Book Title: Indian Antiquary Vol 61
Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications
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JUNE, 1932)
A BALLAD OF KERALA
113
Sanippira tanrreapaharattil
"And in consequence of this ill-luck, Pettannu viņu marikkum ñane
"Suddenly shall I fall and die : Balikku pandu pisachcha vyaşam "That same Jupiter which in times of yore was
fatal to Bali Annallo Bali vadham kariññu
"And which witnessed BAli's death Oļiyambinâle marichu Bali
"Bali27 died by an arrow from an unknown
handAkkanakkayi varum inikku
“That will be my fate too. Verute marikkunnatine kkaļum
“Better to die with honour Viriyattode marikkanallu
“Than to die a plain death." "It is on these considerations that I agreed to this fight. Hear me further - Nalavastta niyyum kêttittille
"Have you not heard of the four states ? Angam pitichålê chêkôrávu
“Angam fighting alone makes a chekor, Pulasyam aniññAle nåyarávu
"As girding the sword makes a N&yar, Pünûlu mittale nambůryavu
"And the sacred thread makes a Nambüdiri, Mannalyam aniññale nåriyavu
“And wearing the tali makes a woman. Nammude pandêtte karamanmar “Our forefathers Angam pitichchu kasiññu pÔnnu "All engaged in angam fighting. Munnůrrarupattettu varshmayi “Since 368 years now, Annutottinnu varakkaum Uņņi “From that date to this Angam pitichu kariññu põnnu
"Have they maintained their prestige as
angam fighters. Angam mutaki irunnukůta
“Nor can you sit quiet and refuse to fight." "Hear me further : Nammude pandêtte karananmar “Our forefathers Iruvattu náttinnu vannôrane
“Have come from Iruvattunadu.28 Chêránperümåļu tambúranum
“Chéraman Perumal tamburan Ola eruti ayachchitallo
"Sent a written message. Eruvattu râjâvinu kattu kitti
“The king of Jaham got the letter; Kattannu våyichohu nokkunnundu "And the king reads it. Appol parayunnu rajavallo
* Then announces the king Ivitunnu éruvare ayakkavēņam
“The Ixhavars must be sent from here Malayaļa perumaļute kalpanayal "By the direction of the Perumal of Malay.
alam Pachchakutayume pachchapôndi39 “With green umbrella and the fencing foil, 29 Kula virutennoru chekavarum
“With a chekor, Kulavirutan by name, Malayalattekkannu yatrayayi
"Set out for Malabar. Yatrayum chollinnu pôkunnêram “When corning over, leaving their homes, Erucheppu kudam kondupönnu "Took with them seven oopper vessels, Velli ödavum katannu pônnu
“Came embarking in a silvery boat Chêrån Perumalu tambůrângre
“Before the tambûrân Chéraman Peruma! ; Tamburan mumbake chennitallo " Approaching the tamburan, Tamburan tiru mumbil chennuninnu "Stood before his gracious presence,
37 The reference is to Bali's fight with Sugriva, an incident described in the Ramdyana. Bali was getting the better of Sugriva, when Rama, to save the latter, despatched an arrow which killed Bali.
38 From the numerous references in this song it is manifest that the chekavaro were & community of lzhavars who were first ostablished in and about Kadattanad in North Malabar. This is particularly clear from the very significant words in which Aromar traces the origin of the race from the land of Ixham, the old name for Ceylon. The ballad thus affords striking evidence of the migration of the Ishavars from Ceylon.
29 poni, a fencing foil, club of wood, the insignia of a fencing master. (See Gundert, Malaydium and English Dictionary, p. 713.)
