A Citation to the Artist Who Sees Christ in Baratanatyam

Presented by Mr. Andrew

 

Barathathil Paramanai kannum panimalarukku Parattu

Aatrora pookalan anathai paakkalai

Archanai malargalakki arangettriy aaranengae

The orphan flowers lay by the riverside

You picked and strung them together into a garland for the stage

Un thiranukkum kalai unarvikkum

Endrendrum thalai vanangugiren

For your talents, for your artistic skills

I will ever bow my head in adoration

Eyarkaiyin seetrathal eraiyagi

Etthupon ethayangalai ellaikattum eeramalarae

You uplifted the hearts that were tormented

by nature’s disaster

Un kangalil karunaiyai kaangiren

Athil annai Theresavai kaangiren

In your eyes I see mercy

And in that mercy I see Mother Teresa

Kalaiyay vazhvin thunaiyakki

Kartharai athil kaanum kaalaimalarae

You took in Art as your life partner

And in that Art you placed Christ

Kalangiy nenjathin kannirai thudaikkum

Un karangalukk ponnadai porthugindraen

To the hands that wipe the tears of the tormented

Would I cover with a golden shawl*..

*The golden shawl is a significant award given for a great achievement.