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In this episode, we perceive the nature of friendship, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 216, penned about the poet Pisiraanthaiyaar by the Chozha King Koperunchozhan. Set in the category of ‘Paadaan Thinai’ or ‘Praise’, the verse brings out the reasoning in the king’s mind about an expected event.
‘கேட்டல் மாத்திரை அல்லது, யாவதும்
காண்டல் இல்லாது யாண்டு பல கழிய,
வழு இன்று பழகிய கிழமையர் ஆயினும்,
அரிதே, தோன்றல்! அதற்பட ஒழுகல்’ என்று,
ஐயம் கொள்ளன்மின், ஆர் அறிவாளீர்!
இகழ்விலன்; இனியன்; யாத்த நண்பினன்;
புகழ் கெட வரூஉம் பொய் வேண்டலனே;
தன் பெயர் கிளக்கும்காலை, ‘என் பெயர்
பேதைச் சோழன்’ என்னும், சிறந்த
காதற் கிழமையும் உடையன்; அதன்தலை,
இன்னது ஓர் காலை நில்லலன்;
இன்னே வருகுவன்; ஒழிக்க, அவற்கு இடமே!
A verse that sounds like a continuation of the previous verse, where we heard the king declare his trust in his friend, the Poet Pisiraanthaiyaar. The king’s words can be translated as follows:
“You say, ‘You both have heard of each other but have not met in person. Even though they might be friends with a close relationship for many, many years, it would be hard for them to appear by one’s side. So consider that and act accordingly’. O people of deep wisdom, doubt not in this way. He never disrespects; He is a pleasant person and my dear friend; Even if a lie were to render fame, he would not utter that; When asked for his name, he’d say, ‘My name is that of the naive Chozhan’. Such is his affection for me; More than that, he would not stay away in a distressful time such as this; He will come anytime now; Set aside a space for him!”
Time to explore the details herein. The king starts by repeating the words of poets and scholars around him, who seem full of doubt about the poet’s arrival for they are saying that the king and the poet have not met at all but only heard about each other. Even for people who have been close for years together, it’s difficult for them to appear by their friend’s side whenever they wished. While that is the case, how can Poet Pisiraanthaiyaar arrive here, and so, don’t raise your hopes on that count, they seem to be advising the king.
The king asks these scholars not to be full of doubt and talks about the nature of the poet saying he’s someone who never disrespects; someone who is goodness personified; and honest to such a degree that even if untruths would bring him fame, he would not defer from his righteous path. After narrating the noble virtues of the poet, the king remarks how the poet would say that his name is the same as that of the Chozhan. Such is his innocent and deep affection for me, the king tells the listening scholars. More than anything else, he would not stay away in a time like this when I have chosen to fast unto death, the king declares and concludes with the firm words that the poet would come there anytime now and asks the others to save him a seat.
The interesting thing we learn from this song is how the poet and the king had never met each other and yet had developed such a deep, mutual affection. I think they could be called the ‘pen pals of the Sangam era’. It’s possible many in the current generation do not even know the term ‘pen pal’, for this is a friendship forged through letters in a time long gone. A nostalgic time when the art of letter writing reigned supreme, whereas now even emails come only from advertisers and businesses selling their wares. Returning, we see how the friendship between this monarch and this wordsmith had grown so strong in a time when modes of communication must have been few. Something that tells us that it’s interest and time you need, not technology or resources, to build meaningful bridges between hearts!
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