Arindhavargal Sollakadavadhu - Let the known tell

My Take:
I enjoyed reading this poem which appeared in the last week’s issue of Anandha Vikatan. I have attempted to translate for the lesser privileged who can’t read/understand Tamil:-) To tell you the truth apart from the amusement the lines create I’m not able to get my head around and figure out what the poet is upto.


Arindhavargal Sollakadavadhu - Let the known tell

By Raju Murugan

Praarthanai neram
Mudindha dhevAlayathil
Mudhalil anaindha mezhugu
Evar Etri chendradhu?

Who lit that candle which burnt out first after the mass was over in the church?

NedunjAlai veiyilil
Nasungi kidakkira nAikutti
Engirundhu vandhadhu
Enge Chendradhu?

Where did the puppy, which lies smashed in the scorching heat on the motorway, come from and where did it go?

Braille ezhuthukkal
Varudi vAsikkira
PArvayatravarin ninaivil
Edhu irul edhu oli?

In the memory of the blind person, who reads by caressing the braille letters, which is dark and which is light?

Kadai Theruvin
SAkadaiyoram
Vizhundhu kidappavan munaguvadhu
Eval peyarai?

Which girl’s name is the drunkard who lays by the drainage in the high street mumbling?

Avan thirudi vandha purseil
pugaipadamAi
innum sirippadhu
parigoduthavanin ammavA?

Is the lady, who is still smiling in the photo found in the purse he has just pickpoketed, the mother of the one who lost the purse?

Appavin irudhi chadangil
Pookkal piyithu vilayAdum
Indha kuzhandhai
EnnavAga Pogiradhu

What will this kid, who is playing with the flower garland by tearing it while its father’s final rites are being performed, become?