"So ready kichu?" I heard my brother asking me in his elated voice.

" ( For what?)" I asked innocently.

"Duh! To meet your lover, Banshee flutist!" My brother remarked with animated expressions

I held my flute close to me. I am a good flutist. From the very tender age I began to play flute. All because of him. I smiled holding my flute close to me.

"Oh ! Reminiscing your pretty lovey dovy moment darling?" He again teased me earning a pinch from me and warning glare from dad through the rear view mirror.

"( just shut up mom and dad will hear)" I said in a hushed and irritated voice.

" ( like no one knows your love fever. Just stop it girl)" Ben said smirking and looked out of the window.

"( Dad halt here) I will walk from here." I said slightly touching his shoulder. Dad turned towards me and looked at me for sometime before nodding his approval.

Mom glared at my Dad.

"( Maria if she likes to take it this way there is no use of resisting her. After all ,her happiness values the most. Go my sweetie) Take Ben with you as well. It is not safe to go alone.

I smiled at my dad gratefully while glancing at my grumpy mom.

" mom please, let me go. I will come back in a jiff. If you wont allow me I wont go that is it. Then he will cry his heart out if he wont get a glimpse of me.)

My mom's lips twitched to form a small smile

"" ( Go and be back soon. As you wish) mom said sighing.

"Thank you mom!!! " I squealed while throwing my hands around my mom and kissing her. She stiffened a bit but managed to give a forced smile. My dad caressed my mom's cheek fondly. I saw his eyes glistening a bit.

I looked at my mom sadly. She held a forlorn expression while staring outside.

"Come kichu it is already getting late." Ben reminded me. Actually he sensed the tensed situation and wanted to haul me away from there,giving dad and mom some space.

I opened the car door and got down.

I am wearing my ( Traditional skirt and top outfit for Indian girls especially south Indians. The hem of this dress is adorned with golden clothing work.)

"Kichu I told you a hundred times not to give mom such shocks. You too know that she is insufferable to such endearments and other stuff. Only dad is capable of handling her." Ben said gently while a tear drop slid down my cheeks.

"I am sorry Ben I forgot everything in my excitement. Now on I will be more careful" I said with tear filled eyes.Ben held my face kindly.

".(Hey! don't cry sweetie. I am here for you always.) Do whatever you want. Just keep in mind not to prod mom. You can do anything to me. I am your mom as well. Is that okay?" Ben asked while wiping my tears and hugging me like a mom.

"Why Ben, we have to go through such fate. What did I or you ever do to deserve such a fate?" I asked between my sobs . Ben heaved a painful sigh.

"It is okay da ( It is okay my sweetie. I am there for you. So there is no need to worry about anything. As long as I am alive nothing will touch you)" Ben said comforting me while patting my head softly.

"Then who will take care of you Ben. Who is there for you when you find yourself at a loss or in want of some comfort. I never saw you crying or leaning for any support. You are the one who always supported dad, mom and me. Who is there to support you?" I asked him while pulling away from Ben and looking at him innocently. I saw a cloud of pain and sadness lurking in the corner of his eyes. He forced a smile. But it paved way to a grimace.

But he composed his features even before I realize that he held a grimace.

"Girl forgot I am Iron Man and nothing will ever touch me. I am that invincible. Banshee girl" Ben said with an air while spreading his hands wide majestically trying to turn my attention.

But I saw his beam of smile fading somewhere. A small creak of sadness was seen in his eyes.

"Hey banshee your lover will lose his patience if he doesn't see you on time. " He again teased while pulling my pony.

"Da ( Hey stop there. I have with me your fill) saying so I ran after him.

I saw him wiping his eyes in the shirt sleeve while running. He again camouflaged his pain and grief in light pranks and teasing words. My heart clenched at the thought.

I cant tolerate to see you wriggling and writhing in pain.

I ran behind him while laughing but that laugh was not genuine I was crying inside my heart. But if my laugh gives him some happiness that is the only thing I can provide my brother with. I caught his shirt hem from behind. He halted calming his laughter to tiny chortles. He wiped his face. When he looked up I saw tear streaks glistening on his cheeks.

"Ben, were you crying?" I asked while placing my hand on his cheek.

