Track 4

Tamil Folk Law

Avvayar - yar is a Tamil honorific suffix, similar to the respectful suffix ji in modern- day Hindi - is one of the fairest flowers of ancient Tamil poetry. Her epigrammatic poetry was handed down orally for over two millennia. In it she articulates codes of conduct for living in peace and life in general. Her poetry received a new lease of life when Bharathiyar followed her style in his Puthiya Aathichoodi, a perfect example of continuity in tradition and a returning to the replenished spring. This is offered in the same spirit. The lines beginning 'Ondrey kulam' are from the famed Tamil poet Thirumoolar.

Inru iruppavar naazhai illai.

He who is here today is no longer here tomorrow.

Ondrey kulam
Oruvaney Dhevan

One human race
One supreme power

Nantrey seiha
Intray seiha.

Do good
Do it now.

Puthiya Aathichoodi

Life is short why do we fight?

Achcham tavir

Rid yourself of fear

Aanmai thavarel

Do not lose your manliness

Ezhaithal ehalchi

Weakness is despicable

Eehai thiran

Giving is wealth

Udalinai uruthi sei

Strengthen the body

Uun miha virumbu

Love what feeds you

Ennuvathu ozhiyel

Thinking is great

Eru pol nada

Walk like a bull

Aimpori adchi kol

Govern your five senses

Otrumai valimaiyaam

Union is strength

Oythal ozhi

Do not flag

Audatham kurai

Use medicines sparingly

Katrathu ozhuku

Practise what you have learned

Kaalam azhiyel

Do not waste time

Kezhai pala thanjel

Limit the number of relations you support

Keezhorku angel

Be not afraid of what is base

Kunrena nimirnthu nil

Stand tall like a hill

Koodi thozhil sei

Work collectively

Keduppathu sorvu

Fatigue spoils

Kedilum thuninthu nil

Stand firm in ruin

Kaitholzhil potru

Cherish manual work

Kodumaiyai ethirthu nil

Stand up against evil

Kol kai kondu vaal

Keep a staff handy

Life is short

Why do we fight?

Ontrey Kulam

Oruvaney  Dhevan

Nantrey seiha

Intrey seiha.

Thunpam maranthidu

Forget misery

Thootruthal ozhi

Do not cause scandal

Theivam ne entrunar

Know thou art God

Thesaththai kaaththal sei

Protect your nation

Thaiyalai uyarvu sei

Honour women

Thonmaikku anjel

Do not be taken in by what is old

Tholviyil kalangel

Do not become upset by defeat

Thavaththinai nitham puri

Practise penance daily

Nantru karuthu

Always think good things 

Naazhellam venai sei

Strive all day long 

Ninaippathu mudiyum

What you desire is obtainable 

Neethi nool payil

Study ethical texts

Nuniyazhavu sel

Keep right on to the end

Noolinai pahuththunar

Read books analytically 

Netri surukkidel

Do not furrow your brow

Ner padappesu

Talk straight

Panaththinai perukku

Increase wealth

Paattinil anpu sei

Love music 

Pinaththinai poattrel

Do not venerate corpses 

Pezhaikku edam kodel

Leave no room for squalor 

Puthiyana virumbu

Desire the new

Bhoomi ezhanththidel

Do not lose land 

Perithinum perithu kezh

Ask for bigger, not biggest 

Peikazhukku anjel

Have no fear of ghosts 

Poimai ehal

Condemn falsehood 

Poorththozhil pazhahu

Learn the art of warfare 

Manthiram valimai

Mantra is potency 

Loga nool kattrunar

Learn metallurgy 

Lowkikam aatru

Be worldly-wise 

Varuvathai makzhinthun

Happily accept whatever comes 

Vaana nool payirchi kol

Learn astronomy 

Vithaiyinai therinthidu

Sow good seed 

Veeriyam perukku

Increase virility 

Vedippura pesu

Speak with clear articulation 

Vetham puthumai sei

Make the Vedas clear over and over 

Vaiyaththalaimai kol

Become the leader of the world 

Vowvuthal neekku

Avoid covetousness 

Maanam potru

Cherish honour 

Midimaiyil azhinthidel

Be not undone by poverty

Meezhumaaru unarththu kol

Learn to retreat

Munaiyile mukaththu nil

Stand undaunted to the fore 

Mooppinukku idam kodel

Give ageing no room 

Mella therinthu sol

Speak softly and with knowledge 

Mezhi potru

Hail the plough 

Moimpuram thavam sei

Practise penance to acquire prowess 

Monam potru

Hail silence 

Mowddiyam thanaikkol

Kill idiocy 

Yavanar pol muyarchi kol

Work hard 

Yaavaraiyum mathiththu vazh

Respect everyone 

Yowvanam kaaththal sei

Conserve youth

Rasaththile thearchi kozh

Be a connoisseur 

Raajasam payil

Learn to be passionate

Reethi thavarel

Be governed by good principles