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D02112 Agathinai Iyal - I

    This lesson discusses the various types of Agaporul. The first section of the famous grammar text “Nambi Agaporul” is an extensive treatise on the different aspects of agathinai. Agathinai is a literary convention that prescribes and codifies the emotions, conduct and behaviour pertaining to love, courtship and marriage. According to this codification the inner universe or ‘agam’ is broadly classified into 7 thinais or modes. 5 of these called ‘Ainthinai’ are geographical landscapes mirroring specific mindscapes. The other 2 i.e. Kaikilai and Perunthinai are non-geographical modes. Thus, broadly speaking there are 3 types of agathinai: Ainthinai, Kaikilai, and Perunthinai.

    Kaikilai, which is the first of the 3 major types of Agathinai, speaks of one sided love. Perunthinai concerns love that is unsuitable. Ainthinai, which is the most celebrated agathinai, glorifies love that is born of mutual understanding and affection. In ainthinai the meeting, courtship and marriage of the thalaivan (lover) and the thalaivi (beloved) are set against the backdrop of the 5 landscapes - i.e. kurunji, paalai, mullai, neithal and marutham. Hence the term “Ainthinai”, “Ainthu” meaning 5. Each thinai is associated with a specific landscape and the flora, fauna, topography and deity appropriate to the landscape, thus conveying each emotion concerning one aspect of a romantic relationship.

    Grammar texts broadly classify the subjects (porul) or themes associated with the 5 landscapes or ainthinai into 3 types: Mudharporul, Karuporul and Uriporul.

    Mudharporul signifies the landscape, the time and seasons appropriate to the landscape. Kurinji denotes mountainous regions. Mullai is forests and pasture. Marutham signifies agricultural lands, plains and valleys. Neithal is the seashore while Palai denotes parched wastelands.

    Karupporul denotes the deity, people, flora, fauna, topography, musical instruments, and occupation pertaining to a specific landscape.

    Uriporul refers to the ‘ozhukkam’ (behaviour or emotions) attributed to a landscape. Kurinji concerns the union of lovers. The beloved patiently waiting for her lover is dramatized against the backdrop of mullai. The emotion associated with neithal is sorrow and grief caused by separation of the lovers. Lovers’ quarrels are set against the backdrop of marutham while palai signifies the agony of separation or the beloved anxiously waiting for her lover who has set out on a dangerous journey.