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In this episode, we observe the helplessness of a lady, as portrayed by Sangam Literary work, Kurunthogai 28, penned by Avvaiyaar. Set in the drylands of ‘Paalai’, the verse speaks in the voice of the lady to her confidante, conveying her angst as the man is delayed in his return.
முட்டுவேன்கொல்? தாக்குவேன்கொல்?
ஓரேன், யானும்: ஓர் பெற்றி மேலிட்டு,
”ஆஅ! ஒல்” எனக் கூவுவேன்கொல்?-
அலமரல் அசைவளி அலைப்ப, என்
உயவு நோய் அறியாது, துஞ்சும் ஊர்க்கே.
Anger at apathy throbs throughout! Right at the beginning, the words ‘முட்டுவேன்கொல்? தாக்குவேன்கொல்?’ meaning ‘Am I to smash? Am I to hit?’ informs us of someone intent on action! The difference between the first expression ‘முட்டுவேன்’ and the second one ‘தாக்குவேன்’ is the difference between using bodily force and a weapon such as a stick to attack someone. Almost like a thrilling score in a movie, resounds the line ‘ஆஅ! ஒல்” எனக் கூவுவேன்கொல்’ meaning ‘Am I to shout ‘Ah’ and ‘Oh’? In an exquisite alliteration appears ‘அலமரல் அசைவளி அலைப்ப’ referring to ‘swirling, swaying winds that cause suffering’. Ending with the words ‘துஞ்சும் ஊர்க்கே’ meaning ‘the sleeping town’, the verse awakens our curiosity.
All indications of a storm brewing in a mind! The context reveals that the man and lady had been leading a love relationship and had been trysting together for a while. Deciding it’s time to seek the lady’s hand in marriage, the man parts with her to gather wealth for their wedding. As the man is delayed in his return, the lady languishes and one night, turns to her worried friend and says, “Should I whack? Should I attack? I know not! As a ploy, should I shout out, ‘Ah’ and ‘Oh’? When these swirling, swaying winds assail me, not realising my suffering-filled affliction, sleeps this town!” With these words, the lady expresses the anger in her at those around her, who seem to care not about her suffering.
Punches or at least the thought of punches rent the air! The lady seems like someone who wants to take something and break it, for such is her angst. She looks around and hears the peaceful sounds of sleep everywhere. At this time, the state of her own heart is too much for her to bear and so she wonders aloud if she should ram into those sleeping or if she should bash them up. She pauses for a moment and says, ‘I don’t know really’. Then as if getting another idea, she wonders if she should shout out aloud, saying some excuse! Why is the lady going through all this misery? To explain, the lady points to the swaying, cold, northern winds that seem to attack her and make her pine for her man. At this time, not giving a shred of thought to her pain, the town, which includes her kith and kin, seem to be snoozing happily, the lady laments.
An emotion that many of us can relate to! When something is eating us up within, it feels as if the world around is happily doing its thing, without a care about us. This feeling is specially accentuated at nights, when the messenger of peace, also called as sleep, seems to visit everyone but the one suffering. So, here’s the lady in deep pining whereas her family and the town entire seem to be sleeping. This contrast causes the rush of emotion, making the lady want to shake them up and make them realise her own angst. That she is speaking out these words to her friend, would serve as an outlet, and that wise friend would, no doubt, find a way to console the lady and hopefully, prevent untoward events. The verse seems to shine a spotlight on that suffering of a lonely person, to whom the world around seems at peace – an emotion that has remained the same, no matter where or when!
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