Episodios

  • Aganaanooru 228 – Play by day and part by night

    Aganaanooru 228 – Play by day and part by night
    Apr 11 2026

    In this episode, we listen to words of hidden persuasion, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 228, penned by Andar Magan Kuravazhuthiyaar. The verse is situated amidst the blooming blue lilies of the ‘Kurinji’ or ‘Mountain landscape’ and presents scenes from nature having a cultural significance.

    பிரசப் பல் கிளை ஆர்ப்ப, கல்லென
    வரை இழி அருவி ஆரம் தீண்டித்
    தண் என நனைக்கும் நளிர் மலைச் சிலம்பில்,
    கண் என மலர்ந்த மா இதழ்க் குவளைக்
    கல் முகை நெடுஞ் சுனை நம்மொடு ஆடி,
    பகலே இனிது உடன் கழிப்பி, இரவே
    செல்வர்ஆயினும், நன்றுமன் தில்ல
    வான்கண் விரிந்த பகல் மருள் நிலவின்
    சூரல் மிளைஇய சாரல் ஆர் ஆற்று,
    ஓங்கல் மிசைய வேங்கை ஒள் வீப்
    புலிப் பொறி கடுப்பத் தோன்றலின், கய வாய்
    இரும் பிடி இரியும் சோலைப்
    பெருங் கல் யாணர்த் தம் சிறுகுடியானே.

    In this short little trip to the mountains, we gaze at picturesque sights, as we listen to the confidante say these words to the lady, when they are waiting for the man to arrive for his nightly tryst with the lady, pretending not to notice the man listening nearby, but making sure he’s in earshot:

    “Making swarms of bees resound, with an uproar, the cascade descends down the mountains, caressing the sandalwood tree in its path, and soaking it with moisture, in the fertile mountain slopes, where akin to eyes, bloom the huge-petaled blue lilies. In the wide spring amidst the rocky clefts herein, if he can play with you, pass the day together with much joy, and then leave by night, when the moon spreads on the sky, brightening it like the day, walking on those paths through the slopes, filled with jujube brushes, to his prosperous little hamlet, amidst the tall hills, where a dark female elephant with a huge mouth, mistakes the bright flowers of the Kino tree soaring amidst the boulders, for the stripes of a tiger and scuttles away in fear, that would a good thing!”

    Let’s soak in the gushing waterfall and learn more! The confidante starts by talking about how the cascade comes pouncing down the mountain, scattering swarms of bees, and soaking a sandalwood tree standing in its path. A moment to imagine the scent of the waters gushing in this manner! Then, the confidante continues portraying how the cascade falls down and pools into a spring, where blue-lilies are blooming in abundance. It’s this spot that’s perfect for the man to meet the lady by day, relish her sweet company, and then leave to his town by night, says the confidante. She concludes by characterising the man’s mountain village as a place, where a female elephant looks at the golden flowers of the Kino tree, mistakes it for a tiger, and runs away scared.

    Looking at the words of the verse, it seems like a harmless request to change the tryst from night to day. However, by placing the image of the brightly blooming Kino flowers, the confidante subtly hints that it’s the season of weddings, and instead of choosing the temporary path of trysting, the man must take steps to claim the lady’s hand in marriage. Hope the ‘decrypter’ is functioning right in the man’s head to decipher this cryptic message, seeking a change in action. A moment to appreciate the significance a simple flower’s blooming has in the life of a Sangam maiden, talking about a time when nature and culture were fused as one!
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    4 m
  • Aganaanooru 227 – A wish for his welfare

