In this episode, we perceive the pain in a lady’s heart, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 115, penned by Maamoolanaar. Set in the ‘Paalai’ or ‘Drylands landscape’, the verse sketches the consequences of the man’s parting away.

அழியா விழவின், அஞ்சுவரு மூதூர்ப்
பழி இலர்ஆயினும், பலர் புறங்கூறும்
அம்பல் ஒழுக்கமும் ஆகியர்; வெஞ் சொல்
சேரிஅம் பெண்டிர் எள்ளினும் எள்ளுக;
நுண் பூண் எருமை குட நாட்டன்ன என்
ஆய்நலம் தொலையினும் தொலைக; என்றும்
நோய் இலராக, நம் காதலர் வாய் வாள்
எவ்வி வீழ்ந்த செருவில் பாணர்
கைதொழு மரபின் முன் பரித்து இடூஉப் பழிச்சிய
வள் உயிர் வணர் மருப்பு அன்ன, ஒள் இணர்ச்
சுடர்ப் பூங் கொன்றை ஊழுறு விளைநெற்று
அறைமிசைத் தாஅம் அத்த நீளிடை,
பிறை மருள் வான் கோட்டு அண்ணல் யானை,
சினம் மிகு முன்பின், வாம் மான், அஞ்சி
இனம் கொண்டு ஒளிக்கும் அஞ்சுவரு கவலை,
நன்னர் ஆய்கவின் தொலைய, சேய் நாட்டு,
நம் நீத்து உறையும் பொருட்பிணிக்
கூடாமையின் நீடியோரே.

In this tour of the drylands, we get to hear the lady say these words to her confidante, as the man, who went in search of wealth, remains parted away.

“In our formidable, ancient town, with endless festivities, even when there is no need for censure, there are many who speak behind the back and spread slander. Let those women of the village, who speak harsh words, mock at me, if they want to; Let my fine beauty, akin to Kudanaadu, ruled by Erumai, wearing intricate ornaments, be ruined, if it has to be! 

Akin to the resounding, curving stems of lutes, broken and thrown with worshipping, folded hands by bards, when Evvi, with a victorious sword, fell in the battlefield, mature seed pods of the radiant golden shower tree, lies scattered on the rock surfaces in the drylands path, where Anji, who possesses esteemed elephants, with crescent-moon-like, white tusks, and raging, strong horses, hides herds of cattle captured from his enemies. Traversing such a fearsome path, letting my exquisite beauty fade, he has forsaken me, departed to a faraway country, and with his affliction to seek wealth not abating, he continues to stay away. I only wish that he remains with no trace of ill health forever!”

Time to walk on through fearsome drylands spaces! The lady starts by talking about her own town. Although it has a lot of good, when considering how it has existed from ancient times and how it seemed to have festivities all year though, there was one thing wrong about it and that was the presence of gossiping women, who cast aspersions, when there is no need at all. After making that statement, the lady declares that she doesn’t mind if those women were going to mock her. Also, she adds that she was not even going to worry if her beauty, which she places in parallel to a place called ‘Kudanaadu’, ruled by a lord called ‘Erumai’, fades away.

After this, she goes on to describe the drylands and do that, she brings before our eyes, the seed pods of golden shower trees lying on rock surfaces, and to etch the image, she places the parallel of a scene, depicting the sorrow of bards, when their generous patron ‘Evvi’ perished in the battlefield, and they broke their fine lutes and threw the curving stems, in front of the dying king, worshipping his greatness. After connecting that element of nature with a historical reference, the lady further describes the drylands as a place where Anji, a leader is known to hide cattle he has raided from his enemies. Crossing such spaces filled with much conflict, the man has left her to seek wealth and that quest seemed to be never-ending, the lady remarks, and concludes by saying that the only thing she wished for, was whatever may happen to her, no harm should befall the man. In spite of all the pain he seems to have inflicted on her, the lady only wishes for the man’s welfare, echoing the true love that beats in her heart!