The gathering grows ecstatic
screams and shouts
crackers explode,
high pitched music
With pots of water on the heads
rose and marigold garlands
around theirt necks,
with ash smeared liberally
on their chests, foreheads, arms,
the priests dance unrhythmically,
the pot remains intact, the drummers
beat fiercely, their hair oscillating,
a strong push of the locks
not with the hand but
with the drum bells
enhance the tempo,
the eyes of the priests flutter,
tears stream down, lips quiver,
Sami irungricchu, finally.
The chief priest begins
in a belligerent tone,
“Karuppar mel anai
kodumai pala. noi niraiya
paavam peruga, throwing
poetic song set to his
own tune. His eloquence
gains momentum, he concludes
with a brandish saying
vidivu kaalm varukirathu
falls on the ground like
a log. His disciples sprinkle
water on his face. By the time
his coffer enrichens.
He is worth a hundred thousand.
PS, Karuppar is a village God. The priest swears on him and foretells that the world is full of evil, disease plenty, sins abound,
Meenas Poems 