@ _|gOG[

__|OM 3, @u0d[G, LO0 g|OM - gO0OG gG M@8|Lu
M8GG@
G L@@ 2Qu OG ML@ M_@ 8|OGL
ML O[ GOuLlG Quu| g0
dLLOu GG @L_ [0@ @Ogg@
d008 8|_ M00| OL_ __u
Ol0 2gO MOu @OG8 8@8
[G @g0 Og 2[G u uO0
2uu|MGG 0M0GG GG 2uu|
OlOG @ggGG @G|Gu
uOG uM LM[_ LL ML@@ OGGO.

A hen-eagle broods, sick
in the great branches
lifted to the sky,
in a neem tree
with cracked trunk and dotted shade

where unschooled children
scratch their squares
on a rock
flat as a touchstone
and play marbles with gooseberries

in that wilderness
with fierce little settlements
of marauders,
the bow their only plow,

and as evening comes creeping in,
sapping my strength, what can I do
but think of her,
who is sweet as a deed
long wished for and done,
standing there
in this hour of memories
in front of a house lamp
blazing. Translated by A.K. Ramanujan

G L@@ female eagle one who has given birth, 2Qu grieve, OG sky, ML@
lifted, M_@ 8|OGL big branches, ML cracked, dry, O[ tree trunk,
GOuLlG Quu| g0 neem trees dotted shade, dLLOu touchstone, GG like
(rock), @L_ write, [0@ square, @Ogg@ scratch, d008 8|_
unschooled kids, M00| OL_ __u play marbles with gooseberries, Ol0 bow,
plow, 2gO 2gO, MOu @OG8 8@8 fierce little settlements, [G@g0
Og from wasteland first, 2[G strengths, u uO0 dark evening, 2uu|MGG
Im thinking, 0M0GG what can I do, 2uu| - thought, OlOG @ggGG
deed wished done, @G|Gu sweet girl, uOG house, uM big, LM[_ with
blazing flame, LL spread, ML@@ OGGO at that time

__|OM 4, u@OG, Mg0 g|OM Ggg| gO0OllLu M8GG@
dG0 u 8|@@d dL0 Guu L[gO
0 |_ QGOGd Md@ |g0 O8@
gM ML@u L[LLlG gM Lgu Gdd|
u dM 0 OO0 2Md@u @O_OMG_
0G[ GOG _|lG @OM 2O_ OgdOd
_@u ud@ OGd _|G
MdM_u M80OMd0 Ggg| 2uM
MOM d0 2LLlG MduOu 8__|
dM |O[ d|ud@u M_ M_|8 8dLu
uM0 u_g@ 2[@u @O8 dgG|d
d@0 d0 MOM @@@ MO@2u
@@0 dg|8 G8LLlG gu 2O_OlG 2dGd.

If we tell the lord of the shores
..where the fishermen from the small village
..near the seaside grove
..rest under the thick shade of the blue
..punnai trees drying their nets,
..and waiting for the right time to go to the sea,
that our life here will become difficult
if mother knows about the affair,
will he take us, my friend, to his town
where salt merchants cry out the price
of white salt,
and flocks of black-legged, white herons
fly away in fear
to the large, brackish-water ponds
on hearing the sounds of their wagon
wheels grinding the sand on the long path? Translated by Vaidehi

dG0 seashore grove, u 8|@@ beautiful village, dL0 Guu L[gO
fishermen who go on the seas, 0 |_ QGOGd Md@ |g0 O8@ rested on the
blue colored punnai tree shade Laurel Tree, Mast wood Tree, Calophyllum inophyllum, gM
ML@u L[LLlG gM Lgu Gdd| look for the perfect time, u dM 0
OO0 beautiful nets with fine meshes, 2Md@u dries, @O_OMG_ with the lord
of the seaport, 0G[ GOG _|lG if mother hears the rumor, @OM 2O_
OgdOd _@u ud@ the life led here will become difficult for us, OGd
_|G MdM_u if we say that, M80O Md0 Ggg| will be take us along my
friend, 2uM MOM d0 2LLlG MduOu 8__| salt merchants call out the
price for white salt, dM |O[ d|ud@u big flocks move away, M_ M_| long path,
8dLu wagon, uM0 u_g@ 2[@u @O8 sound of rubbing on the sand, dgG|
field, d@0 d0 MOM @@@ white herons/egrets/storks with black legs, MO@2u
fear, @@0 dg|8 G8LLlG to the vast/black backwaters, gu 2O_OlG 2dGd
in the town that he resides

__|OM 6, L[M, @_|@8| g|OM gO0OG gG M@d@ M8GG@
Ou _uL0 @uQOLg g|[u d0
2ggGG ugG @0 uOu
@OOu GG @ Og|0 uOgd dM
g|gO0 0@0 ML@ Ggu @@udL@
Og8 M8G@ M8LQL ML_|GG
@O OG@Ou 00u @G@
ggd @u|g|G Md_ @d@ OlOu dG|
O_| uL u_@ O08| _@u
O0 Ol0 @ dGu _|
@@u L0 g0|O@u g0
ML@u GL@@Ou u OgGu OGGO.

Her delicate beauty is like the fiber-removed
stem of a white water lily,
her moist eyes are like purple water-lilies that rise up,
and the waist of this dark beauty has yellow beauty spots.
If there is a messenger to talk to this pretty young girl
with rounded shoulders,
she without malice will not ask, who is he?
In the strong-bowed king Oris fragrant forests,
frolicking deer eat ripe curved-nose kumizham fruits
that grow along the forest paths.
The girl with thick black hair
will be happy, if she knows that I have come. Translated by Vaidehi

Ou _uL0 - white water-lily growing in the water, @uQOL g|[u d0 stem
with hollow, 2ggGG like the fiber removed, ugG @0 uOu beautiful dark
color, @OOu GG like the purple water-lily, @ lifted, Og|0 beautiful, uOgd
dM moist eyes, g|gO0 0@0 yellow beauty spots under her waist, ML@ Ggu
large shoulders, @@udL@ young girl, Og8 M8G@ to give a message, M8LQL
ML_|GG if somebody would talk to her, @O OG@Ou 00u shell not ask,
who is he, @G@ without hatred, ggd forest path, @u|g|G kumizham trees,
Md_ @d@ curved nose, OlOu dG| ripe fruit, O_| uL u_@ for the playful
innocent deer, O08| _@u will become food, O0 Ol0 @ king Ori with a strong
bow, dGu forest, _| fragrance, @@u black, L0 g0| O@u g0
thick flowing hair, ML@u GL@@Ou will be very happy, u OgGu OGGO if
she knows that I have come

__|OM 9, LO0 L ML@0d_0Gd, LO0 g|OM gO0OG
gO0OllLu M8GG@
g|Ol0 @@u _O uddu
Og|L_ MgOu dM dML0@
0u[0 O@ggu g [ g |G
0 MuG LOMg Ggu Og|Gu _d0|G
MLL _u QGd|G g0 gOd gM @_|
M0@ Ml OG @O0 M0@ Mdug g|u|
|g0 dMGg@u M OOd|
uM0 dMGg@u OML0 Og@
O@g@ @ug| O0 Ol_G_G
u OG Md@g| ud|g @l0 _@u
@ gM MLg|0 dGu
@@u L0 2[ u M80@u _G_.

On our path,
cuckoos will prick mango buds and
sing happily in the fragrant cool groves;
faultless and curious travellers
will think that you are a goddess.
My pain and distress will end if I
embrace your fine, bamboo-like shoulders.

There are a few towns on our way.
Whenever there is heavy shade,
we can rest for a long time;
whenever we see sand,
you can make sand dolls.
There are punku trees with
parched-rice-like flowers
and glowing, bright tender sprouts.

My lover with sparkling white teeth,
and beautiful breasts with yellow spots!
Do not worry! let us go soon. Translated by Vaidehi

g|Ol0 @@u those who do faultless things, _O uddu anxious people,
Og|L_ MgOu god that is worshipped, dM dML0@ like they saw with their
eyes, 0u[0 O@ggu distress and sorrow, g [ to end, g an expletive, |G
your, 0 MuG fine delicate, LOMg Ggu bamboo-like shoulders, could also be wide
shoulders, Og|Gu _d0|G if I attain, MLL _u QGd|G punku tree with
parched rice-like flowers, g0 glowing, gOd beautiful, gM bright, @_| tender
sprouts, M0@ yellow spots, Ml beautiful, OG @O0 full breasts, M0@
Mdug fascinates others, shocks others, g|u| spread, |g0 dMGg@u
whenever shade was seen, M OOd| stayed for long, uM0 dMGg@u
whenever sand was seen, OML0 Og@ made sand dolls, O@g@ do not feel sad,
@ug| lets go soon, O0 Ol_G_G one with white teeth, u OG mango
tree buds, Md@g| ud|g @l0 happy kuyils prick, _@u sing, @ gM
fragrant and cool, MLg|0 dGu groves, @@u L0 2[ small few towns, u
M80@u _G_ (on the) way we go

__|OM 11, 2G088G, Mg0 g|OM Ggg| gO0OllLu
M8GG@ She tries to comfort the heroine when she is distressed
ML@ OOd| GdOg GL0
Mu 8lOG O M8 @_| LlOgLL
2uu| M@u0 GQ 2O[ Mguu|g|G
O[ OG@u Q0Ol 2LMdu0
gg|d uu |G M@8ggGG
QM ML@g _ uM0 OLdO[
_g| u@0d|G 0OG @uLl
O0OG OuQ _@ 2[
|0Q OlgG_0 dG0GG.

Your body is distressed like an unworn wilted garland,
since you missed the tryst that he suggested.
You are hurt by the slanderers who talk ill about you
and you sulk thinking that your lover will not come.
Destroy such thoughts from your heart.

When the moonlight spreads on the seashore grove
he will come in his chariot,
riding beside the waves on the shore
that is filled with flowers and sand,
as his charioteer handles his bridle with caution
protecting the crabs on the ground. Translated by Vaidehi

ML@ not worn, OOd| lying around, GdOg GL0 like a garland, Mu
body, 8lOG you are distressed, O M8 @_| the secret meeting (tryst) that he
indicated, LlOgLL misssed, 2uu| thinking, M@u0 slanderers, GQ long
(too much), 2O[ - words (gossip), Mguu|g|G clearly, O[ he will not come,
OG@u and so, Q0Ol sulk, 2LMdu0 do not do that, gg|d uu destroy
(such thoughts), |G M@8ggGG your heart, QM ML@g wave filled, _
flowers, uM0 sand, OLdO[ seashore, _g| u@0d|G near the seashore,
0OG crabs, @uLl protecting, O0OG charioteer, OuQ bridle, _@
2[ carefully ride, |0Q OlgG_0 dG0GG the moonlight spread on the
seashore grove

__|OM 12, duG, LO0 g|OM Ggg| gO0OG|Lu M8GG@
wood apples were placed in pots to remove stale buttermilk odors
Oluu Lgu du@u duu @0 @g|8|L
L8u g|G_ Gg d0 uggu
M Mg @ddu MOu|0 @g0 @g0@u
OO@ Q0 Ol0 Mu d[@ gG d0
Ou 8|0uQ dg @ L0 uM
O QOG LMg_ OO@ M80GOu
@OO dM Gg@u GO uGg
u|G[ u| OG _gGg OG
@uMu_ O[Q gG [Qu
gG OO[g@ G_|u d@ggG dMGM.

Wood apple fragrance
in the buttermilk pots
rounded like full pregnancy,
their noisy, churning rods
tied to posts,
and reduced by the circling ropes,
are the first sounds as dawn arrives.

She hides her body well
and removes from her feet
beautiful, jingling anklets,
and places them along with her
well-decorated ball.
Whenever they see these, theyll be sad,
she thinks about her pitable friends,
and tears come to her eyes
even though she desires to leave with you. Translated by Vaidehi

OluuLgu du@u wood apple fragrance spreads, duu @0 @g|8|L fully pregnant
(womens stomach-like) round pot, L8u g|G_ ropes reduced, Gg d0 uggu
churning rod has thinned, M Mg @ddu churning to make butter, MOu|0 the post
to which the rope is wound, @g0 @g0@u first sounds, OO@ Q0 Ol0 early
morning hours, Mu d[@ hiding her body, gG d0 her feet, Ou 8|0uQ
beautiful jingling anklets, dg @ removes it, L0 uM many splendor, O QOG
LMg_ with the decorated ball, OO@ placed it, M80GOu when she went (to do
that), @OO dM Gg@u GO uGg theyll be pained, u|G[ will be
sad, u| pitiable ones, OG _gGg my friends, OG so, @uMu_ O[Q
going with you, gG [Qu feel sad, gG OO[g@ G_|u even though she
wants to leave, d@ggG dMGM there are tears in her eyes

__|OM 17, M88||u0d|g, @_|@8| g|OM gO0Ol Ggg|lLu
M8GG@
u uOg gO0@ 0 M_0@G_g@
u0 dL0 g|O[lG @g|g@u @Ol
d0 @@0 dGg@ 0@ Ml Gdd|
g0dQu gOdOO[ |00 g0Q
@ Og|0 uOgd dM d@gg0|G GOG
OOG M8gOGG |G @00@ Ol@ 2M@ OG
Mu00| @G| _0|G O0 OlO[@
2l@u 8|_g @u G| u_@
2O[gg0 2gGGG Ggg| 8[0
dgu 2g| uMl |_g @uLl
g u MgOL [uLlG @u|@u
OG Gg MO_LG uQ M0@ OGGO.

