A Dalit Folk Song of Kerala in Translation
What kind of untouchability is this? The untouchability of the lords! Go away, go away The stumbling block, go away… Go away, go away Even Pakkanar§ has to go away! If the salt is sown, Would it sprout? And creep onto the fence? Then, what is this untouchability? The untouchability of the lords! If the salt is sown… If the salt is sown, Would it sprout? And creep on to the fence? Go away, go away The stumbling block, go away… Go away, go away Even Pakkanar has to go away! Is it possible to drink and bathe, In the stream where fishes are? And forget the water drunk? Then, what is this untouchability? The untouchability of the lords! Is it possible? Is it possible to drink and bathe, In the stream where fishes are? And forget the water drunk? Go away, go away The stumbling block, go away… Go away, go away Even Pakkanar has to go away! If the arrow is shot into the sky, Would it pierce? Then, what is this untouchability? The untouchability of the lords! If the arrow is shot… If the arrow