Sangam Lit

Nandini Karky
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Reflections on 2000 Year Old Tamil Poetry

  1. 17H AGO

    Aganaanooru 203 – A mother’s dream

    In this episode, we perceive the angst and yearning in a mother’s voice, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 203, penned by Kabilar. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’, the verse resonates with the wishes throbbing in a sorrowful heart. ‘உவக்குநள்ஆயினும், உடலுநள்ஆயினும், யாய் அறிந்து உணர்க’ என்னார், தீ வாய் அலர் வினை மேவல் அம்பற் பெண்டிர், ‘இன்னள் இனையள், நின் மகள்’ என, பல் நாள் எனக்கு வந்து உரைப்பவும், தனக்கு உரைப்பு அறியேன், ‘நாணுவள் இவள்’ என, நனி கரந்து உறையும் யான் இவ் வறு மனை ஒழிய, தானே, ‘அன்னை அறியின், இவண் உறை வாழ்க்கை எனக்கு எளிது ஆகல் இல்’ என, கழற் கால் மின் ஒளிர் நெடு வேல் இளையோன் முன்னுற, பல் மலை அருஞ் சுரம் போகிய தனக்கு, யான் அன்னேன் அன்மை நன் வாயாக, மான் அதர் மயங்கிய மலைமுதல் சிறு நெறி வெய்து இடையுறாஅது எய்தி, முன்னர்ப் புல்லென் மா மலைப் புலம்பு கொள் சீறூர், செல் விருந்து ஆற்றி, துச்சில் இருத்த, நுனை குழைத்து அலமரும் நொச்சி மனை கெழு பெண்டு யான் ஆகுகமன்னே! Plenty of talking in this trip to the drylands, as we get to hear the lady’s mother say these words, at the juncture of her daughter’s elopement with the man: “Without thinking, ‘Whether she’s going to be happy about it or whether she’s going to be angry about it, let her mother learn of it herself!’, those back-biting, slanderous women, who love to spread rumours with their cruel mouths, came to me and said, ‘Such is the nature of your daughter’, over many, many days. Thinking that, ‘It will make her feel ashamed’, I said nothing to my daughter, and kept it well hidden. Leaving me alone in this barren house, thinking, ‘If mother comes to know, the life I’ve been leading with him will not be possible for me anymore’, she has left to the formidable drylands, crossing mountains many, with that young man, wearing warrior anklets and holding a radiant, tall spear, leading ahead. To tell the truth that I’m not such a person who is opposed to her, traversing the small, confusing mountain paths, where beasts roam, without any ruin coming to me, I should go ahead of them, reach the isolated hamlet in that barren, tall mountain, and to make them a fine feast, and let them rest for the night, I should enter that hut, surrounded by chaste trees, whose edges sway with tender sprouts, and become the lady of that household!” Let’s follow along through the scorching spaces and learn more! Mother starts by recollecting what had happened. It all started with the womenfolk of their hamlet, who were known to gossip and spread slander. Without remaining quiet with the thought, ‘When the time comes, let her find it out herself’, they had come to the lady’s mother and spoke about the lady’s relationship with the man. While this was so, mother seems to have refrained from talking about it directly with her daughter, worrying that her girl would feel much shame and distress. While mother was holding back so, the lady seems to have understood that something was amiss. Deciding if mother had indeed come to know of her relationship with the man, then she would forbid it, the lady had left to go far through the drylands, in the company of her lover, the one clad in warrior anklets and holding a shining spear in hand. After this account of what’s happened, mother comes to the present and declares, ‘I’m not opposed to her love and happiness’. ‘To make her understand this, I should somehow rush through those barren mountain paths, without any harm befalling me, and overtake them, and find that isolated mountain village that they would pass through, and going there, I should prepare a feast for the two of them and ensure they have a good rest before they continue their travels. This I can do, if I can somehow transform into the lady of that house, surrounded by chaste trees, with swaying branches of new sprouts’, mother concludes, dreaming! Something that shines so brightly in this verse is the nature of a mother’s heart. No matter how hurt by the actions of her girl, the mother wants the best for her child and all that that that child loves. Epitome of love indeed! Another thought that struck me was that everything that has happened in this instance is because of communication or its absence! Unwanted communication on the part of those gossiping womenfolk, mother not speaking out to her girl when she should have, and the lady, assuming mother was against her, and leaving without a word. A verse that reiterates the importance of speaking the right words to the right person at the right time!

