Blackgram spun with ghee

Ainkurunooru 211
neyyodu mayakkiya uzhunthu nootranna
vayalaiAm silambin thalaiyathu
seyalaiAm pakaiththazhai vaadum  annaai

Sung by Kapilar,  categorized in 'annaai paththu', a group of ten Kurinji thinai songs addressing the heroine affectionately as mother.  The song depicts the words spoken by the heroine's friend to the heroine. It was typical to call a friend affectionately as mother, as we do use the words dear, darling etc these days.



 
  

Purslane vine

Poem Meaning: The differing leaves of the beautiful Asoka tree growing atop the beautiful mountain, where purslane vines grow as if black gram flour mized with ghee is spun around, would wilt my dear. 

Description: Purslane Vines are compared to black gram flour mixed with ghee spun together. The shiny texture of the white purslane vines makes the poet think of the ghee mixed flour. The hero's beautiful mountain is covered by such vines whereby beautiful Asoka trees also stand tall. The hero having made a skirt from the leaves of the Asoka tree making it loose its leaves, gives it to the heroine's friend and asks that to be delivered to the heroine. The friend accepts it from the hero and tries to convince the heroine to wear the skirt. She says the leaves would wilt if the heroine doesn't wear. The heroine's friend also implies that this gift from the hero would help cheer up the heroine who thinks of the time spent with the hero long
ing to meet him again. This song shows the herione's friend's intention to alleviate the sorrow of the heroine who is longing to meet the hero again. The leaves used to make the skirt are referred to as differing leaves as they parted and altered the appearance of the tree. The practice of twisting black gram flour mixed with ghee to make fries and making of skirts from asoka leaves are made known to us through this song. The leaves used to make the skirt are mentioned as differing leaves (pakai thazhai) as they change the appearance of the tree.


Word Meaning: neyyodu mayakkiya- mixed with ghee, uzhunthu - black gram, nootranna - twisted into threads, vayaali- Purslane vines , am- beautiful, silambu - mountain, thaalaiyathu- atop, seyalai- Asoka tree (Saraca Indica),  pakaiththazhai - differing,  vaadum - would wilt, annaai- mother/dear friend

My English Version: 
These differing leaves of the beautiful Asoka
Atop his beautiful hill where purslane vines
Appear like blackgram spun with ghee
Would wilt my dear friend

 For the original song and explanation in Tamil please click this link - ஐங்குறுநூறு-211

Purslane vine