- Oppari
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An Oppari is type of a folk song in the southern part of India, especially in Tamilnadu and in North-East Sri Lanka where Tamils live. Many people across different communities use this "Oppari" to express their sadness on a person's death. It is sung by females during a death ceremony. The song-format does not follow any set pattern, where the lyrics are sung impromptu, mostly improvised and speak about the life of the person who has died. It is rich in word play with names and events associated with the deceased person. Colorful local idioms also decorate the lyrics. Unfortunately, such a tradition is now literally and figuratively dying out.
An example Oppari: "Kathirikaa engalukku... Kailaasam ungalukku Paavakka engalukku... Paralogam ungalukku Vaazhakka engalukku... Vaigundam ungalukku" Meaning: We eat the brinjal... you go to Kailash (Lord Siva's Adobe according to Hinduism) We eat the bitter gourd... you go to Paralogam (Heaven/Hell.. whichever suits that person) We eat the banana.. you go to Vaikundam (Lord Vishnu's Adobe according to Hinduism)
When a person dies, after his last rites, people have a feast with different types of dishes. The above Oppari signifies this point to stress that the person cannot enjoy the food anymore.
External links
- Kannan, Ramya (August 6, 2006). "A wail for their survival". The Hindu Online. http://www.hindu.com/mag/2006/08/06/stories/2006080600270700.htm. Retrieved 2009-09-12.
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