Episodes

  • Aganaanooru 269 – The hand that wipes away tears

    Aganaanooru 269 – The hand that wipes away tears
    Jun 18 2026
    In this episode, we listen to the rendition of a much-awaited news, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 269, penned by Madurai Maruthan Ilanaakanaar. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’, the verse presents intricate details about the custom of installing hero stones. தொடி தோள் இவர்க! எவ்வமும் தீர்க!நெறி இருங் கதுப்பின் கோதையும் புனைக!ஏறுடை இன நிரை பெயர, பெயராது,செறி சுரை வெள் வேல் மழவர்த் தாங்கியதறுகணாளர் நல் இசை நிறுமார்,பிடி மடிந்தன்ன குறும்பொறை மருங்கின்,நட்ட போலும் நடாஅ நெடுங் கல்அகல் இடம் குயின்ற பல் பெயர் மண்ணி,நறு விரை மஞ்சள் ஈர்ம் புறம் பொலியஅம்பு கொண்டு அறுத்த ஆர் நார் உரிவையின்செம் பூங் கரந்தை புனைந்த கண்ணிவரி வண்டு ஆர்ப்பச் சூட்டி, கழற் கால்இளையர் பதிப் பெயரும் அருஞ் சுரம் இறந்தோர்,தைஇ நின்ற தண் பெயல் கடை நாள்,பொலங்காசு நிரைத்த கோடு ஏந்து அல்குல்நலம் கேழ் மாக் குரல் குழையொடு துயல்வர,பாடு ஊர்பு எழுதரும் பகு வாய் மண்டிலத்துவயிர் இடைப்பட்ட தெள் விளி இயம்ப,வண்டற் பாவை உண்துறைத் தரீஇ,திரு நுதல் மகளிர் குரவை அயரும்பெரு நீர்க் கானல் தழீஇய இருக்கை,வாணன் சிறுகுடி, வணங்கு கதிர் நெல்லின்யாணர்த் தண் பணைப் போது வாய் அவிழ்ந்தஒண் செங் கழுநீர் அன்ன, நின்கண் பனி துடைமார் வந்தனர், விரைந்தே. In this trip to the drylands, we get to see intriguing sights and take a detour to a historic site, as we listen to the confidante say these words to the lady, at a time, when the man continues to remain parted away, having left in search of wealth: “Let the bangles ascend on your arms! Let the suffering cease! Let flower garlands adorn your wavy, dark tresses! After rescuing herds of cattle comprising of prize bulls, without retreating, those fearless men stood and fought against the cattle stealers, who bear thick and curving white spears. To reinstate the good fame of these warriors, near small hills, which appear akin to a seated female elephant, their young helpers wearing resounding anklets, carve on tall and natural stones, which appear as if planted there, inscribing the many names of those fearless fighters in the wide spaces, streaking fragrant paste of turmeric upon the radiant, moist stone surfaces, and adorning them with peeled bark of trees cut by arrows and garlands of woven red globe thistle flowers. Only then do they leave from those formidable drylands, where the man has left to, now. In the month of ‘Thai’ when the last cool showers cease, wearing coins of gold around their uplifted waists, along with swaying, many-hued flowers and dark clusters of leaves, as clear notes of music that arises from the huge open mouth of the ‘vayir’ horn instrument spreads all around the land, carving dolls of mud on the shore, maiden with fine foreheads perform the ‘Kuravai’ dance in those well-watered orchards of the prosperous town of ‘Sirukudi’, ruled by Vaanan. Here, amidst the curving crops of paddy blooming in the fertile fields, blooms a shining red lotus that has opened its petals. Akin to this red lotus, are your eyes, and to wipe away the tears dropping down from them, he has come, with much haste!” Let’s walk along with the wandering man through the drylands and explore on! The confidante starts with a jubilant shout, saying the lady’s bangles will not slip away anymore, and her dark days were at an end and that it was time to adorn those tresses with exquisite flowers. Then without saying why, she goes on to talk about the place where the man has left to, and to do that first she brings forth the setting of a cattle theft, and then zooms on to those warriors, who valiantly rode behind and defeated those cattle stealers and recovered the cattle. Though they won in that ...
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    7 mins
  • Aganaanooru 268 – Reflect on my words

