Tamil literature is so rich with its works on Grammar with Tholkaapiyam (தொல்காப்பியம்) by Tholkaapiyar (தொல்காப்பியர்) being the oldest work on Tamil Grammar. There were other great works on Tamil Grammar during different periods of time that includes Nannool (நன்னூல்), Yapparum Kalakaarigai (யாப்பருங்கலக்காரிகை), Veera Chozhiyam (வீரசோழியம்), Maaran Alangaaram (மாறனலங்காரம்). I recently had a chance to read another great work on Tamil Grammar - Thandialangaram (தண்டியலங்காரம்). Actually it is a book on Ani Ilakkanam (அணி இலக்கணம்), the Grammar on Poetical Decorations.
Before I begin getting deeper into this, I would like to mention that I am not a scholar in Tamil nor am I an expert in Tamil Literature, so I would request the readers to bear with me if there are any mistakes or errors.
meaning, The ones that rise from the mountains and worshipped by all great men, illuminate and enlighten this world covered by the high seas; One is the electrifying and the bright Sun, the other is the language Thamizh. The analogy here is that the Sun rises above the mountains and removes out the darkness from the world, likewise, Tamil, which originated from the Kudagu Mountains removes the darkness of ignorance and enlightens the mind.
meaning, the friend of the lady in the song, is consoling her because her husband/lover has gone away on some business and has not returned yet. The friend says that season the lady’s husband mentioned he will return has started to show up - which is, the clouds of rain has gathered, the deer in the forest are seen and so, not to worry that the man will soon be there to adorn her with the garlands
There is another way to read this poem. For the first two-lines follow the orange line and for the second two-lines follow the blue line in the diagram.
Maalai maatru (Palindromes)
Tamil language has its own share of Palindromes at least a thousand years ago. A Palindrome is a textual construct that reads the same even in the reverse
meaning, You are a great person with an undisturbed meditation, however you will have to bestow on the wishes of the lady who is thinking about you
meaning, What is there that we would not get when you guard us. If you don’t bless you, she will become very sad, So Lord Krishna (the cow herdsman) please come.
Thirugnanasambandhar has done all forms of these poetry here is one from his Thevaram called the Seergaazhi Thirupathigam
Each verse in this pathigam is a palindrome
Nagabandham
This is one of the complex forms of poetry, in which letters of the poem are represented along the body of a snake from head to tail, the shape of snake is convoluted to form a symmetric Kolam. When you trace the letters from the head to tail of the snake, you get the poem. There are many variants in the Nagabandham
The beauty of this form of poetry is the convoluted shape is what we call the “Kolam” and with colours added becomes Rangoli.
The complexity is that shape is symmetrical and the cells at the intersections of the path have the same letter
meaning, For the salvation of this world, Lord Murugan came with all the noble characters. Those with evil minds would fall at his feet. He who bestows for the devotees who worship Him. We praise Lord Shiva who begot him for us Tamil people
Irattai / Thuvi Naaga Bandham (இரட்டை/துவி நாகபந்தம்)
The next form is the Irattai Naaga Bandham, where there are two snakes are involved, still the shape is symmetrical. Here in this there are two songs, one that runs on the body of one snake and the second song on the other
meaning, You are the manifestation of grace, the One who has the Thiruchitrambalam Stage. The One who cannot be perceived even by the Devars. The One who is a flawless Universal Being. The One who stands like a mountain with Umayaal (Goddess Parvathi). Enlighten our minds to understand/perceive You.
meaning, Lord Shiva, You live as the light in the hearts of those who worship you. You have the great poison in Your neck, yet you shine in all brightness that dwarfs the brightness of the moon. Bestow me with the wish that my mind does not forget You.
The following is another version of the Irattai Naagabandham, the only difference from the former is that there only one song that runs through the two snakes where the intersections share the letters. The first two lines run on one snake and the last two on the other.
The poem above is believed to cure any curse that relates to snakes. Kaalasarpadosham, etc and also to attain peace in life, if the poem is recited in front of Lord Muruga daily, it is believed to bring peace and betterment in one's life
Unfortunately, I am not able to successfully interpret and provide the meaning for this poem. I tried interpreting it, but it leads to multiple interpretations, so to avoid giving any wrong interpretation / meaning I have not posted the meaning for the song. I request the reader to help me and I would be very grateful to anyone who provides the meaning. Please post it as a comment. The song was sung by Pamban Swamigal who has also sung many such songs in praise of Lord Murugan. Those songs especially is of the Chithira Kavi form - Mayura Bandham, Kamala bandham etc.
