The Untouchable God Poem by Unnikrishnan Sivasankara Menon
The Untouchable God
Bhattathiri was a happy man.
He has just been invited for 'koottirippu'
To the niece of Maharaja of Thiruvithamkode
This definitely enhanced his status way above
All the high caste Brahmins of Malayalam;
May be, he would father the next Maharaja.
He stopped suddenly: did he hear a cry?
A little boy struggling against the flow of the stream
to reach for the shores. Having seen Patteri,
Raising his hands to him, the boy cried, 'save me! ! ! '
Patteri recognised the boy as son of Chathan,
A Pulayan, untouchable in caste. He ignored the cries.
It was Monsoon season and he walked fast.
Next morning an insignificant news reached him,
Chathan Pulayan's son had drowned.
'Send some rice and a Rupee to Chathan', he ordered.
The year was a thousand and ninety nine.
His bride to be had just turned seventeen.
Renowned for her beauty and intelligence
She was an exponent in Carnatic and Hindustani Music,
And spoke Sanskrit and English fluently.
At Muziris Port Patteri was inspecting his new boat
Ready for his journey to the capital of Thiruvithamkode.
Patteri, a man of many women, started singing,
'Anganamar Moule, Baale.....'
Suddenly, there arose loud shouts and cries
Patteri turned to see the boat being heaved to the skies
All his men adrift and the waters rushing to him
Before he could understand, he was swept offshore.
He now fathomed that he was drowning.
He thought he heard the cries of Chathan's son
Which he chose to ignore just a few days back,
Leaving the boy to die. His heart sank.
Before he was swallowed by the waters again
In the dim twilight, he fancied he saw a movement afar.
In his tiny little ramshackle hut,
Chathan tended his Thambran back to life.
When he regained, Patteri saw himself safe;
Tears welling up in his eyes Patteri folded his hands
Before his new untouchable god.
A great poem. You are really a knowledge man but very down to the earth. I appreciate your incessant quest for knowledge dear poet... great
I am not sure whether the eulogies you've showered on me are really due to me. But thank you. And deeply obliged.
When I was working, I used to return home a little late from work, but never omitted to devote time for books. Used to read upto 1.00 O'clock in the morning, almost every day, before I go to sleep. Now I am retired and have all the time to spend with my books
I doubt verily whether I deserve all the good words you write about me. But reading has been my prime interest since childhood. Even now.
Revisiting this poetic gem that always touches the heart. Wonderful story imbued with moral lesson that we must inculcate in our mind and implore as a way of life. Always pleasure to read this brilliant write! !
Thank you for revisiting this page and more words of appreciation
An excellent write rhat depicts the culture of a great country. The Poet's Notes are so informative. Beautifully and brilliantly written.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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5/9/2024 10:38:34 PM # 1.0.0.1119
Typo: knowledgeable