    Aganaanooru 268 – Reflect on my words
    Jun 17 2026

    In this episode, we listen to a subtle attempt at persuasion, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 268, penned by Vadama Vannakkan Peri Saathanaar. The verse is situated amidst the fragrant flowers of the ‘Kurinji’ or ‘Mountain landscape’ and presents a portrait of the delicate state of affairs.

    அறியாய் வாழி, தோழி! பொறி வரிப்
    பூ நுதல் யானையொடு புலி பொரக் குழைந்த
    குருதிச் செங் களம் புலவு அற, வேங்கை
    உரு கெழு நாற்றம் குளவியொடு விலங்கும்
    மா மலை நாடனொடு மறு இன்று ஆகிய
    காமம் கலந்த காதல் உண்டுஎனின்,
    நன்றுமன்; அது நீ நாடாய், கூறுதி;
    நாணும் நட்பும் இல்லோர்த் தேரின்,
    யான் அலது இல்லை இவ் உலகத்தானே
    இன் உயிர் அன்ன நின்னொடும் சூழாது,
    முளை அணி மூங்கிலின் கிளையொடு பொலிந்த
    பெரும் பெயர் எந்தை அருங் கடி நீவி,
    செய்து பின் இரங்கா வினையொடு
    மெய் அல் பெரும் பழி எய்தினென் யானே!

    In this trip to the hills, there’s more of abstract feelings, as we listen to the confidante say these words to the lady, in an attempt to further the man’s relationship with the lady:

    “You should ponder on what I say, my friend, may you live long! As a tiger attacked an elephant, having a flower-like head, filled with lines and spots, the blood that spilled paints the mushy field red. To wipe away the stench of that flesh, the fragrance of the formidable Kino flowers, along with wild jasmines, wafts in the huge mountains of the lord. If there is a faultless love, fused with passion for him, that would be good. But if you don’t seek that, pray tell me. If one were to search for the person who doesn’t have any shame or the virtue of friendship, there can be no better candidate than me, in this world. Without consulting with you, who is akin to my own sweet life, and also not caring about the strict guard of our famous father, who dwells with kith and kin, abundant like the sprouts of a bamboo, I have done something which I do not regret, and I seem to have attained an unjustified blame for that!”

    Let’s understand the nuances here! The confidante starts with a request to her friend to reflect on what she was about to say. Then she describes the man’s mountain country as a place where the fragrance of the Kino and wild jasmine flowers removes the stench of the blood that has spilled in the attack of a tiger and elephant and mushed up the red earth beneath. Then she asks her friend if the lady feels a deep love for the man. And when the confidante sees no response from the lady, the confidante declares that she must be the only person on earth not having any sense of shame or the true feeling of friendship. She concludes by explaining that she has done a deed, without checking with the lady and not minding the strict guard of the lady’s father, but one for which she feels no regret and one she doesn’t mind the blame endowed on her without cause.

    To understand this complicated expression, we have to reflect on certain cultural practices. Apparently, in this era, it was the custom of the man to seek out the lady’s confidante to further his relationship with the lady, by means of arranging trysts. Some sense of modesty perhaps prevented him from approaching the lady directly. So, the confidante, understanding the lady’s interest in the man, is presenting the man’s case before the lady. She then tries to convince the lady by pretending to take responsibility for all the blame and censure in her delicate situation. In the scene of the mountain flowers removing the stench of flesh, the confidante places a metaphor for the man’s future action of marrying the lady and wiping away the slander of their secret love relationship. A verse that illustrates the influence a friend can exert in one’s life, something that is true not just two thousand years ago, in this particular culture, but even today, and mostly everywhere!