Early morning rains that fell
on his fine, lofty mountains
flowed down like dark ocean waves.
The waterfalls in the wide big forest
is where we used to meet,
and it hurt me to see that beautiful spot.

Unable to tolerate my pain,
tears flowed down from my beautiful
wet eyes.
Why are you crying?, mother asked,
Let me kiss you, my daughter with splendid
teeth, she said with tender words.

I almost forgot to guard my more
precious-than-life shyness and started
to tell her that the reason for my sorrow
was that I missed the chest of
the man from the mountain country
where bees that swarm knthal flowers
sing like sweet yzh strings.
However, I caught myself before I said anything
and stopped, my friend. Translated by Vaidehi

u uOg gO0@ early morning rains fell, 0 M_0@G_g@ fine tall
mountains, u0 dL0 g|O[lG dark ocean waves, @g|g@u @Ol falling
waterfalls, d0 @@0 dGg@ wide big forest, 0@ nearby, Ml beautiful,
Gdd| looked, g0dQu gOdOO[ |00 unable to tolerate, g0Q
water poured, @ Og|0 uOgd dM lifted beautiful wet eyes, d@gg0|G since it
cried, GOG mother, OOG M8gOGG what did you do, |G @00@
Ol@ your splendid teeth, 2M@ OG Ill kiss, Mu00| @G| _0|G
uttered tender sweet words, O0 OlO[@ went fast, 2l@u 8|_g better than
life, @u shyness, G| lot, u_@ forgot, 2O[gg0 said, 2gGGG
avoided it, Ggg| my friend, 8[0 mountain slopes, dgu 2g| uMl |_g
@uLl the bees that swarm knthal flowers (purple water lilies), g u MgOL [uLlG
@u|@u like the music of the sweet stringed yzh, OG Gg sky high, MO_LG
man from the mountain country, uQ chest, M0@ OGGO reason for sorrow

__|OM 22, LO ML d|OLddOl0O0, @_|@8| g|OM Ggg|
gO0OllLu M8GG@
Md88| dd@u _dd0 OL g|OG
@@ OlOu ML@u @[0 MdML ug|
d00d d_OMG_ 0 OO[ _|
0Od |O_ M@u|d MdM_ gG
g|O[ M0 Md_u dQu |O_ @dd|
OG ML0 OGg Q_gg GGLl
Od 2M @@dOdlG GgG@u LG
OgGG Og| Ggg| 20du
du dM __ OL@ @ dO0
L u_ g|[0d| M00|_@
uMuG ug@ uOg MLg|g0Gd.

He has come back,
the man from the country
where in the mountain ranges millet field
that is guarded by a mountain girl,
a female monkey, along with her crude mate
climbs the fine mountain,
steals huge clusters of mature millet spikes,
crushes it with her palms,
collects the grain and stuffs her cheeks
curving them along with her jaws,
and as rain pours down,
their wet bodies
appear like austere ritualists
who eat food with their hands.

His arrival in the middle of the night
is like seeing rain in a mature paddy field,
in a world whose ponds have dried up.
May you live long, my friend! Translated by Vaidehi

Md88| dd@u _dd0 OL g|OG the fresh millet that the mountain girl
protects in the ranges, @@ OlOu ML@u @[0 mature huge clusters, MdML
ug| d00d d_OMG_ the female that took it, along with its crude male, 0 OO[
_| climbed on the fine mountain, 0Od |O_ full in its palm, M@u| MdM_
crushed, gG g|O[ gathered it together, M0 upper jaw, Md_u dQu |O_
filled its curved cheeks, @dd| stuffed, OG ML0 OGg Q_gg their backs got
wet when it rained, GGLl those who do penances (wet after dipping in the streams and
ponds), Od 2M @@dOdlG GgG@u appears like they were eating with their
hands, LG man from such country, OgGG came, Og| Ggg| may you live long,
my friend, 20du du dM __ OL@ @ dO0 when the worlds ponds have
lost their wetness/waters, L u_ g|[0d| M00|_@ in the rice field with mature grains,
uMuG ug@ uOg MLg|g0Gd like the rain that came in the middle of the
night

__|OM 27, @LOl_ d[ggG, Mg0 g|OM Ggg| gO0OllLu
M8GG@, gO0OG GdL@uLd
u @u M@0 _OlG
@M g@ 2O_d@u OMGu @LLl
gg| g|O[ Ogg MOM uM0 OLdO[d
dg| @g dG0 _@ G_|
d[@ u M8g@ gG@ @0O0 2M_ OG|G
L[@ Ll_ _|gG@u @0G[ G@u
OOG @_|ggGu Md0 GOG du Gg@
@_ _ @Gd @@@ g0|LL _Ou
dg| G8 u@0d|G dOMd d0
dM GL0 _ggOu dM_ @M L0
8|@ L8OL Mg0
@@Gu M8G@ OGd _ GgGu.

Yesterday you and I played
in the seaside grove surrounded
by backwaters,
in the sand bars brought to the
shores by the dashing waves,
chasing bees that swarm
on the tiny pollen of flowers.

Other than playing,
we did not do anything in secrecy.
If we had, everyone would have
known about it.
Its good nothing happened.

What does mother think,
the one who does not
ask us to go and pluck
blue waterlily flowers
with thick long stems,
blooming like eyes,
among many small leaves in ponds
where heron flock feed
on shrimp and cry near
shark-infested backwaters? Translated by Vaidehi

u @u M@0 yesterday you and I, _OlG @M g@ 2O_d@u
OMGu @LLl chased bees that swarm flower pollen, gg| g|O[ Ogg MOM
uM0 white sand that the dashing waves brought, OLdO[ sand bars, dg| @g
dG0 seashore grove surrounded by backwaters, _@ G_| other than playing,
d[@ u M8g@ gG@ @0O0 did not do anything in secrecy/hiding, 2M_
OG|G L[@ Ll_ _|gG@u if there was anything, everybody would have known
about it, @0G[ G@u good there is nothing, OOG @_|ggGu Md0 GOG
what does she think, du Gg@ in all the ponds, @_ prawns, _ @Gd @@@
g0|LL feeding herds of herons/storks/cranes sound, _Ou dg| G8 u@0d|G in the
brackishwaters where there are sharks, dOMd d0 extending their thick stems, dM
GL0 _ggOu dM_ on seeing the flowers that bloom like eyes, @M L0 8|@
L8OL Mg0 waterlilies with many small leaves, @@Gu M8G@ OGd _
GgGu one who does not ask us to go and pluck

__|OM 28, @@__G, LO0 g|OM gO0Ol Ggg|lLu
M8GG@
OG Odd MdM_ gG dM g__|u
gG Odd MdM_ OG 0 @g0 Olu
GOG GL0 @G| _|u
duO GL0d MdG uGg
uMl OG @g|g@u @Ol MLG OG
GO0Od g @0@ uO0 _ddg@
__ dOg |Og OL0 dM @0d|0
@_ uOg d|g|d@u M8GG|
Gd_ 2 Ll_0d0 uO0d|gGOGG

Even though he takes my hands
and presses them to his eyes;
takes up his own hands,
strokes my good forehead
and speaks sweet words like a mother,
hes a thief, a cruel man,
that lord of the mountains
where the hills have tall peaks
and on the summits
the tall, swaying stems
of the bamboo with green nodes
cleave passing clouds
on the ranging mountain slopes
spread with golden kino flowers
where waterfall drop
like a stream of sapphires. Translated by Martha Ann Selby

OG Odd MdM_ gG dMg__|u even though he takes my hand and presses
them to his eyes, gG Odd MdM_ OG 0 @g0 Olu takes his own hands and
strokes my good forehead, GOG GL0 @G| _|u speaks sweet words like a
mother, duO GL0d MdG uGg hes a cruel man like a thief, uMl OG
@g|g@u @Ol sapphire colored flowing waterfalls, MLG OG GO0Od g
gold like vengai flowers spread, @0@ uO0 _ddg@ on the tall mountain range, __
swaying, dOg bamboo, |Og tall, OL0 green, dM bamboo node, @0d|0
bamboo, @_ uOg passing clouds, d|g|d@u M8GG| sloping summit, Gd_
mountain, 2 tall, Ll_0d0 mountain, uO0d|gGOGG lord of the mountains

__|OM 30, Md__G, u@gu g|OM- Ggg| L[gOgLu M80@u
gO0OG|Lu M8GG@
dMLMGG ud|g! dM_ OOG M8Gd!
LMG Od@ LMQOL8 8_|g
M OMG @uMuG @u|@u
g@ Mg@OlG Og|88| Gdd| |G
uQ gO0dMdML uMlOg udu|
dO0 @__ MO@ O g L LG|
d0 @__ OLg@ dO0
dL0 u[u dOlgMgGd d00d| 2LG O gQ
L0 Mdu L0Od GL0
O0d O0d |G@ 20@ @ |O0G.

Lord! I saw you!
But what can I do about it?
When you walked on the beautiful street
where bees hum like the music
from the bards small lute,
women wearing elegant jewels were
waiting for you.
They who had hugged your chest before,
wanted you back again.
They shed tears and pulled you toward them
like a bunch of ship-wrecked people
fighting for a single wooden board
to save their lives.
What a pitiable situation? Translated by Vaidehi

dMLMGG ud|g 2GOGd dMGLG gO0OGG, dM_ OOGM8Gd
dM_ OGG M8O@, LMG Od@ LMQOL8 8_|g LMG|G
Odl0 00 8|@ g, M OMG @uMuG @u|@u OgOuG
OM_LGL0 @uMuG g0|d@u, g@ Mg@OlG gdG Mg@Ol0,
Og|88| Gdd| |G O@OOg Og|LLg@, uQ gO0dMdML
uOL g@OldMdML, uMlOg udu| _L[M0du Mlg
MLMdu, dO0 @__ MO@ dOO00 u|dQu O@g|, O g L
LG| dMM OlL_, d0 d_@, @__ OLg@ dO0 g|dud
gg ML@@, dL0u[u u[dd0u, dOlgMgGd dOlg, d00d| 2LG
O gQ d0ddg@LG O@u (dL0|0) Olg, L0 Mdu L0Od GL0
L0@u L_@u L0OdOLGL0, O0dO0d |G@ 2GOG Llg@
@@g@, 20@ @ |O0G LgLuG |O0OuG

__|OM 33, @uGOLLG, LO0 g|OM - Ggg| M8GG@
L_ L OLg L@ O M_ OO[
@[uQ G8 8|@ @ L[g uO0
Q0uQ L_M@u Q0M0G uG_g@
d0@OL L_Ol0 d@g| g@
|O_ ML0 _|d @O_ 2M 00|0
@O M8 _OL M8 MgOL u_O
g Lg@ 0@u @O@ M_|lOL
@_LL OM@O O OG|G u@gg0
O0@Ou Md0G0 Mu0 @0 u OG
Olu@@ d|uOlu OG @du Gdd|
0 d OG @O0d dO[ G8Q
u0@ QG0 L[g u0 dMGM.

My friend looks at my face and utters,
Im a weak person, and I dont
have the strength to deny him the trip.
She sobs between words and tears stream down
her flower-like beautiful eyes,
and fall on her breasts.
She fears that when the hot rays fold
into the widely split tall mountains
and the long evening hours speed,
hell sit alone in a hut on a rough land
in the parched wasteland, and
eat his left over grain meal after sunset
and drink water from dirty puddles.
The marauders wear red dyed clothes
on their strong bodies,
and eye the fierce paths at night. Translated by Vaidehi

L_ L OLg hot rays ended, L@ O widely split , M_ OO[ tall
mountains, @[uQ G8 8|@ @ gravel land hut, L[g uO0 spreading evening
time (after sunset), Q0uQ alone, sad, L_M@u eat many, Q0M0G grains,
uG_g@ common place, d0@OL L_Ol0 rock puddles ,d@g| g@ give
muddied water, |O_ ML0 _|d does not know rains (parched land), @O_
leftover , 2M food, 00|0 be in contact, @O M8 _OL red dyed clothing,
M8 MgOL strong body, u_O robbers, g Lg@ 0@u look at the path
at night ,@O@ M_|lOL among the fearful paths, @_LL OM@O desires to
cross ,O OG|G u@gg0 -to deny him, O0@OuMd0G0 I dont have the
strength, Mu00|0 u OG Im a weak person, Olu@@ sobbing, d|uOlu
she utters (words) ,OG @du Gdd| looks at my face, 0 d OG, @O0d dO[
G8Q tears falling on her breasts, u0@ QG0 full stream, L[g spread, u0
flower, beautiful, dMGM eye

__|OM 38, 2G088G, Mg0 g|OM Ggg| gO0OllLu
M8GG@ she says this when she sees the heroine in pain due to separation from her lover
GOLLu ML@ OO0 Ouu 8|_LL
LLLu ML@ L[gO Ld[
@@u LG g u Llg| 2MGL ud|@u
_ d0| Mg@ _l@u Gg Md@
Mu00u Q0uLG LllG Q0M0G
Q0uQ _d|GG_ Ggg| d00@
dg| @g LLLOL dMLOl0
g0| d @O0 @u u|OL GO0|
MLMOM @O@u _0dM
MOu uM0 LLLOL Ou @0d0 2G[.

Unfailing abundance in their nets,
unfailing rains from the skies,
our flourishing fishermen sell fish,
drink toddy from the palmyra trees
and enjoy their lives.