Naangu / Chathur Naagabandham (நான்கு / சதுர் நாகபந்தம்)
The next naagabandham form is the Naangu or the Chathur Naagabandham, where there are 4 snakes and the verses of the poems run along the bodies of 4 snakes.
தன்னை யறிதல் தலைப்படுத்துங் கல்வியதாலெங்ங னறித லுலகியலை - முன்னுவந்துன்னை யறிக முதல்.
நீக்கு வினைநீக்கி நேர்மைவினைக் கின்னலையாதீங்குநீ நன்மனத்தால் நன்னயங்க ளுன்ன வுடன்பெறு வாயுய் தலை.
ஓங்குபனை போலுயர்ந் தென்னே பயனுன்னத்தீங்கு தனைமனத்து ளெண்ணித்தீ நீக்காதார்தீங்கினைத் தீப்படுந் தீ
உன்னை யறிதற் குனதூழ் தரப்பெற்றபொன்னைப்பெண் மண்ணாசை போக்கலைக் காணாயேலென்னை பயக்குமோ சொல்
Thannai Aridhal Thalaipaduththum Kalvi Adhellam Enganam Aridhal Ulagiyalai Munnu Vandhu Unnai Ariga Mudhal
Neeku Vinai Neeki Nermai Vinaikku Innalai Yaadheengu Nee Nanmanaththaal Nann Nayangal Unnavudan Peruvaai Uyidhalai
Ongu Panai Pol Uyarndhu Ennae Payanunna Theenguthanai Manaththul Enni Thee Neekaadhaar Theenginai Thee Padum Thee
Unnai Aridharkku Unadhoozh Tharapetra Ponnai Penn Mannaasai Pokalai Kaanayael Ennai Payakkumo Sol
meaning, One’s self realisation, Elevating Knowledge can be acquired when one reaches You realising your Supreme Beingness
The Supreme Being will eliminate one’s past karmas, the ones that will occur in the future once you get to realise that He is the route to salvation
What is the use even if one is exalted to the height of a palm tree, if one cannot remove the evil thoughts from their mind, which in turn will cause evil back to them
To attain self realisation, one will have to forgo following even if it the fate to have those - the wealth, the better half, the land, which is materialistic, If not what is the use in attaining self realisation.
In the image below, each of these verses run through each snake. with the intersections having the same letters
There are even more complex poetry forms, which we will see in the upcoming posts, no wonder there were people who carried the Anna Kavadi for more than 6 months to learn this masterpiece from a sanyasi
To be continued...
More to come, until then...
Images / Drawing Credits: B. Karthikeyan
Before I begin getting deeper into this, I would like to mention that I am not a scholar in Tamil nor am I an expert in Tamil Literature, so I would request the readers to bear with me if there are any mistakes or errors.
Thandialangaram is written by Thandiyaasiriyar, however not much is known about this person. Some scholars say that he was the son of Ambikapathi, son of the great poet, Kavichakravarthi Kambar making Thandiyaasiriyar the grandson of Kambar. They quote the following song as a supporting evidence of that information
'வடதிசை யிருந்து தென்மலைக் கேகி
மதிதவழ் குடுமிப் பொதிய மால்வரை
இருந்தவன் தன்பால் அருந்தமிழ் உணர்ந்த
பன்னிரு புலவரின் முன்னவன் பகர்ந்த
தொல்காப் பியநெறி பல்காப் பியத்தும்
அணிபெறு மிலக்கணம் அரிதினில் தெரிந்து
வடநூல் வழிமுறை மரபினின் வழா அது
ஈரிரன் டெல்லையின் இகவா மும்மைப்
பாரத விலக்கணம் பண்புறத் தமீஇத்
திருந்திய மணிமுடிச் செம்பியன் அவையத்து
அரும்பொருள் யாப்பி னமைவுற வகுத்தனன்
ஆடக மன்றத்து நாடக நவிற்றும்
வடநூ லுணர்ந்த தமிழ்நூற் புலவன்
பூவிரி தண்பொழிற் காவிரி நாட்டு
வம்பவிழ் தெரியல் அம்பி காபதி
மேவருந் தவத்தினிற் பயந்த
தாவருஞ் சீர்த்தித் தண்டியென் பவனே.'
