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In this episode, we perceive an instance of hallucination in the midst of a separation, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Kurunthogai 301, penned by Kundriyanaar. Set in the mountains of ‘Kurinji’, the verse speaks in the voice of the lady to the confidante, in response to the confidante’s question as to how the lady would bear with the man’s parting.
முழவு முதல் அரைய தடவு நிலைப் பெண்ணைக்
கொழு மடல் இழைத்த சிறு கோற் குடம்பைக்
கருங் கால் அன்றிற் காமர் கடுஞ்சூல்
வயவுப் பெடை அகவும் பானாட் கங்குல்,
மன்றம் போழும் இன் மணி நெடுந் தேர்
வாராது ஆயினும், வருவது போலச்
செவிமுதல் இசைக்கும் அரவமொடு
துயில் துறந்தனவால்-தோழி!-என் கண்ணே.
‘Even though it comes not, it seems as if it does’ says a voice with a sigh! The opening words ‘முழவு முதல் அரைய’ meaning ‘a trunk akin to a drum’ indicates to us the bulging nature of a tree’s trunk as well as its criss-cross lines reminding one of the threads around an ancient drum. In ‘தடவு நிலைப் பெண்ணை’ meaning ‘a curving palm’, the tree in question is revealed. Next, we get to see a bird in ‘கருங் கால் அன்றில்’, a feathered friend we established as the ‘red-naped ibis’ with clues found in Kurunthogai 160. From a denizen of the skies, we turn to take in an object of transport in ‘இன் மணி நெடுந் தேர்’ meaning ‘the tall chariot with pleasant bells’. The core theme is echoed in the words ‘வாராது ஆயினும் வருவது போல’ meaning ‘it arrives not, but appears as if it arrives’. Ending with the words ‘துயில் துறந்தனவால், தோழி, என் கண்ணே’ meaning ‘my eyes have abandoned sleep, my friend’, the verse evokes our empathy.
What could be that thing that confounds the senses of the lady? The context reveals that the man and lady were leading a love relationship when the man parted with the lady to earn wealth for their wedding. After a few days have gone by, the confidante turns to the lady and asks how she’s bearing with the man’s parting. To the confidante, the lady says, “With a trunk like a drum, stands the ‘pennai’ tree in a curved stance and on its fleshy fronds, sits a nest, built with small twigs. From the nest, a black-legged female ‘andril’, in a desirable pregnancy, calls out its pain in the darkness of midnight. Even though the tall chariot, resounding with sweet bells, tearing the silence of the town centre, comes not, as if it’s coming, the ears resound with the music of that sound. And so, it loses its sleep, my friend, these eyes of mine!” With these words, the lady voices her difficulties as she attempts to bear with the man’s separation.
Time to explore the nuances. The lady starts her words by zooming her focus on a palmyra tree’s trunk, which she likens to a drum and points out how the tree seems to be in a curved position. Then, soaring up, she points to the thick leaves of the tree and how in the midst of these leaves, an ‘andril’ bird, famous for its fidelity and devotion to its mate, has built a nest with twigs, and from this spot, calls out with pain to its mate, as it sits in the midst of a much loved pregnancy. Note how human emotions of wanting a baby are transferred to the bird in the description of ‘a desired pregnancy’. Returning, the lady has referred to the bird only to say that such sounds are arising in the midnight hour near her home. At this time, she hears the sound of the man’s chariot bells tearing the silence of the night and she sits up in anticipation. Then, she realises her ears have deceived her for the man’s chariot is nowhere to be seen or heard. And that’s the moment, her eyes abandon sleep and torment her, the lady concludes to the confidante.
A classic case of auditory hallucination! It’s not like the lady is suffering from any severe mental issues but only has a case of love sickness, pining and consequent sleeplessness. I read that 80% of sleep deprived people suffer from such hallucinations. First, the lady wakes up due to the residual memory of her nightly tryst with the man and then loses her sleep for that night, which in consequent nights, leads to the situation where the lady hears the man’s chariot even though he’s far away. This is then followed by further sleeplessness and the cycle goes on. Hope the wise confidante has the words to break this vicious cycle and help the lady bear with the man’s parting until he returns to claim her hand. If you are someone suffering from this ancient ailment, psychologists recommend a relaxation routine, gratitude journaling and positive visualisations before bed. A poem to remind us about the priority to be rendered to sleep for the sake of our sanity!
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