A poem about death—and life—from the 12th century Tamil woman, poet, and saint Avvaiyar.
Nalvazhi 10, “Andandu thorum purandalum.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
GIVE, EAT, AND LIFE: POEMS OF AVVAIYAR
Red Hen Press, Los Angeles
Avvaiyar Poems & Interviews
From and about Give, Eat, and Live: Poems of Avvaiyar.
“What We Know: A Handful of Dirt” from Avvaiyar’s Thani Padal | கற்றது கைம்மண்ணளவு
Here’s a poem about knowledge, humility, and always continuing to learn, from the 12th century Tamil woman, poet, and saint Avvaiyar.
“Katrathu kaiman alavu.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
GIVE, EAT, AND LIFE: POEMS OF AVVAIYAR
Red Hen Press, Los Angeles
“Don’t Think to Conquer” from Avvaiyar’s Moothurai | அடக்கம் உடையார் அறிவிலர் என்றெண்ணி
A poem about restraint, patience, and surprise, from the 12th century Tamil woman, poet, and saint Avvaiyar.
Moothurai 16, “Adakkam udayar arivilar.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
GIVE, EAT, AND LIFE: POEMS OF AVVAIYAR
Red Hen Press, Los Angeles
“To Behold a Good Person” from Avvaiyar’s Moothurai | நல்லாரைக் காண்பதுவும் நன்றே
A poem about staying close to goodness, from the 12th century Tamil woman, poet, and saint Avvaiyar.
Moothurai 8, “Nallarai kanbathum nandre.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
GIVE, EAT, AND LIFE: POEMS OF AVVAIYAR
Red Hen Press, Los Angeles
“Like Water Birds that Leave” from Avvaiyar’s Moothurai | அற்ற குளத்தின் அறுநீர்ப் பறவைபோல்
A poem about true friendship by the 12th century Tamil woman, poet, and saint Avvaiyar. From her collection, “The Word that Endures.”
Moothurai 17, “Atra kulathil aruneer paravai pol.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
GIVE, EAT, AND LIFE: POEMS OF AVVAIYAR
Red Hen Press, Los Angeles