9. Sariman Talamūṭi (The Noble Bridegroom)

A "play song" from Kochi, in the form of a dialogue between the bride and a cuckoo bird. In the first two verses, the bride describes in romantic terms the handsome bridegroom walking in a procession through the Jewish street to the paḷḷi (synagogue). Then in verses 3 and 4, the bird addresses the bride who is eagerly waiting for bridegroom to arríve.

Text

-1-
The noble man in a fine head-dress,
The bridegroom adorned with red kuṅkuma powder,
He comes radiating bravery and shyness;
Here he comes walking through the street.
Now I can see him there at the turning,
Now he appears within my sight.
Gracefully moving this way and that way,
This youth comes walking through the street.

-2-
Oh cuckoo, bring forth the sounds of Love!
The Marakkaṟ sailors are coming in front,
And then Love will come running too;
Love will come running to the paḷḷi .
See at the corner where two streets meet-
Sing while they are there at the turning.
Sing out the news to the Portuguese,
The ones who go forth into the world.

-3-
May the finest couple always shine -
The choicest pair of heavenly pearls.
May all your longings be fulfilled;
May they come with innocent delight.
Oh pearl of heaven, pearl of the earth,
Oh the finest of green diamond gems,
Moving this way, that way, this way, that way,
To the paḷḷi you also must go.

***
-4-
Strike, strike, strike like lightning.
Let everything break open now.
Let the dark disappear and the sky become clear.
Keep your emotions under control.
Now prepare the marriage pendant,
And as you tie it in the paḷḷi,
Your veins will throb and your bangles will jingle.
Like kuṅkumam your veins and bangles will blush.