Indian Antiquary Vol 61

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 17

JANUARY, 1932)
A BALLAD OF KERALA
his characteristic selfishness, remarks that whoever sets out on pilgrimage should not return home to die. Uņikkônår, however, summons bis men and hastens to his side with a palan. quin and brings him home. Konkiamma, the Kaima!'s daughter, prepares the tekkina, spreads the grass mat, and makes the bed, placing pillows at head and foot. She prepares & solution of gold and kasturi in water and applies the cup to his lips. The drink overcomes all exhaustion. Relieved and refreshed, he makes a sign to Uņikkonar to untie the bundle and measure the rasi panam, 1) which measures five and a half naris. He commands him to reserve it in order to solemnize his funeral ceremonies in a fitting manner, whatever is left being divided equally between the two nephews. Realising these to be his last words, Uņikkônår approaches him with some water to moisten his lips, when he finds that he has already passed away. The rites following the death are described as below:Kafținmel ninnu irakkunnundu
The body is taken down from the cot Tekku vatakåyi kitattunnundu
And laid in the direction of south to north, Pattupudayonnu ittitallo
And covered with a new silk cloth. Pennanmar randum muraviļichchu The two sisters bewail the loss. Chattöru vidennariyikkunnu
Announcing the death at the house, Neññattadichu toņichunkondu
They lament, beating their breasts. Atu tanne kelkkunnu ayilalarum
The neighbouring folk thereupon Otittum mandittum vannitallo
Come running from all sides. Naduvári dêsaväri ettiyavite
The náduvari and désavdi arrive there. Eņannan santukkaļum ettiyallo
Friends and relations all assemble Enaññanite kriyakal karikkunnundu And attend to the ceremonies of the deceased. Viļakkum narayume vekkunnundu The lamp is lit and a measureful of rice placod; NAļikêram onnu utechchu vechchu A cocoanut is kept split in two. Appo! parayunnu natuvari
The naduvári then speaks : Nammude jati mariyatekku
“According to the custom of our caste Odalum debanam kapikkavēņam “Cremation must be done." Vêndum janannalum vannittundu The required persons having all assembled Chotalakku virakum katjikkondu The funeral pyre is made ready, Ennayum neyyum orikkunnundu Spread over with oil. Ammavane tanne etukkunnundu Both the nephews carry the body, Talayum pitikkunnu Uņikkonarum Unikkônår holds the head Kalum piţikkunnu Unichandrôrum And Uņichandrør the feet, Purattêkku kondannu pôkunnundu And the body is taken out Kattinmêl tanne kitattiyallo
And laid on the cot. Ennayum taļi ituttukondu
Oil and tali are brought. Ennayum têchu kulippikkunnen Oil is applied all over and the body well bat hed
with water. Channanam kaļabham dharippichannu The customary marks are made with sandal
paste on the body;
13 Gold faname of small value, issued by the Kolattiri Rajas (N. Malabar) and by the Zamorin of Calicut (S. Malabar). The latter are known as pudiya, or now fanams. These wero long in use as a medium of exchange. Even at present prices of commodities sro rockoned in terms of velli, in certain outlying parts of Malabar, the common nomenclature for & panam or fanam. According to the table of values current in North Malabar, 1 panam is 40 pies or 3 89.4 p. at present ratos
4 pies (kedd) = 1 pisa. 10 pisa = 1 panam.
5 params = l rupee. These fanams are highly esteemed by the Malayalis, and it is the custom to include this among the objects which are grouped togetbor, nestly arranged, on the dawn of the Vishu or the New Year day of Malabar in the form of what is termed a kani, literally, a 'sight,' as the inmates of the house have to see the lani, whłch should be the first thing they cast their eyes on, on getting up from bod.