    6 min

  2. 1D AGO

    Aganaanooru 202 – Trajectory of an elephant’s sigh

    In this episode, we perceive an attempt at persuasion, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 202, penned by Aavoor Moolankizhaar Kannanaar. The verse is situated amidst the flowering trees of the ‘Kurinji’ or ‘Mountain landscape’ and sketches striking similes using the colours of nature. வயங்கு வெள் அருவிய குன்றத்துக் கவாஅன், கயந் தலை மடப் பிடி இனன் ஏமார்ப்ப, புலிப் பகை வென்ற புண் கூர் யானை கல்லகச் சிலம்பில் கை எடுத்து உயிர்ப்பின், நல் இணர் வேங்கை நறு வீ கொல்லன் குருகு ஊது மிதி உலைப் பிதிர்வின் பொங்கி, சிறு பல் மின்மினி போல, பல உடன் மணி நிற இரும் புதல் தாவும் நாட! யாமே அன்றியும் உளர்கொல் பானாள், உத்தி அரவின் பைத் தலை துமிய, உர உரும் உரறும் உட்கு வரு நனந்தலை, தவிர்வு இல் உள்ளமொடு எஃகு துணையாக, கனை இருள் பரந்த கல் அதர்ச் சிறு நெறி தேராது வரூஉம் நின்வயின் ஆர் அஞர் அரு படர் நீந்துவோரே? In this trip to the mountains, dynamic images await us as we listen to the confidante say these words to the man, when the man is about to part away after a nightly tryst with the lady: “In the mountain slopes, filled with radiant white cascades, after winning over the enmity of a tiger and making its herd proud, a male elephant, covered in wounds, lies along with its soft-headed, naive mate. As it raises its trunk and lets out a loud sigh in the rocky highlands domain, fine and fragrant flower clusters of the Kino tree nearby, soar akin to sparks that rise, when a blacksmith blows into his bellows, while stepping on the pedal of the furnace treadle. And then, appearing akin to many, small fireflies, these flowers bunch together and scatter on sapphire-hued, dark bushes in your mountains, O lord! In the dead dark of the night, when the hooded head of the spotted snake is severed by roaring thunder in those wide spaces, with an unrelenting heart, with only a spear for company, through that small and stony path, densely packed with darkness, without any concern, you walk to arrive here. Could there be anyone, who experiences a great suffering than her, as she worries about you?” Let’s get going on the mountain trek! The confidante starts by describing the man’s country, and to do that, she paints an image of a male elephant, which has defeated an attacking tiger, much to the pride of its herd, and was now resting next to its mate. At the moment, when this elephant raises its trunk and lets out a sigh, the flowers in the Kino tree nearby, seem to soar in the sky, like sparks from a blacksmith’s bellows, and then pulled by inevitable gravity, fall down and settle on the dark bushes, akin to swarming fireflies, the confidante details. Then, she goes on to talk about the dangerous path the man takes at night, walking in the dead darkness, when according to their belief, thunder and lightning struck and severed the heads of snakes, with only a spear for company, through a tiny, stony path, and without worrying about a thing, he comes intent on his tryst with the lady. The confidante concludes by declaring that there’s no one, who would feel a greater sorrow than the lady, because she’s filled with anxiety about the man’s safety, as he continues to take this walk night after night! It’s the confidante’s way of telling the man, ‘It’s all well and good that you put so much effort to come here. But the lady is worried about you. Isn’t it your duty to put her heart at rest?’ In the scene of the victorious male elephant resting with its mate, the confidante places a metaphor for how the man had overcome difficulties many to be in the company of his beloved. Also, in the scene of the elephant’s sigh, causing the Kino flowers to rise and scatter, the confidante places another intricate metaphor for how the man’s actions was causing slander to spread in town, about his relationship with the lady. In essence, the confidante’s telling the man it’s time to marry the lady. ‘Marry her, Marry her’ indeed. but doesn’t that exquisite montage of an elephant’s sigh, spark-like Kino flowers soaring in the sky, and like a swarm of fireflies, spreading on the sapphire-hued bushes, linger so deliciously in the mind’s eyes?

