Aganaanooru 74 – Melancholy of the evening

In this episode, we perceive the inability to accept assurance from another, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 74, penned by Madurai Kavuniyan Boothathanaar. The verse is situated amidst the fragrant flowers of ‘Mullai’ or ‘Forest Landscape’ and illustrates an overpowering element in the life of the lady, one evening. வினை வலம்படுத்த வென்றியொடு மகிழ் சிறந்து,போர் வல் இளையர் தாள் வலம் வாழ்த்த,தண் பெயல் பொழிந்த பைதுறு காலை,குருதி உருவின் ஒண் செம் மூதாய்பெரு வழி மருங்கில் சிறு பல வரிப்ப,பைங் கொடி முல்லை மென் பதப் புது வீவெண் களர் அரிமணல் நன் பல தாஅய்,வண்டு போது அவிழ்க்கும் தண் கமழ் புறவில்,கருங் கோட்டு இரலைக் காமர் மடப் பிணை“திண் தேர் வலவ! கடவு” எனக் கடைஇ,இன்றே வருவர்; ஆன்றிகம் பனி” என,வன்புறை இன் சொல் நன் பல பயிற்றும்நின் வலித்து அமைகுவென்மன்னோ அல்கல்புன்கண் மாலையொடு பொருந்தி, கொடுங் கோற்கல்லாக் கோவலர் ஊதும்வல் வாய்ச் சிறு குழல் வருத்தாக்காலே! In this trip to the forests, we take in familiar elements of nature and hear these words, said by the lady to her confidante, when the man remains parted away from her: “‘Having completed his mission successfully, with much joy brimming over, as his battle worthy aides praise his strength and effort, on this lush green morning, when cool showers have poured, as shining red velvet mites in the hue of blood tread in many small rows on the side of the great roadways, as new, soft-textured flowers of the wild jasmine from green vines lie scattered about, on the white, saline, silt-filled sand, in that cool and fragrant forest, where bees make buds bloom, glancing at the loveable, naive mate of the black-antlered male deer, commanding ‘O charioteer, speed on this sturdy chariot!’, he would return this very day. So let’s give up our angst’, you say, rendering sweet and comforting words many to me. Indeed, hearing your assurance, I would have remained at peace, if only on this suffering-filled evening, the little flute with a firm end, played on by those illiterate cattle herds with curving rods, did not torment me so!” Time to race behind red velvet mites in the lush green forest! The lady starts on a positive note remarking about the man successfully finishing his task, returning with much glory, riding through the forest roads, wafting with the fragrance of fresh rains and the sight of red velvet mites out and about, wild jasmines blooming and scattering. She specifically focuses on the man’s vision falling on a female deer standing there, looking wide-eyed, and at that moment, she hears the man command his charioteer to speed up. This is a subtle reference to how that deer would remind the man of his beloved, waiting for him back home, with those innocent doe-eyes, urging him to rush back. Now, we learn that these are the words the confidante has been saying thus far to the lady, asking her to worry not, and assuring that the man would return the very day. The lady concludes by declaring that such comforting words would surely have given her peace, if only the strains of the cattle herds’ flutes did not pain her so much on that evening! The lady brings to fore how the mind has a way of latching on to some sorrowful element at times, refusing to heed the comfort of those around. Knowing what brings sorrow is half the battle won, and hopefully, expressing the same to those kind ears will sustain the lady, until her man arrives at her side!