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    5 mins
  • Aganaanooru 267 – Blame him not

    Aganaanooru 267 – Blame him not
    Jun 16 2026
    In this episode, we perceive an expression of angst, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 267, penned by Paalai Paadiya Perunkadunko. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’, the verse describes the scenes in the sweltering drylands with a stack of similes. நெஞ்சு நெகிழ்தகுந கூறி, அன்பு கலந்து,அறாஅ வஞ்சினம் செய்தோர், வினை புரிந்து,திறம் வேறு ஆகல் எற்று?’ என்று ஒற்றி,இனைதல் ஆன்றிசின், நீயே; சினை பாய்ந்து,உதிர்த்த கோடை, உட்கு வரு கடத்திடை,வெருக்கு அடி அன்ன குவி முகிழ் இருப்பை,மருப்புக் கடைந்தன்ன, கொள்ளை வான் பூமயிர்க் கால் எண்கின் ஈர் இனம் கவர,மை பட்டன்ன மா முக முசுவினம்பைது அறு நெடுங் கழை பாய்தலின், ஒய்யெனவெதிர் படு வெண்ணெல் வெவ் அறைத் தாஅய்,உகிர் நெரி ஓசையின் பொங்குவன பொரியும்ஓங்கல் வெற்பின் சுரம் பல இறந்தோர்தாம் பழி உடையர்அல்லர்; நாளும்நயந்தோர்ப் பிணித்தல் தேற்றா, வயங்கு வினைவாள் ஏர் எல் வளை நெகிழ்த்த,தோளே தோழி! தவறு உடையவ்வே! We get to see plenty of flora and fauna in this trip to the drylands, as we listen to the lady say these words to her confidante, at a time when the man continues to remain parted away from her, having left in search of wealth: “Saying, ‘How come the one who said the right words to make the heart melt, filled with love, and took an oath to never part away, has now turned a different person and left in search of wealth?’, do not analyse and suffer ceaselessly, my friend! Upon those fear-evoking paths, pouncing on the branches, hot summer winds shed clusters of Mahua flowers, which appear akin to the paws of a wild cat, in a bright white hue, akin to powdered tusks, and these are eaten by a sleuth of furry-legged sloth bears. Since monkeys with dark faces as if painted with kohl, leap about, from tall bamboos, bereft of green, suddenly bamboo seeds drop down and spread on the hot rocks beneath, and with the noise of snapping nails, these seeds pop and fry in those highland drylands, through which the man traverses. He is not the one to be blamed; Those arms of mine, which day after day, without knowing how to bind the one it loves, lets the well-etched, sword-cut, shining bangles slip away, is the one at fault, my friend!” Time to take a hot walk on those arid paths! The lady starts by requesting her confidante not to look at her state and worry endlessly, thinking about all the promises the man made when courting the lady and how he has changed now on account of seeking wealth. Then she describes the drylands path where the man walks and to do that, she brings before our eyes, fallen Mahua flowers, nudged from the branches by the hand of the summer winds, comparing the shape of these flowers to the paws of a wild cat and their hue to powdered ivory. Then she points out how furry-legged bears feed on these flowers that have fallen down. Next, she turns her attention to drying bamboos and points out to a leaping monkey, whose face seems to be blackened with kohl, possibly a langur, and in its brisk motion, the bamboo seeds scatter and fall on the rocks below, and the moment they do, they pop and fry, so hot the weather is, the lady connects. Instant bamboo pop-corn, seems like! It’s such a path that the man walks, the lady describes. She concludes by asking her friend not to blame the man for her state, saying the real culprit is her arms which seem not to know how to bind the man to her and all they can do is to let those exquisite bangles slip away, losing their health! Can we see this as a subtle way of taking responsibility for one’s state? Ultimately, there’s no use blaming another for how we feel, no matter how justified it may seem. Seeing this timeless truth, whether the lady rises above her pain and faces the future with confidence or not, we surely can, in the various sweltering paths of our lives!
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    5 mins
  • Aganaanooru 266 – Past vow and Present vice

