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In this episode, we perceive a picturesque portrait of a person, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Kurunthogai 286, penned by Eyitriyanaar. Set in the mountains of ‘Kurinji’, the verse speaks in the voice of the man to the confidante, in response to the confidante’s refusal for his request to tryst with the lady.
உள்ளிக் காண்பென் போல்வல்-முள் எயிற்று
அமிழ்தம் ஊறும் செவ் வாய், கமழ் அகில்
ஆரம் நாறும் அறல் போல் கூந்தல்,
பேர் அமர் மழைக்கண் கொடிச்சி
மூரல் முறுவலொடு மதைஇய நோக்கே.
‘I guess I have to see in my mind’ is the core thought of this verse. The opening words ‘உள்ளிக் காண்பென் போல்வல்’ meaning ‘looks like I will think and see’ echoes this very theme. A descriptor that has always given me trouble appears in ‘முள் எயிற்று’ meaning ‘thorn-like teeth’. Either thorns looked very different in the Tamil country or the word ‘முள்’ has been wrongly inferred instead of ‘வெள்’ meaning ‘white’. Returning, we see ‘அமிழ்தம் ஊறும் செவ்வாய்’ meaning ‘red lips where elixir flows’ and smile to see how love transforms ‘saliva’ as ‘elixir’ in this phrase. From senses of sight and taste, it’s now the turn of smell in ‘அகில் ஆரம் நாறும்’ meaning ‘fragrant with agarwood and sandalwood’. Learnt today that the English word ‘agarwood’ is etymologically connected to this ancient Tamil word ‘அகில்’ and was known as ‘agil’ in Hebrew and Greek as well. A favourite and frequent expression for a lady’s eyes can be seen in ‘மழைக்கண்’ meaning ‘rain-like eyes’. Ending with the words ‘மூரல் முறுவலொடு மதைஇய நோக்கே’ meaning ‘a half-open, discreet smile with a proud look’, the verse intrigues our curiosity.
Sounds like someone’s in love! The context reveals that the man had met the lady in the mountains and had fallen in love with her. As was the curious custom of then, the man had to win the confidence of the confidante to further his relationship with the lady. When he approaches the confidante, she refuses his request. As the confidante is about to leave, the man says, “It looks like I have to see only in my mind – Those thorn-like sharp teeth, red lips within which sprouts ambrosia, tresses akin to fine black river sand, wafting with the fragrance of agarwood and sandalwood, well-set, huge, rain-like eyes of the mountain maiden, who has a soft smile and a proud look!” With these words, the man is letting the confidante know that he knows the lady well and has won her affection already.
How does the man convey his intimacy through that description? Let’s listen to his words closely and find out. The man starts by declaring what seems possible now is to see in his mind’s eye. Even as he does that, sharp teeth, red mouth where ambrosia gushes, and tresses, fragrant with the scent of both sandalwood and agarwood, as well as rain-like eyes flash before him. He clarifies that the person he’s talking about is none other than the lady, a girl from the mountains, who has a smile akin to a bud just about to open and who has a look of fitting pride and confidence.
When the confidante hears these words, she’d know that the man was no stranger to the lady and that he had been close enough to her to perceive her through all his senses. Also, the man would rise in the confidante’s esteem because he shows no anger towards the confidante for her refusal but only a resolute determination to go on thinking about the lady, a strong proof of his deep love for her. With such an approach, we can surely expect the man to win the confidante’s approval and be united with his alluring companion soon. What strikes me now is how there are so many more descriptions of women than men in Sangam Literature we have seen this far. Even when female poets write, they seem to talk about the features of a lady rather than a man, whom we know as having a broad chest, smeared with sandalwood and wearing garlands. Perhaps, since it’s the realm of ‘Agam’ poetry or ‘inner life’, it is so, and the ‘Puram’ or ‘outer life’ would describe men too. Keeping that question alive, let’s celebrate this man who takes refusal in the right spirit and echoes the hope in his heart, where the battle may be lost but the war to win the lady’s heart is still on and is his to be conquered!
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