Wind - Part 1
In the porch of the house is a roof.
Thatched roof,
with coconut leaves.
There are seven-eight bamboo pipes,
set in criss-cross and
held together with ordinary jute rope,
and over them, the thatched coconut leaves are spread.
A small excess of rope was hanging
from one of the bamboo pipe.
A foot-long rope.
One day, This rope was happily swinging.
It doesn't seem to have even a silly worry.
Sometimes, it will look forlorn and hangs still.
It doesn't even answer, when called.
Today it wasn't like that.
Looked jolly-good.
The rope and I, are friends.
We often talk to each other.
“If you talk to a rope, Will it reply?”
Try talking to it,
to find whether it replies or not.
But you have to start the conversation,
when it's happy.
Otherwise, it will frown and be tight-lipped,
like women.
Whatsoever, the rope in this home speaks.
There's no doubt in that.
Did I say one rope?
There are two ropes.
One is one-foot long.
The other is three-fourth of a foot long.
One male;
Other female;
Man and wife.
They both were looking at each other
with amorous looks, and
were exchanging coy smiles,
bantering about sweet nothings,
they were lost in love.
That is when, I reached there.
The male rope is named ‘Kandan.'
The female rope is named ‘Valliyammai.’
(Just like people, small ropes can also be named.)
Kandan tries to hold Valliyammai.
Valliyammai backs a little.
In that particular moment, I reached there.
I asked, “What Kanda, are you fine?
Maybe I came at the wrong moment, is it?
Shall I come back later?"
For which, Kandan said,
"Ah come on, you old man!
What shyness in front of you?
What Valli, are you angry that,
this Iyer was witnessing our courting?"
“Fine, fine, don't ask me anything”, said Valliyammai.
For that, Kandan laughed aloud clapping hands,
jumped and hugged Valliyammai,
all while I was standing just there.
Valliyammai started screeching.
But, Valliyammai was also enjoying,
secretly.
Aren't we happy when others see, how happy we are?
I was also content in watching their show,
what's the crime in saying the fact?
Witnessing the intimacy of young love
brings such a great joy, isn't it?
Since Valliyammai started screeching louder,
Kandan left her alone.
After few moments, he caressed her again.
Again a screech, again the freeing;
Again a caress, again a screech;
this kept on continuing.
“What's this Kanda,
you don't seem to be interested
in saying a word to this visitor,
I'll come back after some time,
shall I leave?” I asked.
“Come on, oldie, aren't you just watching us.
Stay on for little more time.
I've few affairs to finish with her.
After I finish that,
I am thinking of having a discussion
with you on certain topics.
Don't go away. Stay”, it said.
I stood there and kept watching.
After a while, the damsel,
in the glaze of happiness,
dropped her shyness,
even forgetting that,
I was still standing there.
Immediately a song.
Elegantly broken pieces.
Every line with its own tune.
Just a couple of varaitions.
Then another song.
As Kandan finished singing, it was Valli's turn.
After one finished, the other one.
Singing one after another -- Immense joy!
For some time, they keep singing,
while standing apart, without touching.
Then Valliyammai will go herself to caress Kandan.
He comes to hug. She runs.
Immense Joy!
Valliyammai got giddy with happiness
as this continued for a long time.
I was thirsty, went to the next house to drink water,
to quench my thirst. Both the ropes didn't notice my leaving.
When I came back and saw,
Kandan was waiting for me,
while Valliyammai slept.
As soon as seeing me,
“Where did you go, old man!
You left without goodbye”, it said.
I asked, “Seems like madam is sleeping deeply”
Aaha! at that moment,
The rope exploded and
before me appeared the Lord
and how can I express His greatness in words?
The Lord of Winds appeared.
I had always presumed that,
His form would be broad and ballooned.
But, His form was like a diamond needle,
glowing brightly.
"Salutations to Vayu, the lord of winds.
You are the visible representation of the ultimate reality, Brahman.
I affirm that you are indeed the visible form of Brahman"
Hail thy wind. You are indeed the visible form of Brahmam.
When he appeared,
the skies were filled
with the life-force's power
and the warmth was spreading all around.
I worshipped Him a thousand times,
with my tributes.
The Lord of Wind sayeth: --
"My son, What did you ask?
Are you asking whether
the small rope is sleeping?
No. It is dead.
I am the life-force's power.
The body / form, that is related to me, is active.
Which doesn't relate to me is corpse.
I am the life-force.
Because of Me,
that small rope was alive;
had experienced pleasure.
After it got a bit tired,
I let it sleep -- die.
Sleep is death. Death is but a sleep.
They both do not exist where I am present.
I will come back in the evening and blow.
It will come back to life again.
I awaken it. Animate it. I am the son of power, Worship me and live."
"Salutations to Vayu, the Lord of winds.
You are the visible representation of the ultimate reality, Brahman.
I affirm that You are indeed the visible form of Brahman"
Note: This is the Part 1 of Bharathi’s Prose-Poetry titled “Kaatru”. Interested in the Series? Check here to know more about it! I have taken up the liberty to restructure the lines for the ease of reading and using few easier common terms over the literal meaning. Would you like to view the notes on translation or To read the original version in தமிழ் or in Transliterated version? Click here! And here’s a feast to the fans of Bharathi (with translation)
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