Theeraada Vilayattu Pillai
By Subramania Bharathi
Translated by Mukundan Santhanam
Kannan is a child of endless play (mischeif/naughtiness),
In the street, he is a constant trouble to women.
To eat, he will bring a fruit and give you,
When half-eating, he snatches from you,
My appa, My ayya, If you say(plead),
Makes it Echchil, bites the fruit and then gives it.
A flower full of beauty he brings,
He makes me sob and cry, and "Close your eyes,
I will place this on your tresses" he says.
He will make me blind and place the flower on friend (girl) tresses.
The plaits (of women's hair) he will pull from the back,
Before you can turn your head back, he goes and hides
On a new colourful sari,
Dirt(dust/dry), he collects and puts, makes it soiled and spoils it.
Flute, Kannan brings with him,
Nectar (ambrosia/amuthu) overflowing & spilling (like), he makes good music,
Like being Intoxicated by liquor and without control of self,
Eyes closed, Mouth open, we will be listening.
Kannan is a child of endless play (mischeif/naughtiness),
In the street, he is a constant trouble to women