LESSON - 6

D01136 - Sirupaanaatrupadai-6

This lesson discusses the literary merits of ‘Sirupaanaatrupadai.’ It touches on the style, the descriptive skill of the poet, Nallur Nathathanaar, and highlights the beauty of the metaphors that he employs. It also shows how the text offers an insight into the socio-cultural milieu of the ancient Tamils, with a special reference to the tradition of ‘virunthombal’ or the hospitality extended to one’s guests.

Poets usually deploy striking similes or ‘uvamai’, metaphors or ‘uruvagam’ and vivid descriptions or ‘varunanai’ to embellish their poems. In Tamil poetry ‘uvamai’ is classified into 4 types-namely ‘vinai’, ‘payan’, ‘vadivam’, and ‘vannam’ based on the object of comparison. ‘Vinai’ denotes the action, ‘payan’ signifies the effect, ‘vadivam’ signifies the form, while ‘vannam’ signifies the colour. Nallur Nathathanaar uses all these 4 types of uvamai, very effectively in ‘Sirupaanaatrupadai.’

Similarly Nallur Nathathanaar also excels in presenting arresting descriptions of the virali, the poverty-stricken panan and the various landscapes through which he travels. The text has descriptions of all 5 landscapes, though palai is described in greater detail. Also striking are the poet’s description of the king’s palace, his chariot, and the panan’s yaazh.

Texts belonging to the Sangam age usually abound in references to the customs of the ancient Tamils. ‘Sirupaanaatrupadai’ focuses on the tradition of ‘virunthombal’ or the hospitality extended to guests, a very important aspect of Tamil culture. The panan who passes through various towns in order to reach the capital city of Nalliyakodan, speaks highly of the people there and the warmth and love they showered on him.

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