    6 min

  3. 3D AGO

    Aganaanooru 201 – Roaring waves and soaring slander

    In this episode, we listen to words of assurance, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 201, penned by Maamoolanaar. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’, the verse reveals aspects of Pandya and Chozha kingdoms. அம்ம, வாழி தோழி! ‘பொன்னின் அவிர் எழில் நுடங்கும் அணி கிளர் ஓடை வினை நவில் யானை விறற் போர்ப் பாண்டியன் புகழ் மலி சிறப்பின் கொற்கை முன்துறை, அவிர்கதிர் முத்தமொடு வலம்புரி சொரிந்து, தழை அணிப் பொலிந்த கோடு ஏந்து அல்குல் பழையர் மகளிர் பனித் துறைப் பரவ, பகலோன் மறைந்த அந்தி ஆர் இடை, உரு கெழு பெருங் கடல் உவவுக் கிளர்ந்தாங்கு, அலரும் மன்று பட்டன்றே; அன்னையும் பொருந்தாக் கண்ணள், வெய்ய உயிர்க்கும்’ என்று எவன் கையற்றனை, இகுளை? சோழர் வெண்ணெல் வைப்பின் நல் நாடு பெறினும், ஆண்டு அமைந்து உறைநர்அல்லர் முனாஅது வான் புகு தலைய குன்றத்துக் கவாஅன், பெருங் கை எண்கின் பேழ்வாய் ஏற்றை இருள் துணிந்தன்ன குவவு மயிர்க் குருளைத் தோல் முலைப் பிணவொடு திளைக்கும் வேனில் நீடிய சுரன் இறந்தோரே. In this trip to the drylands, we take a detour to the Pandya and Chozha country, as we listen to the confidante say these words to the lady, when the man continues to remain parted away, having left to earn wealth to claim the lady’s hand in marriage: “Listen my friend, may you live long! You say to me, ‘Wearing well-etched head ornaments made of gold that glow resplendently, battle elephants of the victorious Pandya king stand proudly, near the shores of Korkai, celebrated for its immense fame, as daughters of pearl-divers, wearing leaf attires around their radiant, striped uplifted waists, spread sparkling pearls and right-whorled conch shells on those cool shores, at that precious time when the sun sets. Akin to how the formidable, huge ocean there would rise high with a roar, slander does soar around town. Hearing this, with sleepless eyes, mother keeps sighing loudly’. Worrying so, don’t feel so helpless, my dearest! Even if he were to attain the fine country of the Chozhas, which yield unceasing mounds of white paddy, he is not someone who will stay there, content. Indeed the one, who has left to the drylands with a prolonged summer, near the slopes of the mountains with sky-soaring peaks, where a male sloth bear with huge hands and a fierce mouth, frolics with its coarse-haired cub, which looks like a bundle of darkness, and its mate with skinny breasts, will not stay away for anything!” Time to explore the scorching drylands path! The confidante starts by inviting the lady’s attention and repeating the worry running through the lady’s mind. To do that, she zooms on to ornamented battle elephants belonging to the Pandya kings, victorious in war, as they stand near the shore of the famous town of Korkai. Here, the daughters of pearl divers are performing a special ceremony, by spreading pearls and conch-shells, possibly a festival of gratitude for the king’s victories in the battlefield. This happens at dusk, and at this time, the seas nearby would rise high and roar, the confidante details, and connects it to the slander that was similarly soaring in town about the lady’s relationship with the man. The lady was worried because Mother had heard these rumours and was lying sleepless, sighing ceaselessly. Now, the confidante asks her friend not to feel so anxious and helpless and she promises that the man who had left to the drylands, would not stay there, even if he were to be given the country of the Chozhas, known for its unceasing yield of paddy. The confidante concludes with a description of the place, where the man has left, talking about how in that scorched domain, where summer does not want to part, a male sloth bear finds the means to frolic with its cub and mate! In the scene of the sloth bear family, the confidante places a metaphor for how the man would soon return and rejoice with his beloved. Yet again, the message we recently encountered, about how no amount of wealth would keep away a man from the lady he loves, echoes aloud. But here, the context differs, and we are presented with a bonus gift of intriguing images that echo the glory and prosperity of ancient Tamil kingdoms!

