Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | iHeartRadio | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More
In this episode, we listen to words rendered unto a migratory bird, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 67, penned about the Chozha king Koperunchozhan by the poet Pisiraanthaiyaar. Set in the category of ‘Paadaan Thinai’ or ‘King’s praise’, the verse illustrates a poet’s perspective of the regard his patron had for him.
அன்னச் சேவல்! அன்னச் சேவல்!
ஆடு கொள் வென்றி அடு போர் அண்ணல்
நாடு தலை அளிக்கும் ஒள் முகம் போல,
கோடு கூடு மதியம் முகிழ் நிலா விளங்கும்
மையல் மாலை, யாம் கையறுபு இனைய,
குமரிஅம் பெருந் துறை அயிரை மாந்தி,
வடமலைப் பெயர்குவைஆயின், இடையது
சோழ நல் நாட்டுப் படினே, கோழி
உயர் நிலை மாடத்து, குறும்பறை அசைஇ,
வாயில் விடாது கோயில் புக்கு, எம்
பெருங் கோக் கிள்ளி கேட்க, ‘இரும் பிசிர்
ஆந்தை அடியுறை’ எனினே, மாண்ட நின்
இன்புறு பேடை அணிய, தன்
அன்புறு நன் கலம் நல்குவன் நினக்கே.
Songs addressing birds, we have seen many, in the Aham literature of ‘Natrinai’ and ‘Kurunthogai’. It’s a rare style to be employed in these Puram verses. The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“O male bird! O male bird! Akin to the glowing face of the king, victorious in battle, the valiant leader, who rules over this land, appears the blooming moon in this evening of confusion, making me feel helpless. As for you, after eating the loach fish in the great shores of Kumari, if you decide to part away to the northern mountains, halt at the intermittent, good country of the Chozhas, and stay in a tall mansion in the town of ‘Kozhi’ therein, along with your female bird. Even if guards stop you, relentlessly enter the king’s mansion and making sure our great king Killi hears it, say, “I’m the servant of Aanthai from the town of Pisir’. If you do that, for your pleasant partner to wear, he shall render unto you, his fine jewel, with love.”
Time to delve into the nuances. The poet begins by comparing the glowing face of the moon to that of the king, who rules over the land. Although the poet brings in the simile of the king, he actually wants to talk about the evening hour, when the moon rises, and details about his helplessness. Why helpless, because he is unable to meet his patron king Koperunchozhan just then. So, he decides to turn to a migratory bird, and tells the bird that once it is done feeding on the loaches in the Kumari shores, and it’s time for it to fly North, the bird must make it a point to visit the town of ‘Kozhiyoor’ in the Chozha country. This Kozhiyoor is the other name for ‘Uraiyoor’, the capital of the Early Chozhas. The poet then advises the bird to reside in the top floor of the mansions along with its female bird, and finding the right time, he asks the bird to enter the king’s palace even if the guards stop it and then go near the king, and say that the bird comes on the command of ‘Aanthai’ from ‘Pisir’. Here, the poet is talking about none other than himself. The poet concludes with the prediction that if the bird were to say that, then the king would instantly offer his price jewel for the bird’s partner to wear!
The image of a female bird wearing a thick golden necklace and flying about is hilarious indeed! However, it’s simply a poetic device to illustrate the position the poet held in the king’s heart, according to the poet himself. This was not mere self-praise but a true statement, say other poets in the Sangam tradition, who celebrate the great friendship between this ruler of the land and this ruler of words!
Share your thoughts...