"Akka, Nandini akka, stop, stop", it was Arulmozhi Varman. They were going back to remove their costumes and makeup so that they can wander around and partake in other festivities. Aditha Karikalan was with him but he only smiled.
"Ponniyin Selva, did you like our performance?", the little girls were overjoyed that the princes themselves have come to compliment them in person.
"It was wonderful. To be frank, it was the best."
"I think Periya Piratti didn't like our dance. She looked irritated", one the girls were sad. Others too nodded and wondered what went wrong. So it was obvious, she wasn't the only who noticed.
"She is an elderly lady, girls. Don't feel bad. If it is any consolation, our mothers loved your dance. Paatti didn't even let sithappa get a glimpse of you. She is scared that so many beautiful aymagal girls will distract him from his Siva bhakti"
Arulmozhi tried to console the girls. Madevi never let the poor boy behave like the boys of his own age. Nandini was surprised to learn that he is as old as herself. She thought he is younger. But other girls didn't notice it. They were quite pleased by their darling Ponniyin Selvan flattering their beauty.
"It was indeed beautiful, little girls. Madeviyarkal have arranged some payasam and snacks for all of you. Please go this way", Aditha Karikalan directed the girls to the other wing. They all ran excitedly to drink payasam.
Nandini took the peacock feather from her headdress and put it on Arulmozhi's headdress.
"Akka, if you are going to change, please give this flower garland to my annan. He is too shy to ask anything from girls."
As she was taking the garland off, she teased, "No kanne, he is just acting. Your annan is not at all shy to ask for anything he desires"
"Woah! Really, anna?"
She gave the garland to Arulmozhi, but he insisted that Nandini place it on annan and she did exactly that. Karikalan turned red like a ripe fruit and his eyes twinkled.
Arulmozhi compared both and exclaimed, "Now this kannan looks better than that kannan".
"No, no. I look better, don't I ilavarase?", Nandini winked again and Karikalan couldn't say a word.
"I am not joking. See, this kannan has a peacock feather, vanamala , um...then what? He has a dagger, we can consider it nandakam and he even has a srivalsam", he pointed to a battle scar.
"This little Kannan was just born today. That's why I don't have scars or weapons. But I have this", Nandini took the flute which was tucked in her waist and waved it before Arulmozhi's face.
"Can you play it, akka?"
"No, but but I can sing"
"Everyone can sing"
"Aha! Is that so? Now let us hear Ponniyin Selvan's singing"
"Do you want to hear kaalaragam on this beautiful joyous occasion?"
All of them laughed. Arulmozhi snatched the flute from Nandini's hands.
"However . . . there is someone who can play the flute. Anna, come on. Show this akka who is the better Kannan".
Karikalan hesitated a bit, "I used to play it when I was little, not anymore. I might have forgotten everything. But let me try".
He examined the flute to see if it is in good condition and played a short melody. Then another. And then he played a longer one, combining both. This time, it was Nandini who blushed. She stared intently at him. He can play a flute too! This man is such a gem. Is there anything he can't do?
She and Karikalan didn't hear Arulmozhi encouraging him to play another tune. They didn't hear the clatter of plates that Ilaya Piratti dropped. When she didn't see Nandini with the dancing girls, Kundavai came in search of her with some payasam and snacks. She was shocked to see annan wearing Nandini's flower garland and playing her flute without a care in the world. They didn't see Arulmozhi going to her and dragging her to the other side. Consumed by their ecstacy, they felt like Kannan and Nappinnai dancing in Ayarpadi under moonlight.
Kuzhalazhagar Vayazhagar Kannazhagar - Beautiful flute, Beautiful Lips, Beautiful Eyes (from Andal's Nachiyar Thirumoli)
Aymagal - Cowherdess
Madeviyarkal - The wives of the King
Payasam - Kheer, a sweet dish
Kaalaragam - Bad singing
Vanamala - Lord Vishnu's garland
Nandakam - Lord Vishnu's sword
Srivalsam - Scar on the chest of Lord Vishnu
Nappinnai - Nagnajiti, Krishna's consort prominently featured in Alwar's poetry.
Ayarpadi - Gokulam
The song featured in this chapter is from a Malayalam movie named 'Nivedyam'. Full song for those who are interested.
YOU ARE READING
Nandini
Historical FictionA reading of Ponniyin Selvan from Nandini's perspective. Nandini is the narrator of this story and the events are presented as she (could have) comprehended them. I don't own any of the characters or situations.
