D02113 Agathinai Iyal - II

    The first chapter of the ancient grammar text ‘Nambiagaporul’ is an extensive treatise on ‘agathinai iyal’. The first section of this chapter sets down the behaviour and morality termed ‘kaikol’ or ‘ozhukkam’ pertaining to 2 types of romantic love- i.e. ‘kalavu’ and ‘karpu’. ‘Kalavu’ signifies the clandestine meeting of lovers before marriage. ‘Karpu’ is love in the context of married life. This lesson offers a brief overview of the various aspects of love in the context of kalavu and karpu. These are ‘punarchi’, ‘arathodu nittral’, ‘varaivu’, ‘pirivu’, ‘oodal’ and ‘thuravaram’.

    ‘Punarchi’ is the term used to describe the union of lovers. In kalavu there are 4 types of punarchi: ‘iyarkai punarchi’ (or natural union of lovers), ‘idanthalaippadu’(union of lovers in the place where they first met), “paangan kootam’ and ‘paangiar kootam’ (or the union of lovers arranged by the friends of the thailavan and thalaivi). The 4 types of punarchi in karpu are ‘kuravaril punarchi’ (or the union of lovers after marriage), ‘vayilil punarchi’, (or the union of lovers after a quarrel) ‘marayir punarchi’ (or the union of the thalaivan with the courtesan) and ‘mandral punarchi’ (or the union of the thalaivan with his mistress). The physical union of lovers is described as ‘meyyuru punarchi’ while the union of their souls is termed ‘ulla punarchi’.

    Arathodu Nittral is the honourable act of declaring one’s love to one’s elders and seeking their permission for marriage. This is usually arranged by the friends of the lovers who wish to see the lovers unite in a happy married life.

    ‘Varaithal’ or ‘Varaivu’ refers to the ceremony of marriage through which the lovers seek to sanctify their love. Varaivau may happen either before or after the lovers are discovered.

    ‘Pirivu’ signifies the separation of lovers. In ‘kalavu’ the separation is caused by 2 reasons. The thalaivan sets out on a visit to his native land before marriage or he goes on a journey to acquire the wealth required for marriage. In the context of karpu, separation results from a variety of factors. The thalaivan visits the courtesan or goes on a journey in pursuit of education or wealth. He undertakes a journey to safeguard his kingdom or goes as an official ambassador to neighbouring kingdoms.

    ‘Oodal’ is the lovers’ quarrel. The quarrelling lovers are usually reconciled through the intervention of their friends (pangan and pangiar), wandering minstrels (paanar, viraliyar, koothar) or the elders (arivar, sevili).

    ‘Thuravaram’ is the last stage in love. This refers to the thalaivan and thalaivi renouncing the material world and leading a detached life after years of happy married life.