5.8. The Singer (gāyana)

Kṣemendra has also uttered so many caustic words against the professional singers for their viciousness. For him, the singers are real thieves who rob people silently without making any sounds of regret.

Kṣemendra says that the singer is too much cunning. He with his soft-throated singing easily passes away the money, which is the most important to live happily in this world.^[1] According to the author, the singer loots people in front of one’s face. He bitterly says that if someone drops in water a grain of barley and the fish eats it then that person earns some merit but if someone offers even one crore to a fraud singer it becomes meaningless.^[2] The author says that the wicked singer not only exposes his teeth while singing but also laughs at the audience after robbing them of their money.^[3] The greedy singer very cleverly earns laces of money within a moment singing untuned and incorrect musical notes but when departing he says sadly,‘what has given by the whore’s son?’^[4] The author condemns such singer who is never satisfied with what he has earned. He compares the fraud singer with a hunter, who by means of cunningly crafted songs deceives simple minded deer i.e his audience.^[5]

Kṣemendra observes that the fraud singer is not only loots people but also is involved in some anti-social activities. The singer is addicted to gambling. In the morning he goes out decorating himself with ornaments but at noon, returns naked.^[6]