    Aganaanooru 227 – A wish for his welfare
    Apr 10 2026
    In this episode, we perceive a wish for the welfare of another, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 227, penned by Nakirar. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’, the verse sketches scenes from nature and history. ‘நுதல் பசந்தன்றே; தோள் சாயினவே;திதலை அல்குல் வரியும் வாடின;என் ஆகுவள்கொல் இவள்?’ என, பல் மாண்நீர் மலி கண்ணொடு நெடிது நினைந்து ஒற்றி,இனையல் வாழி, தோழி! நனை கவுள்காய் சினம் சிறந்த வாய் புகு கடாத்தொடுமுன் நிலை பொறாஅது முரணி, பொன் இணர்ப்புலிக் கேழ் வேங்கைப் பூஞ் சினை புலம்ப,முதல் பாய்ந்திட்ட முழு வலி ஒருத்தல்செந் நிலப் படு நீறு ஆடி, செரு மலைந்து,களம் கொள் மள்ளரின் முழங்கும் அத்தம்பல இறந்து அகன்றனர் ஆயினும், நிலைஇ,நோய் இலராக, நம் காதலர்! வாய் வாள்,தமிழ் அகப்படுத்த இமிழ் இசை முரசின்,வருநர் வரையாப் பெரு நாள் இருக்கை,தூங்கல் பாடிய ஓங்கு பெரு நல் இசைப்பிடி மிதி வழுதுணைப் பெரும் பெயர்த் தழும்பன்கடி மதில் வரைப்பின் ஊணூர் உம்பர்,விழு நிதி துஞ்சும் வீறு பெறு திரு நகர்,இருங் கழிப் படப்பை மருங்கூர்ப் பட்டினத்து,எல் உமிழ் ஆவணத்து அன்ன,கல்லென் கம்பலை செய்து அகன்றோரே! In this trip to the drylands, we journey on to some prosperous towns as well, as we get to hear the lady say these words to her confidante, when the man continues to remain away, having parted in search of wealth. “Saying, ‘Her forehead is coated with pallor; Her arms are thinning away; The fine lines on her loins, covered in beauty spots, have faded; What will become of her?’, with your eyes brimming over with tears, do not think a lot and worry on my behalf. May you live long, my friend! Having moist cheeks, and raging fury, with musth fluid entering its mouth, unable to bear the sight in front, with enmity, a strong male elephant pounces on the trunk of the Kino tree, with golden flowers, in the hue of a tiger. Depriving the tree of its flowers and leaving it desolate, the elephant then rolls in the mud of the red earth beneath and quenches its rage. Rising from there, akin to the shout of warriors, when they claim victory on a battlefield, the elephant roars in the drylands. Though that lover of mine has parted away, crossing many such drylands’ paths, may he remain well and without affliction! Wielding an honest sword, and having a roaring drum that has subdued all of Tamil land, showering limitlessly on supplicants in his great court, lives the famous king, having the celebrated name of ‘Thazhumban’, sung about by Poet Thoongal, having a scar in the shape of an eggplant, since he was stamped by a female elephant. He rules over the prosperous town of ‘Oonoor’, protected by soaring fort walls. Beyond his town, in Marungoor, filled with great, unshakeable wealth, adorned with proud and affluent mansions, and having huge backwaters and orchards, the marketplaces shine with radiant light and resound with noise. Akin to that uproar, he has caused slander to soar in town and parted away! Even so, may he journey on without any distress!” Time to brave the dangerous paths of this domain! The lady starts by acknowledging the worry in her confidante, about her lustreless forehead, thinning arms and fading beauty. She asks the confidante not to worry so much, with tear filled eyes, about her own state. Then she goes on to describe the drylands, where the man treads now, zooming on to a raging male elephant in musth, and the way it’s taking out its anger, not on a real enemy, like a tiger, but on a Kino tree, just because it has flowers in the hue of its arch rival! After dashing against the poor tree, and making its flowers shed, the elephant then rolls in glee in the red earth and roars aloud, sounding like those blood-splattered warriors, when they claim victory in the battlefront. From here, the lady takes us to the town of Oonoor, surrounded ...
    Más Menos
    7 m
  • Aganaanooru 226 – The sound of slander

