Kurunthogai 48 – Abandoned doll and desired word

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In this episode, we perceive the yearning to allay a friend’s suffering, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Kurunthogai 48, penned by Poonganuthiraiyaar. Set in the drylands of ‘Paalai’, the verse speaks in the voice of the confidante, expressing her angst about the lady’s state of mind.

”தாதின் செய்த தண் பனிப் பாவை
காலை வருந்தும் கையாறு ஓம்பு” என,
ஓரை ஆயம் கூறக் கேட்டும்,
இன்ன பண்பின் இனை பெரிது உழக்கும்
நன்னுதல் பசலை நீங்க, அன்ன
நசை ஆகு பண்பின் ஒரு சொல்
இசையாதுகொல்லோ, காதலர் தமக்கே?

Amidst all the words of this verse, the concept of ‘ஒரு சொல்’ or ‘one word’ rings out aloud! The opening line talks about ‘தாதின் செய்த தண் பனிப் பாவை’ referring to ‘a cool doll made from flower pollen’. That made me look up in surprise! Is that even possible? We, of the twenty-first century, are so used to toys made of artificial materials that this natural play-piece leaves us wondering. Moving on, we glimpse at ‘கையாறு ஓம்பு’ meaning ‘protect and remove its helplessness’. Then, the phrase ‘ஓரை ஆயம்’ talks about ‘playmates who take part in Orai, which is the game we have seen mentioned in many Sangam poems. Phrases like ‘பெரிது உழக்கும்’ meaning ‘suffers greatly’ and ‘நன்னுதல் பசலை’ meaning ‘pallor on the forehead’ establish the theme of pining strongly. The exquisite phrase ‘நசை ஆகு பண்பின் ஒரு சொல்’ describes that something most of us would like to hear, ‘a word that is desired’! Ending with ‘காதலர் தமக்கே’ meaning ‘for the lover himself’, the verse beckons us to listen with empathy.

Pallor of pining and a word desired – Intriguing! The context reveals that the man and lady had been leading a love relationship and that the man had been trysting with the lady by day. Whenever the man was delayed in his tryst, the lady missed his presence and wasted away. One day, perhaps when the man is listening nearby, the confidante says, “Even when her playmates said, ‘That moist, cool doll made of flower pollen is worried all alone in the morning. Slay its suffering and protect it’, she kept to the same behaviour and languished greatly. To remove the pallor from her fine forehead, can’t that lover of hers render her that one word she desires to hear?” With these words, the confidante conveys how much the lady is in pain and also, the only way to slay that pain!

What do dolls made of pollen have to do with a yearning lady? Let’s understand that by following the confidante’s words closely. This friend remarks about a scene that happened at their home, involving the lady and her ‘Orai’ playmates. These girls seem to have come to the lady and pointed out how her ‘pollen doll’ is fading away uncared for, in the morning, and they seemed to have nudged her to do what it takes to protect that little one. Time to pause and consider this scene. It’s times like this that makes me wonder if I should use the term ‘lady’ for the female protagonist, for she seems like a little girl, still playing with dolls! However, I have decided no matter what girlish traits she displays, ‘lady’ is the term we’ll use to refer to her. This reminds me of something that happens during play. If a child stumbles and falls down, to distract the child, an adult would hit the floor, as if to admonish it, for making the child fall. Here, seeing the lady in a sad mood, the lady’s young playmates seem to be turning her attention to the abandoned doll and asking her to take care of it. As if the lady had suddenly matured from being a girl, she seemed to take no more interest in that pollen doll and remained in her state of misery, the confidante adds.

So, what would make the lady feel better if not playing with her mates? The confidante gives the crisp answer that all it takes to remove the pallor from the lady’s fine forehead and end her suffering is a single word from her love. ‘Why doesn’t he give her that’, is the final question the confidante puts forth! This raises a question about what that single word could be. The answer to that question is the single-worded promise from the man that he would seek marriage. If the man happens to be listening to this lament, he would no doubt be pushed to allay the lady’s pain. Reflecting on the verse, first, I wish to delight in imagining a doll made of pollen from different flowers, which may not survive for long, but wouldn’t it be such a thing of delight for young children? Perhaps, the imagination of some florist would be kindled to go beyond the usual bouquets for events and lovers, and instead, make these creations that bring joy to little children. Moving on to the core of the verse, the understanding in the confidante that it’s not empty distraction that her friend needs but a permanent solution is something that each of us can apply to the various worries of our lives. A question to ask ourselves would be: Is this action I’m about to take, a distraction or a solution?