English Translation

[A translation of the above poem posted by Swaminathan Sankaran < SANKARAN@Meena.CC.URegina.CA>]

 from AGNI... pp. 12-13.
       
               THE 'KUMMI' OF WOMEN's FREEDOM

    ( The 'kummi' dance is perhaps peculiar to Southern India and is 
      danced by women in a circle. The song that accompanies this very
      picturesque dance is also called 'Kummi'. -- C.S.B.)

We sing the joys of freedom;
In gladness we sing.
And He that shineth in the soul as Light shines in the
    eye, even He is our Strength.

Dance the Kummi, beat the measure;
Let this land of the Tamils ring with our dance.
For now we are rid of all evil shades;
We have seen the Good. 


Gone are they who said to woman: 'Thou shalt not
     open the Book of Knowledge.'
And the strange ones who boasted saying:
'We will immure these women in our homes"--
To-day they hang down their heads.

Dance the Kummi, beat the measure.
Let this land of the Tamils ring with our dance.
For now we are rid of all evil shades;
We have seen the Good.

The life of the beast that is beaten, tamed and tied down,
Fain would they lay it on us in the house; but we scornfully baffled them.
Dance the Kummi, beat the measure;
The dog they sell for a price, nor ever consult his will.
Nigh to his state had they brought us-- would rather
     they had killed us at a blow--
But infamy seized them.
Dance the Kummi, beat the measure;

And they talk of wedded faith;
Good; let it be binding on both.
But the custom that FORCED us to wed, we've cast it
    down and trampled it under foot;
Dance the Kummi, beat the measure;

To rule the realms and make the laws
We have risen;
Nor shall it be said that woman lags behind man in the
 knowledge that he attaineth.
Dance the Kummi, beat the measure.

To know the Truth and do the Right,
Willing we come;
Food we'll give you; we'll also give you a race of immortals.
Dance the Kummi, beat the measure.

   ( End of Translation)