Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More
In this episode, we perceive the struggles in a man’s mind as he decides between love and wealth, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Kurunthogai 151, penned by Thoongaloriyaar. Set in the drylands of ‘Paalai’, the verse speaks in the voice of the man to his heart, conveying his decision concerning parting with the lady to go in search of wealth.
வங்காக் கடந்த செங் கால் பேடை
எழால் உற வீழ்ந்தென, கணவற் காணாது,
குழல் இசைக் குரல குறும் பல அகவும்
குன்று உறு சிறு நெறி அரிய என்னாது,
”மறப்பு அருங் காதலி ஒழிய
இறப்பல்” என்பது, ஈண்டு இளமைக்கு முடிவே.
‘A predator’s pounce on a prey’ is vividly portrayed in this one. In the opening words ‘வங்காக் கடந்த செங் கால் பேடை’ meaning ‘a red-legged female parted from the male ‘vangaa’ bird’, the verse depicts a bird found in Sangam times and projects the human theme of separation on wild life. Next, we glimpse at a dynamic image in ‘எழால் உற வீழ்ந்தென’ meaning ‘as a bird of prey dives close by’. This ‘ezhal’ bird of prey could be an eagle, hawk or falcon known to the Sangam people. Mellifluous music greets our ears in ‘குழல் இசைக் குரல’ meaning ‘with a voice akin to a flute’s sounds’. How precious the lady is to the man is illustrated in the words ‘மறப்பு அருங் காதலி’ meaning ‘a rare love, who is impossible to forget’. Ending with the words ‘இளமைக்கு முடிவே’ meaning ‘the demise of youth’, the verse intrigues our curiosity.
Flute-like music of the preyed and fluttering wings of the predator orchestrate a clash of emotions within. The context reveals that the man and lady were leading a happy, married life, when the man found himself in a situation, where he had to part with her to gather wealth. One day, he says to his heart, “The red-legged female ‘vangaa’ bird, separated from the male, when an ‘ezhal’ bird of prey pounces near, not seeing its mate, with its flute-like voice, calls out many times, in those narrow paths through the peaks. Without thinking of the difficulties therein, if I decide to abandon my unforgettable, precious love to journey thither, that would mean the end of my youth!” With these words, the man declares that it would be unwise to part with the lady to go in search of wealth.
What is that crucial element that has made the man take this decision? Let’s listen to his words closely to find out. The man starts by pointing to a solitary female ‘vangaa’ bird, while telling us that the male was elsewhere. At this time, a frightening bird of prey falls from the sky, close to where the female bird is, making the bird cry out for its mate in its flute-like voice. Imagine the poignant notes of these flute sounds from the bird’s beak! Saying he has mentioned this scene only to relate the kind of place he will be walking through, on the paths between the peaks, if he were to leave his precious lady love to journey there, the man ends with a vehement declaration that if he were to do that, that would spell the end of fleeting youth.
In the image of the bird of prey swooping down on the female red-legged bird separated from its mate, the man conceals a metaphor for how the disease of pining would descend on the lady, when he parts away from her. This would make her suffer in pining, shedding tears and losing her health. The man projects that no matter the riches he may earn, this would mean the death of youth, and sees the purposelessness of his heart’s insistence to part with the lady to gather wealth just then. And so, it is the concern for his beloved’s health and happiness that makes the man decide firmly against the path of seeking that fleeting wealth, making it 1-love in this round of that everlasting game between wealth and love, advantage love, of course!
Share your thoughts...