தீரன் (Theerun)

July 27 is the birthday of Theerun, the second grandson of Dr. Kanthimathi (her younger son Aravinth's son). Theerun turns five this year (2015). "Theerun" (தீரன் in Tamil) means "brave one". The name was one of many shortlisted by his grandmother, who was very adept at selecting classical Tamil names with evergreen relevance. She loved Theerun and his energy, and enjoyed playing with him even over a Skype video call whenever she could. The following was written by her sometime in 2014, the last year of her life. Hitherto unshared, this is an ode to a grandson by a grandmother who now watches over him everyday. 
Happy Birthday, little Theerun. 

(Tamil original followed by English translation below.)

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தீரன்
கண்ணுக்குள் ஆடுகிறான்
கருத்தினிலே உலவுகிறான்
(எண்ணத்தில்)
கனவிலே வருகிறான்
நினைவிலே விளையாடுகிறான்
மின்னலெனத் தோன்றுகிறான்
இடியாய் முழங்குகிறான்
வில்லாய் வளைகின்றான்
அலையாய்த் தவழ்கின்றான்
கயலாய்த் துள்ளுகிறான்
புள்ளி மானாய் ஓடுகின்றான்
தனிமை தவிர்க்கின்றான்
தலைமை விரும்புகிறான்
தீரனாய் இருக்கின்றான்.

Theerun 
(English translation)
In my eye, he dances
In my thoughts, he roams
In my dreams, he wanders
In my memories, he plays
Like lightning, he appears
Like thunder, he speaks
Like a bow, he bends
Like a wave, he rolls
Like a fish, he jumps
Like a deer, he runs
Loneliness, he avoids
Leadership, he likes
Theerun, he is.