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In this episode, we perceive interesting aspects of an ancient town, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Puranaanooru 348, penned by the poet Paranar. The verse is situated in the category of ‘Kaanji Thinai’ or ‘Defence’ and regrets the events that have unfolded.
வெண்ணெல் அரிஞர் தண்ணுமை வெரீஇ,
கண் மடல் கொண்ட தீம் தேன் இரிய,
கள் அரிக்கும் குயம், சிறு சில்
மீன் சீவும் பாண் சேரி,
வாய்மொழித் தழும்பன் ஊணூர் அன்ன,
குவளை உண்கண் இவளை, தாயே
ஈனாளாயினள்ஆயின், ஆனாது
நிழல்தொறும் நெடுந் தேர் நிற்ப, வயின்தொறும்,
செந் நுதல் யானை பிணிப்ப,
வருந்தலமன் எம் பெருந் துறை மரனே!
A crisp verse which transports us to an ancient town. The poet’s words can be translated as follows:
“Fearing the ‘thannummai’ drum of harvesters of white rice, bees flutter away leaving behind their honeycombs to be gathered and filtered into nectar by the potters’ settlement, living near the bards’ settlement that removes small scales of fish, in ‘Oonoor’, the town ruled by a man of his word, ‘Thazhumpan’. Akin to this town are the blue-lotus-like, kohl-streaked eyes of hers. If only her mother had not given birth to her, endlessly in every shade, tall chariots wouldn’t stand now, and everywhere, elephants with red foreheads wouldn’t be tied to torment the trees of our huge shore!”
Time to delve deeper into the nuances. The poet talks about a custom in Sangam towns before the harvesting of rice from fields. This custom is to beat upon the ‘thannumai’ drums loudly before commencing the work. Why was this done? Was it to announce to all the townsfolk that the harvesting is about to begin? Not really, the reason for this practice was something nobler, for it was to chase away the birds and bees that have taken refugee in those fields as the crops were growing with plentiful water around, just so that the slash of sickles does not harm those other beings living there. Already harvesting rice is back bending work but here they are, adding more work to their hands by drumming before starting this work! When I realised this, I was yet again touched by the thoughtfulness of these Sangam folks and their deep regard for all life.
Moving on, the poet explains how the beating of these drums scares away the bees, which leave behind their well-built honeycombs and how these are collected and filtered by people in the potters community. Next, he talks about another community of people, the bards who are seemingly removing the scales of small fish, perhaps preparing for their meal. These different groups are said to live together in the town of a leader who was always true to his words and the name of that town was ‘Oonoor’. Now, in the typical style of these Sangam poets, the beauty of this town is compared to the kohl-streaked, flower-like eyes of a maiden. After glorifying her beauty so, the poet travel in the opposite direction and regrets that her mother brought her into this world. He goes on to explain that only because she did that now rows and rows of chariots can be seen in every shade, and not only that, elephants are straining at their chains, and in the process, uprooting the trees of that great town.
Blame is being placed on the birth of this maiden! Shouldn’t it be transferred to those hostile enemy kings lining up, determined to get what they want? And yet again, the curious tale of a lady causing all this trouble to a town for no fault of hers, goes on!
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