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In this episode, we perceive unique similes that express elements of a love quarrel, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Natrinai 360, penned by Orambogiyaar. The verse is situated in the agricultural regions of ‘Marutham’ and speaks in the voice of the confidante to the man, refusing him entry into the lady’s house.
முழவு முகம் புலர்ந்து முறையின் ஆடிய
விழவு ஒழி களத்த பாவை போல,
நெருநைப் புணர்ந்தோர் புது நலம் வெளவி,
இன்று தரு மகளிர் மென் தோள் பெறீஇயர்,
சென்றீ- பெரும!- சிறக்க, நின் பரத்தை!
பல்லோர் பழித்தல் நாணி, வல்லே
காழின் குத்திக் கசிந்தவர் அலைப்ப,
கைஇடை வைத்தது மெய்யிடைத் திமிரும்
முனியுடைக் கவளம் போல, நனி பெரிது
உற்ற நின் விழுமம் உவப்பென்;
மற்றும் கூடும், மனை மடி துயிலே.
Opening with ‘முழவு முகம் புலர்ந்து’ meaning ‘the paste on the drum dried-up’, the verse starts on a musical note. Drums conjure an image of ‘festivals’ and sure enough, we encounter the Tamil equivalent – ‘விழவு’. Blame and guilt seem to streak through the verse in the words ‘பல்லோர் பழித்தல் நாணி’ meaning ‘ashamed by the rebuke of many’. A sensation of pain attacks us in the words ‘காழின் குத்தி’ meaning ‘pierced by a prod’. The subject of this painful act is inferred through an indirect mention, in the words ‘கைஇடை வைத்தது’ meaning ‘that which was placed in the trunk’, revealing an elephant. Also, ‘கவளம்’ is the word for ‘a ball of rice offered to an elephant’. The verse ends with ‘மனை மடி துயிலே’ meaning ‘the pleasant sleep at home’ and calmly welcomes us within!
The man and lady had been leading a married life when the man took to keeping the company of courtesans. The lady was angered by this action of the man. One day, the man arrives to his home, intending to appease the lady. The confidante, knowing her friend’s mind, says to the man, “A girl danced with perfect skill, until the paste on the drums dried up; her beauty akin to a statue in the field where the festivities has ended. Yesterday, you united with her. Looking towards fresh pastures, you go ahead and embrace the soft shoulders of new women today, O lord. May your courtesan fare well! Shamed by the censure of many, akin to the troubled ball of food, which was placed in the trunk of a young elephant, but is thrown by the animal on its back, as it was pained by the sharp prod of a sad man, you have arrived here. For this tremendous greatness of yours, I am happy. But, it will take another day for you to see sweet sleep here, in the lap of this home!” With these words, the confidante conveys that the lady is still furious with the man.
Time to delve into the details! The confidante starts by focusing her lens on a drum, whose surface has dried up. This tells us that either oil or paste used to be applied on drums then. Then, the confidante turns her attention to a danseuse, who has been dancing flawlessly till that drying up happened and the festivities ended. She explains that she spoke about this dancer, with a beauty akin to a doll, only to refer to the courtesan the man had courted the previous day. Then, she tells the man to go seek new courtesans for that day and requests him to leave. She then brings in a simile to describe how he has returned, talking about a scene wherein an elephant, which is pricked by its owner with a prod, throws the ball of rice, placed in its trunk, over its back. It took some reflection to understand the simile here is that ball of rice, which instead of finding its way to the elephant’s stomach, is scattered and wasted. The confidante has referred to this scattered ball of rice to imply how the man, instead of living a happy life with the lady, chooses to waste it with courtesans. Explaining how the man has come thither only hearing the words of blame from the townsfolk, the confidante ends by saying that it would not be enough to calm the lady and that he was still not welcome to rest in his home.
Although the wandering family man seems to be a feature in these agricultural domains, I would like to focus on how a woman had full control over her marital home and how, if she so chose, she could keep away even the husband, who gave her that home. This autonomy is indeed to be celebrated in what otherwise appears to be a patriarchal society. Another facet is how no matter if they travel to the most serene locations in the world, some people say that the best sleep is the one at home and interesting to see how this ancient poem touches on that evergreen emotion as it ends!
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