Such is the happiness
in our grove-filled, loud Kndavyil town
that is surrounded by brackish waters.
It becomes sad if your man with
a fine chariot does not come,
and this slanderous town with its
palm fronds and thorn-fenced yards
with white sands and palm trees,
causes you grief. Translated by Vaidehi

GOLLu fishing, ML@ unfailing, OO0 Ouu 8|_LL abundance in the nets,
LLLu clouds, ML@ do not fail L[gO fishermen, Ld[ sell, @@u dark,
LG g u Llg| palmyra liquor, 2MGL ud|@u drink and be happy, _ abundant,
d0| bountiful, Mg@ new income, _l@u yet, Gg Md@ chariot owning,
Mu00u Q0uLG seashore lord, neythal land thalaivan, LllG if he separates,
Q0M0G becomes sad, Q0uQ _d|GG_ - gives grief, Ggg| friend, d00@
brackish waters, dg| salty land, @g surrounding, LLLOL groves, dMLOl0
town called Kndavyil, g0| noisy, d grove, @O0 palm fronds (leaves), @u u|OL
GO0| thorny fence, MLMOM female palm tree, @O@u grows, _0dM there,
MOu uM0 white sand, LLLOL grove, Ou @0d0 2G[ our slanderous town

__|OM 45, LO ML d|OLddOl0O0, Mg0 g|OM - Ggg|
gO0OG|Lu M8GG@
@OGu dG0 MMl du 8|@@
0 |_L ML@0 dL0 d00d 2uQd@
uG O_| L[gO udGu G
M_0 Md @L0@u |u @@d
d_ Gg8 M80OG dg0 udGG
|M8 _ @gg 2Mdd0 GOM
@GL Qu gLQu Oud@ 0G OOGG
Q0Q @@u M80 |G_ Gu
ML@ OlOuu Ou 8|@ 0 OgdOd
@uMu_ QO[OGg GG_
OuuGG0 M8uu@u 2OLgGg.

This girl
lives in a village
near the shore,
a daughter of fishermen
who pierce and stir up the water
of the big blue sea
as they kill fish.

And you?
Youre from that old market town
where long banners shiver
in the breeze,
a beloved son
of a rich man
with fast chariots.

What is your beauty to us,
who want the dried meat
we slice from fat sharks
as we sit and scare off
flocks of birds?

We reek of fish,
so get ready to leave.

The good little lives
that we make for ourselves
from the fruits of the sea
are not like yours
and among us, too,
there are fine men to be had. Translated by Martha Ann Selby

@OGu This girl, dG0 seashore, MMl nearby, du desirable, 8|@@
village, 0 |_L ML@0 dL0 blue colored big ocean, d00d d00d, 2u
interior, Qd@ splash, uG uG, O_| cut into pieces, kill , L[gO udGu daughter of
the fishermen, G G, G you, on the other hand, M_0 Md long/tall
banner, @L0@u shiver, |u market, @@d old town, d_ Gg8 fast chariot,
M80OG rich man, dg0 udGG loving son, |M8 _ fat shark, @gg
sliced, 2Mdd0 dried food, GOM request, @GL Qu flock of birds, gLQu
chase, O ud@ 0G OOGG what is your beaty to us? (0G beauty)
Q0Q @@u reek fish, M80 |G_ Gu get ready to leave, ML@ sea
OlOuu yields, Ou 8|@ 0 OgdOd the good little lives, @uMu_
QO[OGg GG_ are not great like yours, OuuGG0 among us, M8uu@u
2OLgGg have fine men

__|OM 52, L0ggG, LO0 g|OM gO0OG gG M@d@
M8GG@
ud Md g|[0 _MO_ Lg|g
@g gdL_ Og| u0 GOg g0
uMu dug __u u@ u @Ou
M0@ Ml _du OL @0d|
O 0@ 2Od dOOlG 0d0 M80G0u
G _u OlOG 8|_LL OMMl gu
Ll@ 2O_ OgdOd Q@ OuO0G
GQ @O0 Og| OG M@G8 MOu GL
ugO ML@ udG u Ou @
Od Ouu @OO@ _l@u
@@ @ uu @O@ M8 ML@Gu.

My heart! You want to earn wealth.
You dont understand the life of separation
from my beautiful girl who adorns her hair
with vine-grown, dark, wild jasmines and gold-sheet
like pthiri flowers that are woven
together, spreading their full fragrances.

I will not leave the sweet embraces of
that girl with yellow beauty spots on her breasts.
Even if I earn wealth like that of the generous
great victorious charitable warrior king Ori,
that is not more than her love. Translated by Vaidehi

ud Md dark vine, g|[0 _MO_ with wild jasmine, Lg|g pthiri flower,
@g gdL_ pure gold sheet, Og| u0 place flowers opposite, GOg g0
woven for the hair, uMu dug very fragrant, __u u@ u fragrance mixed,
@Ou she, M0@ yellow beauty marks, Ml -beauty, _du breasts, OL
@0d| embrace, O 0@ increased, 2Od dOOlG sweet embrace , 0d0
M80G0u will not leave and go, G you, _uOlOG 8|_LL OMMl you want to
achieve wealth, gu daily, Ll@ 2O_ OgdOd a life with separation, Q@
OuO0G dont understand, GQ @O0 , Og| OG M@G8 greetings, my
heart, MOu GL fierce battle, ugO warriors, ML@ udG leader, u big, Ou
@ brave king Ori, Od Ouu charitable hands, @OO@ _l@u if I get, @@
@ uu it is not more, @O@ M8 ML@Gu that earned wealth

__|OM 54, G8g0 dMMG, Mg0 g|OM - gO0Ol M8GG@
OOu Gu@ d|Ou @g0M80 @
OL LO_ Ol@uLlOG_l@u @8 8|O_
@@u Q0 @@u |G d|Ou_ 8|_|@ @@@
d@0 d0 MOM @@@ OGO GdMug|
ML@u Q0uLlGG_ 8|@ QG uO0
@ _|lG GQu 2OLO
M@u0 M@8u Mduu@ OG @O_
@__0@ 2M[ 2O[ug| gOgG
Md @Og @uLl @u @g0
MgM g|O[ uMlL Q_u OgO@u
dML0 GO0| @u @O_ d|gGO_Gd.

O White heron with pure feathers
and black legs!
You love to dive into the ocean
with your relatives
and eat abundant fish.

Please listen to me!
This evening time brings me
great sorrow.
If you understand the reason,
youll be kind to me
and let him know how I feel,
the man from the port where
cold waves spray on the trunks
of young gnazhal trees,
and fences of screwpines with leaves
are easy to pluck for making clothes, abound. Translated by Vaidehi

OOu surrounded water (ocean), Gu@ eat, d|Ou @g0 with relatives,
M80 @ go, OLLO_ fly and dive, Ol@uLlOG _l@u even if you desire, @8
8|O_ pure feathers, @@u Q0 lots of meat fish, @@u |G d|Ou_ eat
with your relatives, 8|_|@ @@@ stay a little bit, d@0 d0 blacked legged, MOM
@@@ white heron, OGO GdMug| and so hear me, ML@u Q0uLlGG_ ,8|@
QG uO0 hours of the painful evening, @ _|lG if you understand,
GQu 2OLO you will show kindness, M@u0 M@8u Mduu@ -
without any reservations, OG @O_ my complaint, @__0@ 2M[ 2O[ug|
understand it and tell him, gOgG those who wear leaf clothing, Md plucking, @Og
leaves, @uLl growing, @u young, @g0 gnlal tree a small tree growing in the
seashore neythal land, tigerclaw tree, cassia sophera, MgM g|O[ cold waves, uMlL Q_u
on the base, OgO@u hit against, dML0 GO0| thzhai, fragrant screw-pine fence,
@u @O_ d|gGO_Gd man of our port

__|OM 60, @0dG0, u@gu g|OM - Ggg| M8GG@
uO0 dMLGG |O0 QM|OLLlG
ML@ M0 L0 L_ O@Ou 2gO
dM LOL ML_@ gM Q0 Ol0
d@0 dM O[0 ML@ g u|u| OO_
QdOO 8|L MLuu0 ML@@ G8@
dO L_ OdO d@u ug|
2@ M8@OlG @ @ @gg |G
_M[_ G8_|_lG OM
8u Mg@u @uQug| Ouu|G
u @@0 g0 uLOg
_ OOu L_u Mlu OOG.

Farmer who has many buffaloes
and many tall, mountain-like rice bins!
You wake up at the crack of dawn
without much sleep
and eat big shining pieces of cooked
black-eyed varl fish
with big balls of fine rice.
When you go to plant paddy
grass in the water-filled fields,
please protect the drooping
waterlies.
The young girl with thick dark hair
wears them as beautiful bangles. Translated by Vaidehi

uO0 dMLGG like mountains, |O0 QM put together, |OLLlG tall, ML@
M0 L0 L_ many big rice bins, O@Ou 2gO farmer/plouhman owning buffaloes,
dMLOL ML_@ not sleeping, gM cold, Q0 dawn, Ol0 early morning,
d@0 dM O[0 black eyed varl fish, ML@ g big pieces, u|u|OO_
shining as it is cooked, QdOO food, 8| rice, MLuu0 splendid, ML@@ G8@
big rice balls, dO L_ enjoy and eat, OdO - with your hands,d@u lots, ug|
eat, 2@ M8@OlG water filled fields, @ @ @gg plant paddy grass,
|G your, _M[_ those who plant, G8_| go, _lG OM and there,
8u Mg@u bending neythal plants - purple waterlilies, @uQug| protect, Ouu|G
our, u @@0 g0 dark thick hair, uLOg young girl, _ OOu beautiful
bangles, L_u weaves, Mlu OOG and wears them

__|OM 61, 8|@Gu0|dG, @_|@8| g|OM Ggg| gO0Ol
@OOgLGL0 M80@O@ - The friend utters these words knowing that the hero
listening to her. Indirectly she is urging him to come and marry her friend, by being the voice of the
heroine.

Gdu O00 Ggg| 0d0
GOMO 0| MO 2l[
uG LlOMlG O@g|MGGd
@ u@0@ _|gGu GL0 GOG
@@8G OG @@udu OG_0|G
M80 MOu|LLLOu Mu00 OG M@8|0
L_ uOg MLg|g LO_ u@0d|0
8|[0 O 2__ guOlG L[0 O0
dG Md@ L_ LLGgd@d
dM@u L_Gu OG_|8|G GG.

Listen my friend!
Last night I was distressed with desire
for my lover and was in deep pain like
a female deer pierced by an arrow.

I sighed deeply and mother asked me
are you not sleeping my little girl?,
like she understood my sadness.
Words didnt come out of my mouth,
but quietly I said to my heart,
how could I close my eyes when I am
separated from my man from the country
with splendid forests, heavy rains
and kingfisher-mouth like jasmine
that grow near rocks on gravel beds. Translated by Vaidehi

Gdu O00 Ggg| listen my friend, 0d0 yesterday night, GOMO
increasing desire, 0| distressed, MO hot, 2l[ deep breath, sighed, arrow,
uG LlOMlG like a female deer ,O@g|MGGd when I was sad, @
u@0@ _|gGu GL0 - like she understood my sadness, GOG mother,
@@8G OG @@udu OG_0|G arent you not sleeping my little daughter she
asked, M80 MOu|LLLOu words didnt come out, Mu00 OG M@8|0 slowly
in my heart, L_ uOg MLg|g heavy rains had fallen ,LO_ u@0d|0 near the
rocks, 8|[0 O 2__ like the kingfishers mouth, guOlG jasmine vine, L[0
O0 tiny gravel, dG Md@ splendid forest, L_ country man, LLGgd@d
those separated from him, dM@u L_Gu OG_|8|G GG could I close my eyes
(an sleep), I said

__|OM 64, 2G088G, @_|@8| g|OM gO0Ol Ggg|lLu
M8GG@ when the friend
wants to send word (@@) to the hero.
OGG_l@u @G| |OGQ gg|d
GGOd @OG0 Ggg| u
@GGud g @_Gg LQ OOG
u[0 2_dOd uO0 2O_ @_O
_|@ @gg 8|_|lO08 8gu
O_@_@ _[ @@dd| OLMG
u[u O_|gd8 G8@ 2dd0@ OG
_|Qu 2uu@u O OlG M8GM_G
O_|g0 @@Ou OG dOd @G| O
O@u G u@@ 00 O[@
OM _@d dg0 @OM u
duu LL L O@g|
G u0| O@ggu dMGu OuG[.

