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In this episode, we listen to a troubled conversation, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 260, penned by Mosi Karaiyanaar. The verse is situated amidst the blooming backwaters of the ‘Neythal’ or ‘Coastal landscape’ and paints a vivid portrait of a shore at sunset.
மண்டிலம் மழுக, மலை நிறம் கிளர,
வண்டினம் மலர் பாய்ந்து ஊத, மீமிசைக்
கண்டற் கானல் குருகினம் ஒலிப்ப,
திரை பாடு அவிய, திமில் தொழில் மறப்ப,
கரை ஆடு அலவன் அளைவயின் செறிய,
செக்கர் தோன்ற, துணை புணர் அன்றில்
எக்கர்ப் பெண்ணை அக மடல் சேர,
கழி மலர் கமழ் முகம் கரப்ப, பொழில் மனைப்
புன்னை நறு வீ பொன் நிறம் கொளாஅ,
எல்லை பைப்பயக் கழிப்பி, எல் உற,
யாங்கு ஆகுவல்கொல் தானே? நீங்காது,
முது மரத்து உறையும் முரவு வாய் முது புள்
கதுமெனக் குழறும், கழுது வழங்கு அரை நாள்,
நெஞ்சு நெகிழ் பருவரல் செய்த
அன்பிலாளன் அறிவு நயந்தேனே.
It’s a scenic trip to the seas, as we listen to the words of the confidante followed by the response of the lady, as the man listens nearby, at a time when the lady had been waiting for long for the man to arrive for their nightly tryst:
“‘The sun’s radiance reduces and the mountains get lit by the hues of dusk; Bees pounce on flowers, buzzing around; Atop the Pandanus trees in the backwaters, birds call out aloud; The roar of the waves diminishes and boats lie about, forgetting their work; Crabs playing on the shore rush to rest in their burrows; As dusky skies loom ahead, the red-naped ibis, wishing to mate, flies atop to the tall branches of the palm tree on the sands; Flowers blooming in the backwaters close their buds; The fragrant flowers of the laurelwood blooming in the decorated mansion, take on a golden hue, and the day gently recedes, little by little, ushering in the night. At this time what will become of her?’
‘Unceasingly, as the old bird with a wide open mouth, residing in the ancient tree, cries out, in an alarming tone, as ghosts roam about in this midnight hour, I seem to only desire the presence of that loveless one, who has inflicted this heartrending affliction on me!'”
Let’s take a stroll on the shore and tune in to the voices of these girls amidst the roar of the waves! This is an unusual verse in the Aganaanooru series for apparently it’s the only one in which both the confidante and the lady speak, for it’s usually said only in the voice of one or the other. Such a conversational style we have seen previously only in the Kalithogai verses.
Time to move on from style to content! The confidante starts by describing all the changes in the world around them, bringing to fore, the setting sun, radiant mountains in the west, buzzing bees, cawing birds, roaring waves, and boats, resting without a thought about work. The favourite bird of the shore, the red-naped ibis, makes its appearance atop palm trees, with a desire to unite with its mate; Then, flowers closing their buds, and laurel wood trees dropping golden pollen are all sketched, illustrating how the day is fading away and the night is stepping in. After this long description leading to the night’s arrival, the confidante wonders what will happen to the lady.
Why is the confidante worried? The answer lies in the lady’s answer to her, talking about how a bird with a split open mouth, sitting on ancient tree, post probably an owl, hoots aloud and how ghosts roam about. In this distressing, dark hour, all she yearns for is the arrival of the one, lacking love for her, the one who has won over her heart, the lady concludes. In essence, it’s a bit of theatrics by the confidante and the lady to impress upon the man that these meetings and partings are taking a toll on the lady’s heart and to nudge him in the right path of seeking the lady’s hand! While the core is an oft-repeated theme, the twilight song does delight by splashing its hues and painting a picturesque portrait on our hearts!
