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Akannuru Poem 318, Poet Kapilar, Kurinji Thinai What the heroine said to the hero
Forest animals wander
and elephants roam.
In the skys high places
thunder rumbles.
But you come alone
in the night
along the narrow paths
of snakes and tigers,
O man of the mountain country,
that country of fruitful hills,
ancient conquests,
and wide spaces,
where the music of waterfalls
mingles with bee sounds
like drums with lute-strings.
If you wish to marry me, you can.
But one thing: do not come
along those narrow paths;
though, if you must, please
when you leave here
and reach your village in the hills
think of us
living in anxiety here,
and get that long horn you use
to signal your hounds
and hunters
straying in the bamboo jungle. Translated by A.K. Ramanujan
Akananuru 324, Poet Okkur Masathiyar, Mullai Thinai What the chariot passengers, who were with the hero said
The soft-spoken woman with delicate bamboo-like shoulders
and perfectly made jewels will celebrate today, it appears.
Rains drops that look like young parrots down feathers,
have fallen down and the forest is full of lush green bushes.
In the water-filled springs that are like drums eyes,
rain droplets hit the buds and they tremble, and
look like the bubbles that form and burst in the muddy soil.
Fragrant flowers drop down from the tree branches in the winds,
and they spread and fall like the wings of the kingfisher.
Flowers that bees frequent are chopped by the chariot wheels,
and they flow in the rain streams that drag them down,
and they look like long snakes swimming in the fast waters.
Mullai flowering evening is here and the esteemed mans chariot
is about to enter the town.
Translated by Vaidehi
Akannuru 362, Poet Velli Veethiyar, Kurinji thinai What the heroine said to her friend
Greetings my friend!
The cold water that flows out of the mountain cracks
filled with snakes
rushes through the small crevices filled with honey,
and flows down to fill the streams.
A tiger gored by an elephant with white tusks
is injured and hides in a rocky cave,
his mate with sharp claws that look like murukkarumpu flowers
guards the entrance which is unapproachable.