Aganaanooru 222 – The fame of finding

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 மலைக்கான நாடன் உறீஇய நோய்க்கு, உன்மேனி 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 அலந்தஆதிமந்தி காதலற் காட்டி,படு கடல் புக்க பாடல்சால் சிறப்பின்மருதி 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!’?