However some other scholars say that is a different person who lived in a period earlier than Kambar. Most people agree that he lived during the period of Kulothunga Cholan II of the 12th century
Thandialangaram consists of 3 parts
- பொதுவியல் - Describes the general rules/grammar about poetic decorations
- பொருளணியியல் - Describes the different types of expression/meaning
- சொல்லணியியல் - Describes the various forms of word usage
When one reads the Thandialangaram, they can not just see the grammatical rules of the languages but appreciate the beauty of the language as well, as to how flexible and creative it can be. The following song illustrates such a beauty of the Tamil language
ஓங்க லிடைவந் துயர்ந்தோர் தொழவிளங்கி
ஏங்கொலிநீர் ஞாலத் திருளகற்றும் ஆங்கவற்றுள்
மின்னேர் தனியாழி வெங்கதிரோன் றேனையது
தன்னே ரிலாத தமிழ்
Ongal Idai Vandhu Uyarndhor Thozha Vilangi
Yaengoli Neer Gnalathu Irul Agatrum Aangavatrul
Minnaer Thannazhi Ven Kadhiron Yaenayadhu
Thannaeriladha Thamizhmeaning, The ones that rise from the mountains and worshipped by all great men, illuminate and enlighten this world covered by the high seas; One is the electrifying and the bright Sun, the other is the language Thamizh. The analogy here is that the Sun rises above the mountains and removes out the darkness from the world, likewise, Tamil, which originated from the Kudagu Mountains removes the darkness of ignorance and enlightens the mind.
Thandialangaram is so dense and vast that it has figures of speech, poetic decorations which can be discussed at length and there are many books written with the explanation for its contents. However, in this post, we will get on to the more interesting bits first.
Tamil poetry primarily has four forms - Aasu Kavi (ஆசுகவி), Madhura Kavi (மதுரகவி), Chithira Kavi (சித்திரக்கவி), Viththaara Kavi (வித்தாரக்கவி). Aasu Kavi is spontaneous overflow where the poet sings the song on the spot complying to the grammatical rules, these songs can be one of the other three forms as well. Madhura Kavi is a song that has a good rhyme. Chithira Kavi is the poem that can be represented in a drawing. Viththaara Kavi is the form that has a song within a song, for example, if the odd letters are gathered, it forms one poem and if the even letters are gathered it gives another poem, as a whole the song itself is one poem - there are many such permutations which we will see in the upcoming posts.
One of the sections that Thandialangaram describes is the Chithira Kavi, a poetic form, that can be represented as a drawing. Such form of poetry are classified as Rathabandham, Thani naaga bandham, Irattai Naaga Bandham, Komoothri Bandham, Murasu bandham, Chakkara Bandham etc The Rathabandham or the Chithira Thaer can be found in this post. The others, we will see here in this post
One of the sections that Thandialangaram describes is the Chithira Kavi, a poetic form, that can be represented as a drawing. Such form of poetry are classified as Rathabandham, Thani naaga bandham, Irattai Naaga Bandham, Komoothri Bandham, Murasu bandham, Chakkara Bandham etc The Rathabandham or the Chithira Thaer can be found in this post. The others, we will see here in this post
Komoothri Bandham
This is an interesting form of Chithira Kavi where the poem can be read in different ways yet we read the same poem
பருவ மாகவி தோகன மாலையே
பொருவி லாவுழை மேவன கானமே
மருவு மாசைவி டாகன மாலையே
வெருவ லாயிழை பூவணி காலமே
Paruvam Aaga Idho Ganam Maalaiyae
Poruvila Uzhai Meivana Kaanamae
Maruvum Aasai Vidaa Ganam Maalaiyae
Veruvu Alaa Aayizhai Poovani Kaalamaemeaning, the friend of the lady in the song, is consoling her because her husband/lover has gone away on some business and has not returned yet. The friend says that season the lady’s husband mentioned he will return has started to show up - which is, the clouds of rain has gathered, the deer in the forest are seen and so, not to worry that the man will soon be there to adorn her with the garlands
The poem above is drawn as shown in the following diagram, the first two lines are written in the top row and the second two line are written in the bottom row.
Komoothri Bandham - High resolution picture HERE.
There is another way to read this poem. For the first two-lines follow the orange line and for the second two-lines follow the blue line in the diagram.
