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In this episode, we listen to a tribute paid to a king, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 59, penned about the Pandya King Chithiramaadathu Thunjiya Nanmaaran by the poet Madurai Koolavaanikan Seethalai Saathanaar. Set in the category of ‘Paadan Thinai’ or ‘king’s praise’, the verse compares the ruler’s nature to celestial objects.
ஆரம் தாழ்ந்த அணி கிளர் மார்பின்,
தாள் தோய் தடக் கை, தகை மாண் வழுதி!
வல்லை மன்ற, நீ நயந்து அளித்தல்;
தேற்றாய், பெரும! பொய்யே; என்றும்
காய் சினம் தவிராது கடல் ஊர்பு எழுதரும்
ஞாயிறு அனையை, நின் பகைவர்க்கு;
திங்கள் அனையை, எம்மனோர்க்கே.
A compact verse to celebrate this Pandya king, who perished at a place called Chithiramaadam. The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“Your handsome chest is adorned with hanging ornaments and your thick arms reach your knees, O illustrious Vazhuthi! You are skilful indeed in giving away with joy; And you never put up with lies, O lord; Akin to the sun that rises above the ocean, that never forgets to blaze with heat, you appear to your enemies; However, akin to the moon, you are, to people of our kind!”
Let’s explore the words within! The poet talks about the facets of the king’s appearance, detailing how his broad chest is covered with ornaments and how his strong hands reach to his knees, supposedly a marker for men’s beauty in Sangam times. Then, he zooms on the generous nature of the king talking about how the ruler gives away without limits, and at the same time, he is someone who cannot bear lies. The poet concludes with the words that to enemies, the king appears as the raging sun but to poets and supplicants, he is the cool moon!
The perception of the sun as an angry entity in the minds of Sangam people is evident from these words. Looking deeper, it’s a reflection of the hot conditions of this land. In contrast, the sun would appear like a cheerful child in the eyes of people living in the cold regions of the world. From this straightforward song celebrating the physiology and psychology of an ancient king, we gather an intriguing insight about the influence of ‘where we are’ on ‘who we are’!
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