Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | iHeartRadio | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More
In this episode, we perceive the distress of a poet at his patron’s demise, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 234, penned about the Velir King Vel Evvi by the poet Vellerukkilaiyaar. The verse is situated in the category of ‘Pothuviyal Thinai’ or ‘Common Themes’ and details a tradition of offering followed by the family of the deceased.
நோகோ யானே? தேய்கமா காலை!
பிடி அடி அன்ன சிறு வழி மெழுகி,
தன் அமர் காதலி புல் மேல் வைத்த
இன் சிறு பிண்டம் யாங்கு உண்டனன்கொல்
உலகு புகத் திறந்த வாயில்
பலரோடு உண்டல் மரீஇயோனே?
A tiny song expressing the poet’s anguished emotions after realising that his wish the king’s death was a lie did not come true. The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“I suffer so! Let my days fade! A small space, the size of an elephant’s foot, his loving wife washes, and places here, a small sweet offering on the grass. How will he eat this? For he was one, who opened his gates for the whole world to enter and always delighted in partaking his food with many!”
Let’s delve into the words of this verse! Like poet Avvaiyaar, this poet too wishes his days are no more, detailing his deep suffering at the loss of his king. He then sketches how the king’s widowed wife cleans a spot the size of an elephant’s foot, and places here, a small offering of food. Seeing this, the poet concludes by asking how is the king going to eat this, given that he always preferred to invite the whole world to his home and felt joy only when he shared his meal with others!
The affectionate and friendly nature of this king Evvi to all around him is illustrated in a picture-perfect way by a single line in this verse. Likewise, the poet describes this ancient tradition of offering food to the dead, a custom that is carried on even today in many regions of contemporary Tamilnadu. The most striking aspect in this verse is the kind of devotion inspired by such patrons in the hearts of Sangam poets who knew them!
Share your thoughts...