What the Right Hand Receives, the Left Hand Gives Away
Posted: 22 Jun 2020, 21:08
White bearded grandfather
connoisseur of Tamil Sangam poetry
was a literary planet.
He had plates of pure silver made
for poets from the North
and scholars were his satellites.
I took him to the Kamban Kazhagam
every poetry season, even gifted him
a tiny red suitcase to keep his agenda notes.
His right hand received the gift
his left hand gave it away to his son’s daughter
and I cried and cried.
My husband said, once you have given
it is his to do as he wishes.
Your job ends with the giving.
To this day, I would have liked
grandpa to have carried that tiny red suitcase
to the Tamil poetry reading, where Dr. M.G.R
once descended from the dais, bowed to grandpa
wearing his velvet green cap, and led him to the front row
with his own hands.
Sivakami Velliangiri
Foot Note
Kamban Kazhagam (Kamban Academy) is a Tamil organization which was founded to promote Ramayana of Tamil poet Kambar. The organisation was formed by Tamil politician Saw Ganesan at Karaikudi in 1939.[1]
connoisseur of Tamil Sangam poetry
was a literary planet.
He had plates of pure silver made
for poets from the North
and scholars were his satellites.
I took him to the Kamban Kazhagam
every poetry season, even gifted him
a tiny red suitcase to keep his agenda notes.
His right hand received the gift
his left hand gave it away to his son’s daughter
and I cried and cried.
My husband said, once you have given
it is his to do as he wishes.
Your job ends with the giving.
To this day, I would have liked
grandpa to have carried that tiny red suitcase
to the Tamil poetry reading, where Dr. M.G.R
once descended from the dais, bowed to grandpa
wearing his velvet green cap, and led him to the front row
with his own hands.
Sivakami Velliangiri
Foot Note
Kamban Kazhagam (Kamban Academy) is a Tamil organization which was founded to promote Ramayana of Tamil poet Kambar. The organisation was formed by Tamil politician Saw Ganesan at Karaikudi in 1939.[1]