    5 min

  4. 4D AGO

    Aganaanooru 200 – Stay by day and by night

    In this episode, we perceive the communication of a nuanced message as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 200, penned by Ulochchanaar. The verse is situated amidst the shining sands of the ‘Neythal’ or ‘Coastal landscape’ and conveys an awaited news. நிலாவின் இலங்கு மணல் மலி மறுகில், புலால் அம் சேரி, புல் வேய் குரம்பை, ஊர் என உணராச் சிறுமையொடு, நீர் உடுத்து, இன்னா உறையுட்டுஆயினும், இன்பம் ஒரு நாள் உறைந்திசினோர்க்கும், வழி நாள், தம் பதி மறக்கும் பண்பின் எம் பதி வந்தனை சென்மோ வளை மேய் பரப்ப! பொம்மற் படு திரை கம்மென உடைதரும் மரன் ஓங்கு ஒரு சிறை பல பாராட்டி, எல்லை எம்மொடு கழிப்பி, எல் உற, நல் தேர் பூட்டலும் உரியீர்; அற்றன்று, சேந்தனிர் செல்குவிர்ஆயின், யாமும் எம் வரை அளவையின் பெட்குவம்; நும் ஒப்பதுவோ? உரைத்திசின் எமக்கே. Pleasant scenes of the seashore greet us in this trip, as we listen to the confidante say these words to the man, who had relayed his interest in trysting with the lady through the confidante: “Having streets filled with abundant sands that shine like the moon, our beautiful little hamlet, surrounded by water, wafting with the scent of flesh, and having huts, thatched with grass, may have a smallness that does not make it fit to be called a town. Though it may not have houses, comfortable enough to reside, for those who live there just for a day, it would endow so much joy, that would make them forget their own town the next day. Why don’t you come to this hamlet of ours, O lord of the seashore, which is filled with roving sea snails? Rendering praises many, you could spend the day on these shores, filled with soaring trees, where radiant waves resound with a roar, and when the day ends, you could yoke your fine chariot and depart; If you don’t want that and wish to stay here, we will shower our care as best as we can. Is this agreeable to you? Pray tell!” Let’s get ready to dip our feet in the salty waters and take in the spread of the heart! The confidante starts with a description of the lady’s village, talking about the streets with moon-like sands, thatched huts, and brimming with the scent of fleshy fish. She accepts with humility that it’s indeed a small place that may not deserve to be called a town, perhaps hinting at the prosperous place where the man comes from. She adds that it may not have luxurious places, worthy enough for the lord to stay. While it may be so, it’s also true that anyone, who has been there for a day, would feel so much joy that they would forget their own town, the confidante describes. With that praise for their humble town, the confidante invites the man to spend the day, rejoicing in the roaring shores and soaring trees. Later, when the sun sets, the man could leave in his chariot, if he so chose; however, if he wished to stay, even that was fine and they would extend their hospitality to the best of their ability, the confidante declares and concludes by asking him if this worked out well for him! The stage of the relationship when this conversation is unfolding is the thing of interest here! It’s at a time, when the man has seen the lady and fallen in love with her. He tries to further his relationship by seeking the confidante’s favour. The confidante tests to see if the lady reciprocates the man’s feelings. After she has received positive vibes from her friend, the confidante returns back to the man, and conveys this, through the said words. In a nutshell, the confidante is telling the man that the lady has agreed for a tryst with him, and whether it is by day or by night, it was fine by the lady. No doubt the man would be jubilant after hearing these words he has been yearning to hear! To me, the highlight of this verse is the perfect balance between humility and pride about the place where they live that the confidante echoes in her words. Through this simple song, the confidante teaches us the right way to have an understanding about anything in life is to accept its weaknesses and celebrate its strengths!

