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In this episode, we observe a man’s masterplan to hurry home to his beloved, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Kurunthogai 189, penned by Madurai Eelathu Poothanthevanaar. The verse is situated in the drylands of ‘Paalai’ and speaks in the voice of the man to his charioteer, passing on a subtle message to his wife, listening nearby.
இன்றே சென்று வருதும்; நாளைக்
குன்று இழி அருவியின் வெண் தேர் முடுக,
இளம் பிறை அன்ன விளங்கு சுடர் நேமி
விசும்பு வீழ் கொள்ளியின் பைம் பயிர் துமிப்ப,
கால் இயல் செலவின், மாலை எய்தி,
சில் நிரை வால் வளைக் குறுமகள்
பல் மாண் ஆகம் மணந்து உவக்குவமே.
‘Flashes of white’ fill this verse. The opening words ‘இன்றே சென்று வருதும் நாளை’ meaning ‘going today and returning tomorrow’ sketches the itinerary of the speaker. In ‘குன்று இழி அருவி’ meaning ‘waterfall rushing down the mountain’ and ‘வெண் தேர்’ meaning ‘white chariot’, we catch the first glimpses of the colour white. Next, in ‘இளம் பிறை’ meaning ‘young moon’ and ‘விளங்கு சுடர் நேமி’ meaning ‘glowing chariot wheels’, further instances of that all-encompassing colour is visible. The phrase ‘விசும்பு வீழ் கொள்ளி’ meaning ‘a firebrand falling from the sky’ fascinates us, making us wonder if it refers to a meteor, a shooting star or lightning! A one-line portrait of the lady appears in ‘சில் நிரை வால் வளைக் குறுமகள்’ meaning ‘the young lady who wears but few rows of white bangles’ and renders yet another reference to the colour white. Ending with the words ‘ஆகம் மணந்து உவக்குவமே’ meaning ‘be filled with joy, embracing her chest’, the verse welcomes us within.
Cascades and crescent moons are called upon to express something deep in the man’s heart. The context reveals that the man and lady were leading a happy, married life when one day, the king assigned a task to the man. On hearing of this assignment, while his wife was listening nearby, the man turns to his charioteer and says, “I shall leave today and return tomorrow. Ride the white chariot, akin to a cascade that streaks down from a mountain top. Let the glowing wheels of the chariot, akin to the crescent moon, slash through green crops, like the fall of a fire from the sky. Let us ride like the wind. Then, when evening comes, I shall rejoice by embracing the esteemed chest of the young girl, who wears few rows of shining white bangles!” With these words, the man assures the lady, who worries about the imminent separation, that he will be gone only a little while and would rush back to her, before the next evening arrived.
Time to explore the nuances. Even as he begins, the man says he will be gone today and back tomorrow, perhaps the ancient way of saying, ‘be back in a flash’. Next, he characterises the nature of his ride thither and back by telling his charioteer to steer the white chariot as if it were a waterfall gushing downwards from a peak. White chariot – could be carved out of ivory? Returning, we find the man now focusing on the wheels of this chariot and compares it to crescent moons and just like how a falling fire from the sky will destroy growing crops, he intends for his wheels to slash through them. Now, this falling fire most probably means lightning for it is the more common danger to growing crops, more than a meteor, which tend to be rather rare. The man continues saying that they must rush like the wind. All this because when it’s evening again, he can be in the sweet embrace of his young girl, decked with few rows of white bangles, possibly made from conch shells, an important industry in the Sangam period. Why only a few rows though? When pining attacks the lady, how can all the rows of bangles she wears bear that assault, be it even for a single day of separation.
So inseparable these Sangam couple seem to have been. For a day’s separation, so much worry and assurance can be seen! In that rushing back home, the man seemed to care not for anything in his way, for he says let even the crops perish because I have to be back with my lady soon. That felt a little unthoughtful on the part of the man. But we should see that his intention was to assure his lady love that nothing at all was more important to him than being back with her as soon as he could. Hearing this subtle declaration of love, the lady would probably bid farewell with a positive heart and wait patiently for his return. At the core, there’s kindness and thoughtfulness towards a beloved and no matter how many other things may seem strange, that is something to be cherished forever!
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