The Untouchable God

Bhattathiri was a happy man. He has just been invited for 'koottirippu' To the niece of Maharaja of Thiruvithamkode This definitely enhanced his status way above All the high caste Brahmins of Malayalam; May be, he would father the next Maharaja. He stopped suddenly: did he hear a cry? A little boy struggling against the flow of the stream to reach for the shores. Having seen Patteri, Raising his hands to him, the boy cried, 'save me! ! ! ' Patteri recognised the boy as son of Chathan, A Pulayan, untouchable in caste. He ignored the cries. It was Monsoon season and he walked fast. Next morning an insignificant news reached him, Chathan Pulayan's son had drowned. 'Send some rice and a Rupee to Chathan', he ordered. The year was a thousand and ninety nine. His bride to be had just turned seventeen. Renowned for her beauty and intelligence She was an exponent in Carnatic and Hindustani Music, And spoke Sanskrit and English fluently. At Muziris Port Patteri was inspecting his new boat Ready for his journey to the capital of Thiruvithamkode. Patteri, a man of many women, started singing, 'Anganamar Moule, Baale.....' Suddenly, there arose loud shouts and cries Patteri turned to see the boat being heaved to the skies All his men adrift and the waters rushing to him Before he could understand, he was swept offshore. He now fathomed that he was drowning. He thought he heard the cries of Chathan's son Which he chose to ignore just a few days back, Leaving the boy to die. His heart sank. Before he was swallowed by the waters again In the dim twilight, he fancied he saw a movement afar. In his tiny little ramshackle hut, Chathan tended his Thambran back to life. When he regained, Patteri saw himself safe; Tears welling up in his eyes Patteri folded his hands Before his new untouchable god.