    Aganaanooru 266 – Past vow and Present vice
    Jun 15 2026
    In this episode, we listen to a pointed expression of discontent, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 266, penned by Paranar. The verse is situated amidst gushing new streams of the ‘Marutham’ or ‘Farmlands landscape’ and relays a jilted woman’s feelings. “கோடுற நிவந்த நீடு இரும் பரப்பின்அந்திப் பராஅய புதுப் புனல், நெருநை,மைந்து மலி களிற்றின் தலைப் புணை தழீஇ,நரந்தம் நாறும் குவை இருங் கூந்தல்இளந் துணை மகளிரொடு ஈர் அணிக் கலைஇ,நீர் பெயர்ந்து ஆடிய ஏந்து எழில் மழைக் கண்நோக்குதொறும் நோக்குதொறும் தவிர்விலையாகி,காமம் கைம்மிகச் சிறத்தலின், நாண் இழந்து,ஆடினை என்ப மகிழ்ந! அதுவேயாழ் இசை மறுகின் நீடூர் கிழவோன்வாய் வாள் எவ்வி ஏவல் மேவார்நெடு மிடல் சாய்த்த பசும் பூண் பொருந்தலர்அரிமணவாயில் உறத்தூர் ஆங்கண்,கள்ளுடைப் பெருஞ் சோற்று எல் இமிழ் அன்ன,கவ்வை ஆகின்றால் பெரிதே; இனி அஃதுஅவலம் அன்றுமன், எமக்கே; அயலகழனி உழவர் கலி சிறந்து எடுத்தகறங்கு இசை வெரீஇப் பறந்த தோகைஅணங்குடை வரைப்பகம் பொலிய வந்து இறுக்கும்திரு மணி விளக்கின் அலைவாய்ச்செரு மிகு சேஎயொடு உற்ற சூளே!” In this colourful trip to the farmlands, as usual, we see sparks fly between a couple, as we listen to the lady say these words to the man, when he returns home, after being in the company of courtesans: “Leaping high up to the banks, amidst the dark and vast spread of those exquisite gushing new floods, akin to a strong and skilful male elephant, holding on to the head of the raft, yesterday, along with those young companions of yours, having thick clusters of tresses, wafting with the scent of bitter orange, adorning yourself with a wet attire and accessories, you played on and on, in those waters, and every time you looked at those exquisite, rain-like eyes of theirs, roving around, with desire brimming over, and passion exceeding its bounds, losing your sense of shame, you frolicked, they say, O lord of the town! The slander that arose because of this has become louder than the uproar at the festivities in the town of ‘Arimanavayil Urathoor’, when copious toddy and ceaseless food were offered in the middle of the day, at a time when the lord of the ancient town, where the music of the lute spreads in the streets, Evvi, who wields an honest sword, ruined and routed the power of those clad in golden ornaments, those who had refused to accept his command! But even the uproar of that slander is not something that brings distress to me. Fearing the resounding beats made by farmers in the field nearby, a peacock, fluttering its wings, takes off to those fear-evoking mountain ranges, and lands in a place called ‘Alaivaai’, lit by exquisite lamps, the abode of the battle-worthy Dark-skinned One. It’s the memory of the oath that you had taken before this God, which happens to brings that sense of suffering in me!” Let’s listen in to this quarrel and learn more! The lady starts by coming straight to the point and talking about how the news of the man’s activities the previous day had reached her ears already. Apparently, the man had adorned himself with ancient wet-wear and jumped into the gushing new river streams along with maiden he desired, and was romping around, without any sense of shame. The lady goes on to talk about how the uproar of slander in town owing to his activities was louder than the festivities at a place, filled with toddy and much food, called ‘Arimanavayil Urathoor’, after Lord Evvi quelled those wealthy others, who refused to heed to his command. That’s a pretty common comment, made in these situations but the lady follows that up by saying to the man, ‘Even that uproar is not causing me any concern. The only thing that worries me is when I remember the oath you took in front of God Murugan, at ‘Alaivaai’, frequented by peacocks that have arrived thither, after being frightened by the drums of farmers’. What this ...
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    6 mins
  • Aganaanooru 265 – Worth of that wealth

