I grew up reading poetry in both English and Tamil. While the vivid descriptions of natural scenery didn’t always captivate me, I was drawn to poetry that showcased wild imagination with skillful manipulation of words.
Take, for example, the scene in Silappadikaaram (சிலப்பதிகாரம்) where Kannagi (கண்ணகி ) confronts the Pandiya king Nedunchezhiyan (நெடுஞ்செழியன்) to demand justice. The way Ilango Adigal (இளங்கோ அடிகள்) crafts her expressions of anger and questioning has left an indelible mark on my mind. However, I’ll save the details of that scene and its powerful dialogue for another post, focusing instead on the theme of wild imagination in poetry.
Poets are often emotional and idealistic souls, sometimes so consumed by their ideas that they drift away from practicality. The same can be said for poetry lovers. What initially seems like a beautiful simile can, upon reflection, turn into a rather amusing comparison. Let me give you an example.
Imagination of a poetic name
The first time I heard the name Vandaarkuzhali (வண்டார்குழலி) I was enchanted by the imagery it evoked. This name literally means “the woman whose hair attracted, attracts, and will attract bees.” and due to the timeless nature of the verb, it is a vinaithokai (வினைத்தொகை) in Tamil Grammar.
Perhaps it’s a nod to the king Shenbagapandian’s (செண்பகபாண்டியன்) question in Thiruvilaiyadal (திருவிளையாடல்) on whether a woman’s hair has natural fragrance. The idea of a woman with long, fragrant hair that even bees mistake for flowers sounds wildly romantic, doesn’t it?
But what happens if we visualize it? I asked AI to generate an image of “a Tamil woman with long black hair and bees attracted to her hair,” and the result was… interesting, to say the least!
Would a man really be attracted to a woman with bees buzzing around her hair? Aren’t bees insects like lice, and wouldn’t hair that attracts insects suggest poor hygiene? Thankfully, the AI-generated image had fewer bees than I imagined, forming more of a subtle halo than a swarm. It seems the AI generator has some aesthetic standards! 😂
However, if I had ever imagined a beauty as the bearer of this name, it was completely shattered by this song from Thiruda Thirudi (திருடா திருடி) with its less-than-elegant depiction of a Vandaarkuzhali.
Rice-like teeth?
Another example comes to mind: the yesteryear actress K. R. Vijaya was often described as having teeth like rice grains. It is likely due to the even size and alignment of her teeth. While I can appreciate that she has a beautiful set of teeth, I can’t help but chuckle at the thought of what she’d look like if her teeth were actually shaped like rice grains—especially brown rice. 🤣
Well, no discussion on poetic imagination would be complete without mentioning the film Anniyan (அன்னியன்). We’ve delved into this movie before, especially the anagrams in it. On hearing the “IR8 pallukkaari” (ஐ ஆர் 8 பல்லுக்காரி) reference from the film, I was left scratching my head if IR8 rice possesses some unique shape or size that prompted Vairamuthu to specifically mention it!
Walk like a small elephant?
In the song Maanallavo (மானல்லவோ) from the movie Needhikkuppin Paasam (நீதிக்குப்பின் பாசம்), Kannadaasan compares the hero’s walk to that of a small elephant !!! I can’t quite picture how appealing it would be to watch a man sway and wobble playfully and awkwardly like a small elephant.
Given that in Chennai Tamil, ‘tiny elephant’ or ‘kutti yaanai’ (குட்டி யானை) has come to refer to a Tata Ace truck, I wonder if the comparison is about the speed of the walk. Of course, that is an anachronism.
There are countless such examples of poetic imagination that can be wildly romantic or beautifully descriptive, painting images that challenge our perceptions. Yet, they can also make us laugh when their literal interpretations lead to amusing visuals. It’s this blend of creativity and whimsy that makes poetry so captivating and enduring.
What are some poetic comparisons or metaphors that have made you pause, laugh, or see the world differently? Share your favourites or the ones that made you chuckle in the comments. Let’s celebrate the wild and wonderful world of poetic imagination together!
