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குறிப்பறிவுறுத்தல்: The Reading of the Signs
About this chapter
குறிப்பறிவுறுத்தல், the reading of the signs (or "making the signs known"), is about feelings that are shown without words, through glances, bracelets, pallor and looks. The voices change: in some kurals the husband reads the signs in his wife (தலைவி), and in others she speaks of the signs her own body gives.
Kural 1271 sets the idea. Even if she hides her feelings, her eyes will not keep still, for they have something to say. Kurals 1272 to 1274 describe her modest, simple nature, and say that something in her beauty is implied but not spoken, like the thread seen through a string of gems or the fragrance within a bud. Kural 1275 says that the secret wiles of the bangled woman are a medicine for his grief, and Kural 1276, in Pope's reading, finds in an unusually tender embrace a hint of coming loss. Kurals 1277 and 1278 are about separation. Her bracelets, she says, knew he was leaving before she did, and it was only yesterday that he left, yet she has been pale for seven days. Kural 1279 is a small silent scene. She looked at her bracelets, then her shoulders, then at his feet, and that was her whole message. Kural 1280 ends by saying that to show love's pain through the eyes alone and ask for help is a woman's most womanly device.
Kural 1277 is the most vivid image of the chapter.
The 10 kurals of குறிப்பறிவுறுத்தல்
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.
கரப்பினுங் கையிகந் தொல்லாநின் உண்கண்
உரைக்கல் உறுவதொன் றுண்டு.
Karappinung Kaiyikan Thollaanin Unkan
Uraikkal Uruvadhon Runtu
Thou hid'st it, yet thine eye, disdaining all restraint, Something, I know not, what, would utter of complaint
கண்ணிறைந்த காரிகைக் காம்பேர்தோட் பேதைக்குப்
பெண்நிறைந்த நீர்மை பெரிது.
Kanniraindha Kaarikaik Kaamperdhot Pedhaikkup
Penniraindha Neermai Peridhu
The simple one whose beauty fills mine eye, whose shoulders curveLike bambu stem, hath all a woman's modest sweet reserve
மணியில் திகழ்தரு நூல்போல் மடந்தை
அணியில் திகழ்வதொன்று உண்டு.
Maniyil Thikazhdharu Noolpol Matandhai
Aniyil Thikazhvadhondru Untu
As through the crystal beads is seen the thread on which they 're strungSo in her beauty gleams some thought cannot find a tongue
முகைமொக்குள் உள்ளது நாற்றம்போல் பேதை
நகைமொக்குள் உள்ளதொன் றுண்டு.
Mukaimokkul Ulladhu Naatrampol Pedhai
Nakaimokkul Ulladhon Runtu
As fragrance in the opening bud, some secret liesConcealed in budding smile of this dear damsel's eyes
செறிதொடி செய்திறந்த கள்ளம் உறுதுயர்
தீர்க்கும் மருந்தொன்று உடைத்து.
Seridhoti Seydhirandha Kallam Urudhuyar
Theerkkum Marundhondru Utaiththu
The secret wiles of her with thronging armlets decked, Are medicines by which my raising grief is checked
பெரிதாற்றிப் பெட்பக் கலத்தல் அரிதாற்றி
அன்பின்மை சூழ்வ துடைத்து.
Peridhaatrip Petpak Kalaththal Aridhaatri
Anpinmai Soozhva Thutaiththu
While lovingly embracing me, his heart is only grieved:It makes me think that I again shall live of love bereaved
தண்ணந் துறைவன் தணந்தமை நம்மினும்
முன்னம் உணர்ந்த வளை.
Thannan Thuraivan Thanandhamai Namminum
Munnam Unarndha Valai
My severance from the lord of this cool shore, My very armlets told me long before
நெருநற்றுச் சென்றார்எம் காதலர் யாமும்
எழுநாளேம் மேனி பசந்து.
Nerunatruch Chendraarem Kaadhalar Yaamum
Ezhunaalem Meni Pasandhu
My loved one left me, was it yesterday?Days seven my pallid body wastes away
தொடிநோக்கி மென்தோளும் நோக்கி அடிநோக்கி
அஃதாண் டவள்செய் தது.
Thotinokki Mendholum Nokki Atinokki
Aqdhaan Tavalsey Thadhu
She viewed her tender arms, she viewed the armlets from them slid; She viewed her feet: all this the lady did
பெண்ணினால் பெண்மை உடைத்தென்ப கண்ணினால்
காமநோய் சொல்லி இரவு.
Penninaal Penmai Utaiththenpa Kanninaal
Kaamanoi Solli Iravu
To show by eye the pain of love, and for relief to pray, Is womanhood's most womanly device, men say
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