During this month of May, as Tamils remember their loved ones that were killed as the armed conflict ended in 2009, we publish selected Poems from the classical Tamil anthology, the Purananuru (the 400 Puram poems) as we have done in previous years.
Song 112 - Pari’s daughters sing (on the death of Pari)
Tinai - Potuviyal (General heroism)
Collection: In Memoriam - Songs from the Purananuru
Song 256 (24 May 2014)
Song 356 (22 May 2014)
Song 191 (19 May 2011)
Song 216 (18 May 2011)
Song 74 (17 May 2011)
Song 226 (16 May 2011)
Song 245 (15 May 2011)
Song 255 (14 May 2011)
Notes - Puram refers to the exterior, public or outer – and so the Purananuru contains the Poems of War, and external life, as opposed to the Akam which refers to the interior, including the Poems of Love.
Song 112 - Pari’s daughters sing (on the death of Pari)
Tinai - Potuviyal (General heroism)
That month
That month
In that white moonlight
we had our fatherThis month
and no one
could take the hill
in this white moonlight
kings with drumsand we
drumming victory
have taken over the hill
have no father
Collection: In Memoriam - Songs from the Purananuru
Song 256 (24 May 2014)
Song 356 (22 May 2014)
Song 191 (19 May 2011)
Song 216 (18 May 2011)
Song 74 (17 May 2011)
Song 226 (16 May 2011)
Song 245 (15 May 2011)
Song 255 (14 May 2011)
Notes - Puram refers to the exterior, public or outer – and so the Purananuru contains the Poems of War, and external life, as opposed to the Akam which refers to the interior, including the Poems of Love.