Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More
In this episode, we are transported to a rich mountain land, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 108, penned about the Velir king Vel Paari by the poet Kabilar. The verse is situated in the category of ‘Paadaan Thinai’ or ‘King’s praise’ and talks about the limitless generosity of this king.
குறத்தி மாட்டிய வறல் கடைக் கொள்ளி
ஆரம் ஆதலின், அம் புகை அயலது
சாரல் வேங்கைப் பூஞ் சினைத் தவழும்
பறம்பு பாடினரதுவே; அறம் பூண்டு,
பாரியும், பரிசிலர் இரப்பின்,
‘வாரேன்’ என்னான், அவர் வரையன்னே.
Another song of praise about King Paari from the perspective of his domain. Some scholars believe this was written after Paari’s death. The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“As the dried twigs that the mountain girl set on fire was from a sandalwood tree, the pleasant smoke that arose toddles upon the flower-filled branches of the ‘vengai’ tree in the mountain slopes of ‘Parambu’. Since they sang its praises, it was given away to those poets; Such is his nature that when supplicants ask for ‘Paari’, on account of his sense of justice, he will never say ‘I shall not come’, but instead will honour their request!”
Time to delve into the details. The poet brings before our eyes a mountain girl at the moment when she’s adding some dried up branches to a fire there. Then, from the sense of sight, the poet beckons our sense of smell, talking about how a fragrant smoke is rising from that fire. Fragrant because those twigs are from the sandalwood tree. Reverting back to the sense of sight, the poet points out how that smoke is spreading gently over the flowers of the Indian Kino tree, which we have heard about a lot in ‘Aham’ poems. The entire narration is to say that this treat for the senses is being enacted in the hilly region that belongs to Paari, called as ‘Parambu’. The poet continues by saying Paari gave away that entire mountain, piece by piece, to all the poets, who came singing its praises. Such is his generosity that if those seeking gifts from him ask for the king himself, he would never hesitate to fulfil their wish, the poet concludes.
A king who is so generous that he would give away himself, if asked, the poet implies! No doubt it’s the poetic device of hyperbole at play here. From the king’s nature, let’s turn to that lush land described. Paari’s ‘Parambu’ has been identified as ‘Piraan malai’ in Sivagangai district of Tamilnadu, which happens to be the same district where Keezhadi excavations are being carried out. This famous place has been in the news for being under siege by illegal sand mining groups. Hope the relevant authorities wake up to the importance of this place in Tamil history, and declare it a heritage site, so that generations that come after can perceive the cultural depth and savour the natural beauty of this place, penned so elegantly in this ancient verse!
Share your thoughts...