What magic hands were those of yours
Perunthachan!
Out of ether you fashioned
Articles and mansions of perfection.
They said that you were
The sculptor of the Gods – Vishwakarma!
Come down on earth
To make this too a heaven.
Your chisel you wielded
With magic grace
Out of wood you carved
Many a divine face.
There was no architect
In the land, near or far,
Who could be thought of
As at par.
Till one fine day
Envy crept into your heart.
Or was it an artist’s protection
Of his art?
Some say that
The princess’ face
Was carved onto
The Goddess’ statue.
To love outside
One’s caste was forbidden.
And from the royal family
He had chosen.
This deed by your son
Was sacrilege.
To protect him
This sacrifice you had done.
Others say that
it was just
Plain envy
That did it.
Killed your own boy
With your chisel.
Either way
A deed sordid.
Or was it only
A tragic accident?
All we know is
With that a man’s heart was rent.
What piteous emotions
May have arisen
In your heart then
We can only imagine.
The truth lies hidden
For all times
From all men.
Note:( Perunthachan was Kerala’s equivalent of Michaelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci combined.
Examples of his architectural genius can still be seen in parts of Kerala.)
This poem is insightful ,informative and delightful for the general reader unacquainted with the subject matter.
Thank you, Louis sir. His story is part of the folk lore of Kerala. Wikipedia has a page on the master craftsman with images of his work. There is one of a pillar which I copied but didn’t know how to add it over here.