Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More
In this episode, we perceive a lady’s situation in the midst of a dilemma, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 325, penned by Maamoolanaar. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’, the verse mentions the respect and admiration rendered unto a Sangam-era king.
அம்ம! வாழி, தோழி! காதலர்,
”வெண் மணல் நிவந்த பொலங் கடை நெடு நகர்,
நளி இருங் கங்குல் புணர் குறி வாய்த்த
களவும் கைம்மிக அலர்ந்தன்று; அன்னையும்
உட்கொண்டு ஓவாள் காக்கும்; பின் பெரிது
இவண் உறைபு எவனோ? அளியள்!” என்று அருளி,
”ஆடு நடைப் பொலிந்த புகற்சியின் நாடு கோள்
அள்ளனைப் பணித்த அதியன் பின்றை,
வள் உயிர் மாக் கிணை கண் அவிந்தாங்கு,
மலை கவின் அழிந்த கனை கடற்று அருஞ் சுரம்
வெய்யமன்ற; நின் வை எயிறு உணீஇய,
தண் மழை ஒரு நாள் தலையுக! ஒள் நுதல்,
ஒல்கு இயல், அரிவை! நின்னொடு செல்கம்;
சில் நாள் ஆன்றனைஆக” என, பல் நாள்,
உலைவு இல் உள்ளமொடு வினை வலி உறீஇ,
எல்லாம் பெரும் பிறிதாக, வடாஅது,
நல் வேற் பாணன் நல் நாட்டு உள்ளதை,
வாள் கண் வானத்து என்றூழ் நீள் இடை,
ஆள் கொல் யானை அதர் பார்த்து அல்கும்
சோலை அத்தம் மாலைப் போகி,
ஒழியச் சென்றோர்மன்ற;
பழி எவன் ஆம்கொல், நோய் தரு பாலே?
In this long trip to the drylands, we take a short walk amidst the familiar spaces and spend more time in the minds of the protagonists, as we listen to the lady say these words to the confidante:
“Listen, my friend! May you live long! My beloved had said, ‘In the tall mansion, with a well-adorned entrance, filled with white sands, during the deep dark hour of midnight, our secret love relationship groomed by the trysts had grown out of bounds, causing slander to spread. Understanding this, her mother now guards her ceaselessly. At such a time, how is it possible for her to remain here? She’s to be pitied’. Saying so, he had endowed his grace and kindness. Then, continuing, he mentioned, ‘After the life time of Athiyan, who bid Allan to take over his country, which had been one of ceaseless dance and festivities, the resounding sounds of the huge ‘Kinai’ drums that sing a patron’s praise, fell utterly silent’. Akin to that, the mountains have utterly lost their beauty, and only scrub jungles spread densely in those formidable drylands, which will be sweltering and impossible for you to traverse. May the cool rains pour soon one day, so that your sharp teeth get to savour it, O young maiden, with a radiant forehead and a swaying gait! At that time, I shall take you along with me. So, why don’t you bear with this separation for a few days?’. Saying so, with an unswerving heart, he had stressed upon setting out on his mission to gain wealth, leaving everything to go to great ruin. Many days ago, he had left to the north beyond the fine country, ruled by Paanan, who wields fine spears, to those long and winding paths, scorching with the sword-like rays of the sun, where killer elephants, rest and wait, in those jungles, leaving me to suffer many lonely evenings here! Now, what to do about the shame of this illness rendered unto me?”
Time to walk on to distant countries and learn more! The lady starts by recollecting the man’s words. At first he had understood the lady’s delicate situation, wherein their relationship had grown strong with the trysts, gossip had spread in town, and owing to that, mother was keeping the lady under guard. So, he empathises with the lady and says it’s impossible for the lady to remain at her wealthy home, amidst this crisis. The man knows the alternative is to elope with the lady and take her to his town.
At the same time, he pauses to note that this is the harsh summer season, where the mountains and paths are utterly devoid of moisture or beauty. To etch this, he brings in the simile of a Sangam era King, Athiyan, who apparently gave away his country to another named ‘Allan’, and gave up his life. After that loss, overcome by grief, the bards refused to play their Kinai drums and utter silence filled that place known for its exuberant festivities. That silence and absence of joy, the man equates to the loss of fertility and pleasantness in the mountains. Saying so, the man had told the lady that at this time it would be impossible for the lady to leave with him. He had promised the rains would soon come, and at that time, he would take her along. Wishing to go earn wealth at this time, he had asked the lady to bear the separation, and had left to the drylands beyond Paanan’s country, leaving the lady to face many a lonely evening. The lady concludes by wondering what they are going to do about the blame and shame that will rise because of the illness of pining, brimming over in her!
This is a verse where we get to see the reasoning why the man sometimes takes the lady and elopes through the drylands, and at other times, he leaves her behind. The man is juggling with two options in his mind and deciding what’s best for the moment. Here’s an example of no matter how much thought goes into a decision, things don’t always work out well for all concerned at all times. A verse which seems to tell me that ultimately, we can only do what we think as best and leave the rest for time to teach us about!
