Chapter Thirteen
Kuyils and peacocks, clusters of karuvai flowers,
luscious bilberries, purple kaya blossoms—five sinners
at loose in this spacious grove—why torment me so?
Nacciyar Tirumoli 9:4
Priests and pilgrims, dignitaries and troubadours, came from far and wide to hear Visnucitta’s songs. ‘But I am only a gardener tending flowers for Lord Tirumal,’ he protested, passing the tamboura to the bard beside him, its strings now expertly tuned. ‘Look at my hands,’ he opened his palms, ‘weathered and blistered from ploughs and rakes.’
When news spread about Visnucitta reciting more songs, the front room of their house quickly filled. People crowded onto the tinai benches of their porch and squatted beneath the windows straining to hear every word. Into the early hours of morning the m