    Aganaanooru 265 – Worth of that wealth
    Jun 13 2026
    In this episode, we perceive a disgruntled comparison, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 265, penned by Maamoolanaar. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’, the verse introduces an intriguing historic detail. புகையின் பொங்கி, வியல் விசும்பு உகந்து,பனி ஊர் அழற் கொடி கடுப்பத் தோன்றும்இமயச் செவ் வரை மானும்கொல்லோ?பல் புகழ் நிறைந்த வெல் போர் நந்தர்சீர் மிகு பாடலிக் குழீஇ, கங்கைநீர்முதல் கரந்த நிதியம்கொல்லோ?எவன்கொல்? வாழி, தோழி! வயங்கு ஒளிநிழற்பால் அறலின் நெறித்த கூந்தல்,குழற் குரல் பாவை இரங்க, நத்துறந்து,ஒண் தொடி நெகிழச் சாஅய், செல்லலொடுகண் பனி கலுழ்ந்து யாம் ஒழிய, பொறை அடைந்து,இன் சிலை எழில் ஏறு கெண்டி, புரையநிணம் பொதி விழுத் தடி நெருப்பின் வைத்து எடுத்து,அணங்கு அரு மரபின் பேஎய் போலவிளர் ஊன் தின்ற வேட்கை நீங்க,துகள் அற விளைந்த தோப்பி பருகி,குலாஅ வல் வில் கொடு நோக்கு ஆடவர்புலாஅல் கையர், பூசா வாயர்,ஒராஅ உருள் துடி குடுமிக் குராலொடுமராஅஞ் சீறூர் மருங்கில் தூங்கும்செந் நுதல் யானை வேங்கடம் தழீஇ,வெம் முனை அருஞ் சுரம் இறந்தோர்நம்மினும் வலிதாத் தூக்கிய பொருளே! In this trip to the drylands, we receive some vivid word portraits, as we listen to the lady say these words to the confidante, when the man continues to remain parted away, having left in search of wealth: “Brimming over like smoke, soaring in the wide sky, flowing with snow, akin to a burst of flame, appears the crimson Himalayan mountains. Would it be equal to that? Or, take the riches that the battle-worthy Nandars, having much fame, had gathered in the renowned city of Patali and then drowned in the waters of the Ganges, lost in time. Would it be equal to that? May you live long, my friend! Forsaking me, the one having wavy tresses, akin to fine slit in the shade, a voice like the flute, the one akin to a doll, he has parted away, letting my shining bangles slip away, making my eyes shed tears, filled with much sorrow, to the mountains in the scorching, formidable drylands, where after killing a fine, sturdy bull, roasting its fatty, fleshy meat in the fire, akin to demons from a fear-evoking tradition, they eat the dry meat and to quench the thirst that arises, those men with curving, sturdy bows and harsh eyes, drink crystal clear, well-aged rice liquor named ‘Thoppi’. Then, with meat-covered hands, and unclean mouths, to the tune of a tufted eagle-owl’s ceaseless hooting, in the streets of the hamlet with burflower trees, they sway around and dance, close to the hills of Venkatam, where elephants with red foreheads, are to be found! What is the true worth of that wealth he seeks in these spaces, with more intent, upheld higher than me, pray tell?” Let’s brave the scary drylands and learn more! The lady starts by describing the Himalayas with a stack of similes, such as smoke and flames, and presents its soaring personality, and she asks if the wealth the man seeks is greater than these mountain ranges? From the physical wealth of a natural feature, the lady turns to man-made wealth of a certain clan of kings named ‘Nandas’, who are said to have ruled over a city named ‘Pataliputra’. Apparently, they then sank this accumulated wealth in the waters of the Ganges and it was lost for all time. Wonder what made those Nandas destroy their hard-earned wealth? In any case, the lady asks whether the wealth the man seeks is greater than this wealth of the famous Nandas. Then, she talks of herself, calling her a doll, having a voice like that of a flute, tresses akin to the river silt in the shade. Modest lady, indeed! She turns to describe how the man has left her, ruining her health and beauty, making her filled with sorrow and suffering. And where has he left? Predictably, to the drylands, the lady adds and to sketch this space, she paints an image of ...
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    6 mins
  • Aganaanooru 264 – Won’t he realise?

