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In this episode, we observe how events in nature become tools of consolation, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Natrinai 246, penned by Kaappiyan Chenthanaar. Set in the drylands of ‘Paalai’ landscape, the verse speaks in the voice of the confidante to the lady, relaying a heartening message about the man’s arrival.
இடூஉ ஊங்கண் இனிய படூஉம்;
நெடுஞ்சுவர்ப் பல்லியும் பாங்கில் தேற்றும்;
மனை மா நொச்சி மீமிசை மாச் சினை,
வினை மாண் இருங்குயில் பயிற்றலும் பயிற்றும்;
உரம் புரி உள்ளமொடு சுரம் பல நீந்திச்,
செய் பொருட்கு அகன்றனர் ஆயினும் பொய்யலர்,
வருவர், வாழி தோழி! புறவின்
பொன் வீக் கொன்றையொடு பிடவுத் தளை அவிழ,
இன்னிசை வானம் இரங்கும்; அவர்
வருதும் என்ற பருவமோ இதுவே.
Opening with ‘இடூஉ ஊங்கண் இனிய படூஉம்’, which means ‘where the eye falls, there appears goodness’, the verse begins on a note of positivity. We glance at the ‘நெடுஞ்சுவர்ப் பல்லி’ meaning ‘lizard on the long wall’, a common sight in Indian homes even today. ‘மனை மா நொச்சி’ or ‘chaste tree at home’ talks about a tree nurtured in Sangam households. There is the ‘இருங்குயில்’ or ‘black cuckoo’ calling out to us, from a ‘மாச் சினை’ or ‘mango tree branch’. Such pleasing sights indeed! Two descriptors carve out the personality of the male protagonist – one, ‘செய் பொருட்கு அகன்றனர்’ meaning ‘the one who parted away to earn wealth’ and two, ‘பொய்யலர்’ meaning ‘someone who lies not’. As if deciding the chaste tree and mango tree would be too tame for our tastes, the poem delights us with wild trees such as the ‘கொன்றை’ or ‘golden shower tree’ and the ‘பிடவு’ or ‘wild jasmine’. Then, we glimpse at ‘இன்னிசை வானம்’ meaning ‘sweet-sounding skies’ implying the roaring thunder in the rainy season. The verse ends with ‘அவர் வருதும் என்ற பருவமோ இதுவே’ meaning ‘this is the season he said he would return’. Let’s listen in to understand the story from the beginning!
The man and lady had been leading a happy, married life when the man had to part away in search of wealth. Although the lady bid him a sweet farewell, as days passed, she suffered in pining. Seeing her health in ruins, one day, the confidante turns to her and says, “Wherever the eye falls, good things seem to appear. The lizard on the long wall consoles us with its clicking sounds. Above the dark ‘gnochi’ tree at home, extends the branch of the mango tree. Sitting atop this branch, a black koel, which is adept at what it does, repeatedly calls out. With a determined heart, crossing drylands many, the lord has parted away to gather wealth. He is a man of his word. He will return. May you live long, my friend! In the forest, along with the ‘kondrai’ tree with its golden bloom, even the ‘pidavu’ opens out its buds. The skies too resound with the sound of thunder. Isn’t this the season he has marked for his return?” With these words, the confidante consoles the lady with positivity, drawing her message from auspicious omens as well as elements in nature that herald the arrival of the rains.
Now, for the deeper nuances! The fine art of coming to the point without further ado is illustrated by this poem, right at the beginning. The confidante opens her statement saying there is goodness to be seen wherever the eye falls. With that energising start, the confidante then goes on to explain her statement saying that the lizard on the wall seems to convey positive omens about someone’s homecoming. After this, the confidante takes us to the garden in their house and shows us the spreading ‘gnochi’ tree. Then, she points to something above this tree and we find a mango tree’s branch spreading out and as expected, on this bearer of delicious food, sings a cuckoo, echoing with joy. The confidante then mentions about the man who has gone in search of wealth with a gutsy determination through the drylands. The confidante praises him as a man who keeps his word. Why is the confidante bringing this up? Has the man made any promise to the lady?
To reveal the promise, the confidante takes us from their home to the forest, where the ‘kondrai’ and ‘pidavam’ seems to be bursting in full bloom, shedding gold and white on the eyes of those who traverse. If flowers are blooming, there must be some change in the skies and sure enough, the skies above seem to roar with thunder, as if on cue. Pointing to these changes, the confidante says the rainy season is here. This is the season the man had promised to return. So, as heralded by those positive omens and as true to his stellar character, the man is bound to return to you, the confidante assures her friend. Although it’s quite possible to view the imminent rainy season with a negative eye as the man is still not back, the confidante chooses to place her trust in the blessings of nature and in the character of the man. The lady indeed is lucky to have this friend who looks at the world with such a hope-filled gaze!
Beautiful 💛💛