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In this episode, we perceive danger and determination in a drylands path, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Natrinai 148, penned by Kallampaalanaar. Set in the drylands of the ‘Paalai’ landscape, the verse speaks in the confident voice of the confidante to the lady, about the man’s harsh journey in search of wealth.
வண்ணம் நோக்கியும், மென்மொழி கூறியும்,
‘நீ அவண் வருதல் ஆற்றாய்’ எனத் தாம்
தொடங்கி ஆள்வினைப் பிரிந்தோர், இன்றே,
நெடுங்கயம் புலர்ந்த நீர் இல் நீள் இடை,
செங்கால் மராஅத்து அம் புடைப் பொருந்தி,
வாங்கு சிலை மறவர் வீங்கு நிலை அஞ்சாது
கல் அளைச் செறிந்த வள் உகிர்ப் பிணவின்
இன் புனிற்று இடும்பை தீர, சினம் சிறந்து
செங்கண் இரும்புலிக் கோள் வல் ஏற்றை
உயர் மருப்பு ஒருத்தல் புகர் முகம் பாயும்
அருஞ்சுரம் இறப்ப என்ப,
வருந்தேன் தோழி, வாய்க்க அவர் செலவே.
Gently, the poem opens with ‘மென்மொழி கூறியும்’ meaning ‘speaking soft words’. The scene that we have encountered many a time in these dry regions, ‘நீர் இல் நீள் இடை’ referring to ‘long roads without a drop of water’ appears once again. ‘வாங்கு சிலை மறவர்’ brings to the fore ‘bandits who stand with curved bows’. Shortly thereafter, there’s a ‘female that has given sweet birth’ in ‘பிணவின் இன் புனிறு’. Accompanying this female, is ‘a male with the strength to kill, a red-eyed tiger’ revealed by the words ‘செங்கண் இரும்புலிக் கோள் வல் ஏற்றை’. In spite of all these furious images, the poem ends with ‘வருந்தேன்’ meaning ‘I will worry not!’ Let’s explore further to understand the depth of this conviction.
The man and lady have been leading a happy, married life when the time comes for the man to leave her, in order to seek wealth for their family. After the man has departed, the lady pines for the man. To her, the confidante says, “Thinking about your delicate beauty, speaking gentle words, your man said to you, ‘You will not be able to bear the journey with me thither’. He then started on the journey to fulfil his destiny to seek wealth and thus, parted from you. Today, he traverses that waterless, long path with dried-up lakes, where near the red-stemmed ‘maravam’ trees, groups of bandits stand with bows arched. But, the lord fears them not! In the rocky caves nearby, the sharp-clawed female has just given birth to young cubs and roves with hunger. To quell its fury, the red-eyed, huge male tiger, with the strength to kill, pounces on a long-tusked elephant in that harsh drylands path. I worry not that he walks on these dangerous roads, my friend. May he succeed in his mission!” With these words, the confidante reveals why the man had to journey alone and further adds that she believes he will end his mission to his satisfaction and will soon return to the lady.
Time for detours in this journey through the desert of separation! With the opening lines, we understand that men considered women to be too delicate to accompany them on their journey to the outer world, to seek wealth. Although the lady requests to go with him, the man declares that she doesn’t have the strength to bear the journey. So, he embarks on his endeavour all alone and the confidante mentions that the man is heard to be traversing a land where all the lakes have dried up and there’s not a spot of water to come by. To add to the danger, highway robbers await these rugged paths with arched bows. But, the confidante paints a brave portrait of the man saying he has no fear for them. The spot where these bandits are to be found adds further colour to the scene, for the confidante mentions that they hide near the red-stemmed maravam trees. These are the trees commonly known as ‘gum arabic’ tree and they are said to shed a reddish glue from the barks. The trees are bleeding red and so is a young female tiger that has just given birth to cubs, full of fury and hunger. The male tiger dares to pounce on a strong male elephant in order to serve a fit feast for this new mother. The confidante mentions this to say such is the path the man traverses and yet, she worries not about him. She says the right thing to do is to wish him all the success he desires!
By mentioning the male tiger that dares to attack an elephant for the sake of its female, the confidante hides a deep metaphor for the man facing all the dangers in his path, so as to lead a happy life with the lady. She gently nudges the lady to focus on all the positive attributes of the man and bear the separation. Words of optimism, which declare that all it takes is belief to bring back a beloved, no matter how far away!
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