Ko - Ox, Cow, Moothri - Urine. Meaning when the ox urinates while walking, the urine’s path will be zigzag. Likewise the drawing to interpret the song resembles the zigzag pattern of the urine and hence the name
Maalai maatru (Palindromes)
Tamil language has its own share of Palindromes at least a thousand years ago. A Palindrome is a textual construct that reads the same even in the reverse
நீவாத மாதவா தாமோக ராகமோ
தாவாத மாதவா நீ'
Neevaadha Maa Dhava Thaa Moga Raagamo
Thaavadha A Maadhu Ava Nee
meaning, You are a great person with an undisturbed meditation, however you will have to bestow on the wishes of the lady who is thinking about you
வாயாயா நீகாவா யாதாமா தாமாதா
யாவாகா நீயாயா வா'
Vaaya Yaa Nee Kaava Yaadhu Aam Maadhu Aam Maa Thaa
Yaa Aagaa Nee Aayaa Vaa
meaning, What is there that we would not get when you guard us. If you don’t bless you, she will become very sad, So Lord Krishna (the cow herdsman) please come.
Thirugnanasambandhar has done all forms of these poetry here is one from his Thevaram called the Seergaazhi Thirupathigam
Each verse in this pathigam is a palindrome
சீகாழி - திருமாலைமாற்று
யாமாமாநீ யாமாமா யாழீகாமா காணாகா
காணாகாமா காழீயா மாமாயாநீ மாமாயா.
யாகாயாழீ காயாகா தாயாராரா தாயாயா
யாயாதாரா ராயாதா காயாகாழீ யாகாயா
தாவாமூவா தாசாகா ழீநாதாநீ யாமாமா
மாமாயாநீ தாநாழீ காசாதாவா மூவாதா
நீவாவாயா காயாழீ காவாவானோ வாராமே
மேராவானோ வாவாகா ழீயாகாயா வாவாநீ
யாகாலாமே யாகாழீ யாமேதாவீ தாயாவீ
வீயாதாவீ தாமேயா ழீகாயாமே லாகாயா
மேலேபோகா மேதேழீ காலாலேகா லானாயே
யேனாலாகா லேலாகா ழீதேமேகா போலேமே
நீயாமாநீ யேயாமா தாவேழீகா நீதானே
நேதாநீகா ழீவேதா மாயாயேநீ மாயாநீண
நேணவராவிழ யாசைழியே வேகதளேரிய ளாயுழிகா
காழியுளாயரி ளேதகவே யேழிசையாழவி ராவணனே
காலேமேலே காணீகா ழீகாலேமா லேமேபூ
பூமேலேமா லேகாழீ காணீகாலே மேலேகா
வேரியுமேணவ காழியொயே யேனை நிணேமட ளோகரதே
தேரகளோடம ணேநினையே யேயொழிகாவண மேயுரிவே
நேரகழாமித யாசழிதா யேனனியேனனி ளாயுழிகா
காழியுளானின யேனினயே தாழிசயாதமி ழாகரனே.
- திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
Likewise, Ramalinga Adigalar also known as Vallalaar has also written a thirupathigam where each verse is a palindrome.
வள்ளலார் மாலைமாற்றுத் திருப்பதிகம்
திருஅருமரு தூராகாரா வாடாகரு ணாசாகா
காசாணாரு கடாவாரா காராதூரு மருஅருதி (1)
தாபாதா தாமருத ராலூடவ மேதவமே
மேதவமே வடலூரா தருமதா தாபாதா (2)
யாரிது காளாவ டுகூகையோ கியோ
யோகி யோகைகூடு வளாகா துரியா (3)
யாகாஆகாங் லிமராயா காயமாமாய
யமாமாய காசயாரா மலிங்கா ஆகாயா (4)
யாபாசனஞானா மதாதீதா ஓதாநாதா சாதாகாசா
சாகாதாசா தாநாதாஓதா தீதாமனா ஞானசபாயா (5)
யாதிஜோதியா ராவாராக சீவசாதீயா மசனாபோ
போனாசமயாதீசா வசீகரா வாராயாதி ஜோதியா (6)
யாசாயாமா சாபூதைவாதே காமலாலீ காமுறுஆ
ஆறுமுகா லீலாமகா தேவாதைபூசா மாயாசாயா (7)
காலபாதீ சோகாடபாப தீதாஈராநீ யாடிமுடிய
யடிமுடியா நீராஈதா தீபபாடகா சோதீபாலகா (8)
ராகாவியா விகாடாமடு கூவிலக திருகு
குருதிகலவி கூடுமடா காவியா விகாரா (9)
யகழ்வா களையா கருணீகா சமரசா
சாரமச காணீருக யாளைக வாழ்கய (10)
This is one of the complex forms of poetry, in which letters of the poem are represented along the body of a snake from head to tail, the shape of snake is convoluted to form a symmetric Kolam. When you trace the letters from the head to tail of the snake, you get the poem. There are many variants in the Nagabandham
- Thani Nagabandham - Poem written on 1 snake
- Irattai Nagabandham - Poem written on 2 snakes
- Naangu Nagabandham - Poem written on 4 snakes
- Ashta Nagabandham - Poem written on 8 snakes
Thani Naagabandham - high resolution picture HERE
