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நினைந்தவர் புலம்பல்: Sad Memories
About this chapter
நினைந்தவர் புலம்பல், sad memories (the lament of one who remembers), has the wife (தலைவி) speaking in her husband's absence. The question is how her memory of him, which is both her comfort and her torment, lets her go on living.
Kurals 1201 and 1202 begin on a sweet note: remembering him gives joy more lasting than liquor, and even thinking of the beloved is sweet. Kural 1203 is a small, homely scene, in which a sneeze threatens and then does not come, and she feels he almost thought of her. Kurals 1204 and 1205 are playful reproaches. She asks whether she is in his heart as he is in hers, and wonders whether he is ashamed to come into her heart so often when he keeps her out of his own. Kurals 1206 and 1207 turn serious. She lives only by remembering the days with him, and has never forgotten, though even the thought of them burns. Kural 1208 says he will not be angry however much she thinks of him. Kural 1209 says her life wastes away thinking of the cruelty of one who said they were not two. Kural 1210 closes with a tender request to the moon not to set, so that she may see the one who went away but never left her heart.
Kural 1203 is the one to read for its homely detail.
The 10 kurals of நினைந்தவர் புலம்பல்
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.
உள்ளினும் தீராப் பெருமகிழ் செய்தலால்
கள்ளினும் காமம் இனிது.
Ullinum Theeraap Perumakizh Seydhalaal
Kallinum Kaamam Inidhu
From thought of her unfailing gladness springs, Sweeter than palm-rice wine the joy love brings
எனைத்தொனறு இனிதேகாண் காமம்தாம் வீழ்வார்
நினைப்ப வருவதொன்று ஏல்.
Enaiththonaru Inidhekaan Kaamamdhaam Veezhvaar
Ninaippa Varuvadhondru El
How great is love! Behold its sweetness past belief!Think on the lover, and the spirit knows no grief
நினைப்பவர் போன்று நினையார்கொல் தும்மல்
சினைப்பது போன்று கெடும்.
Ninaippavar Pondru Ninaiyaarkol Thummal
Sinaippadhu Pondru Ketum
A fit of sneezing threatened, but it passed away; He seemed to think of me, but do his fancies stray
யாமும் உளேங்கொல் அவர்நெஞ்சத்து எந்நெஞ்சத்து
ஓஒ உளரே அவர்.
Yaamum Ulengol Avarnenjaththu Ennenjaththu
Oo Ulare Avar
Have I a place within his heart!From mine, alas! he never doth depart
தம்நெஞ்சத்து எம்மைக் கடிகொண்டார் நாணார்கொல்
எம்நெஞ்சத்து ஓவா வரல்.
Thamnenjaththu Emmaik Katikontaar Naanaarkol
Emnenjaththu Ovaa Varal
Me from his heart he jealously excludes:Hath he no shame who ceaseless on my heart intrudes
மற்றியான் என்னுளேன் மன்னோ அவரொடியான்
உற்றநாள் உள்ள உளேன்.
Matriyaan Ennulen Manno Avaroti
Yaan Utranaal Ulla Ulen
How live I yet? I live to ponder o'erThe days of bliss with him that are no more
மறப்பின் எவனாவன் மற்கொல் மறப்பறியேன்
உள்ளினும் உள்ளம் சுடும்.
Marappin Evanaavan Markol Marappariyen
Ullinum Ullam Sutum
If I remembered not what were I then? And yet, The fiery smart of what my spirit knows not to forget
எனைத்து நினைப்பினும் காயார் அனைத்தன்றோ
காதலர் செய்யும் சிறப்பு.
Enaiththu Ninaippinum Kaayaar Anaiththandro
Kaadhalar Seyyum Sirappu
My frequent thought no wrath excites It is not so?This honour doth my love on me bestow
விளியுமென் இன்னுயிர் வேறல்லம் என்பார்
அளியின்மை ஆற்ற நினைந்து.
Viliyumen Innuyir Verallam Enpaar
Aliyinmai Aatra Ninaindhu
Dear life departs, when his ungracious deeds I ponder o'er, Who said erewhile, 'We're one for evermore'
விடாஅது சென்றாரைக் கண்ணினால் காணப்
படாஅதி வாழி மதி.
Vitaaadhu Sendraaraik Kanninaal Kaanap
Pataaadhi Vaazhi Madhi
Set not; so may'st thou prosper, moon! that eyes may seeMy love who went away, but ever bides with me
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