However special he is,
let thoughts of him end.
Dont feel sad my friend.
Why do we need the friendship
of the one who abandoned us?
The mountain men who wear hemp fiber
clothes have peeled sandal tree barks
that have dried out and wilted.
Their oozing sap, is like my
intelligence and heart that go toward him
even when my body has no feelings.
He will not be a cure to my illness
even if he comes back.
Let him stay there, my friend.
I hope that my relatives dont see
my deep sadness and heavy sorrow. Translated by Vaidehi

OGG _l@u however he is, @G| |OGQ gg|d let thoughts (of him) end,
GGOd for that, @OG0 dont feel sad, Ggg| friend, u our,
@GGud g @_Gg gave sorrow and parted us, LQ friendship, OOG why,
u[0 2_dOd hemp fiber clothing, uO0 2O_ @_O mountain residing
kuravars, _|@ without knowing, @gg cut, 8|_|lO0 small leaved, 8gu
sandalwood tree, O_@_@ dried no feelings, and sap oozed, _[ fully, @@dd|
destroyed, OLMG slowly, u[u O_|gd8 G8@ tree dried and got sick looking,
2d@ _0@ wilted there, OG my, _|Qu 2uu@u intelligence and heart,
O OlG M8GM_G went toward him, O_|g0 dried out , @@Ou friend,
OG dOd my body, @G| O now his, O@u if he comes, G u@@
00 he wont be medicine to my sickness, O[@ not come, OM _@d stay
there, dg0 lover, @OM u here our, duu LL love affliction, L
O@g| heavy sadness, G disease, u0| O@ggu lot of sorrow, dMGu
OuG[ (I hope) my relatives dont see it

__|OM 70, MOuu| O g|, u@gu g|OM gO0Ol M8GG@ (@@@
could be herons, egrets or storks)
8|@ MOuu0@@Gd 8|@ MOuu0@@Gd
@O_ GL@ @OOg @ u GG
|_u d|u @Ol8 8|@ MOuu0@@Gd
Ou 2 O@ Ou 2M @O_g @Og@
8|OGd Mdu|_@ _OdO O 2L MLg|
OG GLlOGG ML@ u_OlOG
_0dM g u QG0 0dM L[d@u
dgG| 0 2 ud|gd@ OG
@Og Md|g L@O[0 M8LLGgG.

O Small white heron! O Small white heron!
with bright white feathers looking
like shore-washed clothes,
Come to our town and search our ponds
for pregnant keliru fish,
and eat them until you are full.

Go to his town with fertile fields
and wide sweet waters
and kindly remember to tell my beloved man
that I am sad and afflicted with love,
and that my bangles are slipping away from my hand. Translated by Vaidehi

8|@ MOuu0@@Gd small white heron, 8|@ MOuu0@@Gd small white heron,
@O_ GL@ (taken to) water shores, @OO garments, @u washed ,GG
like, |_u color, d|u bright, @Ol feathers ,8|@ MOuu0@@Gd small white
pelican, Ou 2 O@ came to our town, Ou our, 2M@O_g drinking water shores,
@Og@ search, 8|OGd Mdu|_@ get the pregnant keliru fish, _OdO full,
O 2L MLg| move to his town, OG GLlOGG with kindness
,ML@ u_OlOG without forgetting, _0dM there, g u QG0 sweet water,
0dM here, L[d@u spread, dgG| 0 2 good town with fields, ud|gd@
my loved one, OG my, @Og Md|g jewel (bangle) slipping, L@O[0 sadness,
M8LLGgG wont you tell him


__|OM 79, dMMdG, LO0 g|OM gO0Ol M8GG@
8|O_ u 0Od 2O_ G| g|[uO
O[ 0 uOGd @@ Mg udu|
uM0 __ dg0d|G O_ u|O8g gu
g[@__ @d@ @0 dOO0L
LlGg O@ LQM[L QMGg
Llg0 @gg0|G @u 2MGL
OG@ u _|d duu M8LQ@u
M8LL@ OlGG 2lM[_u OgG@
uu Og| Ggg|
gG|G gOld@Ou dg0 M80GO.

May you live long, my friend!
He wants to go
on the confusing difficult paths,
where,
honey that fresh eengai
flowers drop on the rocks below
look like molucca beans on sand
in the yards of fine houses with
roofs,
with which girls with small bangles play.

Is there anything more harsh
than separation from a loved one?
I want to tell him how I feel.
If I dont tell him, my life will
not be a good one.
How can I stop him from going away? Translated by Vaidehi

8|O_ this side, nearby, u 0Od days fresh eengai 2O_ (honey) drops, G|
g|[u filled, O flowers, O[ 0 uOGd fine house with a roof, @@ Mg
udu| women with small bangles, uM0 __ dg0d|G veriyattam kazhangu seeds,
O_ rocks, u|O8 on it, gu spread, beautiful, g[@__ that yielded,
@d@ moving, @0 dOO0 confusing curved paths, LlGg those who are
separated, O@ LQM[L QMGg embraced me with love, Llg0 @gg0|G
if separation happens, @u 2MGL is there anything more harsh, OG@ u _|
if I say that, duu M8LQ@u tell that with love, M8LL@ OlGG if I dont tell him,
2lM[_u OgG@ my life will not be good, uu Og| Ggg| greetings my
friend, gG|G gOld@Ou how can I stop, dg0 M80GO lovers going away

__|OM 86, dd[, LO0 g|OM Ggg| M8GG@
_O Og| Ggg| u_O
GO0 OG Olg d@LLlG Gg0
LM0 gLLlG LdGO_ u0@u
d_u LG| _8|[u _0d dMgdd
Od O0 OlOGOG OgQ M8g
gd 2@OlG _d|L ML
Gd0du @Ol @Od Olg 0Od
0 gu| O[ @L0@u
@__ GOG|0 @GG| OGgG[.

My friend!
Your lover left in the very harsh
early dew season
when the round pakandrai flowers
that are as wide as spears of warriors
were in bloom, and you trembled.
If he thinks about you and comes back
in early summer
when the kongam flowers that look
like skilled artists-created
beautiful head ornaments bloom
and the elegant eengai sprouts sway,
he is a just man. May be live long! Translated by Vaidehi

_O Og| long live the just man, Ggg| friend, u_O warriors, GO0 OG
Olg spread like a spear, d@LLlG Gg0 covered skin, LM0 round, gLLlG
like, LdGO_ u0@u pakandrai flowers, d_u LG| harsh dew season, _8|[u
early dew season, _0d tremble, dMgd -seen, Od O0 OlOGOG talented
hand-skilled man, OgQ created, M8g made, gd hair jewel, 2@OlG _d|L
ML big, Gd0du kongam, @Ol @Od closed buds, Olg open, 0Od
eengai, 0 gu| fine sprouts, O[ elegantly, @L0@u - swaying, @__
GOG|0 early summer, @GG| OGgG[ think of me and come

__|OM 90, @8|0 @8|, u@gu g|OM Ggg| gO0OllLu
M8GG@, LMG GdL@uLd The urai written by the Tamil scholar S. V.
Subramanian and others state that the hero sends a message through the bard that he wants to return,
and the friend refuses the offer the implication is that due to his quarrel with his concubine (the
dancer), he wants to return to his wife.
__ @0 OlgOlG @0d0 @@
2OLG LGOulG ML@0 Od @O
O_G @0 QO0gg| O00|g Gggg
QdL Qd MdML QG _0 d0|0dMu_
OL uO0 @0O[ @
ML@0 dl@ @u @@u LGu LlOM0
_0 dM _u 2dd 20du
@gGu ML@u u 8|0 @g|
0 MLMG 8|0 OOud @@udu
280 2@ Mgg|0 _80 LL
G @0 uddGu_ Mdg @
LG @G@ uu @O GO@OL OOG.

During the dance festival
in this loud ancient town,
the poor washer-woman washes for many,
soaks the clothes in thin rice gruel
and rinses them.
The dancing girl wears soft fine clothes
washed by her,
dons a fresh flower garland that sways
as she runs,
sits on a swing with thick ropes made
with dark palmyra fibers
which is pushed by her friends.
She cries and moves away,
this young girl with soft hair and few bangles,
the one who is in pain because of the quarrel.
She is in the midst of undesirable people,
and the kings dancing hall remains unused. Translated by Vaidehi

__ @0 OlgOlG dance festival, @0d0 @@ loud ancient town,
2OLG having, LGOulG many, ML@0Od @O non-stopping, O_G
@0 without wealth, QO0gg| washerwoman, O00| night, Gggg soaked, Qd
food, Qd kanji, MdML with, QG _0 d0|0dMu_ some fresh clothes,
OL uO0 fresh garland, @0 O[ swaying, @ run, ML@0 dl@ big
rope, @u twisted, @@u LGu dark palmyra, LlOM0 woven, _0 dM
flower-like eyes, _u friends, 2dd push, 20du does not swing, @gGu
ML@u cried and moved, u 8|0 @g| beautiful delicate hair, 0 suffering,
weary MLMG woman , 8|0 delicate or few, OOud @@udu young girl with
bangles, 280 swing, 2@ Mgg|0 inherent business, _80 LL without quarrel,
G @0 uddGu_ Mdg @ mixed with undesirable people, LG @G@
without use, uu an expletive, @O GO@OL OOG this kings dance hall,
assembly hall

__|OM 95, GdLLuL0OG, @_|@8| g|OM gO0OG M8GG@
dOg L_ @[0d L0 @u d_0d
__ udu Lg Md_u Q GG dl_@
gOg g u dG| GG M8u @dg
@g gO0 ug| OG L_g @0d
dOgd dM @@u MLO_ _| OlO8g@ O@@
@_d @@uddu guu MdL_u d
@G_dgg@GO @@ u|Ou8 8@
8@G[Gu @ uld Md88|
Md88| Oddgg@GO Ll_
Ol_gg_@ _d@ LlMlgg OG M@G8.

In the small well-guarded hamlet in the hills
where my girl with fragrant hair lives,
bamboo flutes and instruments create loud music
and kuravar children climb rapidly
on big boulders and clap to that beat,
as a sweet-fig colored soft-headed, red-faced,
strong young female monkey balances and sways
on the tightly twisted high rope,
that belonged to a dancing girl.
She holds my heart, and only she can release it. Translated by Vaidehi

dOg @0d|0 (Q000@g0), L_ @[0d @O8 g0|dd, L0 @u
d_0d L0 OOd Ogg|0dgu @g0d, __ udu Lg __u
MLMM Lg, Md_u Q GG dl_@ ML@u @@d@ML
O0|OuG dl__|0, gOg g u dG| GG gg|lG @G|
LggOgLGLG_, M8u @dg 8|dLQ @du, @g gO0 ug| L@
(GLG_) gO0O 2OL MLM @[0d|G, OG L_g @0d O@OG
@L _L, dOgd dM @0d|0 @d|0, @@u MLO_ _| ML
LO_lG u@ _|, OlO8g@ O@@ GOdud O@@, @_ @@uddu
uO0l0 O@LOdu|G 8|@Odu, guu MdL_u guu
MdL_Odu, d @G_dgg@GO gd@G_gg|G0, @@ OuuG,
u|Ou 8@ dO@OL 8|_@, 8@G[Gu 8|_@0 2uuOGu, @
uld Md88| @ uG@uu gO0QOL uO0 L_LMLM,
Md88| gLMLM, Oddgg@GO OdG0, Ll_ Ll_[0,
Ol_gg_@ _d@ Ol_Oldd @@, LlMlgg OG M@G8
LlMlddLLLL@ OG M@

__|OM 97, u_G O@g|, @0O0 g|OM gO0Ol Ggg|lLu
M8GG@
@@ L_ Ol@L QM O@uQ O Q0[
OOO M@8g@ O@ O_|g0@
LlOl0 Q0uLl @O@u @l0|@u
Gg@ Mdg @ @ G| MdGg
gG|@u Mdu gGG ugG|G
@g gO0 @gg OL0 @@ddgg|G_
Llgg|Od Ol[Q u0 Mduu G[ OG
OM_ @g OLu g|g@u
gMLO0 2gO gG| uL udGu.

When the cuckoo
sings near me
in plaintiff notes,
the hurt is like a deep,
unhealed wound sore being
thrust with a lance.

Harsher than that is when the
river runs with abundant
clear water.

Much more harsher than that
is the farmers special,
delicate daughter who
calls out and sells
in her bee-swarming basket,
fresh kurukkathi flowers
with beautiful soft petals,
mixed with jasmine flowers
raised in the field. Translated by Vaidehi

@@ L_ Ol@L QM deep old sore, O@uQ O Q0[ scar thats edges have
not dried up, OOO M@8g@ painful heart, O@ O_|g0@ like a spear was plunged,
LlOl0 Q0uLl @O@u @l0|@u more than the cuckoo bird singing mournfully,
Gg@ Mdg @ @ river that runs with abundant clear water, G| MdGg is
more harsher, gG|@u Mdu gGG the girl who is harsher than that, ugG|G
@g gO0 @gg beautiful soft top petals, OL0 @@ddgg|G_ Llgg|Od
Ol[Q u0 Mduu G[ OG mixed fresh kurukkathi and jasmine flowers, will you take,
OM_ @g OLu bee-swarming basket, g|g@u going around, gMLO0
field, 2gO gG| uL udGu the farmers special delicate daughter

__|OM 98, LMG 2dd|[L ML@O@g|, @_|@8| g|OM gO0Ol
M8GG@
Ou @u GG L@2 ulO@gg|G
M8uu GuO0 8|@ dL LG_|
@0@ uO0 OlG QGu Lk@ O 0@ ML_|
@Og @Ogu ML@g|0 gg@
L0dL Lddg@L L00| LLMLG
Mu00Mu00L Ll_dGd ML@ gG
d0 OuL Luu| Og|u LG
OOg @uQu d 2OL Ol0 dg
@@8d dO0 @dg Lgu Gdd|
@[OlG O@2u gG|@u MdGg
OOd@u ML@g0 g00d
dMMM_ O[ OG @0 M@G8.

O man from the country where
a small-eyed pig with porcupine-quill-like
coarse neck hair
walks toward the wide millet field
in the tall mountain
anxious to graze, unaware of the big trap,
but walks back to his cave to sleep,
when he hears a lizard call from a nearly
toothbrush tree!