The complexity is that shape is symmetrical and the cells at the intersections of the path have the same letter
வந்தறந் தோய்ந்தி வையமுய தந்தநம் வாமிசுதன்
தந்திரஞ்சேர் மதமார்வார் முன் சாய்ந்தவபோதனுசன்
சந்ததம் சீர்த்திவதிதுதி மாதவர் தந்தன்புசெய் செந்தில்
வந்தந்த நந்தந்தமிழார் நஞ்சிதாசிவனே
Vandhu Aram Thoindhu Ivvaiyam Uyya Thandha Namm Vaami Sudhan
Thandhiram Saer Madham Aarvaar Munn Saai Thava Podhanusan
Sandhadham Seerthi Vadhi Thudhi Maadhavar Thandha Anbu Sei Senthil
Vandhandha Nandham Thamizhaar Nanjidha Sivanaemeaning, For the salvation of this world, Lord Murugan came with all the noble characters. Those with evil minds would fall at his feet. He who bestows for the devotees who worship Him. We praise Lord Shiva who begot him for us Tamil people
The next form is the Irattai Naaga Bandham, where there are two snakes are involved, still the shape is symmetrical. Here in this there are two songs, one that runs on the body of one snake and the second song on the other
அருளின் றிருவுருவே யம்பலதா யும்பர்
தெருளின் மருவாசீர்ச் சீரே பொருவிலா
வொன்றே யுமையா ளுடனே யுருத்தரு
குன்றே தெருள வருள்
Arulin Thiru Uruvae Amabalatha Umbar
Therulin Maruva Seer Seerae Poruvlia
Ondrae Umaiyaal Udanae Uruththaru
Kundrae Therula Arulmeaning, You are the manifestation of grace, the One who has the Thiruchitrambalam Stage. The One who cannot be perceived even by the Devars. The One who is a flawless Universal Being. The One who stands like a mountain with Umayaal (Goddess Parvathi). Enlighten our minds to understand/perceive You.
மருவி னவருளத்தே வாழ்சுடரே நஞ்சு
பெருகொளியான் றேயபெருஞ் சோதித் திருநிலா
வானஞ் சுருங்கு மிகுசுடரே சித்த
மயரு மளவை யொழி
Maruvinavar Ullathae Vaazh Sudaraee Nanju
Perugu Oliyaan Aeya Perum Jothi Thirunila
Vaanam Surungum Migu Sudarae Siththam
Ayarum Alavai Ozhimeaning, Lord Shiva, You live as the light in the hearts of those who worship you. You have the great poison in Your neck, yet you shine in all brightness that dwarfs the brightness of the moon. Bestow me with the wish that my mind does not forget You.
Irattai / Thuvi Naagabandham - High Resolution Image HERE
The following is another version of the Irattai Naagabandham, the only difference from the former is that there only one song that runs through the two snakes where the intersections share the letters. The first two lines run on one snake and the last two on the other.
சேயா சேயாதே தேயா சேயாசே
மாயா மாயாவா வாயா மாயாமா
வாயா மாவாயா மாயா சேமாசே
யோயா நோயாவோ யாயே தேயாளே
Seyaa Seyaadhae Theyaa Seyaase
Maayaa Maayaavaa Vaayaa Maayamaa
Vaayaa Maavaayaa Maayaa Semaase
Yoya Noi Aavoi Aayedhae Aayaalae
The poem above is believed to cure any curse that relates to snakes. Kaalasarpadosham, etc and also to attain peace in life, if the poem is recited in front of Lord Muruga daily, it is believed to bring peace and betterment in one's life
Unfortunately, I am not able to successfully interpret and provide the meaning for this poem. I tried interpreting it, but it leads to multiple interpretations, so to avoid giving any wrong interpretation / meaning I have not posted the meaning for the song. I request the reader to help me and I would be very grateful to anyone who provides the meaning. Please post it as a comment. The song was sung by Pamban Swamigal who has also sung many such songs in praise of Lord Murugan. Those songs especially is of the Chithira Kavi form - Mayura Bandham, Kamala bandham etc.
