Aganaanooru 171 – On bears and bearing

In this episode, we observe an attempt at allaying anxiety, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 171, penned by Kallaadanaar. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’, the verse sketches vivid elements of life and wildlife in this domain. ”நுதலும் நுண் பசப்பு இவரும்; தோளும்அகல் மலை இறும்பின் ஆய்ந்து கொண்டு அறுத்தபணை எழில் அழிய வாடும்; நாளும்நினைவல்மாது அவர் பண்பு” என்று ஓவாதுஇனையல் வாழி, தோழி! புணர்வர்இலங்கு கோல் ஆய் தொடி நெகிழ, பொருள் புரிந்துஅலந்தலை ஞெமையத்து அதர் அடைந்திருந்தமால் வரைச் சீறூர் மருள் பல் மாக்கள்கோள் வல் ஏற்றை ஓசை ஓர்மார்,திருத்திக் கொண்ட அம்பினர், நோன் சிலைஎருத்தத்து இரீஇ, இடம் தொறும் படர்தலின்,கீழ்ப்படு தாரம் உண்ணா, மேற் சினைப்பழம் போற் சேற்ற தீம் புழல் உணீஇய,கருங் கோட்டு இருப்பை ஊரும்பெருங் கை எண்கின் சுரன் இறந்தோரே! In this trip to the drylands, there’s much to see even as we hear the confidante say these words to the lady, as the man, who had left in search of wealth, continues to remain parted away: “Saying ‘Let intricate spots of pallor spread on the forehead; Let arms, which are akin to well-selected bamboos in the wide mountain forests, lose their beauty and become ruined; Still, I shall not stop thinking of his nature all day, every single day!’, do not suffer unceasingly, my friend, may you live long! Making your well-rounded, resplendent bangles slip away, he left to gain wealth, treading paths abounding with axle-wood trees having scorched tops, through small hamlets in the foothills of the huge mountain, where many people, tense with fear, keep watch for the sounds of a killer male bear, and wait in readiness with their well-sharpened arrows, carrying their sturdy bows on their shoulders. As they spread about hither and thither, knowing of their movements, not feeding on what has fallen down, that huge-handed bear, wishing to instead feed on flowers that taste as sweet as fruits upon high branches, crawls atop trees in those drylands. He shall return and unite with you soon!” Let’s tread on and trace the dangers of this domain! The confidante starts by repeating the lady’s words, who seems not bothered that pallor would spread on her forehead and that her bamboo-like arms would lose their beauty, and continues to wallow in the memory of the man, who had left her to seek wealth. The confidante goes on to describe where he has gone, talking about the ‘Gnemai’ trees that grow there and their burnt tops in the sweltering summer. Then, she goes on to mention people there, those living in a small town at the foothills, who are always on the lookout for dangerous male bears that could kill, and wait in all readiness with sharp arrows and sturdy bows. Knowing of their movements on land, the bear tries to outsmart them by not eating the easy pick of fallen fruits and flowers, but instead, climbs up on the Mahua tree and goes for the high branches to pluck the flowers that are said to be as sweet as the fruits. The confidante concludes by saying though the man walks through such a land, he will return soon to the lady’s fold. It’s indeed a simple reassurance from a concerned friend but what hides within are interesting aspects of intelligence and evolution in the face of animal-human conflict, something that remains a serious concern in our world today!