POEM FROM TAMIL LITERATURE - ECHOES OF GLORY AND VOICE OF HUMILITY

ABOUT THE POEM : The poem ECHOES OF GLORY, VOICE OF HUMILITY describes the glory of a grand city adorned with lofty mansions where women joyfully played. This splendid city was later conquered and destroyed in battle by the valiant Chera king Mandharan Cheral Irumporai, who led a powerful elephant-mounted army.After his victory, the king regretted that the great poet Kabilar was no longer alive to immortalize his valor through verse. At this moment, another poet—Porundhil Ilankiranar—steps forward and humbly offers to compose the king’s praise.He acknowledges Kabilar’s unmatched poetic excellence but assures the king that he too will attempt to honour his deeds. He warns, however, that fame grows when expanded but diminishes when confined—a truth that poetry must heed. While modest about his own skill, he says that as one born in this world where greatness must be sung, he cannot remain silent. Hence, he will sing, though aware of the limitations of lesser poets.The poem ends with a noble tribute to Kabilar, calling him a poet of rare clarity—one who could even draw wisdom from poor verses, making him truly worthy of enduring fame.ECHOES OF GLORY AND VOICE OF HUMILITYIn towers where women laughed and danced with grace,The city shone, with golden halls adorned, Its pride unmatched a rich and vibrant place. To claim that pride, the Chera king was warned,Yet bold, he marched with tusked battalions near,And crushed the town in battle, sword and horned. But lo! no Kabilar to sing was alive no more,The king, dismayed, looked round in silent grief,Until a poet spoke to calm that fear. “I am Ilankiran, true to my belief, I’ll sing your praise—but know, O noble lord, Fame spreads when stretched, but shrinks when held too brief. Our songs may fail to fit your deeds and sword— Yet I shall try, though we are blind and small; Still, born in this world, I must sing what's adored." PURANANURU - 53POET : PORUNDHIL ILANKIRANARPATRON : CHERAMAN MANDHARANCHERAL IRUMPORAI