    Aganaanooru 226 – The sound of slander
    Apr 9 2026
    In this episode, we listen to a firm refusal, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 226, penned by Paranar. The verse is situated in the fertile fields of the ‘Marutham’ or ‘Farmlands landscape’ and portrays a historical moment from the era. உணர்குவென் அல்லென்; உரையல் நின் மாயம்;நாண் இலை மன்ற யாணர் ஊர!அகலுள் ஆங்கண், அம் பகை மடிவை,குறுந் தொடி மகளிர் குரூஉப் புனல் முனையின்,பழனப் பைஞ் சாய் கொழுதி, கழனிக்கரந்தை அம் செறுவின் வெண் குருகு ஓப்பும்,வல் வில் எறுழ்த் தோள், பரதவர் கோமான்,பல் வேல் மத்தி, கழாஅர் முன்துறை,நெடு வெண் மருதொடு வஞ்சி சாஅய,விடியல் வந்த பெரு நீர்க் காவிரி,தொடி அணி முன்கை நீ வெய்யோளொடுமுன் நாள் ஆடிய கவ்வை, இந் நாள்,வலி மிகும் முன்பின் பாணனொடு, மலி தார்த்தித்தன் வெளியன் உறந்தை நாள் அவைப்பாடு இன் தெண் கிணைப் பாடு கேட்டு அஞ்சி,போர் அடு தானைக் கட்டிபொராஅது ஓடிய ஆர்ப்பினும் பெரிதே. In this trip to the farmlands, we venture to the source of the town’s fertility, the river shore, as we listen to the lady’s confidante say these words to the man, when he seeks entry into the lady’s house, after leaving to be in the company of a courtesan: “I shall not accept it as truth! Speak not your words of trickery; You don’t have any shame, O lord of the prosperous town! In wide spaces therein, clad in leaf garments with contrasting patterns, maiden wearing small bangles, after they tire of playing in the gushing streams, take to plucking new reeds from ponds, and chasing white birds from picturesque fields, filled with globe thistles, in the river shore of Kazhaar, ruled by the many-speared ‘Maththi’, the king of the fisherfolk, having strong shoulders bearing a sturdy bow, where in the early hours of dawn, the new flood of Kaveri gushes, felling the tall, white Arjuna tree, along with the Portia tree. Here, along with that maiden you desire, wearing bangles on her forearm, you had been frolicking yesterday. The slander that arose today owing to that, is resounding louder than the uproar heard, when along with Paanan, having skilful strength, Katti, who had come with a huge army to attack Uranthai, ruled by the garland-clad Thiththan Veliyan, upon hearing the sweet music of the clear ‘Kinai’ drums from the king’s assembly, fearfully abandoned his mission and ran away!” Let’s listen to the familiar beats of a love quarrel in this land of plenty! The confidante comes straight to the point and refuses to accept the man’s words, calling them as lies and declaring that the man was shameless. When we ask her the reason for this emphatic statement, she launches into a description of the town of Kazhaar, ruled by the great Maththi, renowned for his spears, called as the ‘King of fishermen’, and apparently one who had strong shoulders to bear bows. The chap seems to be handling both spears and arrows, a multi-faceted warrior, seems like! Anyway, returning to the river shore of Kazhaar, here we find young maiden, wearing stylish leaf garments in striking designs and playing in the stream. After a while, tired of the exertion, they walk on to the ponds, where reeds are blooming, pluck those, and then run about chasing the white birds from the fertile fields, which not only have crops, but also colourful globe thistles growing therein. After laying out a day in the life of these carefree maiden, the confidante talks about how in these very river shores of Kazhaar, the river Kaveri had gushed with much force, felling two great trees in its stride, and it was right here, where the man had been having fun with another maiden he desired, a day previous. And because of that, continues the confidante, a booming slander had risen in town, which was louder than the uproar that erupted at the moment, when a ruler named Katti, having come with another ruler named Paanan to attack the town of ‘Uranthai’, ruled by Thiththan Veliyan, just after hearing the sound of Thiththan’s Kinai drums, abandoned his idea and ran away from Uranthai! Why would an attacking ruler abandon his mission just after hearing drum beats of the enemy king? A curious story, no doubt told to ...
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    6 m
  • Aganaanooru 225 – On today and tomorrow

