It Tastes Like Nectar! Poem by Dr.V.K. Kanniappan

It Tastes Like Nectar!

Rating: 5.0


To be an unwanted guest
sitting alone in the absence of the host
eating food 'hot and shining like an eye of a cat',
It is not delicious, but considered 'bitter like neem';

If you happen to eat in a house
where you are greeted kindly with respect,
the host also accompanies you to dine,
however they are poor;

Even if they provide cold watery gruel,
prepared with poor quality rice grains,
It tastes like Nectar,
imbibes with your mind and body.

POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
Hi,
This poem 'It Tastes Like Nectar! ' is a translation of a poem from Tamil literature 'naalatiyaar'

விருப்பிலார் இல்லத்து வேறிருந்(து) உண்ணும்
வெருக்குக்கண் வெங்கருனை வேம்பாம்; - விருப்புடைத்
தன்போல்வார் இல்லுள் தயங்குநீர்த் தண்புற்கை
என்போ(டு) இயைந்த அமிழ்து. நாலடியார் 210 - சுற்றந்தழால்
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Rajendran Muthiah 21 March 2012

It is miserable to be caught in a situation to eat in an unwanted place. The gruel given by the innocent and affectionate guest is really the nectar. Being a doctor, you know very well the gruel keeps away the rural folk from diabetes. Well Done. Rated *****.

1 0 Reply
Kanniappan Kanniappan 02 November 2015

Dear Thiru.Rajendran Muthiah, My response is very much delayed; but still I convey my thanks for your reading my poem and offering an elaborate and nice comment. Formerly, I didn't provide the original poem which I translated. The poem is from Naalatiyaar (Poem No: 210 from 'athikaaram suRRamthazaal') which I have given in Poet's notes.

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Veeraiyah Subbulakshmi 21 March 2012

To be an unwanted guest sitting alone in the absence of the host. Dr.V.K. Kanniappan, You have brought in here an important issue of our changing culture. It is so cruel when we are unwelcome to our own siblings houses, if they tell us to call them earlier before we arrive, but whenever we call them, they may say that they are busy. Indian Houses in India are still open to their relatives, but in Malaysia the story is different!

1 0 Reply
Chinedu Dike 02 December 2020

Really a witty rendition set aside for deep reflective thought. Insightful lines nicely put together.

0 0 Reply
Rajnish Manga 21 May 2017

I have read something like that in Sanskrit poetry also. Thanks for presenting these noble thoughts through this nicely crafted poem.

0 0 Reply
Edward Kofi Louis 01 November 2015

'Poor quality rice'; but, it will satisfy the poor. Nice work.

1 0 Reply
Kanniappan Kanniappan 02 November 2015

Dear Kofi Louis, Thanks for your reading my poem and offering nice comment.

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Vijay Sai R 22 March 2012

i am moved by your fluent flow of words...such a deep theme nicely written...nectar flowing

1 0 Reply
Kanniappan Kanniappan 02 November 2015

Dear Sai, My response is very much delayed; but still I convey my thanks for your reading my poem and offering nice comment. Formerly, I didn't provide the original poem which I translated. The poem is from Naalatiyaar.

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Veeraiyah Subbulakshmi 21 March 2012

rajendran muthiah, I like your comment here! ! so I give the Doctor 10 marks

1 0 Reply
READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Dr.V.K. Kanniappan

Dr.V.K. Kanniappan

Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
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