You come into my fathers well-guarded big house
when the guards are tired.
Harsher than that is when
my tired eyes are unable to close
during the day, and my soft heart is lost. Translated by Vaidehi

Ou @u GG porcupine hair like, L@2 ul coarse hair, O@gg|G in the
neck, M8uu GuO0 to eat, 8|@ dL LG_| small-eyed pig, @0@ uO0 tall
mountain, OlG QGu wide field, Lk@ to catch, O 0@ big, ML_| trap,
@Og small path, @Ogu ML@g|0 when entering, gg@ without delay,
L0dL toothbrush tree, Lddg@L nearby, L00| LLMLG heard lizard calls,
Mu00Mu00L Ll_dGd ML@ gG slowly went back to his, d0 OuL
rock cave, Luu| to sleep, Og|u lives, LG country man, OOg @uQu my
father fosters (my) virtue, d 2OL with protection, Ol0 dg big house, @@8d
dO0 sleepless guards, @dg Lgu Gdd| see when they are tired, @[OlG
O@2u to come at night, gG|@u MdGg harsher than that, OOd@u every
day, ML@g0 g00 unable to close, dMMM_ tired eyes, O[ doesnt come
back, OG @0 M@G8 my soft heart

__|OM 100, L[M, u@gu g|OM - L[gOg Ol_0|lLu M8GG@
2ugMg@u @GOG Ggg| Ou2d|
ud Mddd|G 0@ GG
@M_ _uL0 gM @O_ 2[G
Ggu dug @uL0 L__| OG OlG
OG Gd0 O0 OOu MOuOl _80
8|GOl @dg@ 8|GO@ M8G@ |G
uOGGL@ 2O[LL0 OG_0|G @OG 2L
L0 _ M_ |O[ Ol00|G gu
Gg OM uO0G @Og GL @O8L
Q0u Q Ol 0u Q @gOlG
uM _ dMMlG g|@u
GG[uG _0@ @ |O0G.

Whenever I think about it,
I laugh my friend.
The man
from the cool port
where waterlilies grow
in ponds deep like bills of
rainy-season storks,
pulled my honey-fragrant,
five-part braid and plucked
my white, bright bangles
from my hand
when we had a quarrel,
and made me angry.

I told him
that I was going to tell his wife
about what happened.
The man who wants it good,
trembled with fear
like the roaring
mud-packed, beautiful
tight drums of the dancers
who came from another land
to dance for king Malaiyamn,
who donates fine chariots
to those who come
to him after winning cattle herds
from the other side of town. Translated by Vaidehi

2ugMg@u whenever I think about it, @GOG Ggg| I laugh my friend, Ou2d|
sharp claws, ud Mddd|G rainy season stork, 0@ sharp beak, GG
like, @M_ pond, water, _uL0 white waterlily, gM @O_ cool port, 2[G
man from such town, Ggu dug honey fragrant, @uL0 five-part braid, L__| held,
OG my, OlG with me, OG Gd0 white round, O0 OOu bright bangles,
MOuOl plucked, removed, _80 quarrel, 8|GOl @dg@ angry face, 8|GO@
M8G@ go without anger, |G your, uOGGL@ 2O[LL0 Ill tell your wife,
OG_0|G I said that, @OG 2 edge of town, L0 _ many cows, M_ |O[
lots of cattle, Ol00|G battle with arrows, gu win, Gg OM uO0G
Malaiyaman who gives fine chariots, @Og ancient, GL @O8 great fame, Q0u Q
Ol dancers who came from another land, 0u Q @gOlG beautiful tight
drums, uM _ dMMlG mud packed eyes, g|@u sound, GG[uG one
who wants it good, _0@ tremble, @ |O0G distressed situation

__|OM 102, M8uLlG, @_|@8| g|OM gO0Ol d|u|lLu M8GG@
She wants the bird to tell her lover that shes alone in the millet field
Md_0 @[0 @O_gg M8O OLOL0 d|u|
@80 @uLl _ Lgu MdM_
|G @O_ @gg LlGO_ OG @O_
M8g0 GOM_u0 Od Mg@@ @[LL0
L0 GdL L0OlG 8[0 O L_
|G d|Ou u@0d|G G8_| _lG
u uO0 d|gGO_@ 2O[ug| @u uO0d
dGd @_O uL udu
G0 dO0 _lGu OGGO.

O beautiful red-mouthed green parrot!
Do not fear me!
Eat as much as you want, and when satisfied,
take care of my desire.
I beg your favor with my clasped hands.
If you go to see your relatives in the nearby
mountains where jackfruit trees have many branches,
see the lord of the mountain
and tell him that the forest dwellers innocent daughter
is waiting for him in the millet field. Translated by Vaidehi

Md_0 @[0 curved millet stalks, @O_gg reduced (by eating), M8OOL OL0
d|u| red mouthed green parrot, @80 @uLl remove (your) fear, _Lgu MdM_
take food, |G @O_ @gg LlGO_ once your need is satisfied, OG @O_ my
need, M8g0GOM_u0 to take care, Od Mg@@ @[LL0 I plead with my
hands, L0 GdL L0OlG many branched jackfruit tree, 8[0 mountain slopes, O
L_ his country, |G d|Ou your relatives, u@0d|G nearby, G8_| _lG if
you reach, u uO0 d|gGO_@ lord of that mountain, 2O[ug| tell him, @u
uO0d this mountain, dGd @_O uL udu forest kuravars innocent daughter,
G0 dO0 _lGu OGGO is in the millet field to protect

__|OM 105, @Lgg|@u_G , LO0 g|OM gO0OG gG M@8|Lu
M8GG@
@u| Md O0g @u O[ @0Og@
gu| 8|OG g|[ O 8| Olu|LL
MOO Ou| Og0@u GO Ll0 u@0d|0
d_ OL OG dGM__ O@g
M_ __ |g0 @0 _0dM
@@ [d dOO0 OGG M_@ G8M
LLLOG Og| M@G8 @L_OG
@L OO[8 OG u @ggd @OOu
OM_ L_ OG GL@ du@u
u 8|0 @g| @u LL 2_GO.

Greetings to you, my heart!
The hot wind is blowing and
silk-cotton trees with thorns in their trunks
and dry vine twined around them,
are trembling as their branches break;
an elephant walking with her calf is distressed
with no water or shade in sight;
you are trying to cross this difficult path.

Your bond with the girl with eyes like
the blue waterlilies of Cherans mountain springs,
and delicate hair
filled with the fragrance of white buds
swarmed by bees, is precious. Translated by Vaidehi

@u| Md dried creepers, O0g surrounded, @u thorny, O[ trunk,
@0Og@ silk-cotton trees, gu| 8|OG branch, g|[ tremble, O 8| blow, Olu|
sounds, LL break, MOO Ou| hot wind, Og0@u happen, GO Ll0
bamboo filled, u@0d|0 area, d_ OL OG fast walking elephant, dGM__
O@g sad with calf, M_ __ |g0 @0 no water or shade for a long distance,
_0dM there, @@ [d difficult dry path, dOO0 cuved paths, OGG
you do not think, M_@ G8M far away, LLLOG Og| M@G8 may you live
long my heart, @L_OG Cheran king, @L OO[ western mountains, OG springs,
u @ggd @OOu dark leaf purple water-lilies, OM_ L_ bees swarming, OG
GL@ du@u white bud fragrance, u 8|0 @g| beautiful delicate hair, @u LL
2_GO. precious increasing bond

__|OM 110, GLgG, LO0 g|OM gO0OllG g M8GG@
Ll[8u d0g MOM OOg g uL0
Ol dg|L ML_d0g@ g@ Od g|
QOLLLlG _@u _ gO08 8|@ Gd0
2M OG@ @d@Q LlOgLL MgM
@g@ L ML_8|0uQ g0|LLg gg@_@
O[d g_ M8u @@ M8Ol0|
L Mu0|@ gg| Lg @
O0 u@d@u 8|@ OlOuL
_|Qu g@dd@u M_ 2MgGuMd0
MdML Md@ G @ O_G 2_M_G
Md_gg gOg Md@@ G8@ 2uuu
g@@ @M0@ _0 GL0
ML@@ u@g@ 2M@u 8|@ u@OdGu.

Her slightly grey-haired, wise foster mothers
used to carry glowing gold bowls
with sweet milk mixed with honey and follow her.
They ran behind her to the pavilion,
with their soft-headed small sticks
and forced her to eat.

My playful daughters golden anklets
filled with pearls from clear waters,
jingled as she jumped and ran away,
refusing the food they brought.

Her husbands family has grown poor now.
She doesnt think about the rich rice her father used to give,
softer than the delicate sand under running water.
She eats what she can,
that little girl with such great strength. Translated by Vaidehi

Ll[8u d0g GgG d0g, MOM OOg g uL0 MOMMl_
OOG @G| L0, Ol dg|L ML LLg, ML_d0g@ g@ Od
g| g@ Od0 ML_d0gOg g|, QOLLLlG _@u @Lgg|0
_@u, _ gO0 MuGOuG gO0, 8|@ Gd0 8|GG duQ, 2M
OG@ @d@Q 8LLl_ OG@ gL, LlOgLL , MgM Mgu|g ,
@g@ L ML_8|0uQ @g@ |[uLl 800Od, g0|LL g0|dd,
gg@_@ @g|g@, O[d g_ 8|_|@ O[gg g0, M8u @@
M8Ol0| OgG M8Ol0|g gu, L Mu0|@ gg| LlGG0
@L @0@, Lg @ Lg0 G @, O0 u@d@u 8|@
OlOuL GOMOg u@g@ 8|@L LluOuggGud OlOu,
_|Qu g@dd@u M_ 2MgGuMd0 OLL _|Qu
g@dd@u OgG, MdML Md@G @ O_G 2_M_G MdML
dMOG|G @_uLu gOu 2__g, Md_gg gOg Md@@ G8@
2uuu gOg Md_gg @LLl G8_O_ 2MM uLLu, g@@
@M0@ _0 GL0 O8@ @_u l0 2uu @MMl
uM0 GL0, ML@@ u@g@ 2M@u 8|@ u@OdGu u@g@ OG
O L0 2uuOg 2M@u @MlQOLOu

__|OM 111, L ML d|OLddOl0O0, Mg0 g|OM Ggg|
gO0OllLu M8GG@ The word maral has two meanings - hemp plant and tree. It
means tree here. I have used S. V. Subramanians urai for this translation. In other songs, it means
hemp. The hemp fibers are used by the mountain people to make clothing.
gg @@LOLL _OlG GG
@g gO0 @_MO_ MgOd uG ML_ @
O OO0L L[gO d@ OlOG8 8|_
u[0 Gu_MdM_ uG dMu gOdu
MO g|_0 @OuO GOL_ O@g0@
g|u|0 Gu_MdM_ g|O[8 [u g|
Ou O8 _MO_ O uG MdM
|Mu ML GgMl @@ uM0 @g| g@u
ML@0 dg|L Lddu d0M0G
O@Gu Ggg| MdMdG GgG[.

Brave fishermen kids
take their tightly woven nets
to catch many kinds of fish,
and prawns with heads as soft
as wasteland iruppai flowers.
They are like the strong youngsters who
climb on trees and raise their voices
to chase deer herds.

They climb on their boats
and brave the salty waves,
come back with a bountiful catch of fish
and sword-mouthed sharks,
and cut and place the flesh
on the spread sand.
Your lover will come in his chariot
with a loud noise from that seaside town. Translated by Vaidehi

gg LO0 |0u, @@LOLL _OlG GG @@LOLL _OOL GLG@,
@g gO0 MuGOuG gO0 (2OL), @_MO_ @_0 uMG_,
MgOd uG ML_ @ Ll_ uGdOuu LlLLg_dd, O OO0
dL OO0, L[gO d@OlOG8 8|_ O0|OuOL L[gO8
8|@Odu, u[0 Gu_MdM_ u[u Gu0 _| (maral has two meanings jute
plant and tree), uG dMu gOdu uG @GgOg g_dd, MO g|_0
@OuO O0|OuQOL 8|@Odu, GOL_ O@g0@ g0|O
O@LLlG_GL0, g|u|0 Gu_MdM_ LLd|0 _|, g|O[8 [u g|
2LQ O0Gu0 M8G@, Ou O8 _MO_ OOuLGLG_
OOd MdML _GO_, O uG MdM |O_ uOG @g@,
|Mu 2G (flesh), ML GgMl GgMll0|@@ MdM_ O@, @@
uM0 @g|g@u L[Ol uM0|0 L[LLl, ML@0 dg|L Lddu ML
2OLLddu, d0M0G O@Gu d0 OG_ g0|G_ O@Gu Ggg|
Ggg|, MdMdG GgG[ dL_dO[ 2[@OL GgG[

__|OM, 118, LO0 L ML@0d_0Gd, LO0 g|OM gO0Ol
Ggg|lLu M8GG@
OLdO[ ug@ 00@ 8|OG g0|g
gu| dOlG Og| gM @u ML@uLl0
G8OM0_ Mdg @ M80dM @@0 @l0
QdG@ Og| _@u _ u0| dO0u
dGG_ uG_ u u_g|8|GG OG
@M 2@Q 2OLOgGgO0u QM OlOG
@O uddu gu [d@ 2L
@d|0|Od GG @g gO0L Lg|
O0 @gg 0 OM_ LL g|
Q@ u0 Mg@QMg@ @O@u
M@u0Ld@ Gu OG M@G8.

A red-eyed, black female cuckoo
unites with her male
and sings lovingly with him
on the fresh, sprout-covered
dense branches of a mango tree
in the cool, fragrant grove
on the sandy shores.

