Old Tamil Poetry

Thiruppavai – 14

Look at the garden pond in your backyard;
Red Lotus smiles while Night Lily purses its lips close;
Red brick color clothed, white toothed ascetics
Are on their way to blow Conch in their temples;
You said you’ll wake us up before anyone does;
You wake up now shameless, big talking girl! 
He who carries the Conch and Chakra in his mighty hands,
Our Lotus eyed Lord, come, sing his praise my friend!

உங்கள் புழக்கடைத் தோட்டத்து வாவியுள்
செங்கழுனீர் வாய்நெகிழ்ந்து ஆம்பல்வாய் கூம்பினகாண்
செங்கற் பொடிக்கூரை வெண்பல் தவத்தவர்
தங்கள் திருக்கோயில் சங்கிடுவான் போதன்றார்
எங்களை முன்னம் எழுப்புவான் வாய்பேசும்
நங்காய் எழுந்திராய் நாணாதாய் நாவுடையாய்
சங்கோடு சக்கரம் ஏந்தும் தடக்கையன்
பங்கயக் கண்ணானைப் பாடேலோர் எம்பாவாய்.

Another girl is still asleep. When her friends call for her to wake up, she replies “How do I know it is dawn?” The girls reply back “Look at the garden pond in your own backyard. Red Lotus are blooming. Night lily petals are closing down. It shows that the daybreak is here. Look outside. Red brick color clothed ascetics with white teeth are on their way to their temples to blow the conch and start their morning worship.

You  promised us yesterday that you will wake us up before everyone wakes up. But you are still asleep now. You shameless, big talking girl. Wake up and join us in singing the praise of our Lotus eyed Lord, who carries a conch and chakra in his mighty hands”