Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More
In this episode, we see the confluence of nature and history on a lady’s forehead, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Kurunthogai 34, penned by Kolli Kannanaar. The verse is situated in the farmlands of ‘Marutham’ and speaks in the voice of the confidante to the lady, conveying a jubilant news to her.
ஒறுப்ப ஓவலர், மறுப்பத் தேறலர்,
தமியர் உறங்கும் கௌவை இன்றாய்,
இனியது, கேட்டு இன்புறுக இவ் ஊரே!-
முனாஅது, யானையங்குருகின் கானல்அம் பெருந்தோடு
அட்ட மள்ளர் ஆர்ப்பு இசை வெரூஉம்
குட்டுவன் மரந்தை அன்ன எம்
குழை விளங்கு ஆய் நுதற் கிழவனும் அவனே.
An exultant shout hits the senses in this verse! As it opens, it talks about ‘the hurtful words of one’s kith and kin’ in ‘ஒறுப்ப ஓவலர்’. In ‘தமியர் உறங்கும் கௌவை’ meaning ‘the suffering of sleeping all alone’, the lady’s current state of pining is revealed. Akin to a town-crier’s message resounds ‘இன்புறுக இவ் ஊரே’ meaning ‘let this town rejoice’. From these events in a town, the verse turns to nature and talks about an interesting bird referred to as ‘யானையங்குருகு’, which can be literally translated as ‘elephant bird’. As to the bird this term refers to, scholars vary in their interpretation. Some say it’s a bird that trumpets like an elephant and others, in an exaggerated manner, say that it’s a bird that could eat an elephant. It could possibly refer to a ‘lapwing’, which is known for its loud noises that alerts the jungle of approaching predators. Returning, we hear the ‘din of celebrating soldiers’ in ‘மள்ளர் ஆர்ப்பு இசை’ and we also learn that this is happening in a historic town ruled by the Cheras, in ‘குட்டுவன் மரந்தை’. Ending with the words ‘ஆய் நுதற் கிழவனும் அவனே’ meaning ‘the lord is the one who claims this beautiful forehead’, the verse welcomes us to explore the story within.
A delighting town, scattering birds and celebrating soldiers – How do these elements connect with the lady’s life? The context tells us that the man and lady had been leading a love relationship when the man left the lady to gather wealth towards their wedding. At this time, the lady had to face a lot of trouble at home. One day, the confidante rushes to the lady and says, “Those who are close, hurt with words, and those who did not understand, refused the request. That suffering of lonely sleep is no more. Let this town hear sweet things and delight in it! In the land ahead, amidst the seashore orchards, vast herds of a seabird fear, when hearing the clamorous music of celebration by those slaying soldiers in Kuttuvan’s Maranthai. Akin to that city is her beautiful forehead, crowned by thick tresses, and the one who claims it, is the lord indeed!” With these words, the confidante declares that the lady’s troubles are over and that the man was on his way to claim the lady’s hand.
What had happened in the lady’s life and what has changed now? The confidante first tells us of the lady’s erstwhile state, wherein her kith and kin were furious, seeing the changes in her, and not just that, how without understanding that the lady was in a love relationship with the man, they had refused his request to marry her to him initially. She then talks about how the lady had missed the man and had spent many evenings of torment without his company. All that is about to end, she shouts out and as if the town is the recipient of this happy news, she asks them to delight in what’s about to come.
From there, the confidante takes us on a journey to the city of ‘Maranthai’, in the Chera country, and saying that, she describes how birds are scattering in the air, hearing the boisterous sounds of returning soldiers, who had heaped their enemies in battle. She talks about that city only to place it in parallel to the lady’s forehead and finishes by declaring that the man was approaching the lady’s kith and kin to seek the lady’s hand in marriage and the confidante believes that this time, he would succeed in claiming the lady for himself! Even within that scene of scattering birds amidst the soldiers’ din, the confidante declares how the sounds of the successful man’s return would make the gossiping town cease their slander and scatter away. Intriguing how the verse stitches together a family’s approach to marriage, a lady’s beauty, scenes from nature and events from history in one fluid tale of a man’s victorious return to claim his love.
Share your thoughts...