13. Ŏru Pacca Pakki (A Grenn Bird)

A playful song from Kochi - or perhaps two separate songs, as they are copied together in only one of the collected song notebook. The first part, about a green bird with a large appetite, may contain a riddle. Part II is remembered orally by women from the Kadavumbhagam and Paradesi communities in Kochi, who resided in the southern and northern sections of the Jewish street. It alludes to rivalry between the southern and northern sides, and celebrates a vísìt from the Maharaja (whose palace was at the northern end of the street) to see the ornaments of the proud and fìnely dressed Jews.

Text

A green bird                                       is pecking and eating,
It grows to the size                         of the head of a man.
As it eats more and more,           the taste enhances.
Even as it finishes,                          the taste lingers on.
Just like good musk                       the food smells very fragrant
It tastes very fine,                            it tastes so delicious.
It quenches thirst,                           it satisfies hunger
The heat arrives,                              the cold is gone.

Competitive spirit,                          an air of bustle bustle,
Rivalry and liveliness                     are found throughout the street
Stubborn persistence                    is found in the north side,
Surplus strength                              is found in the south.
A very pleasant fragrance            is found in the north side.
Flower garland fragrance             is found in the north.

With a cloth of fine design            tied around his waist,
Garlanded with flowers                 be goes forth grandly.
His body anointed                          with sandalwood paste,
The Raja Pĕrumpadappu             appears in royal splendor
To view the adornments               of the Jews.
Among all the peoples,                 no one can surpass them.
Joining all together                        they walk through the street.
They go into the paḷḷi,                    ten of them together.
They enter the synagogue,          with their fine adornments,   
And joining ten together,              they bow down to pray.