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In this episode, we observe the strength of the sun blaze in this poem on persuasion, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Natrinai 283, penned by Madurai Maruthan Ilanaakanaar. The verse is set in the coastal regions of ‘Neythal’ and speaks in the voice of the confidante to the man, prompting him to choose the righteous path.
ஒள் நுதல் மகளிர் ஓங்கு கழிக் குற்ற
கண் நேர் ஒப்பின கமழ் நறு நெய்தல்
அகல் வரிச் சிறு மனை அணியும் துறைவ!-
வல்லோர் ஆய்ந்த தொல் கவின் தொலைய,
இன்னை ஆகுதல் தகுமோ-ஓங்கு திரை
முந்நீர் மீமிசைப் பலர் தொழத் தோன்றி,
ஏமுற விளங்கிய சுடரினும்,
வாய்மை சான்ற நின் சொல் நயந்தோர்க்கே?
Opening with ‘ஒள் நுதல் மகளிர்’ meaning ‘maidens with shining foreheads’, the poem reveals Sangam priorities when it comes to a woman’s appearance. The phrase ‘கண் நேர் ஒப்பின கமழ் நறு நெய்தல்’ treats us to the pleasant sight and scent of ‘a fragrant blue lotus, akin to eyes’. Eyes and blue lotuses seem to be Siamese twins in the minds of Sangam poets! ‘அகல் வரிச் சிறு மனை’ talks about the age-old practice of adorning houses with lined patterns that are called as ‘kolams’, something that can be seen in many Tamil homes even today. I was struck by the phrase ‘வல்லோர் ஆய்ந்த தொல் கவின்’ meaning ‘an ancient beauty, as prescribed by the knowledgeable’ for this can only mean that norms for physical beauty were penned down in some ancient texts that were accessible to these poets. Learnt a new word for ‘ocean’ in ‘முந்நீர்’ which means ‘three waters’ and refers to rain water, river water and salty surface water that joins as one in the seas of the world. An instance of compacting a world of knowledge within a single word! The verse ends with ‘வாய்மை சான்ற நின் சொல் நயந்தோர்க்கே’ in a question about ‘those who believed in the truth of your words’. Time to explore more!
The man and lady had been leading a love relationship and the man seemed to be intent only on trysting with the lady. The confidante observes this attitude of the man and one day, she turns to him and says, “In the vast backwaters, young girls with radiant foreheads pluck fragrant blue lotus flowers, akin to eyes, and beautify their small mud houses, which are adorned with ’kolams’. Such is your land, O lord of the shores! Is it right for you to ruin that perfect, ancient beauty of hers, as defined by the wise? Your words shine with truth even more than the sun that rises above the resounding waves of the ocean, pleasing to the eyes, and worshipped by many. Is it right to do this to your beloved, who trusted in your words?” With these words, the confidante persuades the man to seek the permanent path to happiness by seeking the lady’s hand in marriage.
Now, to relish the delicate nuances in this little verse! The confidante starts by describing young girls with luminous foreheads. Let’s take a moment and ponder on this preoccupation with foreheads in Sangam poetry. Foreheads are not as dynamic as eyes or even as expressive as lips and yet, we cannot fail to notice the importance accorded to this region of the face. Could it be because it is the seat of human cognition? I read recently that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which is the seat of morality and a sense of purpose, is centred a little above the eyebrows. This is the exact spot that Indian women place their ‘bindhis’ or ’round dots’ and is considered by Indian ascetics as the spot where the ‘atman’ or ‘soul’ resides. Did these ancient poets somehow know about the inner importance of this region? Returning from meanderings, we see those girls with glowing foreheads intent on the task of gathering blue lotus flowers and carrying it over to the spot where they have built mud houses in the sand. They have already decorated the entrances to these little houses with ‘kolams’ and they now adorn it further with these blue lotus flowers. The confidante seems to sketch this scene to describe the man’s land but, there’s more hiding, for sure!
Then, the confidante turns to the man and asks whether it’s right on his part to ruin the perfect beauty of the lady. This can only mean the lady languishes in suffering when the man is not around, causing her to experience those well-known symptoms of pining. After asking this question, the confidante points to the sun, gloriously shining above the seawaters, and tells the man that such is the truth of his words. What an exalting thing to be placed in parallel to the sun, which never fails to rise and delight its many worshipers! The confidante then gently asks the man whether it’s right on his part to betray the beliefs of those who have such a soaring trust in him. With the metaphor of girls playing on the beach, the confidante is exhorting the man to marry the lady and take her to his home so that she can adorn it with the grace and beauty of the blue lotus blooms that adorn those mud houses. Thus, employing evergreen elements, the path to be, is rendered with positivity!
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