Irattai Thuvi Naaagabandham - High resolution image HERE
Naangu / Chathur Naagabandham (நான்கு / சதுர் நாகபந்தம்)
The next naagabandham form is the Naangu or the Chathur Naagabandham, where there are 4 snakes and the verses of the poems run along the bodies of 4 snakes.
தன்னை யறிதல் தலைப்படுத்துங் கல்வியதாலெங்ங னறித லுலகியலை - முன்னுவந்துன்னை யறிக முதல்.
நீக்கு வினைநீக்கி நேர்மைவினைக் கின்னலையாதீங்குநீ நன்மனத்தால் நன்னயங்க ளுன்ன வுடன்பெறு வாயுய் தலை.
ஓங்குபனை போலுயர்ந் தென்னே பயனுன்னத்தீங்கு தனைமனத்து ளெண்ணித்தீ நீக்காதார்தீங்கினைத் தீப்படுந் தீ
உன்னை யறிதற் குனதூழ் தரப்பெற்றபொன்னைப்பெண் மண்ணாசை போக்கலைக் காணாயேலென்னை பயக்குமோ சொல்
Thannai Aridhal Thalaipaduththum Kalvi Adhellam Enganam Aridhal Ulagiyalai Munnu Vandhu Unnai Ariga Mudhal
Neeku Vinai Neeki Nermai Vinaikku Innalai Yaadheengu Nee Nanmanaththaal Nann Nayangal Unnavudan Peruvaai Uyidhalai
Ongu Panai Pol Uyarndhu Ennae Payanunna Theenguthanai Manaththul Enni Thee Neekaadhaar Theenginai Thee Padum Thee
Unnai Aridharkku Unadhoozh Tharapetra Ponnai Penn Mannaasai Pokalai Kaanayael Ennai Payakkumo Sol
meaning, One’s self realisation, Elevating Knowledge can be acquired when one reaches You realising your Supreme Beingness
The Supreme Being will eliminate one’s past karmas, the ones that will occur in the future once you get to realise that He is the route to salvation
What is the use even if one is exalted to the height of a palm tree, if one cannot remove the evil thoughts from their mind, which in turn will cause evil back to them
To attain self realisation, one will have to forgo following even if it the fate to have those - the wealth, the better half, the land, which is materialistic, If not what is the use in attaining self realisation.
In the image below, each of these verses run through each snake. with the intersections having the same letters
Naangu / Chathur Naagabandham - High Resolution Image HERE
Ashta Naagabandham (அஷ்ட நாகபந்தம்)
In this form there are 8 snakes, and each line/verse of the poem runs along each of the snakes. I was not able to find an illustrative song / drawing for this form. Any help from the readers would be much appreciated. However the following is the rulefor an ashta naagabandham song
ஒருநான்கக் கரத்தொடுநாற் பத்தொன் றாமா
றுடனாற்பத் தைந்தாமெட் டுடனைந் நான்காம்
இருளறுபன் னிரண்டுடனே பதினெட் டாகும்
இருபத்தி ரண்டுடனே நாற்பத் தேழாம்
பரவுமிரு பத்துநான் குடன்முப் பத்தொன்
பானாமுப் பான்மூன்றோ டைம்பத் தொன்றாம்
அருமுப்பத் தேழுடனே நாற்பத் தொன்பா
னாமட்ட நாகபந்த மாஞ்செய் யுட்கே.There are even more complex poetry forms, which we will see in the upcoming posts, no wonder there were people who carried the Anna Kavadi for more than 6 months to learn this masterpiece from a sanyasi
To be continued...
More to come, until then...
Images / Drawing Credits: B. Karthikeyan
Great work! தமிழ் வாழ்க! தமிழுக்கு தொண்டு செய்யும் நீ வாழ்க உன் குலம் வாழ்க
ReplyDeleteThanks Sathish!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. Breathtaking effort indeed.
ReplyDeleteamazing Prabhu.
ReplyDeleteGreat work indeed. Continue your service in the years to come as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nagaraj!