    Aganaanooru 264 – Won’t he realise?
    Jun 12 2026

    In this episode, we perceive the angst of a lady, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 264, penned by Umbarkkaattu Ilankannanaar. The verse is situated amidst the blooming white flowers of the ‘Mullai’ or ‘Forest landscape’ and sketches the suffering in being apart from a beloved.

    மழை இல் வானம் மீன் அணிந்தன்ன,
    குழை அமல் முசுண்டை வாலிய மலர,
    வரி வெண் கோடல் வாங்கு குலை வான் பூப்
    பெரிய சூடிய கவர் கோல் கோவலர்,
    எல்லுப் பெயல் உழந்த பல் ஆன் நிரையொடு,
    நீர் திகழ் கண்ணியர், ஊர்வயின் பெயர்தர,
    நனி சேண்பட்ட மாரி தளி சிறந்து,
    ஏர்தரு கடு நீர் தெருவுதொறு ஒழுக,
    பேர் இசை முழக்கமொடு சிறந்து நனி மயங்கி,
    கூதிர் நின்றன்றால், பொழுதே! காதலர்
    நம் நிலை அறியார் ஆயினும், தம் நிலை
    அறிந்தனர்கொல்லோ தாமே ஓங்கு நடைக்
    காய் சின யானை கங்குல் சூழ,
    அஞ்சுவர இறுத்த தானை
    வெஞ் சின வேந்தன் பாசறையோரே?

    In this trip to the forest, we encounter a rainy and cold climate, as we listen to the lady say these words to the confidante, in response to the confidante’s request to the lady to bear with the man’s parting:

    “Akin to stars that fill a cloud-less sky, thick-leaved, white flowers of the midnapore creeper have blossomed. Wearing huge, bent flower clusters of the striped, white glory lilies, cowherds with forked sticks, along with their herd of many cows that had suffered in the day’s rain, with water dripping from their garlands, move towards the town. Rain clouds that have traversed a great distance pour down their shower, and so, exquisite floods of gushing water flows through the streets. With a huge, musical roar, a little confused, the day appears in this time of the cold season. At this time, if my lover does not understand my state, at least does he understand his own, as he resides there, in the battle camp of the furious king, surrounded by raging elephants and a fear-evoking army in the middle of the night?”

    Time to soak in the rain of melancholy! The lady starts with a striking comparison between the midnapore flowers and the stars on a crystal-clear sky, bereft of clouds. You need to look at a picture of these flowers to relish the aptness of this simile. Returning, the lady points to the denizens of this space, cowherds who can be seen wearing white glory lilies on their heads, and wielding sturdy rods, so as to direct their huge herd of cattle back home, after a day of grazing in the rain. Far away, the rains are pouring with relish and the streets are overflowing with water, as the skies beat their drums, and in short, it’s the cold season, which arrives after the rainy season, the promised season of return, the lady details. She turns her attention to the man, who is presently at the battle-camp of the king, intent on war, surrounded by soldiers and elephants in the midnight hour, and concludes by wondering whether the man, who does not seem to care for her state, would at least care about his own!

    The lady possibly means to ask if the man is aware of the consequences of her suffering and even losing her life in this long separation. Yet again, we perceive a simple time in life, when parting seems to be the greatest challenge in a relationship! In a way, sad to see this portrayal of a woman having nothing to do but to be focused on where her man was and what he is doing. Glad the modern times have endowed more agency for women to make something of their lives, no matter where their partners may be!