He left us when the flowers
were in full bloom,
and I am very sad that he forgot us.
Also, my heart aches
when I see the new flower vendor
as she calls out and sells
on all the streets,
fresh, white petaled pthiri flowers,
swarmed by bees,
their soft tops looking like the
paint-filled brushes of skilled painters. Translated by Vaidehi

Meanings: OLdO[ on the sand-filled shore, ug@ 00@ 8|OG mango trees
close branches, g0| gu| thriving sprouts, dOlG Og| attained beauty, gM
@u ML@uLl0 in the cool fragrant groves, G8OM0_ Mdg @ united/close with
its male, M80 dM @@0 @l0 red-eyed black kuyil, lark, QdG@ Og| _@u
sings back with desire, _ u0| dO0u dGG_ the one who left when flowers were
in full bloom, uG_ for sure or an expletive, u u_g|8|GG OG that he forgot us,
@M close, 2@Q lot or plai tune, 2OLOgG gO0u on top of feeling very sad ,
QM OlOG @O uddu painters with trade skill, gu [d@ red paint, 2L
@d|0|Od GG filled brush like, @g gO0L Lg| soft topped pthiri flowers,
O0 @gg 0 white petaled flowers, OM_ LL g| carrying (flowes) that bees
swarm, Q@ u0 Mg@QMg@ @O@u M@u0Ld@ the new lady who calls
out and sells new flowers in all the streets, Gu OG M@G8 my heart aches

__|OM 119, ML@0@G@d|g, @_|@8| g|OM Ggg| M8GG@ -as
the hero listens surreptitiously
g|OG 2M Gdg0 @ QGOG
8|@ ML_| uL ML@0 d0 L
gM Gdg OL Q0| L_2u LG
_ g[ OgGG _l@u LLLOL
@G @L ML@0 dO0 G Gu0 _@u
L0 u0d dG _@ 2uL d@0 dO0
d_uQ _L_ O@OLG_ gOG 2dgu
ML@ OO[ g0 O@@OG @uOl _
guu gOgg dMMlG O@u
@0d0 ML@@OG 00G
Q0Ol Mdu @ gG uO0l@u MLGg.

Even if the man from the mountain
where a mountain dweller places a big rock
trap with a small device
to catch a boar that comes to eat his millet,
only to find a bright colored, strong tiger
get trapped,
has come back with love wearing a garland
woven with jasmine and koothalam flowers,
he will not get her embraces,
since her sulking is larger than his mountain
where sweet-faced monkeys graze on fine food
in the groves near the stream with many flowers,
black deer herds leap and romp around with
mountain goats in the vast mountain shade. Translated by Vaidehi

g|OG 2M Gdg0 pig that eat millet, @ wander, QGOG 8|@ ML_|
uL small trap device that the mountain dweller places, ML@0 d0 big rock, boulder,
L trap, gM Gdg OL Q0| L_2u bright colored strong tiger gets trapped,
LG man from such country, _ g[ OgGG _l@u even if he came to give his
love, LLLOL grove, @G @L ML@0 dO0 G Gu0 _@u sweet faced
big male monkey grazes well and get full, L0 u0d dG _@ forest stream and many
flowers, 2uL above, d@0 dO0 d_uQ _L_ black deer herds, O@OLG_
gOG 2dgu with mountain goats they romp around, ML@ OO[ g0 in the huge
mountain shade, O@@OG when he comes, @uOl _ guu wild jasmine and
koothalam woven together, gOgg dMMlG wearing esteemed man, O@u
@0d0 ML@@OG 00G he will not get all that embraces, Q0Ol Mdu @
gG uO0l@u MLGg the sulking he has to deal is larger than his mountain

__|OM 124, Gu8| dMMggG, Mg0 g|OM Ggg| M8GG@
the friend is being the voice of the heroine in this poem. She is repeating what the heroine told her,
when the hero listens surreptitiously, to encourage him to come and marry her friend.
gG@ @0 dO0 G_|0 GL0L
Q0uQ MdM_ 2O_u QGdM OgdOd
@u __G_G @g@u OgG@
0d0 Og| @ 0Od
@Od O g|[0 GuL_ uM0 Odd
OOl GG @uuQ @MgG MOuu|
2@d@@ Mdud0u d_LL Ol@LQ_g
MgM d @u|g| @g|g@u
gMM gOg@ |G_ ML@Gg.

In the early morning hours
the black ibis cries sadly when
it is separated from its beloved.
I am living alone unable to bear
this misery.

Sir, greetings to you! If you dont come
my desire is to die.
The eengai buds and jasmine flowers
are scattered on big sand dunes
where deers strong hooves press down
and create puddles of water.
The time has come for water bubbles to flow
from these pits, looking like melted silver
that is poured to make bowls. Translated by Vaidehi

gG@ @0 dO0 the morning when it was separated, G_|0 GL0 like the andril
bird, Q0uQ MdM_ 2O_u living alone, QGdM OgdOd miserable life,
@u __G_G I am unable to bear, @g@u OgG@ if he doesnt come,
0d0 Og| desire to die, @ sir, 0Od eengai shrub, @Od buds, O
flowers (of the), g|[0 wild jasmine, GuL_ uM0 Odd big sand mound, OOl
deers, GG @uuQ strong hoofs, @MgG pressed down, MOuu| silver,
2@d@@ melted, Mdud0u bowl, d_LL like, Ol@LQ_ with desire, MgM
d @u|g| clear water bubble, @g|g@u flow down, gMM gOg@ water filled,
|G_ ML@Gg when it stops

__|OM 136, __0 Md__G, @_|@8| g|OM gO0Ol Ggg|lLu
M8GG@
g|@@ Gd0 O0 OOu GOM G gQu
@u LlMl 2@d@ GOLL@ MdL@
u@@ _@ Md_gg _GOG GL0
OG Og| L0GO LGG|
uO0 Md@ LMG_ uu|OL8 8|_|
gO0LLlQ 2MOu _|OG GL0
LL 0d@ OG OO[ Ou@
Ggu Lg| uO_d@u 2gOlL
GLd@ @0 ML0 Mg M8_ @GGG

I cried that I wanted skillfully
made armlets, and my father
who was like a good physician
who gives the right medicine,
gave them to me.

May he live long!
He gave me faultless gold armlets
that didnt slip off, fitting
tightly on my shoulders,
as if he knew that I was separated
from my mountain country lover
who has been praised by many. Translated by Vaidehi

g|@@ Gd0 skillfully made ,O0 OOu bright bangles, GOM G gQu
cried that I wanted, @u LlMl incurable disease, 2@d@ affted one, GOLL@
desired, MdL@ not refusing that, u@@ _@ Md_gg _GOG GL0
like a good physician who checks and gives the right medicine, OG my father, Og|
long live,L0GO LGG| many praise, uO0 Md@ LMG_ with the mountain
country man, uu|OL between us, 8|_| small, gO0LLlQ 2MOu separation
truth,_|OG GL0 like he understood, LL armlet, 0d@ OG OO[
Ou@ one that doesnt slip, tight, Ggu shoulder, Lg| uO_d@u without blame,
2gOl helped, GLd@ @0 faultless, perfect ,ML0 Mg gold armlets,
M8_ @GGG he gave it to me

__|OM 147, MduuuLddG, @_|@8| g|OM Ggg| gO0OllLu
M8GG@
0@ _@OGu Ml @g0 @@udu
Ggu L_ 8[0 8|@ g|OGL ML@0 @[0
M8O OL OL0 d|u| dO[ u_@
OO O8 M8G_OG OM OGd _|
GOG _Gu dg_ @G |G@
@Ol _d@u ML@ OO[ LOG
_|@u _|GG dML@u @0GG
MOg| QOG gLOLGG u0 _d Md@
OG L@ __@u @0G OG |OGOlO0
ML0 Gg OggOG @ GdL_
gO0 @O_@8|GGu GOG
M80Q gg|gOG0 u|O QGgGg.

Your mother asked you angrily,
my young daughter with a beautiful
forehead, when you went to the millet field
to chase red-mouthed, green parrots
from eating the tiny millets in the big spears,
where else happened?, and you lied
without thinking,
I with my bamboo-made rattle in my hand,
do not know the lord of the big mountains
with roaring waterfalls, I havent seen him,
or plucked flowers and played with him
in the springs.
On hearing that, your mother bent her head in anger.
You destroyed your chances of going
to the millet field. You are pitiable. Translated by Vaidehi

0@ _@OGu what happened, Ml @g0 @@udu beautiful forehead girl,
Ggu L_ 8[0 honeycomb filled mountain slopes, 8|@ g|OG tiny millet, ML@0
@[0 big spear, M8O OL OL0 d|u| red-mouthed green parrots, dO[ to take it,
you, u_@ and, OO O8 M8G_OG OM where did you go from there?,
OGd _| thus she asked, GOG mother, _Gu dg_ asked angrily, @G
|G@ standing before you, @Ol _d@u waterfall roaring, ML@ OO[ big
mountain, LOG man from such country, _|@u _|GG I dont know,
dML@u @0GG I havent seen, MOg| QOG bamboo made, gLOLGG I
was holding the rattle, u0 _d Md@ pluck flowers, OG L@ __@u
@0G OG didnt jump and play in the spring, |OGOlO0 without thinking, ML0
Gg it is a lie, OggOG you uttered, @ GdL_ on hearing that, gO0
head, @O_@8|GGu bent and angry, GOG mother,
M80Q going, gg|gOG0 since it is destroyed, u|O pitiable, you,
QGgGg to the millet field

__|OM 149, 2G088G, Mg0 g|OM Ggg| M8GG@ the friend is
being the voice of the heroine in this poem. She utters this from where the hero can hear her, so that
he can come and marry the heroine.
8|0@u L0@u dOLddM Gdd|
@dd|G 288|8 L_ Ol[0 G8gg|
u@d|0 MLM uL0 @__
8|@ Gd0 O0gGu GOG O0LL
0gMGG Og| Ggg| dG0
Q@ u0 g M _ @ @@28 O0
d_ uG L dgg L dOL@
_ u O@2u @0 Ggd MdMdMG_
M80Q g|8|G0 GG
0 u@ gg|d @O @0d0 2G[.

Greetings to you my friend!
Peering through the side of their eyes,
women in small and big groups look at me
raise their fingers on their noses
and spread gossip about me on our streets.
Hearing that, mother hit me with a swirling, small stick.
When my seashore lord comes at midnight
with his fast trotting colorful-maned strong horses
tied to his chariot
riding through the groves treading on fragant flowers,
I desire to leave with him.
Let this slanderous town get lost. Translated by Vaidehi

8|0@u few, L0@u many, dOLddM side of their eyes, Gdd| looking,
@dd|G 288|8 L_ Ol[0 G8gg| put their pointing fingers on their noses, u@d|0
in the street, MLM women, uL0 gossip, @__ spread, 8|@ Gd0 small
stick, O0gGu she hit, GOG mother, O0LL swirled,
0gMGG hit with it, Og| Ggg| greetings my friend, dG0 seashore grove, Q@
u0 new flowers, g M touched, _ @ flower fragrance , @@28 colorful,
O0 manes, d_ uG strong horses, L trotting, dgg fast, L fast trotting,
horse (2 meanings), dOL@ riding, _ u midnight, O@2u will come, @0
Ggd by the moving chariot, MdMdMG_ with the lord of the seashore, M80Q
leaving, g|8|G0 GG I desired, 0 gossip, slander, u@ gg|d ,@O
@0d0 2G[ this slanderous town

__|OM 150, d_OG @uuuuG, u@gu g|OM - L[gOg M8GG@
Bards sometimes helped the hero get a concubine. They were messengers between the concubine
and the hero. They were also messengers between the hero and the heroine during his infidelity.
Od G@ 2OLG LM @u ML@udG
u|Ou O0| 8|Ogd du|@ L0 L[LLl
[M L0 dLg @[M Mdu gOG
O@g| Og| L0 OGg Mg@@ M_
uG Ol0 2OLG GL0 @ u
OGG@u LG0 @0u OGg gM OLd
d0| u dOL@ O@ Ou G8g
g@u dMMlu dL g@Ou
M@8u MdMLOu Ol_Gu @8
dM@OL8 8|@ Gd0 L__|d
dgu ML@ 2OLu @0dG0 @0Gu.

Bard, your lord is a big joke!
Pandiyan king Vazhuthi
with his elephant forces and armies
destroyed many strong forts.
The small-region kings who
praised him saved their forts
from his victorious armies.
I dont feel sorry for them he said
as he rode his proud trotting horse
into our settlement,
gave me garlands and flower strands
and took my heart.
Will that blame go away?
Youll fear my angry mother whos holding
a small bamboo stick with no compassion. Translated by Vaidehi

Od G@ 2OLG - hes a joke, LM bard, @u ML@udG your lord,
u|Ou fort, O0| strong, 8|Og - ruined, du|@ L0 L[LLl spread few
elephants,
[M L0 dLg victorious over many forts, @[M Mdu gOG victorious army,
O@g| Pandiyan Vazhuthi, Og| L0 OGg Mg@@ praising that hell live long,
M_ here, uG Ol0 2OLG GL0 like those who still have their forts, @
u for that, OGG@u LG0 @0u we dont feel sad, OG thus, gM OL
cool trotting, d0| u proud horse, dOL@ O@ Ou G8 rode on it and came to our
settlement, g@u dMMlu dL showed me garland and flower strands, g@Ou
independent, M@8u MdMLOu took my heart, Ol_Gu will it leave, @8
(for you) to fear, dM@OL8 8|@ Gd0 L__| holding small stick with nodes (bamboo),
dgu ML@ great anger, 2OLu she has, mother, @0dG0 @0Gu
has no compassion, has no sadness


__|OM 152, _0uGL 8ggG, Mg0 g|OM - gO0OG
M8GG@
uLG0 duu gg@ 0G[
u|OL _ O@dd|G 0 ggGG_
@00@ dg| u@0d| O0 OluQ LL[
Q0uQ ggGG_ QdG@ M8 uM0u
O00u gggGgO0u OLMG
OLOg @OO0 @O @LuOLL
MLOL QM G_|0 20@ @[0 Ou@
d0@@u Od_Q ggG@
0@ _@MOGMd0 u|MG GG.

