Rajaram Ramachandran Poems

After writing the story of Silappadigaram, the Killer Anklet, I thought this story will not have a good finish, unless I write the story of Manimegalai, in continuation of the earlier story for the reason Manimegalai, the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi, was complled by her mother to renounce the worldly life in her prime youthful days, while her grandmother wanted to bring her into her family's dancing girl profession. It was a trial period for this young girl to face the male dominated society and keep her modesty, while sticking up to the religious compulsions she was thrown in. Finally, she comes out successful in the new chosen field of religious order.

One of the finest jewels of Tamil poetry', the epic poem Manimekalai by Poet Sathanar,2nd century A.D., is unique for the deep spirituality and mysticism it unfolds against the historical and geographical background of South India and of adjacent Jaffna (Sri Lanka) .
The death of her father, Kovalan, under tragic circumstances, weighs upon the mind of young Manimekala and she resolves on a life of renunciation. At every turn she is obstructed. Running through her life story are a set of counteracting forces — on the one hand is her passion to enter holy orders of a Buddhist bhikkshuni and on the other, the infatuation of Udaya Kumaran, the Chola prince, to win her favours. (Bhikkshuni = Female Monk)
...

(In the Pugar Town the elders
took a decision to celebrate
Indran Festival. This was announced
to the public thru' tom-tom beat.)
...

பாசுரம்-07

கீசுகீசு என்றெங்கும் ஆனைச் சாத்தான் கலந்து
பேசின பேச்சரவம் கேட்டிலையோ? பேய்ப் பெண்ணே!
...

"Let our flags fly in the streets
Let us decorate the temple gates,
The temple's roof top domes
And the golden hanging lamps."
...

(In the Pugar Town, the preliminary functions
of the Indran festival started. The initial program
was the songs and dances of the stage girls.
Madhavi and Manimegalai both did not come
...

"When a dear husband died
That moment his wife also died.
Some jump into the funeral pyre
And immolate them-self in that fire."
...

MMGL PART 003/001 - VISIT TO THE FLOWER GARDEN

(When Madhavi narrated of her parents'
grief, her daughter Manimegalai, who
...

'A garden meant for the king,
Near the steaming spring,
Where the princesses stay
And they enjoy their play.'
...

In the Southern Pugar Town,
When new visitors came down,
They saw tall brick buildings
And the gods' wall paintings.
...

(Prince Udayakumaran controlled
the mad elephant and came thru'
dancing girls' street. When he
enquired a resident of that place
...