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    5 mins
  • Aganaanooru 263 – If only I had known

    Aganaanooru 263 – If only I had known
    Jun 11 2026

    In this episode, we listen to words of angst, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 263, penned by Karuvoor Kannampaalanaar. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’, the verse reveals a mother’s emotion in the midst of discomforting news.

    தயங்கு திரைப் பெருங் கடல், உலகு தொழத் தோன்றி,
    வயங்கு கதிர் விரிந்த, உரு கெழு மண்டிலம்
    கயம் கண் வறப்பப் பாஅய், நல் நிலம்
    பயம் கெடத் திருகிய பைது அறு காலை,
    வேறு பல் கவலைய வெருவரு வியன் காட்டு,
    ஆறு செல் வம்பலர் வரு திறம் காண்மார்,
    வில் வல் ஆடவர் மேல் ஆள் ஒற்றி,
    நீடு நிலை யாஅத்துக் கோடு கொள் அருஞ் சுரம்
    கொண்டனன் கழிந்த வன்கண் காளைக்கு,
    அவள் துணிவு அறிந்தனென்ஆயின், அன்னோ!
    ஒளிறு வேல் கோதை ஓம்பிக் காக்கும்
    வஞ்சி அன்ன என் வள நகர் விளங்க,
    இனிதினின் புணர்க்குவென் மன்னோ துனி இன்று
    திரு நுதல் பொலிந்த என் பேதை
    வரு முலை முற்றத்து ஏமுறு துயிலே!

    We tread through this terrain, seeing familiar sights, as we listen to the mother say these words when she hears of her daughter’s elopement with the man:

    “Rising in the swaying waves of the huge ocean, as the world entire worships, spreading its radiant rays, the glowing orb then pounces on the fine land, dries up the ponds and routs the land’s prosperity, in this suffering-filled time of summer. At this time, in the formidable, wide jungle, filled with many forked paths, so as to spot the arriving wayfarers, men with strong and sturdy bows, hide above in the branches of the towering Yaa trees in the drylands. Alas! If only I had known she would dare to part away with that harsh-eyed, bull-like man, I would have let them become united happily in my prosperous mansion, which is akin to Vanji, guarded by shining-speared Kothai, so that without any pain, he could attain sweet sleep on the blossoming bosoms of my naive girl, with a fine forehead”

    Time to brave the scorching sun and tread on this domain! Mother starts by talking about the sun, the way it rises from the ocean such that all the land worships it. Let’s pause for a moment and let this comment sink in. It’s a well-known fact that many ancient cultures worshipped the sun, first and foremost. For instance, take the Egyptians and the Incans. Both built temples and structures many to this celestial entity! Here we find an intuitive understanding of this truth in ancient Tamil culture. They may not have met the Egyptians, they surely did not meet the Incans, but still the sun is an entity the world will revere across the ages and spaces is a fact sensed here.

    Moving on, Mother has mentioned the sun only to talk about how it scorches during the peak of summer just then and dries up all the ponds and the fertile fields. At this time, in the drylands, those highway robbers would lie in wait to pounce on innocent wayfarers, hiding in tall Yaa trees, she describes, and connects that’s where the lady has now left with the man. Then she concludes by lamenting if only she had understood the extent of the lady’s love for the man and her daring to leave with him to the drylands, she would have saved them all the trouble and would have married them, right there in her prosperous mansion, which she compares to the city of Vanji, guarded by Kothai, and says she would have let the man enjoy sweet sleep on her lady’s bosom!

    It seems to be a case of ‘If only’! I wonder why the confidante and the lady did not read mother’s emotions right and rushed into the elopement plan. However, it’s true we can never say how people will react until they actually do! Perhaps, understanding this change of heart, the man and lady will return home to the mother’s care, as we saw just a few verses ago. While that may be, this is indeed a well-etched expression of regret!
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    5 mins
  • Aganaanooru 262 – Ecstasy of fulfilment

