Aganaanooru 242 – Golden pollen on sapphire plume

In this episode, we perceive an intention to change another’s course of action, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 242, penned by Peri Saathanaar. The verse is situated amidst the blooming Kino trees of the ‘Kurinji’ or ‘Mountain landscape’ and reveals the circumstances that necessitate a religious ritual. அரும்பு முதிர் வேங்கை அலங்கல் மென் சினைச்சுரும்பு வாய் திறந்த பொன் புரை நுண் தாதுமணி மருள் கலவத்து உறைப்ப, அணி மிக்குஅவிர் பொறி மஞ்ஞை ஆடும் சோலை,பைந் தாட் செந் தினைக் கொடுங் குரல் வியன் புனம்,செந் தார் கிள்ளை நம்மொடு கடிந்தோன்பண்பு தர வந்தமை அறியாள், ‘நுண் கேழ்முறி புரை எழில் நலத்து என் மகள் துயர் மருங்குஅறிதல் வேண்டும்’ என, பல் பிரப்பு இரீஇ,அறியா வேலற் தரீஇ, அன்னைவெறி அயர் வியன் களம் பொலிய ஏத்தி,மறி உயிர் வழங்கா அளவை, சென்று யாம்,செல வரத் துணிந்த, சேண் விளங்கு, எல் வளைநெகிழ்ந்த முன் கை, நேர் இறைப் பணைத் தோள்,நல் எழில் அழிவின் தொல் கவின் பெறீஇய,முகிழ்த்து வரல் இள முலை மூழ்க, பல் ஊழ்முயங்கல் இயைவதுமன்னோ தோழி!நறை கால்யாத்த நளிர் முகைச் சிலம்பில்பெரு மலை விடரகம் நீடிய சிறியிலைச்சாந்த மென் சினை தீண்டி, மேலதுபிரசம் தூங்கும் சேண் சிமைவரையக வெற்பன் மணந்த மார்பே! Plenty of picturesque sights in this trip to the mountains, as we listen to the confidante say these words to the lady, pretending not to notice the man, listening nearby, but making sure he’s in earshot: “From the swaying, slender branch of the Kino tree, with blooming buds, opened by the buzzing mouths of bees, fine, golden pollen drops down on the sapphire-hued feathers, and so adorned, with dark spots, dances the peacock in the grove, near the wide fields, where amidst the green-stemmed, thick stalks of the red millet, along with us, he chased away parrots with red necks. Not knowing it’s his relationship that has rendered this to you, mother was saying, ‘I have to find the reason for the sorrow that soars in my daughter, who has the exquisite beauty of tender mango sprouts, and a fine complexion’. She plans to spread many different offerings, and summoning clueless Velan, wants to perform the ‘Veri’ ritual in the wide area, intending to sacrifice a lamb. Before such things happen, why don’t we dare to leave to that faraway place, to attain the exquisite, old beauty of your bamboo-like arms, from which, shining bangles are now slipping away. My friend, this can be done by immersing your budding young bosoms, and embracing over and over again, the fragrant chest of the lord of the mountains, whose faraway peaks brim with nectar, and in whose caves, near the huge mountain slopes, caressing the gentle branch of the small-leaved sandalwood tree nearby, hangs a comb of honey!” Time to start on that mountain trek, savouring the sights and scents of the region! The confidante starts by pointing to a Kino tree, with bright yellow flowers, and specifically to how the golden pollen from the flowers is dropping on the sapphire-like feathers of a peacock, which is dancing with delight, in the grove. Then she moves on to the millet fields near that grove, where the man had come to help the lady chase away parrots, characterised by a red garland, no doubt referring to the Indian ring-neck parakeets. After introducing the stage where the man came into the lady’s life, the confidante turns to talk about the activities of the lady’s mother. This poor woman, did not know the lady’s affliction was because of her relationship with the man, in the sense the lady was in ecstasy, when trysting with the man and was wallowing, when away from him. So, mother wants to find out the reason and her means of doing so was to summon Velan, the priest, who, according the confidante, in the manner of a famous webseries character, ‘knows nothing’! Velan would be summoned to perform the ‘Veri’ ritual by spreading many offerings and seeking God Murugu’s help in solving the lady’s sorrow. The confidante tells the lady before mother gets ahead with the plan and gets to sacrificing a poor lamb, the lady must to do something about those bangles slipping away from her arms. The confidante concludes by advising the lady to take the bold step to go to where the man lives, to his tall mountains, where honey combs brush against sandalwood trees, and embrace him over and over again! The confidante implies that the man was the sole reason for the lady’s state, and through these pointed words, nudges the man to protect the lady’s honour by seeking her hand in marriage. In the scene of the golden pollen dropping down on the blue feathers of the peacock and making it dance with delight, the confidante places a metaphor for how only the constant grace of the man towards the lady would bring lasting joy to her. Amidst scenes of nature and culture, we get to delight with all our senses, the immense and immeasurable beauty of the mountains!