    Aganaanooru 225 – On today and tomorrow
    Apr 8 2026
    In this episode, we perceive a dilemma unfolding, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 225, penned by Eyinanthai Makanaar Ilankeeranaar. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’, the verse sketches the elements of this domain with intricate similes. அன்பும், மடனும், சாயலும், இயல்பும்,என்பு நெகிழ்க்கும் கிளவியும், பிறவும்,ஒன்றுபடு கொள்கையொடு ஓராங்கு முயங்கி,இன்றே இவணம் ஆகி, நாளை,புதல் இவர் ஆடு அமை, தும்பி குயின்றஅகலா அம் துளை, கோடை முகத்தலின்,நீர்க்கு இயங்கு இன நிரைப் பின்றை வார் கோல்ஆய்க் குழல் பாணியின் ஐது வந்து இசைக்கும்,தேக்கு அமல் சோலைக் கடறு ஓங்கு அருஞ் சுரத்து,யாத்த தூணித் தலை திறந்தவைபோல்,பூத்த இருப்பைக் குழை பொதி குவி இணர்கழல் துளை முத்தின் செந் நிலத்து உதிர,மழை துளி மறந்த அம் குடிச் சீறூர்ச்சேக்குவம் கொலோ நெஞ்சே! பூப் புனைபுயல் என ஒலிவரும் தாழ் இருங் கூந்தல்,செறி தொடி முன்கை, நம் காதலிஅறிவு அஞர் நோக்கமும் புலவியும் நினைந்தே? In this trip to the drylands, we get to see some striking images, as we listen to the man say these words to his heart, when it has been nudging him to part with the lady and go in search of wealth: “Love, naivety, beauty, goodness, words that could melt the very bones and many other such attributes are all fused as one in her. Today I’m in her embrace right here; But tomorrow, I shall be elsewhere, where upon the swaying bamboos, sprouting amidst the bushes, carpenter bees have drilled narrow and exquisite holes, and through which summer winds rush through, sounding like the music of those melodious flutes, of cowherds, wielding long rods, and walking behind herds of cattle, in search of water. In that formidable drylands, soaring with forests, full of teak trees, Mahua trees sprout with branch ends, appearing like an opened-out quiver full with arrows, and have fully bloomed clusters of rounded Mahua flowers, which drop down and scatter, appearing like holed pearls on the red earth beneath. In those little hamlets there, which have forgotten the sight of a raindrop, is it possible for us to stay, O heart, as thoughts of her, who has low-hanging tresses, so thick and luxuriant like a raincloud, adorned with flowers; and a forearm decked with tight bangles, and her bewildered looks of suffering and sulking cross our minds?” Let’s walk on through this difficult landscape and extract the essence therein! The man starts by listing the abstract qualities of the lady that endear her to him, talking about her affection, innocence, good looks and noble nature. He adds another nuanced quality, which made me smile, mentioning how her words seemed to have the power to melt his bones. Imagine the tenderness he would feel when he hears those words to make such a statement! Returning, the man says, ‘Today, I’m in the embrace of such exquisiteness, but tomorrow is another story!’ Then he goes on to talk about the place, where he’ll be at the next day, the drylands, and here he first brings before our eyes, bamboos sprouting tall amidst the bushes, and then takes us closer to the said bamboos, and points to little holes, which he explains have been made by carpenter bees. It’s not just sight that he gifts us with, but he asks us to listen intently, and then we hear the sound of summer winds flowing through these holes, and the man equates this music to that of the cowherds’ fine flute. This makes me think the inventor of the flute would most probably have been inspired from one such moment of inhaling the music of the breeze through a drilled bamboo, telling us that the most exquisite art of humans have their roots in nature! Back to the verse once again, we find the man then talking about how in this drylands forest, there are teak trees and also Mahua trees, whose branch ends seem like an opened out quiver full of arrows. Only when I saw an image of a branch of this tree with flower ends, not yet bloomed, I fully comprehended the aptness of this simile. The man doesn’t stop with that one simile, but goes on to talk about how the bloomed flowers of this ...
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    7 m
  • Aganaanooru 224 – Hurry on to her

