LESSON - 3

D02123 Karpiyal
(Nambi Agaporul - Varaiviyal, Karpiyal, Ozhibiyal)

This lesson discusses ‘Karpiyal’ which is the 3^rd chapter of ‘Nambi Agaporul’. The lesson briefly outlines the definition of karpiyal as codified in the text. It lists the ‘kilavi thogaigal’ under ‘karpiyal’ and also speaks of the various aspects of love in the context of domestic life.

‘Karpu’ refers to love in the context of married life. In the chapter on ‘karpiyal’, Naarkavirasa Nambi presents the ethics, and behavioural codes governing family life. He focuses on 4 aspects of domestic life- viz. ‘magizhchi’, ‘udal’, ‘unartthal’ and ‘pirivu’. These 4 aspects comprise the 7 ‘kilavi thogaigal’, ‘il vaazhkai’, ‘parathaiyir pirivu’, ‘othal pirivu’, ‘kaaval pirivu’, ‘thuthu pirivu’ ‘thunaivayin pirivu’ and ‘porulvayin pirivu’.

‘Il vaazhkai’ denotes the happy married life of the thalaivan and the thalaivi. ‘Nambi Agaporul’ presents 4 aspects of ‘il vaazhkai’ - viz. ‘thalaivan magizhchi’, ‘thalaivi magizhchi’, ‘thozhi magizhchi’ and ‘sevili magizhchi’. They refer to the happy monologues or utterances of the thalaivan, thalaivi, thozhi and sevili respectively.

‘Pirivu’ signifies the separation of the thalaivan and the thalaivi. There are 6 types of ‘pirivu’ in the context of ‘karpu’ or married life. Of these the first is called ‘parathayir pirivu’. ‘Parathayir pirivu’ is the separation caused by the thalaivan’s visit to the ‘parathai’ or courtesan and his subsequent efforts to placate the thalaivi. There are 4 types of ‘parathayir pirivu’- ‘vaayil vendal’, ‘vayil marutthal’, ‘vayil nervitthal’ and ‘vayil nerthal’. All four refer to the efforts of the thalaivan and his wellwishers to pacify the thalaivi.

The well wishers of the married couple take efforts to end their ‘udal’ or (quarrel) and unite the estranged couple. They advise the thalaivi to relent and accept the thalaivan. The thalaivi sometimes pays heed to their advice and ends her ‘udal’ (quarrel) with the thalaivan. This is called ‘unartha unarum udal’. There are situations when the thalaivi refuses to end her ‘udal’. This is called ‘unartha unara udal’. The lesson outlines the various ‘kilavi thogaigal’ or codified behaviours under these 2 types of ‘udal’.

The lesson then offers brief definitions of the other 5 types of ‘pirivu’ - which are ‘othal pirivu’, ‘kaval pirivu’, ‘thuthir pirivu’, ‘thunaivayin pirivu’ and ‘porulvayin pirivu’. ‘Othal pirivu’ refers to the separation that occurs when the thalaivan leaves home to pursue his education. The thalaivan sometimes undertakes a journey to safeguard his kingdom and this separation is called ‘kaval pirivu’. Similarly, the thalaivan may be ordered by the king to go as an official ambassador to neighbouring kingdoms. The separation caused by such an errand is called ‘thuthir pirivu’. ‘Thunaivayin Pirivu’ is the separation that occurs when the thalaivan accompanies his king to neighbouring kingdoms on diplomatic missions. The thalaivan may also set out in pursuit of wealth. The separation caused by such a journey is called ‘porulvayin pirivu’. All these 5 types of ‘pirivu’ are characterized by 9 ‘kilavi thogaigal’. The lesson gives a brief definition of these 9 ‘kilavi thogaigal’.

முன்