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In this episode, we perceive a unique way of changing the heart of another, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Natrinai 247, penned by Paranar. The verse is situated in the mountain country of ‘Kurinji’ and speaks in the voice of the confidante to the man, conveying a subtle message as he prepares to part away on a mission.
தொன்று படு துப்பொடு முரண் மிகச் சினைஇக்
கொன்ற யானைச் செங் கோடு கழாஅ,
அழி துளி பொழிந்த இன் குரல் எழிலி,
எஃகுறு பஞ்சிற்று ஆகி, வைகறைக்
கோடு உயர் நெடு வரை ஆடும் நாட! நீ
நல்காய்ஆயினும், நயன் இல செய்யினும்,
நின் வழிப்படூஉம் என் தோழி நல் நுதல்
விருந்து இறைகூடிய பசலைக்கு
மருந்து பிறிது இன்மை நன்கு அறிந்தனை சென்மே!
Opening with ‘தொன்று படு’ meaning ‘from ancient times’, the verse makes us smile, as we reflect on the ancientness of the song that says this! The phrase ‘கொன்ற யானைச் செங் கோடு கழாஅ’ which means ‘washing the red tusk of the killer elephant’ implies a fierce battle in the jungle. ‘இன் குரல் எழிலி’, ‘the sweet-voiced cloud’ depicts the attitude of Sangam folks in regarding thunder as a desirable sound. The rhythmic words ‘விருந்து இறைகூடிய பசலைக்கு மருந்து’ talks about ‘the cure for the pallor of pining that has taken abode recently’. Note how the word ‘விருந்து’ which means ‘feast’ in contemporary language refers to ‘something new’ in this ancient reference. The verse ends with ‘நன்கு அறிந்தனை சென்மே’ which means ‘understand this well and then, go’. Let us take the cue and learn more!
The man and lady had been in a love relationship when the man had to leave her on a mission. At a time, when parting was incredibly difficult even for the married, a parting when the relationship had not been formalised was even more wrought with uncertainty and pain. The confidante decides to convey this to the man and so, she says to him, “With a hostility that has roots in the ancient past, with strength and rage, an elephant fights with a tiger and kills it. The red tusk of this elephant is washed by the copious raindrops of the sweet-voiced cloud. After raining down, the clouds at dawn become thin, akin to cotton that has been flattened by steel. These clouds float away to the tall peaks of the mountain ranges in your land, O lord! Behold, the pallor of pining that has appeared anew on the fine forehead of my friend, who bends to your will. Even if you don’t shower your grace, even if you do something inconsiderate, know well that there is no cure for this affliction other than you. And then, you may leave!” With these words, the confidante subtly relays to the man the importance of seeking the lady’s hand in marriage before he parts away on his mission.
Now, for the hidden nuances! The confidante starts by depicting a scene from the mountains. There stands an elephant with a blood-stained tusk, implying that it has just ended a battle by killing an age-old enemy. In Sangam times, they portray the tiger and elephant as arch-enemies whereas current-day studies of animal behaviour tell us these two animals tend to avoid each other. Perhaps, things were different then whereas now, maybe life is hard enough for these animals without getting inside these dangerous fights! Returning to the scene, we see that the scarlet stains on the elephant’s tusk are being washed away by the rains that pour down from those thunderous clouds. After that act, the confidante says, the clouds become like cotton that has been flattened using a steel bow. This simile gives a hint about the cotton weaving industry in Sangam times and specifically talks about the process of carding cotton, which is a technique used to intermix raw cotton of various densities and produce a homogenous thin fibre. In ancient times, this seems to have been achieved using a carders’ bow made of steel. A moment to pay tribute to the technology of those ancient Tamils!
The confidante beckons us back to the poem as she details how these flattened clouds seem to float away and crawl around the tall peaks of the man’s mountain land. Then, she comes to the core of the conversation and says that even if the man doesn’t return to claim the lady’s hand or even if he does some other thoughtless thing, the lady would always remain devoted to the man. For such is her unwavering love that there can be no other cure besides the man for the disease of pining that has taken home on her shining forehead!
Speaking of the lady’s health, the confidante has concealed a metaphor within that scene from the mountain country, for when she talks about the cloud shedding its rain to wash the elephant’s tusk, the confidante means that the lady has surrendered her beauty and health to unite with the man and if he were not to claim her hand in marriage, the lady would waste away like that carded cloud that vanishes in the skies. Within this metaphor, the confidante conveys that there is danger of the lady losing her life and health, if the man does not return, and therefore, guides him to seek the blessings of the lady’s kith and kin and formalise their union, before he leaves away. Without any angry words, without using force, the confidante communicates the situation at hand and thereby, illustrates the art of gentle persuasion!
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