Spgm 106 - Sandra On Silappadigaram Part 1 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

SANDRA ON SILAPLPADIGARAM, THE KILLER ANKELET - PART I

Rajaram Ramachandran excels in translating epic literature into something that is clear and understandable to the average reader. Simplicity is an art not easily achieved, but the writer of "The Killer Anklet" is the rare exception. His fine-tuned lyrical style hammered out through long hours of dedicated work show him to be a wordsmith of some note.

The original story of the killer anklet was written some two thousand years ago by a royal prince turned Jain Saint in the Golden Age of Tamil Literature. The poet has condensed this complex work into simple English verses that compels the interest of scholar and laymen alike.

In the preface the artist tells us that this story was filmed in black and white some fifty years ago and that it touched his heart to see the sufferings of Kannagi, a chaste woman, who loved her husband, Kovalan, in spite of his affair with Madhavi, a beautiful dancer of some renown. Thus, these three are the protagonists of this rich, exotic tale, which revolves around Kannagi's anklet.

One can almost hear the fatal clinking of her anklet as the poet moves her musically through his passionate stanzas to the inevitable fate of Kannagi and Kovalan in Madurai Town.

This noble woman has seen her happy marriage laid in ruins because of her husband's infatuation with the seductive dancer, Madhavi. However, her love remains steadfast, even though Kovalan, once a rich merchant, returns to her virtually penniless. Instead of chiding him, she selflessly offers him one of her precious anklets to sell so that they can begin a new life together.

One can almost see Kannagi's tears falling, like pearls, as she whispers:

"The deeds not to be done
By any respectable man,
These you've already done,
But with you I will remain." (159) ,

and Kovalan's acknowledgement of her worth, which is above jewels:

"The elders' well wishes, your modesty,
Your self determination and chastity,
With these things only you came,
In my distress to console me."

"My love, give me one anklet
That adorns your soft foot
I shall go to the city market,
And for a price sell it."

"He then tightly embraced her.
Shedding tears, he felt sorry for her.
Pity, she was left alone there,
As no servant to serve her." (160) .

However, as fate would have it, Kovalan chose a goldsmith who had previously stolen an anklet identical to Kannagi's anklet from the wife of King Pandian, the ruler of Madurai Town. He seized upon the opportunity to exonerate himself by accusing the hapless Kovalan of the theft. We can hear the malice in the voice of this wicked soul as he accuses an innocent man before King Pandian:

"With no tools to make a hole
Thro' the strong palace wall,
And with no magic wand,
The thief used a magic sound."

This sound brought sleep
To the gate watchman deep,
He stole the Queen's anklet
He's now sitting in my hut." (163) ,

and so the king orders the death of Kovalan:
"A soldier threw his sword
Kovalan spoke no word,
Nevertheless, he fell down dead,
In a pool of blood." (166) .

The poet then asks the unanswerable questions as to why this sorrowful end has occurred:

Who was to be blamed?
This end had the fate timed?
Or, the King was named"
Or, the goldsmith framed?

Who'll give answer?
No answer lies here.
When justice is delayed
Then justice is denied. (167) .