Natrinai 10 – Trusted word and lasting love

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அண்ணாந்து ஏந்திய வன முலை தளரினும்,
பொன் நேர் மேனி மணியின் தாழ்ந்த
நல் நெடுங் கூந்தல் நரையொடு முடிப்பினும்,
நீத்தல் ஓம்புமதி-பூக் கேழ் ஊர!
இன் கடுங் கள்ளின் இழை அணி நெடுந் தேர்க்
கொற்றச் சோழர் கொங்கர்ப் பணீஇயர்,
வெண் கோட்டு யானைப் போஒர் கிழவோன்
பழையன் வேல் வாய்த்தன்ன நின்
பிழையா நல் மொழி தேறிய இவட்கே.

As if snorkelling on a beach, brimming with treasures right on the surface, the essence of this poem came to me. The words ‘நரை’ meaning ‘grey hair’ and ‘தளரினும்’ meaning ‘to droop or slacken’ pointed to old age and there was a strong sense of ‘even if’ in the rhythm of 

‘தளரினும்’ and ‘முடிப்பினும்’. Finally finishing with ‘பிழையா நல் மொழி’ which means ‘faultless, good words’ and putting together all this, I understood that this was the lady’s confidante saying to her friend’s man, ‘Be with her and be true always.’

Yet, not satisfied with the corals and creatures sighted on the snorkelling level, I went further down, like on an assisted scuba dive, seeing with the expert guidance of explanatory texts. Through this, I captured the extended meaning as follows: As the lady and her man prepare to elope, the lady’s confidante puts forward this request. She says, ‘O man from a town with flowering groves! As you leave together now in the spring of your youth, remember that even if her upright bosom slackens; even if those dark sapphire like tresses that flow on her skin, akin to gold, become streaked with grey, please do not forsake her! Think of the land of the victorious Cholas, where sweet toddy flows and tall chariots, adorned with gems, roll. Even those Cholas, when they intended to subdue the Kongu kings, they put all their faith in the spear wielding skill of Palaiyan, the leader of Po-oor, the land of white tusked elephants. Like the Cholas’ faith in Palaiyan’s spear, my friend has put her unfailing trust in your truthful words. Desert her never!’

Now it’s time for a scuba dive on our own. Let’s wander into little treasures that capture our attention and swim along, seeing, taking whatever comes our way. First is the word ‘கிழவோன்’. If you were to use the same word with an elderly person, they might get offended saying that you are calling them ‘old’. However, in this context it means ‘master’ or ‘leader’. This made me think of the expression ‘old man’ and how, in one of its meanings, it points to ‘someone in authority’ as in the ‘boss’. This curious connection between a modern English expression and an ancient Tamil expression made me smile. Then, there were the words ‘இன் கடுங் கள்ளின் ‘, which made me wonder how something can be ‘sweet’ and ‘rough’ at the same time. Turns out that here it means the sweet and strong flavoured toddy/wine made from the palm trees, offering quite the kick with its contrasting description. Then, when we turn our attention to the historical facts presented as a simile, we find references to the Early Cholas. Note that these Cholas must have preceded the later Cholas, who built the heritage temples at Thanjavur and Darasuram, by more than a thousand years. The references to these Early Cholas are found only in Sangam literature. Then, there is a reference to a village lord named Palaiyan, who is said to have been the commander of the Cholas and been made the ruler of the town of ‘Po oor’, which lives on today in the name of ‘Pettavaithalai’ in the current Tiruchirapalli district of Tamilnadu. As the great Chola rulers trusted in the spear of Palaiyan, so does the lady trusts in your words, the lady’s confidante connects. 

Pages can be written about these wise words from the lady’s confidante, asking the man to part not, even under the greying skies of old age. When in love, the mind presents the ‘present’ as the ‘forever’. Eyes are blinded by the bloom of youth and it cannot see further. Indeed, it takes another voice to bring this reality to the fore. For true love is not just in shining youth, but something beyond. As if in a heartfelt reply to this Natrinai request, the male protagonist in this Tamil film song says,

 ‘கன்னம் சுருங்கிட நீயும், 

மீசை நரைத்திட நானும், 

வாழ்வின் கரைகளைக் காணும், 

காலம் அருகினில் தானோ?

‘You, with your wrinkled cheeks 

and me, with my greying hair, 

behold that time when we see 

the shores of our life, is near!’ 

So, what does it take to keep the magic of love alive, not just for a loved one but even towards one’s work or passion, till the very end?