ReplyDeleteReally super Prabhu. Ungala mathri than venum Prabhu ini vara pora generation ku tamil Patri theriyavekkanum. This article is very nice Prabhu. Ungala parthu perumai padaren Prabhu.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Gopi, appreciate it. Edho ennala mudinjadhu.. :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading your posts, some saved for later reading. Thank you. Great effort. Keep going!
ReplyDeleteThank you Raghunathan
ReplyDeleteVery great effort. Can you give the source and references?
ReplyDeleteI referred to multiple sources, Thandialangaram by Puliyur Kesigan and one by an unknown author, Abithana Chintamani, and the works in tamilvu.org - http://www.tamilvu.org/library/l0800/html/l0800cnt.htm
ReplyDeleteHi Prabhu. This is a great blog! Interestingly, me and a couple of my friends (incidentally all of us have our root in Coimbatore - what are the odds?!) started a blog at the beginning of the year (https://kaaviyavarigal.WordPress.com) with very similar intentions and more surprisingly, similar style. In fact, I stumbled upon your blog when doing research on Avvayyar (part 6). Very humbled to see that you have preceded us by many years - hopefully there is always room for more! I will be citing your works in upcoming posts - there are many inspirations here.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work. Maybe we will end up crossing paths!
Sathya - Thank you very much. Indeed happy to hear that you have you roots at this awesome place - Coimbatore. Happy to see that you have similar interests and are bringing out the treasures to the world. Thank you very much for the citations in your upcoming posts, please feel free to use the content. I hope we will meet sometime!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am quiet upset, so much praises about the above posts but I feel it seems so fake and dumb, because I am pretty sure and can bet my money on it, that they don't have any damn clue about the meaning and how it is stitched and sewed and fiddled. Without understanding the traits and inner essence of the poem how one can just enjoy it ...it sounds phoney
ReplyDeleteHow I can enjoy it when you didn't explain or elaborate it :((
I demand for an explanation detailed...as how you did in your previous posts.
Till then no thumbs up from me...
Daivik Kumar - First I am sorry that the post was not as elaborate as expected. However, this is a fairly long post that is into deep Tamil literature and making it elaborate will make it even longer. Moreover, I have explained in detail wherever possible. I will try, if possible to edit and more detailed description to it. Thanks.
ReplyDeletehi R.Prabhu
ReplyDeleteபருவ மாகவி தோகன மாலையே
பொருவி லாவுழை மேவன கானமே
மருவு மாசைவி டாகன மாலையே
வெருவ லாயிழை பூவணி காலமே
The poem above is drawn as shown in the following diagram, the first two lines are written in the top row and the second two line are written in the bottom row.
There is another way to read this poem. For the first two-lines follow the orange line and for the second two-lines follow the blue line in the diagram.
for the above could you kindly show the example how it is arranged and look alike..
you know...it seems u served a delicious meal but at the same time sealed my mouth, hence how can I taste it.... :pp
I know so much of hard work for u, but you are doing a great job....
adiyenin taazhmaiyaana vendukol.
nandri
Daivik Kumar - Thank you for your comment and perseverance :)
ReplyDeleteOpen this link in a separate tab - https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--9SfNMm3OMM/V-l1xgNZfcI/AAAAAAAAH1g/rv6se_fZt94PHPktlseiqq8c5koZTo5LgCLcB/s1600/komoothri-thandialangaaram.png
In this image, if you observe, the first two lines form the top row of the poem, the second two lines form the bottom row.
If you following the orange line starting that touches first cell in the top row and traverses in a zig zag form and ending in the last cell of the bottom row. While following the line, gather the letters that the orange line touches.
You will see that even if you traverse in the zig zag form you will see the first two lines of the poem.
Likewise for the blue line you will get the second two lines.
So in all, you can read the poem in two ways one in the normal way left to right, top to bottom and the other in the zig zag way following the orange and blue lines respectively.
Hope it is much clearer now. Let me know!
Amazing work ji. I'm an avid reader of your blogs. Please continue writing. Hope to meet you in person some day and discuss many things.
ReplyDeleteThanks Balanandha Kumar. Sure will definitely meet you and discuss.
ReplyDeleteAmazing work sir, patterns following is wonderful,sir i'm working on area of research pattern recognition this patterns are great ....can you give more information this pattern...thank you
ReplyDeleteSure Saikumari, please let me know what additional information you need. I'll try.
ReplyDeleteGreat and detailed article. Worth being recommended as a lesson in college.
ReplyDeletevery good post sir,
ReplyDeletemap to the treasurechest