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In this episode, we perceive the changes spring brings to a grove and a lady in love, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Kurunthogai 341, penned by Milaikizhaar Nalvettanaar. Set in the coastal regions of ‘Neythal’, the verse speaks in the voice of the lady to the confidante, in response to the confidante’s question about how the lady would bear with the man’s parting, as the promised season of return arrived.
பல் வீ படரிய பசு நனை குரவம்
பொரிப் பூம் புன்கொடு பொழில் அணிக் கொளாஅச்
சினை இனிது ஆகிய காலையும், காதலர்
பேணார் ஆயினும், ”பெரியோர் நெஞ்சத்துக்
கண்ணிய ஆண்மை கடவது அன்று” என,
வலியா நெஞ்சம் வலிப்ப,
வாழ்வேன்-தோழி!-என் வன்கணானே.
‘Facing the situation with strength’ is what this one is all about. The opening words ‘பல் வீ படரிய பசு நனை குரவம்’ meaning ‘fresh-budded Asiatic Tarrena with spreading flowers’ bring to fore, the delightful sight of a tree in full bloom. Another tree and its blossoms appear in ‘பொரிப் பூம் புன்கொடு’ meaning ‘Indian beech tree with puffed-rice flowers’. A change in stance can be sensed in ‘வலியா நெஞ்சம் வலிப்ப’ meaning ‘the heart which dared not, dared’. Ending with the words ‘என் வன்கணானே’ meaning ‘with my courage’, the verse welcomes us on a positive note.
Picturesque sights on one side and a daring heart on the other! The context reveals that the man and lady were leading a married life, when the man parts away to gather wealth. Before he leaves, he promises the lady he would be back before the onset of spring. Perceiving that the promised season had arrived, the confidante worries about how the lady would continue to bear with the man’s parting. To the confidante, the lady says, “The branches of the freshly budding ‘Kuravam’, on which many flowers spread, and that of the ‘pungam’, with flowers like puffed rice, together, adorn the grove with much beauty on this fine morning. Even though, at this time, my lover doesn’t care for me, my heart, which did not dare at first to think, ‘when minds of noble people are set upon completing a task, it must be done’, it has now accepted this. So, I will live, my friend, because of my fortitude.” With these words, the lady allays her friend’s worry by expressing her acceptance and courage.
What is that we can learn from this song on separation? Let’s listen to the lady’s words closely and find out. She starts by talking about the ‘kuravam’ tree, brimming with fresh flowers, and then, she turns to the ‘pungam’ tree, with its puffed-rice flowers. Pointing to how the branches of the two trees join together and seem to fill that grove with much loveliness, she adds about how even at this time, the man doesn’t care for her. The significance of that statement is that the season of spring had arrived, which was the season the man promised to return. He has not kept his promise and what could it imply but a lack of care? While that may be, the lady expresses how her heart which never dared before to think that the tasks great men set out to do must be completed, no matter what, has now accepted this to be the truth. And, because of this acceptance and new-found boldness, she finds the will to go on, the lady concludes.
One thing we understand from this song is how spring was seen in the changing stance of trees such as the ‘kuravam’ and ‘pungam’. A concept of time so tied to nature is something becoming alien, day by day, as we live our air-conditioned lives within the boxes of homes, cars and offices. But this verse does remind us of a time when time was tangible. The other aspect that the verse enlightens about is how in order to solve seemingly unsolvable problems, one needs to do things not done before, as in the case of the lady, who did not think in that particular angle, later decided that’s how she must see the man’s mission. Once she accepts that the man has to do what he has to do, even if that means his promises to her are not kept, the strength to face that situation blooms in her, like those spring flowers. All you need to do is see with different eyes and realise what needs to be done to rise above any sea of crisis, says this flower-filled verse from the past.
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