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In this episode, we relish images from an ancient city and the poetic imagery it evokes, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Natrinai 227, penned by Thevanaar. The verse is set in the ‘Neythal’ landscape by the shore, and speaks in the voice of the confidante to the man, urging him to seek the lady’s hand without further delay.
அறிந்தோர் ‘அறன் இலர்’ என்றலின், சிறந்த
இன் உயிர் கழியினும் நனி இன்னாதே;
புன்னைஅம் கானல் புணர் குறி வாய்த்த
பின் ஈர் ஓதி என் தோழிக்கு, அன்னோ!
படு மணி யானைப் பசும்பூட் சோழர்
கொடி நுடங்கு மறுகின் ஆர்க்காட்டு ஆங்கண்,
கள்ளுடைத் தடவில் புள் ஒலித்து ஓவாத்
தேர் வழங்கு தெருவின் அன்ன,
கௌவை ஆகின்றது-ஐய!-நின் அருளே.
The poem opens with the word ‘அறிந்தோர்’ and this word could mean both ‘the knowledgeable’ or ‘those who know about something’. Shortly thereafter appears ‘இன் உயிர் கழியினும்’ meaning ‘even if sweet life fades’, pouring a certain poignancy into the verse. ‘புணர் குறி’ talks about the ‘trysting spot’ of the man and the lady. The lady is then referred to as ‘பின் ஈர் ஓதி’, which means ‘lady with plaited, moist tresses’. The word ‘அன்னோ’ is an exclamation, whose equivalent in English is ‘Alas’! ‘பசும்பூட் சோழர்’ brings forth the image of ‘Chola kings adorned with bright jewels’ and we also get to visit their city ‘ஆர்க்காடு’. The name ‘Arcaud’ has been repeatedly used in Sangam Literature, as recently encountered in the case of Natrinai 190. We cannot be sure that the same town is being referenced in different verses, for one calls it a ‘Chera’ stronghold and in this case, a city belonging to the Cholas. Perhaps this was a common name and many towns were named so, in different regions. Let’s explore more!
The man and lady had been in a love relationship and the man was intent on trysting with the lady. Many days passed by and the man seemed to be delaying formalising their union. The lady suffered in his absence and seeing her state, the confidante decides to talk to the man about it. So, one day, when he comes by to the trysting spot, the confidante says to the man, “Those who know declare that this is not aligned to decorum. Now, even if her fine life fades away, this blame will hurt her. Alas, such is the state of my friend, the one with cool, plaited hair whom you trysted with, in the orchard filled with ‘punnai’ trees! In a street in ‘Arcaud’, where elephants stride with ringing bells, the flag of the jewel-adorned Cholas sways, bees buzz around pots filled with sweet toddy and chariots ply ceaselessly. Akin to the uproar in this street, slander spreads around my hamlet, O lord, owing to your grace to our girl!” With these words, the confidante elaborates on the precarious state of affairs in the town as rumours of the man’s relationship with the lady spreads and she also conveys that it is high time the man approached the elders to win the lady’s hand.
Now, for a closer look at this visual verse! The confidante opens her statement in an abstract fashion talking about how those who know about the man’s relationship with the lady, say that this is not the rightful path. Hearing this, the lady suffers and the confidante says, even if her life were to end, the hurt would continue to plague her. With this statement, the confidante reveals to the man how much the lady suffers. Then, she goes on to explain why the lady suffers so. She brings to light the reason for this suffering with a stimulating simile!
Behold the ancient city of ‘Arcaud’ belonging to the Cholas, who wear dazzling jewels and own elephants whose bells ring out loud. And, what’s happening in this city of the Cholas? Their flag flutters above with pride and on the roads beneath, sellers of sweet toddy shout out their wares and bees buzz around, competing with their voices. Add to this, the sound of chariots plying on the streets without a break. What a din indeed! This detailed description is to say that the lady’s little hamlet by the sea is also resounding with such noise, owing to the spreading rumours. With this verbal sound and light show, the confidante illustrates to the man that the lady cannot bear this any longer and that he must give up his trysting and transform their relationship into a formal one. The poem acutely captures the roar of the street in that ancient city and fuses it with feeling, to reveal inner life and to persuade the man to seek the path to permanent joy!
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