    Aganaanooru 224 – Hurry on to her
    Apr 7 2026
    In this episode, we listen to an earnest request put forth to another, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 224, penned by Aavoor Moolankizhaar Makanaar Perunthalai Saathanaar. The verse is situated amidst the trotting deer of the ‘Mullai’ or ‘Forest landscape’, and sketches the nuanced elements of a chariot ride. செல்க, பாக! எல்லின்று பொழுதே‘வல்லோன் அடங்கு கயிறு அமைப்ப, கொல்லன்விசைத்து வாங்கு துருத்தியின் வெய்ய உயிரா,கொடு நுகத்து யாத்த தலைய, கடு நடை,கால் கடுப்பு அன்ன கடுஞ் செலல் இவுளி,பால் கடை நுரையின் பரூஉ மிதப்பு அன்ன,வால் வெள் தெவிட்டல் வழி வார் நுணக்கம்சிலம்பி நூலின் நுணங்குவன பாறி,சாந்து புலர் அகலம் மறுப்ப, காண்தக,புது நலம் பெற்ற வெய்து நீங்கு புறவில்,தெறி நடை மரைக் கணம் இரிய, மனையோள்ஐது உணங்கு வல்சி பெய்து முறுக்கு உறுத்ததிரிமரக் குரல் இசை கடுப்ப, வரி மணல்அலங்கு கதிர்த் திகிரி ஆழி போழ,வரும்கொல் தோழி! நம் இன் உயிர்த் துணை’ என,சில் கோல் எல் வளை ஒடுக்கி, பல் கால்அருங் கடி வியல் நகர் நோக்கி,வருந்துமால், அளியள் திருந்திழைதானே. In this trip, we get to see a little of the place and more of the transport, as we listen to the man say these words to his charioteer, when returning home after a mission: “Speed on, O charioteer! The day is ending! Saying, ’The expert rider ties their reining ropes, and akin to bellows that an ironsmith pulls with pressure, sighing hotly, horses, with their heads fastened firmly to the curving yokes, having a fast trot with the speed of the wind, emit from their mouths, shiny, white foam, akin to the froth of floating cream when milk is churned, which then turns into delicate strands, akin to a spider’s webs, and ruins his chest, streaked with dried-up sandalwood, in that picturesque forest, shorn of all its heat and resplendent with a new beauty. Making the leaping deer herd there scatter away startled, round spokes of the wheel split the lined earth, resounding like the music that arises, when a woman of the house pours well-dried rice and grinds it firmly in the mortar. In this manner, will that sweet life companion of mine return today, my friend?’, that maiden wearing well-etched ornaments, would push away her rounded, shining bangles, and gaze many times from the well-protected, wide mansion. That pitiable maiden would be filled with worry and so we should rush on, O charioteer!” Let’s hop along on this ancient chariot and hear the trot of the man’s heartbeat! The man starts with a firm instruction to his driver, asking the chap to press on the accelerator, meaning to hasten the horses. Why because the day is nearing its end! Then, the man goes on to repeat the words of another, without revealing who that is! This person imagines how this same charioteer would have tied the horses well, and as he rides them, those horses would give out a hot sigh, like an ironsmith’s bellows, and run so fast, making foam gather around their mouths, appear like the froth that rises in the churning of milk. Considering the speed with which the horses are rushing, that foam would not stay put, but would become delicate threads, looking like spider’s webs. And these would fall on the sandalwood-streaked chest of who else, but the lord, and run it. Wonder who that person is, who is so bothered about the man’s chest! Returning, the person continues by saying all this is happening in a beautiful forest, which doesn’t seem to know the meaning of heat, implying that the rains have just poured, and blessed it with a radiant beauty. That person then transfers the gaze from the horses to the chariot and talks about how its speed would frighten the deer there, and how the wheels would move on the earth, echoing with the sound that comes when a woman of the house grinds dried rice in a mortar. Saying all this, that person turns to her friend and asks whether in this way, her man would return home that day. No prizes for guessing who the speaker is! None other than the lady of course. The interesting thing is that the man is ...
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    8 m
  • Aganaanooru 223 – Flaming forest and blazing beauty

