Puranaanooru 288 – Roaring drums and roving birds

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In this episode, we observe events in a battle, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 288, penned by the poet Kazhathalaiyaar. The verse is situated in the category of ‘Thumbai Thinai’ or ‘Battle of two kings’ and talks about the courage and love shining in that battlefield.

மண் கொள வரிந்த வைந் நுதி மருப்பின்
அண்ணல் நல் ஏறு இரண்டு உடன் மடுத்து,
வென்றதன் பச்சை சீவாது போர்த்த
திண் பிணி முரசம் இடைப் புலத்து இரங்க,
ஆர் அமர் மயங்கிய ஞாட்பின், தெறுவர,
நெடு வேல் பாய்ந்த நாணுடை நெஞ்சத்து,
அருகுகை ……………………………….. மன்ற
குருதியொடு துயல்வரு மார்பின்
முயக்கிடை ஈயாது மொய்த்தன, பருந்தே.

Another verse with missing words that can be inferred through the context. The poet’s words can be translated as follows:

“Two esteemed, sturdy bulls with mud streaked on their sharp-edged horns were made to fight each other. Then, the hair-filled skin of the one which won has been used to cover the tightly tied drum, which now roars aloud from the centre of the battlefield. In that furious battle, as a tall spear pierced, with a defeated heart… (Missing words) Not letting that blood soaked, throbbing chest to be embraced, vultures roved incessantly.”

Let’s delve into the details. The poet talks about a bull fight where two strong and renowned bulls were made to fight each other and then the skin of the one that won the fight was taken and turned into a war drum. This statement no doubt has some special significance but one which is lost in time. The poet continues saying it’s that war drum that’s resounding from the battlefield and one soldier after bravely defending his king happened to take a spear to his chest and fell to the ground ashamed. He concludes saying just then when a person, most probably the wife of the soldier, tries to embrace that fallen soldier, roving vultures above make it impossible to do so. 

A verse that etches the courage of a soldier, his fall on the battlefield, and love and pride of his beloved in his brave fight and finally the atmosphere of the battle with its resounding drums and roving birds of prey. A moment of the past brought alive through words preserved through the ages!