Listen to the world’s best poetry read out loud.

What does it feel like to sound
these half-used names of half-lived lives?
Aru-lam-pa-lam, a golden blessing.
Arul-muga-nathan, a man with a wondrous face.
Aru-na-cha-lam, a hill of intense fire.

Asokan was to live a life without sorrow.
Bavani was to be a giver of life.
Geetha carried the music of the Gods in her hair.
And so did Ragini. Jasotha was a gift from God.
Kavitha, a poem.

Piriyalini was a woman in love.
Nesathurai, a man filled with love.
Seenithambi was a little boy made of sugar.
Seevaratnam, a child of light.
So many names bound by a thousand soft blessings.
So many names turned to dust and ash.

Balasuntharam was a beautiful child.
Tharshini, a beautiful offering.
Thiyagarajan was one who sacrificed himself for others.
Yogenthiran was the one who chose to serve.
And Chelliah, Kumutha, Kunchithambi (darling boy),
Manokaran, Rasamoha, Thilagesvari
were the names of the beloved, the cherished ones,
the burning invocations of life.