"No , why should I banshee?Oh! I forgot girl, it is getting late. Temple will close soon. Come your lover will be waiting impatiently" He tried to forestall my talk by taking the refuge of time.

I didn't insist to cling on to that topic. So I nodded and followed him silently.

We are now going to a temple. Wondering, what a christian girl is doing inside a temple? See, we were brought up in such a way that we have a broad outlook and attitude towards every culture and religion. So we never look the religion or culture When we want to pray or want to spend some peaceful time in temple. My dad is very broad minded in this. He gave us the liberty to pray and celebrate every festival our Indian culture allowed.

But my mom is very orthodox and conventional when it comes to such stuff. But she doesn't coax us to be like her. She gives us the freedom to have our liberty. But once in a while she keeps reminding us about bible and bible verses. Ben used to keep my mom spellbound with his tactful tackling which I am thankful to him of.

I slipped off my sandals outside the temple. Ben removed his shirt and shrouded a kasavu shawl around him. He gestured me to follow him.

I stepped inside the temple. The stony cold surface beneath my bare feet gave a feel of soothing and calmness.

The instant I stepped inside the temple I was enveloped by refreshing and soothing air giving a sense of reviving feel. A smile formed on my lips. My eyes and soul twinkled in mirth and solace.

I walked towards the temple of the main deity. The door is closed may be they were ornating the deity for the pooja.

I stood there waiting for the door to be opened.I joined my hands and prayed silently. Ben stood beside me. But he moved from the way the instant other girls began to flock in beside me, giving them a breathing and comfortable space. I smiled at Ben.

"". "( oh my good gracious who is this? Kichumaatty! How are you doing child?) I heard an elderly voice beside me. I turned my head to see the old priest of this temple. Now his son is doing the priest works.

"( I am spectacular. You? Brother? Aunty? All fine?)" I asked casually with a small smile.

""( with God's grace everything is moving fine sweetie. What are you doing now child?) sridhar uncle queried me.

" Now I finished my higher secondary and thinking of pursuing a degree in music , God willing.." I paused slightly when a thought crossed my mind.

". ( God will make everything come in your favour child. If not for you no one will ever get any goodness in life. You are that good and pure child.yeah some pain and obstacles will come. But you will get out of it with a winners smile. You will get every goodness of this world.Just keep your faith intact. Lord krishna ! Partha! He will be with you in every hard time. Sing one keerthanam child it will make this evening more divine)It will make this evening a great divine one.

"" I hesitated a bit. He pulled my hand and made me walk along with him towards a mandapam

" You used to sing whenever you come here ,as a child. Do you remember that?" Sridhar uncle asked with a parental fondness.

I nodded smiling. Yeah this place saw my growth as a singer. I took my baby steps towards the mesmerizing world of music from here. I let my eyes roam around for a moment. I saw Ben standing leaning against the pillar folding his arms. He nodded at me encouragingly. Sridhar uncle went towards Ben and they began to talk.

"Here molu. Play this while you sing" A lady handed me a thamburu with a kind smile. First I joined hands and prayed before that instrument and placed my hand on it and kept my hand on my chest as a show of reverence to that instrument. I took the thamburu and placed it straight on my one lap.

I let my fingers fondle the strings lazily as a warm up. I cleared my throat and tried some jathis and swaras.

After rummaging through my mind's music records my soul got hitched at a particular song.I smiled blissfully when that song stroked my innards. " Enna Thavam seiithanayo Yasoda " Sudha aunty taught me that song when I was a child and was kinda mischievous kitten as baby Krishna.

She always held a pleasant smile when I sing this song to her. After offering a prayer for my first guru aunty I began to let out my heart before the God through my song. my heart and soul danced in perfect harmony when my tongue played with each and every word.

I stroked the strings of the thamburu closing my eyes

Enna Thavam seiithanayo Yasoda

By

Papanasam Sivan

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam Kaapi

Talam AAdhi

Pallavi

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Enna thavam seithanayo , Yasoda ,

Engum nirai Prabrahmam , Amma yendru azhaikka

Anupallavi

Eerezhu bhuvanangal padithavanai,

Kayil yendi ,Seeratti, palooti , thalatta nee

Charanam

1.Brahmanum , indranum manathil poramai kolla,