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In this episode, we perceive a technique of conveying a timely message, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 312, penned by Madurai Maruthan Ilanaakanaar. The verse is situated amidst the flowing cascades of the ‘Kurinji’ or ‘Mountain Landscape’ and conveys the precariousness of the situation in a subtle manner.
நெஞ்சு உடம்படுதலின் ஒன்று புரிந்து அடங்கி,
இரவின் வரூஉம் இடும்பை நீங்க,
வரையக் கருதும்ஆயின், பெரிது உவந்து,
ஓங்கு வரை இழிதரும் வீங்கு பெயல் நீத்தம்,
காந்தள் அம் சிறுகுடிக் கௌவை பேணாது,
அரி மதர் மழைக் கண் சிவப்ப, நாளைப்
பெரு மலை நாடன் மார்பு புணை ஆக,
ஆடுகம் வம்மோ காதல் அம் தோழி!
வேய் பயில் அடுக்கம் புதையக் கால் வீழ்த்து,
இன் இசை முரசின் இரங்கி, ஒன்னார்
ஓடு புறம் கண்ட, தாள் தோய் தடக் கை,
வெல் போர் வழுதி செல் சமத்து உயர்த்த
அடு புகழ் எஃகம் போல,
கொடி பட மின்னிப் பாயின்றால், மழையே!
In this trip to the mountains, we get to witness the dynamic elements of the weather, 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:
“Now that your hearts have come together as one and both wish for the same thing in secret, to end the suffering that arrives at night, if only seeking your hand in marriage will be considered, then, with joy brimming over, tomorrow, you can go play in the overflowing flood of the cascade that descends down from the soaring mountains, with the chest of the man from the mountain country, as your raft, reddening those exquisite, rain-like eyes of yours with fine lines, without caring about the slander that spreads in our fine, little hamlet of flame-lilies, O loveable friend! Burying the bamboo-filled mountain ranges, blowing with a strong wind, descending with the sweet music of resounding drums, and akin to that famous killer spear, raised high by the victorious Vazhuthi, the one with strong and long arms touching his knees, in the battlefield, when he sees the retreating backs of his enemies, flashing lightning in perfect form, arrive those rain clouds!”
Let’s take that trip to the highlands and learn more! The confidante declares how the hearts of the man and lady are one and both want the same thing, and yet they have to keep that in secret. She says given such a situation, to end that suffering that arrives every night, that yearning to be together, then the man must consider marriage. If he were to do that, then the lady could go happily play with him in the cascades, not caring one bit about the slander spreading through the town. Then she concludes by mentioning how rain clouds had gathered and were approaching their mountains, with gusty winds, drumming thunder, and the flashing of lightning, which she places in parallel to the gleaming spears of the Pandya King Vazhuthi, raised high in the sky, the moment he sees the retreat of his enemies in the battlefield.
The simple thought is that the rains are here, and the man’s travel by night to tryst with the lady would be filled with much danger and the only path to a peaceful union was for the man to seek the lady’s hand in marriage. Subtly sneaking in the news that gossip was flying high in their hamlet, the confidante hints that if only the man were to consider seeking marriage even a little, then the lady need not worry about a thing as she plays and delights with him even in broad daylight in the brimming cascades from their mountains. She thus, nudges the man to give up temporary trysting and seek the path to permanent happiness. Yet again, it’s ‘Marry her, marry her’ but we understand the art of layered communication to convey various facets of a situation as a seamless whole and to persuade a change in one’s course of action!
