15. Mutiyayi Ninnu (Tekkumbhagam-Kochi paḷḷi Song)

One of several paḷḷi (synagogוe) songs about the building of particular synagogues in Kerala. This one commemorates the Tekkumbhagam Syriagfigue in Kochi, constructed in 1647, which is no longer standing. After obtaining permission from the “elders of the assembly”, probably representing all the Kerala congregations, the Tekkumbhagam people celebrated the laying of the foundation on an auspicious full moon day. The performer is from Ernakulam, showing the paḷḷi songs were shared among the different communities. Each line is repeated.

Text

Eternal God, Oh Source of the world.
It was You Who gave us the earlier paḷḷi .
The Tekkumbhagam people gathered.
The elders of the assembly addressed them:
"Why have you come?" they asked.
"We came for no reason," they replied,
"Except that we want to build a paḷḷi."

***

"So then you must not delay
In building the Lord's holy house."
The elders of the assembly asked:
"Are you able to accomplish it?”
"God's help comes first, and we shall follow.
On an auspicious day let us begin."

So on the fifteenth day of the month
The beloved children gathered
And fixed for the palli a solid foundation.
Music rang out, with booming of drums,
Fireworks exploding, the blast of the horn.
Women burst out with the sounds of korava
And lifted their voices in joyous praise.
The elders of the assembly were saying:
"Now for us you must make a feast."
So everyone ate and drank and rejoiced.
The sons of the Paradesi paḷḷi were saying:
"Build it quickly, as soon as you can,
And you will be blessed in your work."
They took up collections, little by little,
To build the precious and splendid paḷḷi.
They prayed to God with heartfelt devotion,
Praising Him as one man.

Crafted with artistry from silver,
There are two lovely pillars next to the doors.
They made a place for the Sefer Torah
A place for the precious Sefer to stand.
They fashioned the place with elegant wood-carvings
With letters skillfully inscribed.
They installed in grandeur the Sefer Torah,
Inside the Tekkumbhagam paḷḷi.
With elaborate ornaments they installed it.
The paḷḷi be blessed, and God be blessed.