Love for her gave me this palm horse,
and scandal gave me
the densely petaled erukkam flowers.
The suns rays have become dull
and darkness has spread in the skies.
All these declare sorrow in this world.

The northern winds spray cold mist
and the male black ibis cries loudly
for his mate.
Night has given me helplessness.
Whats going to happen now? Im pitiable. Translated by Vaidehi

uLG0 duu gg@ love gave me this palm horse, 0G[ scandal, u|OL _
O@dd|G 0 ggGG_ - gave densely formed erukkam flower blossoms, @00@
dg| u@0d| the splendid suns rays has got dull, O0 OluQ LL[ darkness spread in
the sky, Q0uQ ggGG_ gave sorrow, QdG@ M8 uM0u the world annouces
(to me), O00u gggGgO0u all these have given, OLMG slowly, OLOg
@OO0 @O -northern winds spray old rain drops, @LuOLL in the nest, MLOL
QM G_|0 the andril bird (black ibis Pseudibis papillosa)without his female, 20@
@[0 Ou@ cries out in loud screeches, d0@@u Od_Q ggG@ night gave
me helplessness, 0@ _@MOGMd0 what is going to happen now, u|MG
GG Im pitiable

__|OM 162, LO ML d|OLddOl0O0, LO0 g|OM gO0OG
gO0OllLu M8GG@ The hero says this to the heroine who wants to go with him on his
trip
uOG 2O_ Q_OlG M80 d0 GLOLd
du @OM_ G8O0 G8[
Q0uLlG@ O@g@ QGdM uO0g
gG|G @@gg0 __G_G OG@ |G
LG| O 2MdM OLg0 d@g
@uMu_ O@O0 OG_| OuMu_
ML@u MLg gOg _ Qdg M_ d
_ G| u|d uLOO @G@
GOG|0 @__|g Gg M_ O g
Og| 280|G GdOL @d@Mg@u
@@ Ll O@_u ggu
O0O0 _@g0 g0@Gu |GdGd.

I will come with you, you say
when you see the male pigeon
that lives in your house
join his red-legged mate with love
in the painful evenings
when you are alone.
Unable to bear the pain,
your kohl-decorated wet
eyes shed tears.

You have never been separated
from your mother and famous father
who live in a mansion.
Innocent young lady!
Does it suit you to go with me
through difficult paths in summer,
when aerial roots of white fig trees
sway in the breezes
and gently touch
the female elephants sleeping under them. Translated by Vaidehi

uOG 2O_ Q_OlG pigeon that resides in the house, M80 d0 GLOL red-legged
female, du @OM_ G8O0 G8[ to joins his mate with love, Q0uLlG@
O@g@ QG dM uO0 lonely, painful evening, gG|G @@gg0 to be alone,
__G_G unable to hear, OG@ thus, |G your, LG| O wet, 2M dM eyes
with kohl, OLg0 d@g crying with sorrow, @uMu_ O@O0 OG_| I will come
with you, you said, OuMu_ with me, ML@u MLg gOg very famous father,
_ Qdg M_ d great big mansion, mother, _ separated, G| u|d
uLOO very innocent young lady, @G@ - without hatred, GOG|0 summer,
@__| white fig tree, Gg without touching (the earth), M_ O g straight hanging,
Og| hanging roots, 280|G swing, sway, GdOL when wind blows,
@d@Mg@u whenever it blows, @@ sleeping, Ll female elephant, O@_u
will blow on it, ggu path, O0O0 _@g0 to go fast, g0@Gu |GdGd
does this fit you

__|OM 169, LO ML d|OLddOl0O0, @0O0 g|OM
gO0OG M8GG@ (lizard calls - good omen)
@GG|@ @ggGu _lG G@g0
O@Ou OG@u L@O[0 g [
L_uMd0 Og| M_@ OL L00|
L[0 gO0 GLd| 8|[0 gO0d duu|
uu|O8d d0|gg O @ @0O0
__ gO0g @@OlG Gg_ gO0LMLd@u
OG Od @OLG O00|L L@
MOM GLg Og@ 00d0u MgLO0
u@@LG du@u uO0
8|@@L Lddg@ Ou ML@ d[GG.

I will finish my work that I came to do
and return home soon,
and her sorrow will be removed.
Long live the lizard on our tall walls
which announces the good news to her.
The wasteland here is filled
with pebbles and cactus
that are covered with
fragrant jasmines that
appear like kingfisher birds.
A smart goat herder plucks
white palm fronds at night
and weaves a garland,
and when he walks
on our settlement streets
the evenings are filled
with fragrance. Translated by Vaidehi

@GG|@ @ggGu _lG when I finish what I came to do, G@g0 good,
O@Ou OG@u that I will return, L@O[0 g [ remove (her) sorrow, L_u Md0
will go away, Og| long live, M_@ OL L00| lizard on tall walls, L[0 gO0
GLd| pebbles filled area, wasteland, 8|[0 kingfisher, gO0d duu| cactus, uu|O8
above, d0|gg flourishing, O flowers, @ @0O0 fragrant jasmine, __ gO0g
@@OlG shaking head goats, Gg_ herd, gO0LMLd@u moving them (grazing),
OG Od smart hands, @OLG cattle herder, O00| at night, L@ plucks,
MOM GLg white palm fronds, Og@ created, 00d0 garland, u
beautiful, MgLO0 garland, u@@LG in the streets, du@u uO0 fragrant
evenings, 8|@@L Lddg@ small town settlement in the seashore, Ou ML@
d[GG our big house

__|OM 172, L ML d|OLddOl0O0, Mg0 g|OM - gO0Ol
M8GG@
OlOu_ _Mu_ MOM uM0 @gg|
u_gGu @_g dg @Ou Od
M ML g u L0 ML@ @G|@ OuLL
@uu|@u 8|_g@ @OOO _@u OG@
GOG _|Gu QGOG@ 0GG
uu @@u @uMu_ OdG
Ol@g|G LM Olu @O8 d_LL
O0uQ OG Gd_ [@u @00@ g
@O_ Md@ MdMd 0d|G
@O_L_ g0 Ll_Qu 2uGO.

when I was playing with my friends
on the seashore,
we pressed a mature punnai seed
on the white sand
and forgot all about it.
That seedling thrived.
Mother fed it with ghee and milk
and raised it with love.
It is your sister,
and shes better than you, she said.

Im shy to laugh and play with you under this tree.
Lord of the thriving seaport with vibrant waves
where white conch shells sound
like the vilari tune of bards!
If you desire,
we can seek another shade tree. Translated by Vaidehi

OlOu_ _Mu_ OlOuL_ Ggg|dgLG, MOM uM0
@gg| MOM uM0|0 @gg|, u_gGu u_@ OlLGLu, @_g
dg @Ou (0du) @_g @OuOL OlOg, Od M8g|dd,
M ML g u L0 ML@ @G|@ OuLL Mu @G| L@u 2gg|
@G|gd Oug@, @uu|@u 8|_g@ @OOO _@u OG@ 2GOG
OlL8 8|_g@, @@ 2G g0Od OG@, GOG _|Gu QGOG@
0GG QGOG u[gg|G 8|_LQ _@u, uu @@u @uMu_
OdG 2GGG_ 8|g@L GL8 Mud 2uu@, Ol@g|G
Ol@g|0, LM Olu @O8 d_LL LMG OluLLM GL0,
O0uQ OG MOuOu O0uQ, Gd_ [@u 80@ g0|d@u,
@00@ g @00@udL0, @O_Md@ M8g|LLG @O_OL,
MdMd dL_dO[ gO0O, 0d|G Ol@uLlG0, @O_L_ g0 -
2g (u[) |g0, Ll_Qu 2uGO GO@ 2uuGGO

__|OM 175, LO ML d|OLddOl0O0, Mg0 g|OM - Ggg|
gO0OG GdL@uL gO0OlOLGL0 GL8|@ This is common in Sangam
poems where the friend is the voice of the heroine shes urging the hero to come and marry her
friend, and implies that she might be locked up at home by her mother
M_0 dL0 O0gg Md_u g|u|0 L[gO
Md@ uG MduOu g| uM0 @OO@
uG M Ld d|u|@8|0 MLgg|
8|@ g Oludd|0 @@u @ u0L
QGOG @0d| @O_OMG_ GOG
gG _|gGG_ @0Gu LGu
G8u MLM 8|@ M80 uLl
_OG GL0 Gd@u
_ L0 GG OG L8O0 MuG.

Fishermen catch fish in the wide ocean
and heap them on the shore with shifting sands.
At night they light small clay lamps
with fish oil and go to sleep.
Mother does not know about my affair
with the lord of the seashore.
She heard the village women talk ill of me,
and looked at my pallor-spreading
hot-milk-like body in the middle of the night
like she was scorching me. Translated by Vaidehi

M_0 dL0 big ocean, O0gg caught, Md_u curved, g|u|0 boat, L[gO
fishermen, Md@ uG fat fish, MduOu (to) sell, g| uM0 moving sands,
@OO@ put them in a heap, uG M fish oil, L pour, d|u|@8|0 small mud
lamps, MLgg| lit, 8|@ g small flame, Oludd|0 light, @@u they sleep,
@ u0 fragrant flower, QGOG punnai tree, laurel tree, mastwood tree, @0d|
flourishing, @O_OMG_ lord from such port, GOG mother, gG _|gGG_
@0Gu she does not know, LGu midnight, G8 setllement, u MLM
pretty women, 8|@ M80 slanderous words, uLl believing, _OG GL0
Gd@u looked at me like shed burn me, _ L0 GG like hot milk, OG L8O0
MuG pallor on my body

__|OM 176, LO ML d|OLddOl0O0, @_|@8| g|OM L[gOg
Ol_0|lLu M8GG@
Ou @ 2O_Ol _lG u @
0d|Gu OlLL@ OG 0gGgG O OlG
80LlG u|gg0 _|@ OL@ Ou
dg0u OG@Gu 2O[gg|8|G Ggg|
|O[gg OG @dg@ O d_LLL
GL@ MLg| 2OLg gM M80 dgu
OOg u 8|0uLlG OuQ LLd @OO@
g @ggGG @G @[0 @G OM_
@Ol @gOlG LML_ g[0@
MuGMu0 @O8d@u 8[0
@G_ GO0|g gu 2O_OlG 2G[.

Tell me my friend,
Did I do the right thing?
I was being magnanimous and
sent the man who cares for me
to his wife who is nice to me.

Will the people in his town,
surrounded by mountains
bearing bright red lily
buds that open up like designs
on elephant faces,
where there are banana trees,
swarms of bees that create
sweet music like that of lutes,
and wateralls that roar down
with gentle sounds in
the mountain slopes,
know that I sent him there? Translated by Vaidehi

Ou @ 2O_Ol _lG his wife being nice to me, u @ I being nice,
0d|Gu being nice, OlLL@ allowed, OG 0gGgG one who takes care of me,
O OlG there, 80LlG u|gg0 give magnanimously, _|@ not knowing,
OL@ them, Ou her, dg0u OG@Gu will his wife know, 2O[gg|8|G
Ggg| tell me, my friend, |O[gg spread, OG @dg@ O d_LL like the
designs/lines on an elephants face, GL@ bud ready to open, MLg| full, 2OLg buds
opened, gM M80 dgu bright red malabar lily, OOg banana trees, u
beautiful, 8|0uLlG mountain slopes, OuQ LL new, @OO@ crowded,spreading,
g @ggGG like yzh music, @G @[0 sweet voice, @G OM_ swarms of
bees, @Ol @gOlG roaring waterfalls, LML_ with the sounds, g[0@ there,
MuGMu0 @O8d@u delicate sounds, 8[0 mountain slopes, @G_ mountain,
GO0| fenced, gu 2O_OlG 2G[ town where he lives

__|OM 180, LO ML d|OLddOl0O0, u@gu g|OM Ggg|
M8GG@ these are the frustrated words of the heroines friend who tries to make peace
between her sulking friend and the hero
LgGL Ld0 @l@ @ @LuOL
dgG| O[ 2O[gg0|G M8M0
Ol[Q MOuu8|lG gu 2[G
L0L ML_0 O8@ u @0 O[0GG
uGu 0gOg uLl OlL0 g00Gu
GG|u MLG OG|@u Ol@u|
@@ ML@ GOg ML@ dug@ gg|gg
QGOG Ol@uu GL0
OGMG_ dg|u @O @@O[@ @dG0.

The field pelican sucks red weaver ants
from their nests in the jackfruit tree
and they get scattered
along with their eggs in the fields,
looking like red rice mixed with white rice.

