In this episode, we perceive a romance brewing, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 32, penned by Nalvelliyaar. Set amidst the millet fields in the ‘Kurinji’ or ‘Mountain landscape’, the verse paints a vivid portrait of inner emotions and outer reactions.

நெருநல் எல்லை ஏனல் தோன்றி,
திரு மணி ஒளிர்வரும் பூணன் வந்து,
புரவலன் போலும் தோற்றம் உறழ்கொள,
இரவல் மாக்களின் பணிமொழி பயிற்றி,
“சிறு தினைப் படு கிளி கடீஇயர், பல் மாண்
குளிர் கொள் தட்டை மதன் இல புடையா,
சூரரமகளிரின் நின்ற நீ மற்று
யாரையோ? எம் அணங்கியோய்! உண்கு” எனச்
சிறுபுறம் கவையினனாக, அதற்கொண்டு
இகு பெயல் மண்ணின் ஞெகிழ்பு, அஞர் உற்ற என்
உள் அவன் அறிதல் அஞ்சி, உள் இல்
கடிய கூறி, கை பிணி விடாஅ,
வெரூஉம் மான் பிணையின் ஒரீஇ, நின்ற
என் உரத் தகைமையின் பெயர்த்து, பிறிது என்வயின்
சொல்ல வல்லிற்றும்இலனே; அல்லாந்து,
இனம் தீர் களிற்றின் பெயர்ந்தோன் இன்றும்
தோலாவாறு இல்லை தோழி! நாம் சென்மோ.
சாய் இறைப் பணைத் தோட் கிழமை தனக்கே
மாசு இன்றாதலும் அறியான், ஏசற்று,
என் குறைப் புறனிலை முயலும்
அண்கணாளனை நகுகம், யாமே.

We are back amidst the picturesque mountains, and here, we hear the lady narrate an incident to her confidante. Her words are:

“Yesterday, a man adorned with wealthy ornaments, radiant with precious gems, appeared amidst the millet fields. In contrast to his appearance, akin to a benefactor, he spoke in the humble words of supplicants, saying, “O maiden, who chases away parrots, which come to steal away little millets, by rattling the ‘kulir’ and ‘thattai’ devices, without much strength, standing there, akin to a mountain spirit, who are you? You have bewitched me! I shall embrace you!”. Saying so, he hugged the small of my back. At that moment, akin to how hard mud softens in a downpour, my heart melted. Fearing that he would come to know of my state within, I spoke harsh words that didn’t come from my heart, and removed the clasp of his hand, and akin to a frightened female deer, stood away. Seeing this strong reaction of mine, he stood there, unable to say words any. Dejected, he soon parted away in the stance of a male elephant, shunned by its herd. He will come here today too, without fail. So, let’s go, my friend, to see how that man, who doesn’t know that my bamboo-like arms with curving wrists belong rightfully to him, as he tries to win my grace with much suffering, standing behind me. Let’s laugh at him resoundingly!”

Craning our ears amidst the parrot screeches and rattle sounds, let’s hear the tale of this mountain maiden! The lady starts by describing what happened the previous day at the millet fields, when she was chasing away parrots. Apparently, a man who looked like a wealthy patron came there but he spoke with the humble words of a supplicant, begging from a patron. He seems to have asked who she was, the one who had stolen away his heart like a bewitching goddess, and then tried to hug her, standing behind. At that moment, to describe how she felt, the lady brings in the exquisite simile of dried-up mud becoming soft in the rain, relating to us, what a mushy mess her heart had turned into. Fearing the man would understand what she was feeling inside, the lady seems to have spoken harsh words that she did not mean at all, and removed his hands, then stepped aside, like a frightened female deer. Seeing her reaction, the man’s words dried up and he walked away in dejection, as if he were a male elephant ostracised by its herd! Relating this entire event of the previous day, the lady tells her friend that the man is sure to come and stand behind her, begging with much suffering, not knowing that she belonged to him rightfully. The lady concludes by inviting the friend to come along and laugh at the man, listening to his ignorant pleas!

In essence, the lady is expressing to her confidante what she really feels about the man, and this is the first step in seeking the friend’s help in furthering her love relationship with the man. Interesting how the lady feels one thing within, but wants to hide it and says the opposite thing to the man, and consequently, it’s this outer refusal that encourages the young man to persist in his attempts to win the lady. Perhaps, it’s a reflection of an age-old natural technique, employed by the female of the species to test the sincerity of the male’s attentions!