Aganaanooru 146 – The buffalo returns

In this episode, we perceive a pointed refusal to entertain a request, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 146, penned by Uvarkannoor Pullankeeranaar. The verse is situated amidst the ponds and fields of the ‘Marutham’ or ‘Farmlands landscape’ and paints a portrait of rivalry in a rich town. வலி மிகு முன்பின் அண்ணல் ஏஎறுபனி மலர்ப் பொய்கைப் பகல் செல மறுகி,மடக் கண் எருமை மாண் நாகு தழீஇ,படப்பை நண்ணி பழனத்து அல்கும்கலி மகிழ் ஊரன் ஒலி மணி நெடுந் தேர்,ஒள் இழை மகளிர் சேரி, பல் நாள்இயங்கல் ஆனாதுஆயின்; வயங்கிழையார்கொல் அளியள்தானே எம் போல்மாயப் பரத்தன் வாய்மொழி நம்பி,வளி பொரத் துயல்வரும் தளி பொழி மலரின்கண்பனி ஆகத்து உறைப்ப, கண் பசந்து,ஆயமும் அயலும் மருள,தாய் ஓம்பு ஆய்நலம் வேண்டாதோளே? In this quick little trip to this lush landscape, we get to hear these words said by the lady to the bard, who has come as a messenger from the man, to resolve the lady’s ire over the man’s relationship with courtesans and help him re-enter his home: “The esteemed male buffalo, brimming with strength and sturdiness, wallows all day in the pond with dew-covered flowers, embraces a beautiful young female buffalo with naive eyes, and then approaches the village to stay in a field within the ecstatic town of the lord. As the sound of his tall chariot bells wasn’t heard for many days in the neighbourhood of women wearing radiant jewels, like me, believing that the words of that false philanderer was the truth, akin to a rain-soaked flower, swaying in the breeze, with tears moistening her chest, having eyes filled with pallor, worrying her friends and neighbours, she loses that fine beauty, nurtured by her mother. Whoever that maiden, wearing shining ornaments, may be, isn’t she to be pitied?” Let’s track that prosperous buffalo and learn more! The lady starts by describing the man’s town and do that, the familiar face of a male buffalo is etched by her. This buffalo, honoured with epithets, such as strong, sturdy and esteemed, is first seen playing about in the pond of flowers, then embracing a young female buffalo, and after all its exertions, heading to the village fields. Such a loaded description must have other meanings, for sure! Before we get to that, let’s turn back to the lady, who continues by saying the man’s chariot had not visited the community of courtesans for quite some time, and because of this, there was a young maiden, shedding tears like a rain-coated flower in a breeze, and then to the worry of all, who were near and dear to her, she seemed to be losing that fine beauty of hers. The lady concludes by saying that the poor girl deserves all their pity! In a nutshell, the answer to the bard’s question as to whether the man can come back to the house is a strict ‘no’. The lady seems to be telling the bard, ‘Go take the man to those courtesans, who are pining for him, thinking his words are so true, like I once did’. In that scene of the buffalo, the lady places an obvious metaphor for how her man seemed to be enjoying his days in the company of courtesans, seeking pleasures, and finally at night, he wants so dutifully return to his post at his home. The lady seems to put her foot down and say, ‘I’m not letting this happen. Let him go fool someone else’. Apart from these regular tussles in this land of plenty, the thing that always amuses me is how these Sangam folks had no qualms seeing their lord and leader as a buffalo!