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In this episode, we relish a serene scene in the wild, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Kurunthogai 338, penned by Perunkundroor Kizhaar. Set in the drylands of ‘Paalai’, the verse speaks in the voice of the confidante to the lady, assuring her of the man’s return.
திரிமருப்பு இரலை அண்ணல் நல் ஏறு
அரி மடப் பிணையோடு அல்கு நிழல் அசைஇ,
வீ ததை வியல் அரில் துஞ்சி, பொழுது செல,
செழும் பயறு கறிக்கும் புன்கண் மாலை,
பின் பனிக் கடைநாள், தண் பனி அற்சிரம்
வந்தன்று, பெருவிறற் தேரே-பணைத் தோள்
விளங்கு நகர் அடங்கிய கற்பின்
நலம் கேழ் அரிவை புலம்பு அசாவிடவே.
‘Your sorrow is about to end’ consoles a voice in this verse. The opening words ‘திரிமருப்பு இரலை அண்ணல் நல் ஏறு’ meaning ‘the fine male deer with curving horns, worthy of respect’ makes us wonder why an animal is praised so much. Turning to the animal’s companion, the phrase ‘அரி மடப் பிணை’ meaning ‘charming and naive mate’ projects human emotions on wild beings yet again. Time of the day is established in ‘புன்கண் மாலை’ meaning ‘sorrow-brimming evening’, no doubt indicating the pain of separation. This is followed by the season of the year in ‘தண் பனி அற்சிரம்’ meaning ‘the cold and moist season of dew’. A significant phrase occurs in ‘விளங்கு நகர் அடங்கிய கற்பின்’ meaning ‘the chastity that resides within the radiant mansion’. Ending with the words ‘புலம்பு அசாவிடவே’ meaning ‘to end the loneliness’, the verse welcomes us to listen intently.
So much positivity gushes from these few glimpses! The context reveals that the man and lady were leading a happy, married life, when the man parted away to earn wealth. In his absence, the lady languishes. One day, later in their separation, the confidante comes to her and says, “The estimable, fine male deer with curving horns, along with its young and innocent mate, stays and sleeps in the shade of flower-filled dense bushes, and as day passes, feeds on fertile crop ears, in the suffering-filled evening of this last day of the cold season soaking in the moisture of cold dew. At this time, here comes the victorious chariot, to slay the loneliness of the beauty-brimming, bamboo-shoulder lady, whose chastity binds her to her shining home.” With these words, the confidante renders to the lady, complete confidence in the man’s return soon.
How does the confidante convey her conviction about the man’s return? She starts by talking about a deer couple. While describing the male deer as an honourable one, she talks of the female as naive and beautiful. Sounds like some people we know! Let’s wait to find out what exactly the confidante means. She then talks about how these two deers are sleeping in the shade and feeding on growing crops. She reveals that she has mentioned this scene only to talk about the evening time filled with sadness in that particular cold season. And then, dramatically tearing that veil of sorrow, the confidante flashes the news that the man is victorious in his mission. He is on the way back to end the sorrow of the beautiful lady, the one who is bound by her chastity to remain within the confines of her mansion, the confidante concludes.
Now, it becomes clear that the image of the male and female deer resting in the shade is to symbolise the joyful union of the man and lady after their long separation. That’s why the male deer was said to so admirable and the female, so fanciable! In that single statement about the lady belonging within her home, we understand the implication that married women were meant to stay behind as their men travelled on their missions. No wonder those woman lamented and lost her health so. Thankful to be in a place and time where women can carry on their own missions and travel the world as they please!
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