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On Praising Ladies On Their Qualities In the Thiruk-Kural: Canto 112, K1114 and K1120

On Praising Ladies on their Qualities in the THIRUK-KURAL: Canto 112, Nalam Punainthu Uraiththal, K1114 and K1120 [Please see "introduction on the plight of young girls" in the previous post on this Canto 112: K1111 and K1113, and please note that they were (and are still from all accounts though less frequently) given in marriage by parents who pay DOWRY in the form of cash and property to the bridegroom, despite the fact that the law frowns on such practices since Independence.] K1114: kaanin kuvalai kavilnthu nilan nOkkum maanilai kanovvEm enru The lotus*, seeing her, with head demiss, the ground would eye, And say: ' With eyes of her, rich gems who wears, we cannot vie.' (Transl. G.U. Pope) If the blue lotus* could see, it would stoop and look at the ground saying, 'I can never resemble the eyes of this excellent jewelled one.' (Transl Drew & Lazarus) Should the water-lily* be confronted by the resplendent gem-decked maiden, it would droop down, eyes downcast, thinking the comparison futile. (Transl. T. Wignesan) K1120: anichcham* annaththin thuuviyam* maathar adikku neruñchip* palam The flower of the sensitive plant, and the down of the swan's white breast, As the thorn are harsh, by the delicate feet of this maiden pressed. (Transl. G.U. Pope) The anichcham and the feathers of the swan are to the feet of females, like the fruit of the (thorny) Nerunji*. (Transl. Drew & Lazarus) (Such the beauteous form of the maiden) that even the anichcham* and the swan's downy fur* are but caltrope thistle* thorns pressed on her feet. (Transl. T. Wignesan) [* Here the use of imagery drawn from nature (flower, bird, plant, fruit), supposed to be ethereally delicate evoke poetic effusion (to the Tamils of yore), offset by their relegation to thorns by comparison to the maiden's feet.] T. Wignesan © T. Wignesan - Paris, 2017

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