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In this episode, we perceive contrasting imagery, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 94, penned about the Velir King Athiyamaan Nedumaan Anji by the poet Avvaiyaar. The verse is situated in the category of ‘Vaagai Thinai’ or ‘King’s victory’ and vividly sketches the personality of this king.
ஊர்க்குறு மாக்கள் வெண்கோடு கழாஅலின்,
நீர்த்துறை படியும் பெருங்களிறு போல
இனியை, பெரும ! எமக்கே ; மற்றதன்
துன்னருங் கடாஅம் போல
இன்னாய், பெரும ! நின் ஒன்னாதோர்க்கே.
A rather short song but with captivating visuals. The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“As pleasing as a huge elephant, resting on a river shore is, to little village children who wash its white tusks, you are, to us, O lord! In contrast, like the same animal, terrifying in musth, you are, to your enemies!”
Let’s take a longer look at the thoughts in this verse. The poet brings before our eyes, a huge elephant soaking in lush mud on a river shore. Around this elephant, little children are playing with abandon and some are even pouring water on the elephant’s sharp tusks and washing it. One can gaze into the kind eyes and sense the gentle vibes from this giant as it lays there in the mud. Now, the poet turns to the king and says that’s exactly how you are to us – bards and singers, supplicants at your court.
The poet then shifts that same elephant from that scene of serenity to a battlefield at a time when it’s in musth. With no trace of gentleness, the elephant would attack with fury and aggression, making its white tusk stained red with the blood of the battlefield. And that’s how intimidating you are to your enemies, the poet concludes to the king.
A simple verse that not only entertains our imagination with its striking visuals of an elephant in two different scenes, but also talks about how humans can appear totally different to different people. A superior officer, who is something of a taskmaster, may be a playful mom at home; A nurse, who is gentle with his patients, may be strict and formidable to his kids. And this verse seems to highlight that timeless truth that there can be many shades and patterns in the canvas of a person’s personality!
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