    Aganaanooru 223 – Flaming forest and blazing beauty
    Apr 6 2026
    In this episode, we listen to words of assurance, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 223, penned by Paalai Paadiya Perunkadunko. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’, the verse illustrates both the fierce nature of this domain and the gentle beauty of the lady. ‘பிரிதல் வல்லியர், இது, நத் துறந்தோர்மறந்தும் அமைகுவர்கொல்?’ என்று எண்ணி,ஆழல் வாழி, தோழி! கேழல்வளை மருப்பு உறழும் முளை நெடும் பெருங் காய்நனை முதிர் முருக்கின் சினை சேர் பெருங்கல்,காய் சினக் கடு வளி எடுத்தலின், வெங் காட்டுஅழல் பொழி யானையின் ஐயெனத் தோன்றும்நிழல் இல் ஓமை நீர் இல் நீள் இடை,இறந்தனர்ஆயினும், காதலர் நம்வயின்மறந்து கண்படுதல் யாவது புறம் தாழ்அம் பணை நெடுந் தோள் தங்கி, தும்பிஅரியினம் கடுக்கும் சுரி வணர் ஐம்பால்நுண் கேழ் அடங்க வாரி, பையுள் கெட,நன் முகை அதிரல் போதொடு, குவளைத்தண் நறுங் கமழ் தொடை வேய்ந்த, நின்மண் ஆர் கூந்தல் மரீஇய துயிலே? In this trip to the drylands, we get to see some striking images, as we listen to the confidante say these words to the lady, when the man continues to remain parted away, having left in search of wealth: “Thinking ‘He seems to be capable of parting away from me; Would the one, who has forsaken me so, also be capable of remaining there, forgetting me?’, cry not, my friend! May you live long! As the coral tree, having long and huge petals, akin to the curved horns of a male boar, extends its branch upon a huge boulder nearby, in the midst of hot winds that blow fast, it appears strikingly as if an elephant is surrounded by flames in a dry scrub jungle, in those waterless long paths, filled with shadeless toothbrush trees. Even though that lover of yours has left to such a place, how will his eyes close? Your tresses hang low on your back, having curly, five-part braids that appear akin to a swarm of bees, in a fine, rich hue, neatly oiled and combed, and ending all sorrow, tied with fine buds of wild jasmine with pollen, along with cool and fragrant flowers of blue-lily woven together, and are adorned with fragrant pastes! Indeed, how can he forget that sleep he relished on your beautiful, bamboo-like arms, resting on these tresses of yours?” Time to brave the hot winds of the drylands and explore on! The confidante starts by repeating what’s going on in the lady’s mind, talking about how she’s thinking, ‘It was unthinkable earlier that he would leave me and part away, but he seems to have done that easily. In the same way, would he also forget about me and remain there?’. Logical question, of course! But the confidante answers this question in a different way. First she acknowledges the reality that the man has indeed left to the drylands, and she sketches this place vividly, pointing to how a coral tree branch with its red, claw-like petals, which resemble a boar’s curving horns, extending upon a rock, and shaking in the hot wind, appears as if an elephant is on fire in the searing, dry atmosphere of the place. With that image and describing the drylands as shadeless and waterless, having only toothbrush trees, the confidante paints a dreary image of where the man is at. From there, she zooms on to the beauty of the lady’s tresses, highlighting how it’s long, black, thick and curly, like a swarm of bees. This simile and description brings to mind the unique hair texture of many modern Africans. Could this line possibly point to genetic similarities between people of the Sangam era with prehistoric migrant populations from Africa? Science will validate in the future, no doubt! Returning, the confidante has been going on about the lady’s five-part braids and tresses coated with many fragrant pastes only to conclude by saying, ‘How is it humanly possibly for the man to forget the sleep he enjoyed on your arms, caressing your tresses, and remain in that forsaken place faraway?’. An effective technique of contrasting the dreariness of the drylands and the heavenliness of the lady’s beauty, to assure the lady that the man will indeed return to her. What a boost to the sinking morale of the lady to be reminded of her power to pull back the man, ...
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    6 m
  • Aganaanooru 222 – The fame of finding

    Aganaanooru 222 – The fame of finding
    Apr 5 2026

    In this episode, we perceive a subtle technique of persuasion, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 222, penned by Paranar. The verse is situated amidst the soaring peaks of the ‘Kurinji’ or ‘Mountain landscape’ and narrates a much talked about story from the Sangam times.

