Mellifluous music
flows from the sanctum,
Hema stays back. Intrigued
she listens to anandhabhairavi,
anandha meaning joy
Shiva dressed in a red velvet jacket,
a pure white silk dhoti embellished
with zari runs round his waist,
boards the palanquin
another ornate masterpiece
The Shivacharayas with hair tied in a knot,
chant Om Namasivaya take the row behind
the musicians, who sport free hair.
while the palanquin bearers,
dark and rugged with thick moustache
cry samiyo as they place the palanquin
on their shoulders,
The procession commences. Torch bearers
walk beside, the fiery glow enhances the spirit.
Shiva looks glorious. Melody inundates,
ecstasy permeates as if to juxtapose
the Othuvars (vocalists) break the frenzy
with a song ” mannil nalla vannam valazham”
interpreted as,
Live gracefully on earth,
think righteously,
spread happiness around,
as Shiva unites with his consort Umayal.
Meenas Poems 