• Kompan and Viratankal

    Viratankal, the forest queen, is informed by her maids that Kompan, the boar, hasn’t come for any of his usual three meals that day. She is in agony and sends her maids in all directions to find Kompan.

    Track Information : Viratankal asks if any of her maids said anything hurtful to him and cries “Kompa, you have left me alone and gone Why did you go and take shelter elsewhere?”
    Performer(s) : Erucanampalayam Ramasami and Olappalayam Palanisami
    Collection : Brenda Beck Collection

    Tamarai and Kunnutaiyya

    After years of wandering and suffering abuse, Kunnutaiyya is finally adopted by two kind, prosperous, farmer-brothers in the land of Valavandi Nadu. He works for them as their shepherd. One of Kunnutaiyya’s daily duties was to push the swing for Tamarai, the younger sister of the farmer Brothers, who was born of the Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s union.

    Track Information : A song describing Kunnutaiyya pushing Tamarai's swing. Oonjal in Tamil means Swing. The great swing is swinging for the chaste girl,
    For Parvati, who is like a gold sculpture, who sways as she walks,
    The great swing is rocking for Parvati,
    For Parvati, who is like a tender garland,
    Who walks as if she floats on air,
    In the great swing Parvati,
    The chaste girl is sleeping deeply.
    Performer(s) : Erucanampalayam Ramasami and Olappalayam Palanisami
    Collection : Brenda Beck Collection

    Pair of Parrots

    Seeing Campuka, the first minister of the twins, approaching with his army to capture the parrots, the female parrot cries out in agony. In anticipation of her impending widowhood, she sings about losing auspicious markers of a married woman (turmeric and flowers) and ends her song with a poignant poem on separation.

    Track Information : Will a tree separate from the earth, my Lord? Will shade separate from a tree, my Lord? Will the complexion separate from the girl, my Lord? Will the fragrance separate from the flower, oh, King?
    Performer(s) : Erucanampalayam Ramasami and Olappalayam Palanisami
    Collection : Brenda Beck Collection