    5 min

  5. 5D AGO

    Aganaanooru 199 – Not even for all that wealth

    In this episode, we listen to a clear decision made after moments of deliberation, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 199, penned by Kallaadanaar. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’, the verse portrays the dreariness and dangers in this domain. கரை பாய் வெண் திரை கடுப்ப, பல உடன், நிரை கால் ஒற்றலின், கல் சேர்பு உதிரும் வரை சேர் மராஅத்து ஊழ் மலர் பெயல் செத்து, உயங்கல் யானை நீர் நசைக்கு அலமர, சிலம்பி வலந்த வறுஞ் சினை வற்றல் அலங்கல் உலவை அரி நிழல் அசைஇ, திரங்குமரல் கவ்விய கையறு தொகுநிலை, அரம் தின் ஊசித் திரள் நுதி அன்ன, திண் நிலை எயிற்ற செந்நாய் எடுத்தலின், வளி முனைப் பூளையின் ஒய்யென்று அலறிய கெடுமான் இன நிரை தரீஇய, கலையே கதிர் மாய் மாலை ஆண் குரல் விளிக்கும் கடல் போல் கானம் பிற்பட, ‘பிறர் போல் செல்வேம்ஆயின், எம் செலவு நன்று’ என்னும் ஆசை உள்ளம் அசைவின்று துரப்ப, நீ செலற்கு உரியை நெஞ்சே! வேய் போல் தடையின மன்னும், தண்ணிய, திரண்ட, பெருந் தோள் அரிவை ஒழிய, குடாஅது, இரும் பொன் வாகைப் பெருந்துறைச் செருவில், பொலம் பூண் நன்னன் பொருது களத்து ஒழிய, வலம் படு கொற்றம் தந்த வாய் வாள், களங்காய்க் கண்ணி நார் முடிச் சேரல் இழந்த நாடு தந்தன்ன வளம் பெரிது பெறினும், வாரலென் யானே. We encounter many different scenes in this trip to the drylands, as we get to hear the man say these words to his heart, at a moment when his heart was pressing him to part in search of wealth: “As strong winds dash against them, mature flowers of the burflower tree growing in the ranges, drop down and scatter on the rocky surfaces, akin to white waves that leap on shores. Thinking it’s rain that’s falling down, tired elephants, filled with fierce thirst, arrive and return disappointed. Resting under the sparse shade of parched trees, whose dried branches are covered with cobwebs, the helpless herd of deer, which feeds on thick hemp bushes, move around. With sharp and fierce teeth, akin to the edges of a saw, a red dog attacks them. Escaping, akin to flowers of mountain knotgrass that fly in the wind, screaming, the deer herd scatter in different directions. In the evening hour, when the sun has set, the male deer’s voice calls out aloud, calling them all together. Wanting me to traverse such a sea-like scrub jungle, you say to me, ‘If you leave like others, your journey will be good’, with a heart that ceaselessly yearns for wealth, you nudge me to part away, O heart! As for me, leaving behind the young maiden with arms that are thick, rounded and curving like fine bamboos, I shall not part, even if I were to attain as much wealth as that in the great country, which the Chera King ‘Kalangaai Kanni Naar Mudi Cheral’, lost and then reclaimed with immense victory, wielding his courageous sword, in the great western battlefield of ‘Perunthurai’, filled with golden lebbeck trees, when he defeated Nannan, clad in gold jewels, and routed him in the battlefield!” Time for a walk in those barren spaces! The man starts by describing the region where his heart expects him to leave, talking about how thirsty elephants mistake the falling flowers of the burflower tree as rain, as these cover the rocky surfaces like waves on the shore. Then, he moves to another group of animals, a herd of deers which are already languishing in the heat, finding only the shade of cobweb-covered, parched trees, and the hardy food of hemp. Their troubles are further worsened by the attack of a red dog, and the family scatters away helter-skelter, and in the evening hour, the piteous voice of the male, trying to bring together its herd, can be heard, says the man. This is the place you are asking me to leave too, looking at all others around, filled with yearning for wealth in your heart, the man says to his heart! Interesting to note how the man sees his heart as having a heart of its own! Returning, the man starts narrating the historic battle between Chera King Naarmudi Cheral and King Nannan, in the battlefield of Perunthurai, where Naarmudi Cheral defeated Nannan and won back the country he had lost. The man now comes to the point and says even if he were to get wealth as much as that can be found in the country that Naarmudi Cheral lost and reclaimed, he was sure he did not want to part away from his beloved! In essence, in the struggle between being with a beloved and going in search of wealth, love has triumphed for the moment!