    Aganaanooru 262 – Ecstasy of fulfilment
    Jun 10 2026
    In this episode, we perceive the ecstasy of a person in love, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 262, penned by Paranar. The verse is situated amidst the splashing cascades of the ‘Kurinji’ or ‘Mountain landscape’ and presents a historic incident in vivid detail. முதை படு பசுங் காட்டு அரில் பவர் மயக்கி,பகடு பல பூண்ட உழவுறு செஞ் செய்,இடு முறை நிரம்பி, ஆகு வினைக் கலித்து,பாசிலை அமன்ற பயறு ஆ புக்கென,வாய் மொழித் தந்தையைக் கண் களைந்து, அருளாது,ஊர் முது கோசர் நவைத்த சிறுமையின்,கலத்தும் உண்ணாள், வாலிதும் உடாஅள்,சினத்தின் கொண்ட படிவம் மாறாள்,மறம் கெழு தானைக் கொற்றக் குறும்பியன்,செரு இயல் நல் மான் திதியற்கு உரைத்து, அவர்இன் உயிர் செகுப்பக் கண்டு சினம் மாறியஅன்னிமிஞிலி போல, மெய்ம் மலிந்து,ஆனா உவகையேம் ஆயினெம் பூ மலிந்துஅருவி ஆர்க்கும் அயம் திகழ் சிலம்பின்நுண் பல துவலை புதல்மிசை நனைக்கும்வண்டு படு நறவின் வண் மகிழ்ப் பேகன்கொண்டல் மா மலை நாறி,அம் தீம் கிளவி வந்தமாறே. In this trip to the hills, we get to see plenty of dynamic sights and also take a historic detour, as we listen to the man say these words to his heart, after his successful tryst with the lady: “From the deep and dense jungle, chopping away the intertwined vines, with many yoked bulls, they turned it into cultivable land, scattering the right amount of manure and made it bloom because of their efforts. Into this field, where crops had sprouted with fresh green leaves, a cow had entered and grazed. As a punishment, the owner of that cow, her truthful father was blinded without grace by those ancient leaders known as ‘Kosars’. Distraught seeing their pettiness, without eating any food, and not adorning herself with clean, white clothes, with rage, she took on a vow and did ceaseless penance. News of her state reached the victorious chief of the hill hamlets, the battle-worthy Thithiyan, who wields fine horses. Only when this chief ended the lives of those Kosars, her fury abated. Akin to that proud daughter Anni Mignili, I too, felt my body brim over with unceasing joy, at that moment when my maiden with sweet words, fragrant akin to the cloud-covered dark hills, brimming over with flowers, resounding with cascades, whose many fine sprinkling droplets moisten bushes all around, a land ruled by the generous Bekan, renowned for his bee-buzzing toddy, came near me!” Let’s tread on those rugged paths and learn more! The man starts by describing the agricultural process of taming a jungle undergrowth and making it a cultivable land, employing oxen, manure and all the hard work it entails. He says this is due to the effort of some leaders from an ancient clan, the Kosars. Now, the Kosars seemed to have had a strong sense of possession over those fields, the man continues, for one day, just because a cow entered those fields with lush green leaves and grazed on it, these Kosars went and punished the owner, by blinding his eyes. Another verse, Aganaanooru 256, where we recently learnt about this ancient punishment of blinding using slaked lime comes to mind. Returning, the man turns to talk about what happened to the daughter of this man, who was punished for letting his cows loose. That maiden seems to be become enraged at the pettiness of the Kosars’ sense of justice and she gave up eating and wearing proper clothes and took on a frenzied penance. Hearing of her plight, a chieftain of the hills by the name of Thithiyan seems to have waged war against the Kosars and killed them. When she learned of it, that girl, Anni Mignili started shivering with emotion, and felt ecstatic joy, the man describes. Note that feeling, that exact feeling, the man says, and concludes by saying that’s what he felt when his beloved lady, who had the fragrance of the generous patron Bekan’s picturesque cloud-covered hills, came to him! In essence, we are hearing the words of a man in love, reliving the joy of meeting his beloved and seeing his love reciprocated! One is a woman, who is fulfilled by revenge, and the other is a man, who is ...
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    6 mins