    வான் உற நிவந்த நீல் நிறப் பெரு மலைக்
    கான நாடன் உறீஇய நோய்க்கு, உன்
    மேனி ஆய் நலம் தொலைதலின், மொழிவென்;
    முழவு முகம் புலராக் கலி கொள் ஆங்கண்,
    கழாஅர்ப் பெருந் துறை விழவின் ஆடும்,
    ஈட்டு எழில் பொலிந்த ஏந்து குவவு மொய்ம்பின்,
    ஆட்டன் அத்தி நலன் நயந்து உரைஇ,
    தாழ் இருங் கதுப்பின் காவிரி வவ்வலின்,
    மாதிரம் துழைஇ, மதி மருண்டு அலந்த
    ஆதிமந்தி காதலற் காட்டி,
    படு கடல் புக்க பாடல்சால் சிறப்பின்
    மருதி அன்ன மாண் புகழ் பெறீஇயர்,
    சென்மோ வாழி, தோழி! பல் நாள்,
    உரவு உரும் ஏறொடு மயங்கி,
    இரவுப் பெயல் பொழிந்த ஈர்ந் தண் ஆறே.

    In this mountain trek, we take a long detour to the shores of another riverine town, as we listen to the confidante say these words to the lady, noticing the man listening nearby, pretending not to see him, but making sure he’s in earshot:

    “The lord of the huge mountains, in blue hue, soaring to the skies, and brimming with forests, has rendered unto you, this affliction, which has made the fine beauty of your form fade away. That’s why I’m saying this! In that place filled with much joy, where the skin of the drums dry not, in the huge shore of Kazhaar, when dancing in the festivities, seeing the beauty of Aattan Aththi, whose upright shoulders shone with much splendour, desiring him, River Kaveri with her low-hanging tresses, took him away. Searching for him in all the directions, much confused, roved Aathi Manthi. Showing to her, where her lover was, Maruthi then stepped into the roaring ocean herself and gained the fame of being sung about. Akin to this Maruthi, let me attain great fame! Come let’s go, my friend, may you live long, and search, treading upon this cool and moist path, where the night rains have poured, fused together with roaring thunder, for many days now!”

    Let’s scale this hill and learn more! The confidante describes the man’s domain as the blue mountains, with high peaks and dense forests. That’s all the good the confidante has to say about the man and turns to focus on how he has left the lady in a love affliction of pining for him and losing her health. Then, the confidante narrates a story about a handsome male dancer named ‘Aattan Aththi’ and how enamoured by his handsome shoulders, the River Kaveri had snatched him, when he was dancing on the shores of Kazhaar. His wife, ‘Aathi Manthi’, went around searching for her lover in all the directions, asking everyone, in a much confused state. At that time, a lady named Maruthi showed Aathi Manthi, where her husband was, and for some reason, she jumped into the ocean and gave up her life. Can’t imagine why she should do that? Did she die in some sort of rescue mission? Anyway, whatever the context, this supposedly endowed great fame on this Maruthi, describes the confidante, and connects saying that she too must attain that kind of fame and she concludes by beckoning her friend to join her in the search for the man, treading those slippery mountain paths, upon which the rains have fallen for many a day!

