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அலர் அறிவுறுத்தல்: The Announcement of the Rumour
About this chapter
அலர் அறிவுறுத்தல், the announcement of the rumour, is about the town's gossip (அலர்) over a secret love. The speaker is mostly the beloved (தலைவி). What stands out is that she is not simply troubled by the talk. In an unexpected way, she welcomes it.
Kural 1141 sets this tone, saying that her precious life holds on because of the rumour, and she is lucky that few know why. Kural 1142 notes that the town, without knowing her worth, has made a rumour for them. Kurals 1143 to 1145 explain the paradox. Rumour makes what she has not yet won feel as good as won, it strengthens a love that would otherwise fade, and, as with a drinker and drink, love grows sweeter each time it comes into the open. Kural 1146 says she saw him just a day, yet the news spread like a serpent seizing the moon, and Kural 1147 says that the talk of the town is the manure and her mother's words the water of her sorrow. Kural 1148 says to put out love with gossip is to put out fire with ghee. Kurals 1149 and 1150 end with her argument: he said "fear not" and left, so why should she be ashamed, and the rumour is just what she wants, since it may push him to act.
Kural 1148 is the chapter's neatest image.
The 10 kurals of அலர் அறிவுறுத்தல்
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
அலரெழ ஆருயிர் நிற்கும் அதனைப்
பலரறியார் பாக்கியத் தால்.
Alarezha Aaruyir Na�rkum Adhanaip
Palarariyaar Paakkiyath Thaal
By this same rumour's rise, my precious life stands fast; Good fortune grant the many know this not
மலரன்ன கண்ணாள் அருமை அறியாது
அலரெமக்கு ஈந்ததிவ் வூர்.
Malaranna Kannaal Arumai Ariyaadhu
Alaremakku Eendhadhiv Voor
The village hath to us this rumour giv'n, that makes her mine; Unweeting all the rareness of the maid with flower-like eyne
உறாஅதோ ஊரறிந்த கெளவை அதனைப்
பெறாஅது பெற்றன்ன நீர்த்து.
Uraaadho Oorarindha Kelavai Adhanaip
Peraaadhu Petranna Neerththu
The rumour spread within the town, is it not gain to me?It is as though that were obtained that may not be
கவ்வையால் கவ்விது காமம் அதுவின்றேல்
தவ்வென்னும் தன்மை இழந்து.
Kavvaiyaal Kavvidhu Kaamam Adhuvindrel
Thavvennum Thanmai Izhandhu
The rumour rising makes my love to rise; My love would lose its power and languish otherwise
களித்தொறும் கள்ளுண்டல் வேட்டற்றால் காமம்
வெளிப்படுந் தோறும் இனிது.
Kaliththorum Kalluntal Vettatraal Kaamam
Velippatun Thorum Inidhu
The more man drinks, the more he ever drunk would be; The more my love's revealed, the sweeter 'tis to me
கண்டது மன்னும் ஒருநாள் அலர்மன்னும்
திங்களைப் பாம்புகொண் டற்று.
Kantadhu Mannum Orunaal Alarmannum
Thingalaip Paampukon Tatru
I saw him but one single day: rumour spreads soonAs darkness, when the dragon seizes on the moon
ஊரவர் கெளவை எருவாக அன்னைசொல்
நீராக நீளும்இந் நோய்.
Ooravar Kelavai Eruvaaka Annaisol
Neeraaka Neelumin Noi
My anguish grows apace: the town's reportManures it; my mother's word doth water it
நெய்யால் எரிநுதுப்பேம் என்றற்றால் கெளவையால்
காமம் நுதுப்பேம் எனல்.
Neyyaal Erinudhuppem Endratraal Kelavaiyaal
Kaamam Nudhuppem Enal
With butter-oil extinguish fire! 'Twill proveHarder by scandal to extinguish love
அலர்நாண ஒல்வதோ அஞ்சலோம்பு என்றார்
பலர்நாண நீத்தக் கடை.
Alarnaana Olvadho Anjalompu Endraar
Palarnaana Neeththak Katai
When he who said 'Fear not!' hath left me blamed, While many shrink, can I from rumour hide ashamed
தாம்வேண்டின் நல்குவர் காதலர் யாம்வேண்டும்
கெளவை எடுக்கும்இவ் வூர்.
Thaamventin Nalkuvar Kaadhalar Yaamventum
Kelavai Etukkumiv Voor
If we desire, who loves will grant what we require; This town sends forth the rumour we desire
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