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In this episode, we perceive pointed questions put forth, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 220, penned by Madurai Maruthan Ilanaakanaar. The verse is situated amidst the fertile seas of the ‘Neythal’ or ‘Coastal landscape’ and builds a stack of similes to present a pertinent point.
ஊரும் சேரியும் உடன் இயைந்து அலர் எழ,
தேரொடு மறுகியும், பணி மொழி பயிற்றியும்,
கெடாஅத் தீயின் உரு கெழு செல்லூர்,
கடாஅ யானைக் குழூஉச் சமம் ததைய,
மன் மருங்கு அறுத்த மழு வாள் நெடியோன்
முன் முயன்று அரிதினின் முடித்த வேள்வி,
கயிறு அரை யாத்த காண் தகு வனப்பின்,
அருங் கடி நெடுந் தூண் போல, யாவரும்
காணலாகா மாண் எழில் ஆகம்
உள்ளுதொறும் பனிக்கும் நெஞ்சினை, நீயே
நெடும் புற நிலையினை, வருந்தினைஆயின்,
முழங்கு கடல் ஓதம் காலைக் கொட்கும்,
பழம் பல் நெல்லின் ஊணூர் ஆங்கண்,
நோலா இரும் புள் போல, நெஞ்சு அமர்ந்து,
காதல் மாறாக் காமர் புணர்ச்சியின்,
இருங் கழி முகந்த செங் கோல் அவ் வலை
முடங்கு புற இறவொடு இன மீன் செறிக்கும்
நெடுங் கதிர்க் கழனித் தண் சாய்க்கானத்து,
யாணர்த் தண் பணை உறும் என, கானல்
ஆயம் ஆய்ந்த சாய் இறைப் பணைத் தோள்
நல் எழில் சிதையா ஏமம்
சொல் இனித் தெய்ய, யாம் தெளியுமாறே.
On our way to the coast, we take detours to perceive significant events and observe bird life, as we listen to the confidante say these words to the man, when he is about to part away after his nightly tryst with the lady:
“Making the town and neighbourhood rise together in slander, you rove around in your chariot and speak humble words. In picturesque ‘Selloor’, known for its ceaseless ritual fire, vowing to end the rule of kings, who battle in wars with their elephants in musth, the tall one with a sharp sword performed a ritual, and akin to the protected tall pillar therein, tied with a rope and having exquisite beauty, is her bosom of immense beauty, which is rare and precious. You have a heart that melts every time you think of it, and you are filled with worry, as you stand afar.
The roaring waves of the sea surround the town of ‘Oonoor’ known for its produce of paddy from ancient times, and akin to the dark bird there that does not know what it means to be apart from its mate, you have to place each other in your hearts and having a profound union of ceaseless love.
A beautiful net with a red rod dips in the dark backwaters and gathers curved back shrimp, and schools of fish, in the cool town of ‘Saykaanam’, filled with fields of tall grain stalks. Akin to the prosperous, cool bamboo that grows here, are her thick arms with curving wrists that her playmates celebrate. So tell me the right word to make me understand how you plan to act in such a way that the fine beauty of these arms of hers, are protected, without any sign of ruin!”
Let’s fish the Sangam seas and learn more! The confidante starts by mentioning how the man seems to be come often to their place and causes slander to spread about his relationship with the lady. Then, she goes on to describe a place called ‘Selloor’ and mentions how this was the venue of a ritual conducted by someone referred to as the ‘Tall one with a sword’, which other interpreters have connected to the character of Parasuraman from Hindu mythology. Apparently, this ‘tall one with a sword’ conducted a fire ritual ceremony, vowing to end the line of kings in this town and the confidante has mentioned this only to say how just like the decorated tall pillar there, the lady’s bosom was exquisite and precious. Once again, the confidante reverts to the man and notices how he yearns to embrace the lady, understanding how he is filled with angst when far.
Next, she talks about another seaside town of ‘Oonoor’ and how there lives a bird here, which cannot think of a life away from its mate. From other poems from this era, we can infer the confidante is talking about the ‘Andril’ bird, most probably referring to the ‘red-naped ibis’. Now, the confidante turns to the man and says that’s how he must be with the lady. After that, the confidante ventures into the last town, a coastal town called ‘Saaykaanam’, whose seas yield shrimp and fish in abundance, and also, where fields of grains sway in the wind. Here, there are also lush bamboos, and the confidante has summoned this place to connect the bamboos here to the lady’s arms. She ends by asking the man what steps he was going to take to ensure those arms of the lady never fall into any ruin! In a nutshell, the confidante is telling the man, ‘All this coming and going along with your humble, sweet words is fine. But what are you going to do to bring lasting joy to the lady?’ Another ‘Marry her, marry her’ rendition, in which we get to tour the towns of the Sangam era!