    All this drama is for the benefit of the listening man! To tell him, ‘See how much pain you inflict on the lady with your absence. See what desperate measures we are pushed into, just to find you’ and thereby point out that the man must give up his temporary trysting and seek the lady’s hand in marriage. Hope the man gets the message and relieves the lady’s angst! Yet again I’m amazed by what measures this confidante takes to ensure the well-being of the lady! Don’t you think we should grant the confidante the fame she seeks in this verse, and endow her the title of ‘Epitome of Friendship!’?
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    5 m
  • Aganaanooru 221 – Time to leave

    Aganaanooru 221 – Time to leave
    Apr 4 2026
    In this episode, we listen to a description of the only available course of action, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 221, penned by Kayamanaar. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’, the verse reveals the situation which necessitates elopement in a lady’s life. நனை விளை நறவின் தேறல் மாந்தி,புனை வினை நல் இல் தரு மணல் குவைஇ,‘பொம்மல் ஓதி எம் மகள் மணன்’ என,வதுவை அயர்ந்தனர் நமரே; அதனால்,புதுவது புனைந்த சேயிலை வெள் வேல்,மதி உடம்பட்ட மை அணற் காளைவாங்கு சினை மலிந்த திரள் அரை மராஅத்து,தேம் பாய் மெல் இணர் தளிரொடு கொண்டு, நின்தண் நறு முச்சி புனைய, அவனொடுகழை கவின் போகிய மழை உயர் நனந்தலை,களிற்று இரை பிழைத்தலின், கய வாய் வேங்கைகாய் சினம் சிறந்து, குழுமலின் வெரீஇ,இரும் பிடி இரியும் சோலைஅருஞ் சுரம் சேறல் அயர்ந்தனென், யானே. In this trip to the drylands, we hear the confidante say these words to the lady, urging her to choose the path of elopement: “Relishing well-filtered toddy that blooms from buds, heaping sand brought from elsewhere, in front of the fine and well-etched mansion, declaring, ‘Our daughter, the girl with exquisite tresses, is about to be married’, our kin are making preparations for your wedding; And so, the bull-like, bearded young man, holding a newly sculpted leaf-edged white spear, sees eye to eye with me on this. He shall pluck soft, honey-soaked flower clusters, along with tender sprouts, from the burflower tree, with a thick trunk, brimming with curving branches, and adorn your cool and fragrant head. Along with him, you should traverse the highland spaces, without rain, where bamboos have lost their beauty, and where a tiger, with a fierce mouth, maddened by the loss of its prey of a male elephant, filled with fury, lashes out with a loud shout, and frightens the elephant’s dark mate in the drylands scrub jungle. This is what I wish for you now!” Time to walk along with this couple through that harsh domain! The confidante starts with an account of what’s happening at home right then and she zooms on to the actions of the lady’s relatives, who are getting into the festive mood by drinking toddy that’s mentioned as blooming from buds. Now, blooming from buds implies that this is honey. Are they fermenting honey into alcohol? Researching on this, I learnt the term for this alcoholic beverage, made from honey, is ‘mead’, and it’s considered to be the ‘great, great, great grand-mother’ of all liquor, and revered in many ancient cultures, be it in China, Greece, Rome or even Scandinavia! Perhaps the ‘theral’ we keep reading about in Sangam literature, is the Tamil equivalent of this ‘mead’! Returning from our revels in toddy, we find the confidante continuing what those relatives of the lady are up to, talking about how they have brought heaps of sand and spread it in front of the mansion and they are going around telling everyone that the their daughter is about to be married. A wedding is a happy occasion, is it not? But not so, for the lady, who loves another, and here, the parents are arranging a wedding with a stranger. So, the confidante had taken things into her hands and has told the man the only way forward was to elope with the lady, and he too had wholeheartedly agreed to the plan. All this, the confidante conveys to the lady and sketches an image of the drylands, which is harsh indeed, where the sounds of a tiger, which has lost its prey of a male elephant makes it bellow aloud in fury, and this startles the female elephant there. The confidante concludes by telling the lady that even so, all she wished for the lady was to leave there, along with the man, whom the confidante promises will adorn the lady’s tresses with the clusters of bur-flowers growing in that very space! And so, the confidante seems to be telling the lady, ‘Even though there’s danger in the drylands, you are in safe hands, and those will shower love and care upon you!’ By presenting both the harsh reality of the situation and positive visualisation of the future, the confidante shows the way to nudge someone in the right direction!
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    6 m