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In this episode, we listen to tidings of joy, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Kurunthogai 146, penned by Velliveethiyaar. Set in the hills of ‘Kurinji’, the verse speaks in the voice of the confidante to the lady, in response to the lady’s worry that her kith and kin would reject the offer of marriage put forth by the man’s family.
அம்ம வாழி, தோழி!-நம் ஊர்ப்
பிரிந்தோர்ப் புணர்ப்போர் இருந்தனர் கொல்லோ?-
தண்டுடை கையர், வெண்தலைச் சிதவலர்,
”நன்றுநன்று” என்னும் மாக்களொடு
இன்று பெரிது என்னும், ஆங்கணது அவையே.
The verse paints a picture of a joyous meeting of elders. At the start, we glimpse the most common opening in Sangam Aham verses ‘அம்ம வாழி, தோழி’, a request to a friend to ‘listen’ with ‘a blessing’ thrown in. In the words ‘பிரிந்தோர்ப் புணர்ப்போர்’ meaning ‘uniting those separated’, we see the hand of an external agency bringing together separated lovers. Who might they be? Word portraits delight us in ‘தண்டுடை கையர்’ meaning ‘those who have walking sticks in their hands’ as well as ‘வெண்தலைச் சிதவலர்’ meaning ‘those with white hair on their heads, which are covered by cloth’. These descriptions bring before one’s eyes those people, who are colloquially and affectionately called as ‘Perusu’ referring to ‘town elders’ in rustic belts of Tamilnadu today. Their stumbling walks and white hair reveal their age and accompanying wisdom too, no doubt. Ending with the words ‘ஆங்கணது அவையே’ meaning ‘that assembly of people there’, the verse welcomes us to listen closely to what’s unfolding within.
What words are being spoken in this assembly of the wise then? The context reveals that the man and lady were leading a love relationship when the man decided it’s time to seek the lady’s hand in marriage. So, he sends a group of elders on his behalf to speak with the lady’s kith and kin. At this time, the lady gets anxious worrying what if her parents refuse giving her in marriage to the man. To the lady, the confidante says, “Listen, my friend, may you live long! Looks like there are people in our village who will bring together those separated. Elders with canes in their hands and greys on their covered heads, say ‘Good, Good’ and others in that gathering say, ‘today’s a great day’!” With these words, the confidante allays the lady’s anxiety and assures that positive news regarding her marriage can be expected soon.
Many a time, we have seen the lady in angst, worrying about her separated lover or husband, or the man thinking about his beloved, but here is a different setting, one that spells joy for this couple. Time to delve into its nuances. The confidante rushes to her worrying friend and declares straight away that there are people in their village who seem to have good hearts that unite the separated. After that cryptic and abstract note, the confidante turns to talk about what exactly is happening in the assembly at their home. She says she sees people carrying canes for support in their hands and also, they seem to have heads covered in white hair and cloth turbans as well. There’s always respect for age in the Tamil country, be it then or now. Age is equated to wisdom and reverence to the aged is innate and instantaneous! We understand that these are the people who have been carefully chosen and sent by the man to the lady’s house. And what’s more, justifying the trust in them, these elders seem to be saying words of acceptance and positivity to all that the lady’s family are saying. And, then the confidante concludes with the words, not just those elders sent by the man, but even the lady’s kith and kin are declaring that because the elders have come to their home, it was a day to be celebrated!
Hearing these words from her friend, no doubt, the lady would be ecstatic. Her dream of being united with the man is about to be fulfilled. What more can a girl ask, delights the lady! The verse etches a significant moment in the lives of the man and lady, for this is a turning point, wherein they move on from being secret lovers to being a wedded couple. As for us, we can sense the jubilation and positivity evoked by this ancient gathering of the wise and the welcoming!
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