Part 1: Kurinji
1. Hail the sun
The peaks and valleys of the Western Ghats woke up from their slumber with the steady drone of the waterfalls, sweet musical chirps of the morning birds, the first stirrings of life at dawn. Though the high peak in the east tried to hide the sun, the silvery light rays pierced through in all directions,...
2. Guidance to travelers
It was some ten naazhigais, about 4 hours, after sunrise. The temperature was rising. The group of travellers who came upstream along the path, reached the place where our Koothar kuzham was waiting. They too intended to rest a while in the hot mid-morning. There were five members, three men and two women. They did...
3. Footwork following music
The day dawned with the backdrop of the blue hills that appeared like a galloping horse. The Koothanaar group took leave of their hosts, the cowherd family. They walked along the royal streets of the ancient town Arayam of King Paali, viewing the magnificent palaces and mansions. The broad streets, with the thronging crowds of...
4. The Chozha King’s message
After the music and dance program, King Paali turned his attention to the messenger Kaarvannan, enquiring after his welfare. Kaarvannan, after bowing to the King in reverence and asking for his permission, recited a poem in praise of the King Paali, and continued with his praises addressing the King along the following lines. “Oh! Great...
5. The magnet and the delicate flower
It was love at first sight for Kaarvannan. From the moment he saw Panmozhi, Kaarvannan’s mind became turbulent as the sea during a storm. His youthful dreams were kindled. His heart started to whisper constantly, that this queen of beauty and grace is his true love. Her dance performance, though long done, was going on...
6. Rehearsals at Koothanaar’s
Koothanaar was conducting rehearsals at the house they were staying in. The programme was to be on the subsequent day. Koothanaar as always, gave his full concentration to the practice session, devoting his thoughts carefully to the themes, the order, the details of each piece. As Kaarvannan entered their place the rehearsal stopped for a...
7. Lovers’ secrets
The following day, King Paali’s court Naalolakkam, started with the performance of the Koothanaar group. Koothanaar commenced the programme with his exceptional performance of the Kodukotti koothu, which held the audience in spell-bound wonder. The Thannumai and the udukkai (a small percussion drum made of monitor lizard skin) of Muzhavu Thalaiyan, reverberated like thunder in...
8. The messenger returns
Kaarvannan dropped Panmozhi to her door, and they noted with relief that the house was asleep, there was no search party starting out. After their fond goodbyes, Panmozhi tiptoed into her room. Apparently, the family had assumed that Panmozhi had gone to bed early due to her headache. So far so good! Panmozhi climbed noiselessly...
9. Chittira Pournami
Finally, the day of Chittira Pournami was here. The city was abuzz, looking forward to the dance performance of the evening. It was suppressed nervous excitement in Koothanaar’s house that day: they were well rehearsed with their act, and Koothanaar urged all of them to rest before their big evening. This was of course difficult...
10. Gifts from Paalivel
The next day, at the Naalolakkam of King Paalivel, Koothanaar along with his paanar, paadini and viraliar had been invited and were seated in the assembly. First in the agenda was honouring the artists of the Koothanaar group on behalf of the king. The minister felicitated the artists. “For the past week, Paandaram Koothanaar and...
