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In this episode, we listen to a unique attempt at persuasion, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 282, penned by Thol Kabilar. The verse is situated amidst the soaring Kino and Jackfruit trees of the ‘Kurinji’ or ‘Mountain Landscape’ and paints the prosperity of this domain.
பெரு மலைச் சிலம்பின் வேட்டம் போகிய,
செறி மடை அம்பின், வல் வில் கானவன்
பொருது தொலை யானை வெண் கோடு கொண்டு,
நீர் திகழ் சிலம்பின் நன் பொன் அகழ்வோன்,
கண் பொருது இமைக்கும் திண் மணி கிளர்ப்ப,
வைந் நுதி வால் மருப்பு ஒடிய உக்க
தெண் நீர் ஆலி கடுக்கும் முத்தமொடு,
மூவேறு தாரமும் ஒருங்குடன் கொண்டு,
சாந்தம் பொறைமரம் ஆக, நறை நார்
வேங்கைக் கண்ணியன் இழிதரும் நாடற்கு
இன் தீம் பலவின் ஏர் கெழு செல்வத்து
எந்தையும் எதிர்ந்தனன், கொடையே; அலர் வாய்
அம்பல் ஊரும் அவனொடு மொழியும்;
சாய் இறைத் திரண்ட தோள் பாராட்டி,
யாயும், ‘அவனே’ என்னும்; யாமும்,
‘வல்லே வருக, வரைந்த நாள்!’ என,
நல் இறை மெல் விரல் கூப்பி,
இல் உறை கடவுட்கு ஆக்குதும் பலியே!
In this trip to the highlands, we get to witness fascinating scenes, as we listen to the confidante say these words to the lady, pretending not to notice the man listening nearby but making sure he’s in earshot:
“Going for a hunt in the slopes of the huge mountains, a hunter carrying well-fitted arrows and a sturdy bow, pulls out the white tusk of an elephant that he battled with and killed. He then uses that tusk to dig out fine gold in those water-filled slopes. As he does that, hitting upon dense gems that twinkle and dazzle one’s eyes, the sharp tip of the tusk breaks apart, and the pearls in the tusk drop out, appearing akin to hailstones, made of clear water. Bundling these three different goods together on a bed of sandalwood sticks, he ties them with strong twines, and wearing Kino flower head garlands, that hunter descends down in the mountain country of the lord.
Our father, who too has the great wealth and prosperity of soaring, sweet jackfruit trees, has decided to offer your hand to him; As for the gossiping mouths of this slanderous town, they link him with you. Hearing all this, appreciating your thick arms with beautiful wrists, mother too has decided that ‘He’s the one’. As for us, wishing ‘Oh! Let the day of wedding arrive with much speed’, bringing our soft fingers with lovely knuckles together, let’s offer a sacrifice to the god, who resides in our home!”
Time to venture out on a mountain hunt! The confidante starts by zooming on to a hunter in the man’s domain, and following him step by step. First, we see this worthy denizen carrying strong bows and arrows. Then, he fells an elephant and pulls out its tusk. But his trip does not end there! He then goes on a solo mission to excavate some gold in those water-flowing slopes. He sure does find that, but in addition, he hits upon some precious blue stones, which happens to break the tip of the tusk. Nothing to worry about, for pearls rain down from that tusk. Now, the hunter picks the gold, the gems and the pearls, bundles them on a sandalwood bed, and comes happily walking down, with the scent of his Kino flower garlands wafting in the mountain breeze.
After that picture-perfect description of the man’s land, the confidante talks about how the lady’s father, a wealthy man himself, with jackfruit orchards many, had decided to give his girl in marriage to the man. While the town continued gossiping, the lady’s mother had accepted her daughter’s choice in a partner, the confidante adds. She concludes by declaring all that remains was for them to pray to the god at home, and offer a sacrifice with folded hands so that the day of wedding arrives promptly.
If we think about it, the confidante is not praying to the god at home but the one listening nearby, who has the real power to make things happen. The scene of the hunter returning with unexpected treasures is a metaphor for how a future of permanent happiness with the lady awaits the man, with the blessing of her family and the townsfolk. By presenting the positive views of the lady’s relatives, the confidante seems to be putting that pertinent question to the listening man, ‘What are you waiting for?’!
