Indian Antiquary Vol 61

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

Page 84

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
APRIL, 1932
Patakali murrattum chenniranni And, coming to the courtyard, Bhūmiyum toţtu nerukil vechchu
Reverently touches the earth Suryabhagavâne kei torutu
And, after worshipping the sun god, Natakasalayil katannu chennu
Proceeds to the theatre hall Tiyûtidipam kolutti vechchu
And blowing the embers lights the lamp, 21 Vilakku nisayo!am eņnořichchu
Filling it with oil, Vatakkê purattêkku iranni pennu And going over to the northern side . Murramatikunna chůletuttu
Takes the broom Mandaka murrattum chennavalu
And proceeds to the principal courtyard. Startled by the number of Nayars assembled there, she runs to her father and, waking him up, announces that twenty-two Nayars are waiting outside, one of them distinguished by his golden headwear. The father, hastily performing his morning prayers, goes to meet the Nayars. The Varunnor, seeing the old man coming, takes no notice of him nor does he even get up on seeing him. The chekavar, advancing, makes enquiries as to the object of their visit :Nellînô vittînô vannu ninnal
"For paddy or for seeds are you come ? Kannino kalakko vannu ninnal
"Or for cow or for bulls, Angam pitippånð vannu ninnal
“Or for combat have you come ?" The Varunnor answers that they have come in quest of a proper chékôr. The old man replies that he himself is the chêkôr, and learns that the antagonist is Arinnoter. Ånaye mayakkunna chékôrâne
“He is a chekôr who can charm even elephants Kalla chati érum Ariñnodarku
"And is an adept in foul play. Atinêtum vêndilla vârunnôre
"That matters not, Vârunnor ; Mutu onnu chuļiññatum kûttákkenda "It recks not that one of my shoulders is
rather sore ; Pattu nara kandatum küttakkênda "It recks not that I am grey; Kayyonnu chuliññatum küttakkênda "It recks not that one of my arms is
rather infirm ; Kâlonnu vînniyatum kûttâkkênda "It recks not that one of my legs is a little
inflamed ; Pallonnu pôyatum kattakkênda
"It recks not that I have lost a tooth: Iniyoru angattinum vályamundu "I am young enough for another fight."
The Vârunnor, amazed at the spirit of the old man, enquires of Arômar. The father replies that his son Arômar is yet a boy. The latter, overhearing the conversation, calls the girl Kuttimâni, who tells him that they showed scant courtesy to his father and that they are come for a champion combatant. At this Arômar soon finishes his morning prayers and proceeds to the inner apartments of the house. Opening the strong room, he pulls out the box of jewels and adorns himself as described below. Naduvâți koțuttoru ponnunttoppi Wears the golden cap presented by the
náduvari, Kovil kotuttoru kottivala
The bracelets presented by the ruling king, Någâri ketuttoru ponkuppayam
The coat of gold presented by nágári, Sishyakal koțuttoru ponchúrakkôl The gold-mounted walking stick, the gift
of his disciples,
21 This shows that the kitchen fire 18 kept just sufficiently alive for the hot embere to be blown hy the mouth into fire-a practice which still persiste.