Sangam Lit

In this episode, we take a trot through Sangam Literary work, Natrinai Poem 21, written by Maruthan Ilanaakanaar. In our explorations so far through ancient Tamil land, this is our first encounter with the lush, rain-soaked ‘Mullai’ or the forest regions. This poem is also unique in that we have a scene for the first time, involving two men, a man and his charioteer.

In this episode, we observe the inner life depicted in Tamil Sangam Literary work, Natrinai 20, written by Orambokiyar, a poet who specialises in the ‘Marutham’ landscape or the farmland regions of ancient Tamil land. The focus of Marutham poems is on the love-quarrel between a man and his lady. This particular poem is expressed in the words of a lady to her man, disagreeing with his remark.

In this episode, we relish the scent of Sangam Literary work, Natrinai Poem 19, written by Nakkannaiyaar, a female poet from two thousand years ago. This imagery-rich poem is set in the ‘Neythal’ or the coastal regions, in the words of the lady’s confidante to the lady’s man, who seems to be departing to his village.

In this episode, we explore the Tamil Sangam Literary work Natrinai Poem 18, written by Poikaiyaar, who has penned three poems in all of Sangam literature. The other two are in the domain of ‘Puram’ or the outer sphere of life, which speaks about the life and values of a particular person, a Chera king in this case. We see traces of his ‘Puram’ focus even in this ‘Akam’ or the inner-sphere universal poem, set in the ‘Paalai’ or the dryland landscape, in the consoling words of the lady’s confidante to the lady.

In this episode, we are showered with the sensory rain of Tamil Sangam Literary Work, Natrinai Poem 17 written by Nochi Niyamankilaar, set in the luscious mountain landscape of ‘Kurinji’, in the words of the lady to her confidante, describing a precarious situation she recently found herself in.

In this episode, we observe and absorb the philosophy reflected in Tamil Sangam Literary Work Natrinai Poem 16, written by Siraikkudi Anthaiyaar, set in the ‘Paalai’ landscape or the dryland region, revolving around the theme of separation. This verse is expressed in the words of a man, conveying a conclusion to his heart.

In this episode, we explore the Tamil Sangam Literary work Natrinai 15, written by the Pandya king Arivudai Nambi, set in the ‘Neythal’ landscape or the coastal regions. This verse is in the words of the lady’s confidante to the lady’s man, urging him indirectly to formalise his relationship with the lady.

In this episode, we witness the fascinating world of Tamil Sangam Literary Work, Natrinai Poem 14, written by Mamoolanar, a historian-poet. This verse is set in the ‘Paalai’ or the dryland regions, in the words of the lady to the lady’s confidante about her man, who has parted away from her.

In this episode, we take in the lush scenes of Tamil Sangam Literary work, Natrinai Poem 13, written by the proficient Kabilar. This verse is set in the landscape of ‘Kurinji’ or the mountainous region, in the words of the lady’s confidante to the lady, portraying a subtle understanding of the lady’s situation.

In this episode, we sense the fragrance and feeling in Sangam literary work Natrinai Poem 12. This poem has been written by Kayamanar, set in the ‘Paalai’ or the desert, dryland region of ancient Tamil land, in the words of the lady’s confidante to the lady’s man, painting a picture of the lady’s state of mind.