    6 min

  6. 6D AGO

    Aganaanooru 198 – Who is she really?

    In this episode, we listen to words of passion, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 198, penned by Paranar. The verse is situated amidst the soaring peaks of the ‘Kurinji’ or ‘Mountain landscape’ and echoes the beating heart of man in love. கூறுவம்கொல்லோ? கூறலம்கொல்?’ எனக் கரந்த காமம் கைந்நிறுக்கல்லாது, நயந்து நாம் விட்ட நல் மொழி நம்பி, அரை நாள் யாமத்து விழு மழை கரந்து கார் விரை கமழும் கூந்தல், தூ வினை நுண் நூல் ஆகம் பொருந்தினள், வெற்பின் இள மழை சூழ்ந்த மட மயில் போல, வண்டு வழிப் படர, தண் மலர் வேய்ந்து, வில் வகுப்புற்ற நல் வாங்கு குடைச் சூல் அம் சிலம்பு ஒடுக்கி அஞ்சினள் வந்து, துஞ்சு ஊர் யாமத்து முயங்கினள், பெயர்வோள், ஆன்ற கற்பின் சான்ற பெரியள், அம் மா அரிவையோ அல்லள்; தெனாஅது ஆஅய் நல் நாட்டு அணங்குடைச் சிலம்பில், கவிரம் பெயரிய உரு கெழு கவாஅன், ஏர் மலர் நிறை சுனை உறையும் சூர்மகள்மாதோ என்னும் என் நெஞ்சே! This trip to the highlands is all about reverence, and we get to hear the man say these words, after a tryst by night with his lady: “The hidden love within me, about which I was deliberating, ‘Should I tell? Should I not?’ failed to heed my shackles, and so, I sent good words to her with much desire. Trusting in these words, in the midnight hour, waiting for the pouring rain to cease, having tresses fragrant with the scent of rain, wearing an intricate attire made of fine threads that enveloped her, akin to a naive peacock descending down from a cloud-covered mountain, clad in moist, well-woven flowers, which were swarming with bees, adorned with exquisite anklets with hollow tubes, curving akin to a bow, taking care to silence the sound of the said anklets, with fear she came walking, and when the town entire was sleeping in that hour, she embraced me and parted away. That great woman, who shines with her deep chastity, is not just a beautiful, dark-skinned young maiden; In the southern lands, in the fearsome mountain slopes, in the fine country of ‘Aay’, called as ‘Kaviram’, there are formidable mountain ranges, filled with picturesque flowers and brimming springs. My heart says she is surely a heavenly maiden from thither!” Let’s go on that midnight trek in the mountains and learn more! The man starts by reminiscing about the past when he was hesitating about expressing his love for the lady. Beyond all bounds of logic, his love seemed to brim over and he had sent word about the promise of his affections to the lady, and she too had come there to him, in the middle of the night, at a time when there was a break in the rains, with her moist, flower-decked hair, wearing a dainty attire, and taking care to still the sound of her exquisite anklets, embraced him and left from there, the man describes. Now the man reflects on this noble and chaste maiden and concludes by saying that his heart was convinced that she was no ordinary maiden but surely a goddess, the one who is said to reside in the ‘Kaviram’ mountain ranges in Chieftain Aay’s domain! That feeling of awe and admiration, inevitable elements in the first stages of love, seems to resonate in this mountain song from long ago. So many songs and poems over the ages have echoed this very bewilderment about a beloved – Am I dreaming? Is this life real? Is the other person merely human or could they be an angel in disguise? – A sentiment oft-heard from those in the throes of love, no matter the place or time!

