Kunnutaiya’s wife Tamarai is now nine months pregnant. The
day of her delivery is fast approaching.
When Tamarai’s labour pains begin, Kunnutaiya rushes to
call Kuppi the midwife.
After some time Kunnutaiya hears the cry of a baby. The
midwife Kuppi confirms that a child has been born.
But when Kunnutaiya enters the birthing room he is shocked.
There is only a baby girl. The couple both thought Lord Shiva would
gift them sons.
Nonetheless, the kind Kunnutaiya is content and shows plenty
of love towards his new daughter.
But the jealous clansmen soon notice the absence of sons.
They arrive, beat the couple up and send them into exile.
Tamarai is taunted and insulted. These rude men wish to
humiliate her.
As a result of the clansmen’s aggression the couple are
forced to leave their beloved kingdom.
Reaching the forest, Kunnutaiya and his wife locate the
palace of the hunter king. He offers them food, but the couple
refuse to eat, angering their would-be host.
The hunter king sends the couple away, asking them to stay,
instead, in a humble hut near his horse corral.
There is no money. Kunnutaiya’s wife Tamarai is forced to
work as a day labourer in order to support the family.
Tamarai’s sore hands are ample evidence of the humiliation
the couple feel.
Finally the goddess Celatta arrives. She says she has
brought them two sons.
Celatta and her brother Vishnu bless the Ponnivala family,
which has suddenly been enlarged.
The couple return to their old palace home but find it is now
in terrible disrepair.
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