The various dimensions of love – Part III – Companionship
Dear all,
This week picked a பாரதி song that always fascinated me. A song so dense in its expression of his love and admiration for கண்ணம்மா. A song where Bharathi’s imagination soars high and broad as he expresses his relationship with கண்ணம்மா with several distinctive metaphors. His choice of words and adjectives are as always profound and unique.
Every sentence of this song describes his view of கண்ணம்மா and himself and can be interpreted in multiple ways – how actually did பாரதி perceive this relationship, I often wonder?
Picked this version of the song from the movie ஏழாவது மனிதன். L.Vaidyanathan has composed a beauty and has been sung immaculately by B. Neeraja and K.J. Yesudas. Felt this version did justice to the emotions this song exudes.
Will use each paragraph to highlight a different perspective that his lines bring about:
- கண்ணம்மா is the independent entity who always exists and he sees himself as the entity who is entirely dependent on her very existence:
“பாயு மொளி நீ யெனக்கு, பார்க்கும் விழி நானுனக்கு,
தோயும் மது நீ யெனக்கு, தும்பியடி நானுனக்கு.
வாயுரைக்க வருகுதில்லை, வாழி நின்றன் மேன்மையெல்லாம்;
தூயசுடர் வானொளியே! சூறையமுதே!கண்ணம்மா!”
( “பாயும் ஒளி” being the independent entity and “பார்க்கும் விழி” being the dependent one. Light exists always but the eyes are useless without them. பாரதி elevates கண்ணம்மா even higher – she is not any ordinary light, she is seen by பாரதி் as the “ beaming ray of light” – பாயும் ஒளி)
The phrase “தூய சுடர் (Pristine flame) வான் ஒளியே சூறை அமுதே” leaves you awestruck
- பாரதி sees himself as the perfect companion who showcases and accentuates Kannamma’s inherent qualities:
“வீணை அடி நீ எனக்கு மேவும் விரல் நான் உனக்கு
பூணும் வடம் நீ எனக்கு புது வயிரம் நான் உனக்கு”
He is the finger that elicits the music she intrinsically carries and he is the brand new diamond that decorates the jewel she is. The word “மேவும்”has several meanings – the apt ones in this context would be “to fill up”, “ to desire”or “ to combine” – all three of them expressing the oneness he feels with கண்ணம்மா.
- கண்ணம்மா is the ever giving and பாரதி sees himself as the ever receiving in their relationship:
“வான மழை நீ எனக்கு வண்ண மயில் நான் உனக்கு
… வீசு கமழ் நீ எனக்கு விரியும் மலர் நான் உனக்கு
பானம் அடி நீ எனக்கு பாண்டம் அடி நான் உனக்கு
( Like the rain that excites the peacock, the gently blowing ( word கமழ் means “ to spread) breeze that blossoms the flowers or the drink that quenches the thirst கண்ணம்மா is ever giving and nourishing him without expecting any returns – could there be a higher expression of love!!!)
Now all his feelings culminating in the use of adjectives of the highest degree for கண்ணம்மா:
“ஞான ஒளி வீசுதடி நங்கை நின்றன் ஜோதிமுகம்
ஊனமறு நல்லழகே ஊரு சுவையே கண்ணம்மா….”
Your radiant face – ஜோதிமுகம் radiates the light that is enlightening.
The line I love the best is next – “ஊனமறு நல்லழகே” (Flawless divine beauty), ஊரு சுவையே கண்ணம்மா (you are the flavour that lingers always).
- கண்ணம்மா is wholesome and பாரதி is a crucial part of her – they are inseparable:
“காதலடி நீ எனக்கு காந்தமடி நான் உனக்கு
வேதமடி நீ எனக்கு வித்தையடி நான் உனக்கு
போதமுற்ற போதினிலே பொங்கிவரும் தீஞ்சுவையே
நாதவடிவானவளே நல்ல உயிரே கண்ணம்மா….”
She is love personified, he is the attraction in it. She is like the vedas, he is the learning within them.
“போதமுற்ற போதினிலே பொங்கிவரும் தீஞ்சுவையே – When wisdom fills me, you are the sense that floods me”
He sums her up with one final simple yet powerful adjective – “நல்ல உயிரே” – A good soul.
The song exemplifies Bharathi as the symbol of progressiveness where he places the female companion ahead of himself in every perspective throughout the song. Each metaphor depicts the female as the epicentre of his relationship with கண்ணம்மா.
பாரதியின் பல காணல்கள்
ஒரே (கண்)ணம்மா
Reference:
kaaviyavarigal.wordpress.com
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