Spgm 068 - The Garland Of Evil Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

(After the folk dance and music,
Madhari went to Vaigai River
for a bath. The murder of
Kovalan Kannagi heard and
Cried. She asked the burning
Sun for the reason. A voice
from Heaven broke, "Your
husband is not a thief."

SHE CAME IN A HURRY

The folk dance came to a close.
Madhari, the old woman first rose,
And went to Vagai River
For her bath and prayer.

In the town, on some commotion,
When people talked with caution,
A shepherdess came to know this
And rushed to Kannagi's house.

KANNAGI SHOCKED

The shepherdess stood silent.
To tell the news she was hesitant.
It meant Kannagi a rude shock.
Others persuaded her to talk.

Kannagi repeatedly asked her.
"My husband hasn't come back here.
What are they telling about him?
My heart is burning like a flame."

"What news could make me shudder
It's midday past, I don't find my lover.
What others are telling about him?
I'm very much worried about him."

"My dear, my lover hasn't turned up.
I don't know where my future lies up.
Something terrible must have happened.
My heart is sinking, so what has happened? "

WHAT SHE TOLD

The shepherdess revealed:

"For having committed the theft
Of a beautiful queen's anklet,
The guards killed your husband,
Which's the news they all told."

SHE WAS UPSET AND SWOONED

Shocked by this terrible news,
Like a burning flame she rose,
But she cried "oh my dear, my dear, "
And swooned down on the floor.

SHE MOURNED AND WEPT

Kannagi mourned and wept:

"My husband confined to the flame,
Myself as a widow with no shame,
Should I carry the peoples' blame?
When I lost and cry for him."

"For the king's own error,
Now I lost my dear,
Oh Lord, take me too
For no fault of us two."

"Now my husband is no more,
And he will be drowned in the fire.
Because of the King's mistake,
Why not my life also you take? "

THE SUN DECLARED!

Kannagi shouted:

"Those who're here see!
Oh sun, fenced by the sea,
As a witness to my grief,
Is my husband a thief? "

An anonymous voice broke.
And these words it spoke:
"He isn't a thief, and I pity,
The fire will swallow this city."