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In this episode, we listen to words of persuasion, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 259, penned by Kayamanaar. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’, the verse reveals the role of a confidante in directing the love life of the lady.
வேலும் விளங்கின; இளையரும் இயன்றனர்;
தாரும் தையின; தழையும் தொடுத்தன;
நிலம் நீர் அற்ற வெம்மை நீங்கப்
பெயல் நீர் தலைஇ, உலவை இலை நீத்துக்
குறு முறி ஈன்றன, மரனே; நறு மலர்
வேய்ந்தன போலத் தோன்றி, பல உடன்
தேம் படப் பொதுளின பொழிலே; கானமும்,
நனி நன்று ஆகிய பனி நீங்கு வழி நாள்,
பால் எனப் பரத்தரும் நிலவின் மாலைப்
போது வந்தன்று, தூதே; நீயும்
கலங்கா மனத்தை ஆகி, என் சொல்
நயந்தனை கொண்மோ நெஞ்சு அமர் தகுவி!
தெற்றி உலறினும், வயலை வாடினும்,
நொச்சி மென் சினை வணர் குரல் சாயினும்,
நின்னினும் மடவள் நனி நின் நயந்த
அன்னை அல்லல் தாங்கி, நின் ஐயர்
புலி மருள் செம்மல் நோக்கி,
வலியாய் இன்னும்; தோய்கம், நின் முலையே!
In this trip to the drylands, it’s all about the changes around, as we listen to the confidante say these words to the lady, at a time when the lady is confined to the house and prevented from trysting with the man:
“Spears are glowing; Helpers are making preparations to part; Garlands are being tied; Leaf adornments are being stringed; For the land to be rid of its arid heat, bereft of water, rains have poured down, and shedding the dried-up leaves, trees have yielded tender sprouts; Many fragrant flowers have appeared, akin to decorations, brimming over with honey in the groves; The forest has turned exquisite as cold days have receded. In this evening hour, when the moon spreads on the sky like milk, came a message; Letting go of your confusions, you must heed my words with love, O maiden who resides in my heart! Even if the flower bushes on the raised front yard withers, even if the vayalai vines dry up, even if the bent sprouts on the gentle branches of the chaste tree fade, the one who is even more innocent than you, your mother will bear with that sorrow. As for your brothers with their tiger-like proud stance, they will handle it all. So, find the courage and leave. Let me embrace your bosom before you part!”
Let’s listen to these passionate words from a friend! The confidante starts by talking about how the man is making preparations to leave, with spears shining, workers buzzing about, tying garlands and other leaf adornments. Is this going to be a song about the man’s parting away? Let’s find out! The confidante then mentions about how the harshness of summer was routed by the rains, and then tender sprouts and fragrant flowers have bloomed. Then came the cold season and that too parted away. She goes on to mention about how a messenger had come in the evening hour, and she bids her friend to not reel in confusion but listen and do as she says. Then she offers strength to the lady asking her not to worry about her innocent mother, for mother will somehow bear with the loss, even if the shrubs and vines on the front yard becomes parched with the lady’s parting. The confidante also promises that the lady’s brothers would manage the loss for they are known to have a proud stance. She concludes by asking her friend to embolden herself and leave with the man, after embracing her one last time!
As we can clearly see this is a song on elopement, with the man realising that his love relationship with the lady cannot go on, owing to the hostility of the lady’s kin, and the realisation that the only path forward was eloping with the lady. To this end, he approaches the confidante and the good friend agrees to his plan and persuades the lady to take the next bold step in her life. A verse that seems to echo the timeless truth that the words of a friend have great power in changing a person’s life!