    5 min

  7. MAR 10

    Aganaanooru 197 – The promise of a return

    In this episode, we listen to words of consolation, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 197, penned by Maamoolanaar. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’, the verse etches the domain with a heartwarming simile. மா மலர் வண்ணம் இழந்த கண்ணும், பூ நெகிழ் அணையின் சாஅய தோளும், நன்னர் மாக்கள் விழைவனர் ஆய்ந்த தொல் நலம் இழந்த துயரமொடு, என்னதூஉம் இனையல் வாழி, தோழி! முனை எழ முன்னுவர் ஓட்டிய முரண் மிகு திருவின், மறம் மிகு தானை, கண்ணன் எழினி தேம் முது குன்றம் இறந்தனர் ஆயினும், நீடலர் யாழ, நின் நிரை வளை நெகிழ தோள் தாழ்பு இருளிய குவை இருங் கூந்தல் மடவோள் தழீஇய விறலோன் மார்பில் புன் தலைப் புதல்வன் ஊர்பு இழிந்தாங்கு, கடுஞ்சூல் மடப் பிடி தழீஇய வெண் கோட்டு இனம்சால் வேழம், கன்று ஊர்பு இழிதர, பள்ளி கொள்ளும் பனிச் சுரம் நீந்தி, ஒள் இணர்க் கொன்றை ஓங்கு மலை அத்தம் வினை வலியுறூஉம் நெஞ்சமொடு இனையர் ஆகி, நப் பிரிந்திசினோரே. In this trip to this domain, we get to hear the confidante say these words to the lady, at a time when the man remains parted away, having left in search of wealth: “Your eyes, akin to dark flowers, have lost their hue; Akin to a pillow that has lost its plumpness, your arms have thinned; The beauty of yours, celebrated by your good friends, have lost the old state! With the sorrow of realising all this, do not suffer ceaselessly, my friend, may you live long!  The one, who parted away, making your neat row of bangles slip away, left to the terrifying drylands, which makes one shiver, where akin to the scene in a home, when upon the chest of a strong man, lying down embracing his naive woman, with darkness-like, thick tresses that fall beneath her arms, his young son, with coarse hair, crawls down, on the body of a male elephant, one of a herd, having white tusks, which had been embracing its naive and fully pregnant mate, its calf would climb up and descend down. Indeed, he has parted away, without any grace, with a heart that was pressing him to go on his mission through the drylands, near the soaring mountains, filled with golden shower trees, having radiant flowers. Always chasing away those who dared to rise in opposition, Kannan Ezhini rises with furious strength, wielding a courageous army. Even though your man has crossed the honey-covered, ancient peaks of his, he shan’t delay any longer!” Time to tread the scorching spaces again! The confidante starts by describing how the lady’s eyes, her arms and her beauty had lost their old state. After acknowledging these changes, the confidante asks the lady to not keep worrying so. Then, she describes the drylands path where the man is traversing, and to do that, she zooms on to a scene in a home, where a little boy would be crawling on the chest of his father, as that man lies embracing his wife with long tresses. Then, the confidante connects this scene to that of a male elephant and its pregnant mate and the way, an elephant calf would be playing, climbing on its father’s back and rolling down. Doesn’t seem like a scary place to me! In any case, that’s how the confidante says this place is, and talks about how the man walks through these lands, crossing highlands with golden shower trees, and walking beyond the peaks of a courageous king named ‘Kannan Ezhini’. The confidante ends by saying while all that is true, the man wouldn’t dream of staying there one moment longer than necessary and would be back soon with the lady.  That scene with the bonding elephant family must be the confidante’s way of projecting the image of future happiness the lady is going to experience once the man returns. Utilising the effective techniques of acknowledging the pain of the present, and visualising the pleasure of the future, this expert ‘psychologist’ of Sangam times heals her languishing friend!

