Oh, Hari!

Thoughts tossing up and down

Hark! In the choppy waters

Eyes smitten with the glowing ball

Bright, yet a loving touch

Wonder seeing thy smile on top

Nature’s torch against the dark sky

A dance in tune with the moving sea

The straying fizzy locks in the wind

Whispering woeful words in thy ear

The rolling black marble eyes

Do a magic on thy pink tulip face

Wow, what a sight it’s!

When they steal a quick glance at

The lilting lips of Radha

Scarlet and yellow Pimpernal

Hug thee so close to thine

Watch, a jealous air all around

Wandering thoughts float over

The top of massive waves

Carry the longing look

Oh, Hari! Play thy part in a hurry

For a dawn chasing thee at thy back.

Thirukkalyaanam

 

(9)

With a bow-like eye brows

On the sun-defying face

My brother, Balarama

Bowing unto the fire

And raised to lift my hands

Placed against Achudan’s

Offering puffed rice

See, my friend

King Kannan, in my dream

Cupping my arms on top of His

Together offering rice to the fire.

(10)

To bring down the heat

Due to the smoke from fire

Sandal and ‘Kumkum’ applied

And made me sit next to Kannan,

On a caparisoned elephant –

It’s a procession thro’

The streets decorated with

‘Maavilai thoranam’

See, my friend

On our return, in my dream

‘Mangala Aarathi’ drawn,

It’s indeed a new dawn!

  

Sapthapadi

(7)

‘Manthras’ chanted at a high pitch

‘dharbai’ and ‘Samikthu’

Added to the ‘Agni kundam’

Anxiety-filled Vedha Pundits

Going in a hurry

To complete the rituals

See, my friend

Blue-skinned Kannan, in my dream

Holding my hand tight in His right

Moving round and round

The fire, parroting ‘Manthras’

In the smoke-filled ‘manappandal’

(8)

An omnipotent God and

The ruler of our hearts

Both material and spiritual

See, my friend

Narayanan, in my dream

Leading me to the North

Of the fire with His

Right holding my hand

When His left

Lifting my right toe

And putting on ‘Ammi’

A firm nuptial bond

Tied for all our births

Sri Naachiyar

(5)

Look! Look! Gorgeous looking young nubile girls

In a ravishing bright silks

Having ‘Sun defying oil lamps’ and

‘Gold Kalasams’ in hands

Jingling with glittering

Diamond bangles

The rustle of silk seen with

On the cusp of youth

Stealing a dazzling smile on faces

Waiting in the wings to welcome Kannan

See, my friend

The King of Mathura, in my dream

Swaggering down like a thunder

With His strong ‘Padugais’

(6)

Drums thumped up and down

In tune with ‘Nadaswaram’

Meandering thro’ ‘Kalyani’

A flight in a music-filled air

Transporting all to sublime heights

To my surprise, a conch blown,

See, my friend

The brawny Madhusudan, in my dream

Strutting down His way thro’

Pearl-strewn, floral ‘Manappandal’

And holding my hand into His right

What a nice gesture, it’s!

Sri Andal

( 3 )

Ghee sweets and fruits in air

Melting minds to call ye near

Indiran, Atri, Narada

And devas come holding

Huge plates in arms

The sandal paste worn

Bright faces in silk dhotis

Carrying happy news here

Both families share and swear

Brahaspathi chants ‘manthras’

And engagement fixed thereupon

See, my friend

A mango yellow silk, in my dream

With a pink Zari border

Koorai being draped in

And a garland worn

A gift, from my sister-in-law

(4)

Erudite Brahmin Pundits

Fetch holy water in gold pots

From all the four quarters

To sprinkle on both to be married

‘Mangala sasanam’ sung at a high-pitch

Rapturous, yet no word uttered

See, my friend

Lotus-faced Kannan in my dream

Seen with a garland around His neck

Throw a smile and

Take a quick glance at

The Kaappu on my left

And on His right wrists

A novel way to leave a note?

Sri Godha

 

See, my friend

Blinking lights, in my dream,

Changing hues

Yellow and pink flowers

Gleam and woo

Thousand caparisoned elephants

Catwalk and shimmer, when

‘Nethipattam’, bells and

Necklaces add luster,

Gold head gears on top

A festive fever catches fast

With Pancari melam and orchestra

Under tinseled silk parasol

And peacock feather fan,

Vencamaram sways up and down

‘Purana porkudams’ in a row to bow

‘Maavilai thoranams’ smile to welcome

Here comes my Narayanan majestically

(2)

Red and green silks

Add gusto to the wind

Pearls run everywhere

To twinkle ‘manapandal’

‘Kamugam’ and ‘paalai’

Hanging hither and thither

See, my friend

Rose and jasmine, in my dream

Spraying aroma around

Tomorrow is the wedding, fixed

And It’s a surprise indeed

To see Thirumagal’s solumate

Govindan’s entry with long strides.

Like a lion on a stage.