The Umbrella Man
Sankracharya is the high priest
Mel shanti (high priest) is what they call him
Gets up in Bhramamuhurta
After his morning ablutions
He has his ritual bath at the open well
His elder son Pranescharya follows suit
For his upanainam is over
Sankracharya walks to the temple
Pranesharya yards behind
Mel shanti enters the temple
Moves to the temple well
Draws a pot of water
Pours over his head
Whispering ohm namashivayas
He now enters the sanctum sanctorum
Readies himself for the morning pooja
Other priests have arrived
Following the same ritual
They set up all that is needed for the pooja
The sacred conch is sounded
Morning pooja begins
Pranescharya just out side the sanctum
A motley crowd of devotees with folded hands
Eyes closed lost in prayer
Old Madhavan wants a job for his son
Young Kalyani wants a husband me lord
Pooja over
Teertha, sandalwood paste and flowers are given
Devotees accept with reverence
It is time for sheveli
High priest comes out of the sanctorum
A brass container with soaked rice and flowers
He sprinkles rice and flowers on the navagrahas
Utters the correct mantras
Following him is Apuukuttan warrier
Replica of the God over his head
Behind him is Balan warrier
The Umbrella man
Preceding all is the Nadaswaram man and the Chandai man
The procession now circles
The outer perimeter of the temple
Balan the umbrella man pours his heart out
Woes and woes
Apuukuttan with lord over his head just listens
God listens to all this
Sitting over Appukuttan’s head
God smiles knows
There is no umbrella over his head
There are as many umbrella men
As there are umbrellas
Of different shapes hues
As many gods of different names
Listening to the woes of Umbrella men
God listens and listens
Does all that is good to
The umbrella man and his tribe
Thank you umbrella man
K.V. Radhakrishnan
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