    5 min

  8. MAR 9

    Aganaanooru 196 – On pleasure and duty

    In this episode, we perceive a woman’s anger, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 196, penned by Paranar. The verse is situated amidst the uproarious streets of the ‘Marutham’ or ‘Farmlands landscape’ and contrasts the nature of men and women. நெடுங் கொடி நுடங்கும் நறவு மலி பாக்கத்து, நாள் துறைப்பட்ட மோட்டு இரு வராஅல் துடிக்கண் கொழுங் குறை நொடுத்து, உண்டு ஆடி, வேட்டம் மறந்து, துஞ்சும் கொழுநர்க்குப் பாட்டி ஆம்பல் அகல் இலை, அமலை வெஞ் சோறு தீம் புளிப் பிரம்பின் திரள்கனி பெய்து, விடியல் வைகறை இடூஉம் ஊர! தொடுகலம் குறுக வாரல் தந்தை கண் கவின் அழித்ததன் தப்பல், தெறுவர, ஒன்றுமொழிக் கோசர்க் கொன்று, முரண் போகிய, கடுந் தேர்த் திதியன் அழுந்தை கொடுங் குழை அன்னிமிஞிலியின் இயலும் நின் நலத் தகுவியை முயங்கிய மார்பே. In this quick, little trip to this domain, we see interesting sights and get to hear the lady say these words to the man, when he returns home after being with the courtesan: “In those streets, fluttering with tall flags and brimming with fragrant toddy, after selling the drum-eye-like, fatty pieces of the murrel fish ,with huge bellies, caught during the day at the shore, they drink and dance, and then forgetting the next day’s hunt, the men sleep on. For these husbands of theirs, daughters of bards, spread hot, cooked rice on wide leaves of the water lily, and pour sweet-sour curry of the thick tamarind fruit, and serve them in the early hours of the morning in your town, O lord! For the mistake of ruining the health of her father’s eyes, with fury, she killed the Kosars, who are men of their word, with the aid of ’Thithiyan’, who wields speeding chariots, in the town of Azhunthai, and quenched her enmity. Like this Anni Mignili, who wears curving heavy earrings, that woman, you deem so fitting for you, walks around with pride. I shall not touch the chest of yours that she has embraced! Come not near me!” Time to see the exuberant and emotional sights of the farmlands! The lady starts by describing the man’s town, and to do that, she zooms on to the men of the town, who catch murrel fish in the river shores, sell these in the evening markets, where flags flutter with flourish. Then, they procure the abundant toddy, eat, drink and make merry, and retire to their homes. So tired out by these exertions they are, that they sleep on, forgetting the next day’s work. Waking them up, their loving wives serve them a tasty meal of cooked rice and sweet-sour curry of tamarind, the lady details. Could this be hangover medicine?  Returning, after describing the man’s town, we find the lady switching gears and talking about a historic event, wherein a lady named Anni Mignili was furious because the tribe of Kosars had hurt her father, and to take revenge, she seeks the aid of a king called ‘Thithiyan’ and in the town of ‘Azhunthai’, kills the Kosars. Just the way that lady walked about, content and proud, at the successful fulfilment of her wish, the man’s courtesan moves around, the lady connects, and concludes by telling him that she has no wish of touching the man’s chest, which had been embraced by the said courtesan and asks him to move away from her.  As we can clearly see, the lady’s ire is on fire! She’s angered about how the courtesan has won over her husband, as projected by the simile of Anni Mignili’s vengeful victory. In the description of the men and the women of the man’s town, the lady intends to place a metaphor for how the men seemed to forget their duty in their pleasure-intent revels, whereas their wives were the epitome of chastity, who fulfilled their duties without fail, and connects to the contrast of her man’s pleasure-seeking and her own duty-mindedness. Interesting how society and history lend their hands to sculpt the scene of this intimate tussle at home!

    5 min
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About

Reflections on 2000 Year Old Tamil Poetry

Information

  • Creator
    Nandini Karky
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    319
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2019 Nandini Karky
  • Show Website
    Sangam Lit