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In this episode, we perceive the tug between hearts that are apart, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 351, penned by Porunthil Ilankeeranaar. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’, the verse highlights the beliefs of the ancients in omens about another’s homecoming.
வேற்று நாட்டு உறையுள் விருப்புறப் பேணி,
பெறல் அருங் கேளிர் பின் வந்து விடுப்ப,
பொருள் அகப்படுத்த புகல் மலி நெஞ்சமொடு
குறை வினை முடித்த நிறைவு இன் இயக்கம்
அறிவுறூஉம்கொல்லோ தானே கதிர் தெற,
கழல் இலை உகுத்த கால் பொரு தாழ் சினை,
அழல் அகைந்தன்ன அம் குழைப் பொதும்பில்,
புழல் வீ இருப்பைப் புன் காட்டு அத்தம்,
மறுதரல் உள்ளமொடு குறுக, தோற்றிய
செய் குறி ஆழி வைகல்தோறு எண்ணி,
எழுது சுவர் நனைந்த அழுது வார் மழைக் கண்
விலங்கு வீழ் அரிப் பனி பொலங் குழைத் தெறிப்ப,
திருந்துஇழை முன்கை அணல் அசைத்து ஊன்றி,
இருந்து அணை மீது, பொருந்துழிக் கிடக்கை,
வருந்து தோள் பூசல் களையும் மருந்து என
உள்ளுதொறு படூஉம் பல்லி,
புள்ளுத் தொழுது உறைவி செவிமுதலானே?
In this trip to the drylands, it’s less of the land and more of the mind, as we listen to the man say these words, at a time when he’s parted from the lady, having left in search of wealth:
“Wishing fervently to travel to and stay in other countries, when I left, my precious kith and kin came behind with affection and bid farewell. The heart that left so, with much determination to obtain wealth, has now the satisfaction of finishing the task it set out to do, and returns contentedly.
As the sun’s rays scorch on, loosened leaves are scattered by the wind from low-hanging branches, in the grove with tender sprouts, akin to glowing flames, blooming on the Mahua tree, with hollow-tubed flowers, in this dull scrub jungle in the drylands, through which I traverse on, with the intent of returning home.
At this time, as she keeps counting the marked circles made day after day on the wall, her moistened, rain-like eyes, would fill with tears, and the shining drops that fall down would splash on her golden earrings. As she sits there, resting her chin on her forearms, with well-etched ornaments, leaning on the pillow upon the bed, will that lizard that keeps clicking proclaim in the ears of that maiden at home, who prays for bird omens, that the cure to remove the affliction of pining from her worrying arms, was on the way?”
Let’s listen to the intentions and hopes of these parted lovers! The man starts by recollecting how he had left with much determination to seek wealth and the way his relatives had bid him luck. That goal had been achieved and he’s now returning home, with much satisfaction, the man mentions, and talks about how he’s walking through the harsh drylands, where dry leaves are being pulled and thrown by the hot winds, and where sprouts on the Mahua tree appear like flames. From his own state, the man then accesses the state of his beloved with his mind’s eye and he sees her sitting, looking at the wall on which markings have been made day after day ever since the day he left. The lady’s eyes start brimming over with tears and these tears fall down and scatter upon her huge earrings, the man visualises. Then he wonders if the lizard on the wall would tell the lady, fervently hoping for some good omen, the delightful news that the cure for her disease was coming towards her with much speed!
At a time when our phones keep chirping incessantly like that lizard on the wall, and we can dash off a message, talk to or even see someone on a screen, no matter how far apart they are, it’s hard to relate to this feeling of missing another, having no way to reach them. We can see how that sense of being apart and yearning to be back was so much stronger and deeper in those times without all the technology of today. It’s true that parting these days do not have the pain and pining the people from the Sangam era experienced, but at the same time, we have to acknowledge that the reunions in that past would have been much sweeter and deeper. If only humans can somehow learn the art of keeping their emotions and values intact, no matter the technology that overpowers, then there will be redemption!