The man from that town with many desires
does not come to our house any more.
The dark, beautiful girl will not let him in.
I am caught in the middle of their enmity
like the punnai tree that got destroyed
in the battlefield in the war between
two great kings, Anni and Thithiyan. Translated by Vaidehi

LgGL Ld0 field jackfruit tree, @l@ weaver ants, @ swarms, crowds, @LuOL
nest, dgG| O[ field pelican, 2O[gg0|G sucks, M8M0 red paddy, Ol[Q
mixed, MOuu8|lG white rice, gu scattered, 2[G man from such town,
L0L ML_0 gets few of them, O8@ desiring, u @0 O[0GG does not
come to our house, uGu dark pretty girl, 0gOg welfare, uLl trusting, OlL0
g00Gu will not let him in, GG|u a king called Anni, MLG King Thithiyan,
OG|@u Ol@u| with their enmity, @@ ML@ GOg two great kings, ML@
dug@ big battle field, gg|gg destroyed, QGOG punnai tree, Ol@uu GL0
like enmity, OGMG_ dg|u end with me, @O @@O[@ @dG0 the hatred of
these two

__|OM 182, LO ML d|OLddOl0O0, @_|@8| g|OM Ggg|
gO0OllLu M8GG@
|0Qu uO_gG@ @@gu LLLG@
@Og@ GG @L@OL OO[LLlG
LOO GG |_ Q_0dd@u
8|_g M80Og@ GOGu @@8|Gu
Md_g@LL_ G d0u O_g@d MdML0@
G uQ OL @0d| MuGMu0
dMLGu O@du M8GGu Ggg|
d@u Gu@u dLGL gg
O@ gO0L ML@0 du|@ GL0
gu|G OGgG LG|O0 G

The moon has vanished
and it has become dark.
She is sleeping, your rich
mother who protects you like
Kolli goddess with a painting-like temple.

Lets go and see him quietly, my friend.
He has come like a dry-headed, big elephant
who came away from his guarded stable,
and this is like getting back lost jewels.
Get rid of your sorrow. Translated by Vaidehi

|0Qu uO_gG@ the moon has gone, @@gu LLLG@ it has become dark,
@Og@ GG painting like, @L@OL -in wide space, OO[LLlG temple, LOO
GG Kolli Pvai like, |_ Q_0dd@u standing and protecting, 8|_g M80Og@
very rich, GOGu @@8|Gu mother slept, Md_g@LL_ to lose, G d0u
nice jewels, O_g@d MdML0@ to take it, G uQ handsome chest, OL
@0d| to embrace him ,MuGMu0 quietly, dMLGu lets go and see, O@du
come, M8GGu Ggg| lets go my friend, d@u Gu@u elephant pole ,dLGL
one who protects, gg removed, O@ gO0L dry head,ML@0 du|@ GL0 like
a big elephant, gu|G OGgG he came here sad, LG|O0 get rid of your sorrow

__|OM 184, L ML d|OLddOl0O0, LO0 g|OM -
gO0OllG g M8GG@
g@ udu 2OLGG uGGG Ogu
M8@ u|@ MuuLlG GO0 dOu_
ML@ uO0 @@ [u M@0 M8G_Gu
@G|G g0@ |G O0u OG_| @ u_@
00Gu g0@Gu _|QOL G[
2uu|G 2uuu GOGu 2MdM
uMl Og LOO OL d__GG OG
Ml @_ @@udu _
uMl M88|u Mg__|u dMGL.

I am a mother with just one daughter.
Yesterday she left
with a smart strong young man
with a sharp spear
to cross the harsh wastelands
with tall mountains.

Wise men!
You ask me how I handle my sorrow!
My heart aches when I think of her.
How can I tolerate this pain,
when I think of her beauty with
kohl-rimmed eyes and delicate walk,
and when I see our verandah
and the beautiful nochi tree near it,
where my little girl played. Translated by Vaidehi

g@ udu 2OLGG g@ udOuOL g G, uGGG
dg|Qd@_|LQ, Ogu Ogu, M8@ u|@ MuuLlG ___@u
O0|OuOu u|@g, GO0 dOu_ OuG GOO0OL
@Ou@GG_, ML@ uO0 ML uO0, @@ [u d_OuG
LO0 |0u, M@0 M8G_Gu G_@8 M8G_u, @G|G g0@ |G
O0u OG_| @G| OLL 2G @GLgOg g0@O OGd|G_ du,
@ u_@ Og,
00Gu g0@Gu - OOO@ g0d @Gu, _|QOL G[
_|QOL G[, 2uu|G 2uuu GOGu |OGgg0 2uuu G@Gu,
2MdM OulLL dM, uMl Og LOO (dM) uMld @@d@u
MLM, OL d__GG OL LlG@ Lg@LGLG@, OG OG, Ml
@_ gdG8 8O0OL, @@udu _ 8|@ udu
OlOu, uMl M88|u - gd| M88| u[gOgu,
Mg__|u dMGL g|MOMOu dMGL

__|OM 191, 2G088G, Mg0 g|OM Ggg| gO0OllLu
M8GG@ the friend is being the voice of the heroine in this poem.
She says this in such a way that the hero could hear. Hes on the other side of a wall.
8|@ O @g0 GgG Gg gu @M
G @Og udu| O uM0 @Oggg
OML_ LOO OG @O0 @__g@
gM ML_|8 M0d|G @@ LLg gu
dML0 GO0|d du 8|@@
O00| OgGG_ Gg OG8 M800|
0 O@gG@ @O 2G[ L0@gu
OG Gdd|GGu GOG Ou
uMlL _ @MLdu MdGG _lG
Mld dOlG 2MOuG Gg uMld dg|
@u _0 dG0 O@ O
O@ Gg GLg0 gG|@u Gg.

The honey-filled, bright small gnalal flowers
drop delicately on the breasts of the sand dolls
made by the beautifully-jeweled young girls,
and they appear like womens beauty spots.

Gossip has started
in this small town with beautiful screwpine fences,
since my lover came riding his chariot last night.

I was with a few friends when mother looked at me
with questioning eyes.
If I am not sent out to cut the sapphire-like
blue mundakam flowers, my beauty will be distressed.
If he comes to the flower-filled fragant seaside grove
and leaves with an empty chariot, that would be even more painful. Translated by Vaidehi

8|@ small, O flower, @g0 gnlal tree, tigerclaw tree, cassia sophera, GgG Gg
honey filled, gu @M bright bunch, G @Og perfect jewels, udu| women, O
long, uM0 sand, @Oggg -filled, OML_ LOO sand doll, OG full, @O0
breasts, @__g@ front yard, gM bright, ML_| dotted, M0d|G yellow splts,
@@ delicately, LLg gu fall, dML0 thazhai, screwpine, GO0| fenced, du
beautiful, 8|@@ little town, O00| night, OgGG_ Gg OG8 M800| that
the chariot came, 0 gossip, O@gG@ arose, @O 2G[ in this town, L0@gu
among many, OG Gdd|GGu looked at me, GOG mother, Ou tomorrow,
uMl sapphire (colored), _ @MLdu mundakam flowers, thorn-bush, MdGG
_lG if I dont pluck, Ml beautiful, dOlG - (my) beauty, 2MOuG Gg
will really become rare, uMl beautiful, dg| brackish waters, @u _0 dG0
fragrant flower-filled grove, O@ come, O -his, O@ Gg empty chariot, GLg0
to leave, gG|@u Gg is more painful

__|OM 195, L ML d|OLddOl0O0, Mg0 - Ggg|
gO0OG|Lu M8GG@
@udG0 MdGg @@0 dg|d
@@Ou Md@ uG ug|
g|0O0u ML@uLl0 Luu| Mdugu
Mu00u Q0uL G dM8|GG
d0M0G Quu|G dG0u MgM
M0 Mg@O Ou 2_M_G
L0 @gg g0d| uL Mg0
O0g Gg__u GL0
d@@u Ggu dMGM.

Lord of the seashore
where young otters eat fat fish
and sleep in mangrove tree hollows,
and birds make loud noises
in the grove-filled Thondi city!
Hear what I have to say!

Farmers cut rice stalks with sharp knives
and many-petaled blue waterlilies
float on the moving waves.
The eyes of the woman you love
is filled with tears and she cries a lot.
Please show some pity, and marry her. Translated by Vaidehi

@udG0 @uOd (uGu QOd), MdGg @@
MdGg, @@0 dg|d d@OuG 2LQ @OL,
@@Ou @u , Md@ uG ug| Md@gg uOG 2M_,
g|0O0 u ML@uLl0 g|0O0 u[gg|G MLg|0, Luu| Mdugu
2_0@u, Mu00u @GG|O0O8, Q0uL Mg0 |0ggO0OGG,
G dM8|GG OGOGd dMLd, d0M0G Quu|G d0 OG_
g0|G_ L_OOdu, dG0u MgM dL_dO[ G8O0 |O_g
MgM, M0 Mg@O M0O0 @d@u OlO8d|du, Ou
2_M_G OuG Ou0, L0 @gg g0d| uL Mg0 L0
@ggdu (2OL) u0g Mg0, O0g Gg__u GL0
O0lG u@ u|gLL@ GL0, [uG, d@@u @u,
Ggu dMGM Ol@uLlOu|G dMGM

__|OM 199, GL 8ggG, Mg0 g|OM - gO0Ol Ggg|lLu
M8GG@
@0@ uM0 2_gg M_ uL MLMOM
O 0@ uL0 @LuOLL OLg0 MOM @@@
uMuG ug@ 2QGg@ 2@d|
uu0 GG OG 2uuMu_ 2u 2OL@
2MuGG Og| Ggg| OOu d
d_@ _ O_|g Md_u g|u|0 L[gO
O0@ OlO8g @M0 20@20@ _d|
Ou| ML[d d_O_ g u| L
0 |_ OluLlG uMG_ QO[
OLL @Oud@u @O_OG
Mu Gg @ddu dM 20Gd.

May you live long, my friend!
A white heron sits in its nest
on the mature fronds
of a tall and dark palmyra tree
that stands in the sand dunes
draped in sand,
and cries for its mate
in the middle of the night,
breaking my heart,
that becomes mushy like mud.

Net-throwing fishermen
who catch fierce sharks
in the ocean that surrounds the land
throw their fishing rods to catch fish,
and when the wind blows,
the bright flames in their boats
look like the twinkling stars
in the blue-hued skies.
I dont have the hugging embraces of my man
from this port town, and Im still alive. Translated by Vaidehi

@0@ uM0 sand dunes, heaped sand, 2_gg covered, M_ uL MLMOM
tall dark palmyra palm trees, O 0@ uL0 mature frond, @LuOL nest, OLg0 sad,
MOM @@@ white heron, uMuG ug@ in the middle of the night,
2QGg@ whenever it cries, 2@d| (I) melt, uu0 GG OG 2uuMu_
with my heart that is like mud mushy, 2u 2OL@ heart broken, 2MuGG I am like
this, Og| Ggg| greetings my friend, OOu - (land) surrounded water, ocean, d_@
_ fierce shark, O_|g throwing their nets, Md_u curved, g|u|0 boat, L[gO
fishermen, O0@ curved, OlO8g @M0 fishing rod with a gadget (mechanical),
20@ 20@ _d| in between, Ou| ML[ wind blowing, d_O_ fullness, g
-spreading, u| L splendid flame, 0 |_ OluLlG blue colored skies, uMG_
with the stars, QO[ like, OLL @Oud@u slowly twinkle, @O_OG man from
such a port, Mu body, Gg hugging, attached, @ddu embracing, dM not
having it, 20Gd there


__|OM 200, L@ L0 dMMG, u@gu g|OM Ggg| @OG|Lu
M8GG@ the bard is the heros messenger
to the heroine after his infidelity, and he usually approachers the heroines friend with the message
dMMl dL dg|[ GG
gM @[0 M88|g Mg0 @
@ d|LgGG d0 M_ Mg@Ol0
8@ OG @O@u @@ Od @O
@u _0dM @OG_|8|G uGg
_uL0 uG_ g u ML@u LgGg@L
MLOd 2d@L GLGO_d|
Od dO [uLlG L@O0 LMG
M8g 000 L0@O OO Ol_@
@@ d0 0@0 udu| @OG
ML MLg| Md_@ M80 @uQu|G OGGO.

O Potter with ancient wisdom!
Wearing nochi garland
with bud clusters of buds
that are bright like the suns rays,
and standing
on this wide and long street
that appears like a river,
announcing the festivities of our town,
please announce this message for me.

If you go to the town with fields
with white waterlilies,
tell the women with delicate wide waists
and sharp teeth,
that the trained bard who plays lovely
lute music has caused a lot of pain
with his cruel words filled with many lies,
and that they need to protect themselves. Translated by Vaidehi

dMMl dL buds tied, dg|[ GG bright like the rays, gM bright, @[0
flower bunch, M88|g Mg0 @ wearing a nochi flower garland, @ d|LgGG
appearing like a river, d0 M_ Mg@Ol0 wide and long street, 8@ festival, OG
@O@u saying that, @@Od @O - potter with ancient wisdom, @u these,
_0dM there, @OG_|8|G uGg wont you say this too, _uL0 water-lily
flowers, uG_ existing, g u ML@u LgGg@L sweet huge fields, MLOd
ponds, 2d@L GLGO _d| go to that town, Od hand, dO [uLlG
desirable yzh, L@O0 LMG trained bard, M8g 000 caused the pain,
L0@O many, OO sharp, Ol_@ teeth, @@ d0 delicately spread, 0@0
waist , udu| women, @OG he, ML lies, MLg| filled, Md_@ M80
harsh words, @uQu|G OGGO so, protect yourself