MUSICAL ART FORM IN MANIMEGALAI

                               

MANIMEGALAI is an Epic that encompasses within itself many aspects of human life. It is a work that needs no bigger introduction. The title itself speaks volumes of literary merits. Every language has its own beauty. In Tamil literature, the Sangam age is considered or termed as GOLDEN PERIOD which in itself holds a treasure trove of writings.

One such magnum opus of that period of time is MANIMEGALAI. The Tamil language is at its best in every form ranging from style (Eliya nadai) Grammar (Ilakkanam) to thematic narration (Karutthaazham) in this Epic. The message for the human race is abundant and this stands as a testimony for the same.  For a fulfilled life, art for life’s sake is necessary and it is clearly depicted in this Epic. There are many art forms, but universal and ancient is Music. Music is a melodious and a sweet sound, but not of harsh noise. Music is entitled to relax humans and energise them mentally. It brings the positive energy there by helps the humans to sustain the pressure of the life. Music is an art form whose medium is sound. Common elements of music are pitch (which governs melody and harmony), rhythm (and its associated concepts tempo, meter, and articulation), dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture.  

In India, music has always remained as a principle means of entertainment. Music is considered to be the queen of all arts and is perceived as a harbinger of peace and tranquility. Music of India is one of the oldest unbroken musical traditions in the world. It is said that the origin of this system go back to the Vedas (ancient scripts of the Hindus) and it traces its origin to the very first sound created on the earth. The CHANTS OF VEDAS followed this foremost creation of sound and are believed to be the first music of India.

The earliest written reference of Indian music is found in the great scholar and sage BHARATA’S illustrious book NATYA SHASTRA, a landmark in the written history of fine arts including music. The history of Indian music can be trace back to many centuries. Traditionally, music was a means of communicating prayers for religious purposes and strictly in praise of God and offered to the Lord Only in Temples. Slokas& Bhajans were the initial roots to the traditional musical form.  The practice of singing based on notes was popular even from the vedic times where the hymns in SAMA VEDA, a sacred text, were sung as SAMAGANA and not chanted. Music be in any form or style the ultimate effects are soothing, refreshing & rejuvenating. Listening to Music has got many benefits and its a healer of many ailments. Importance of Music and its various forms were put forth in these verses of Manimegalai.

 “Vetthiyal podhuviyal endriru thiratthu

   Kootthum paattum thookkum thunivum

   Panni yaazhk karanamum paadaip paadalum

   Thannumaik karuviyum thaazh theenkuzhalum”

The two major forms of Music are Vetthiyal and podhuviyal. The former is sung before the King and the latter is before the general public.

Manimegalai is a poem in 30 cantos written by Koola vanigan Seetthalaich chaatthanaar about the girl child of Madhavi and Kovalan. Many poems of the classical Sangam literature were set to music. Poems are always associated with music because of its rendition style.  There are various references to this ancient musical tradition found in the ancient Sangam books such as Ettuthokai and Pattupattu. Sangam literature has five division based on landscapes viz., Kurinji, Marudham, Mullai, Neithal and Paalai.

   These five landscapes are associated with a particular mood of the poem and to give colour to these moods, each had a musical mood (pann), a melodic instrument (yaazh) and a percussion instrument (parai). Manimegalai comes under the neithal thinai, which dealt with the incidents around the seashore and the theme of elopement, had the musical mood of sevvazhi, Vilari yaazh as the musical instrument and the navayapambai for the percussion.

The origin of sound and music as stated in Manimegalai :

“kombartth thumbi kuzhalisai kattap

 Pongar vandinam nalliyazh cheyya

 Varikkuyil paada maamayil aadum

 Virapoom pandhar. . .  .”

Women in Manimegalai are well trained in presenting musical compositions on festive occasions using many instruments.

“Pan yaazh narambil pannu murai niruppor

 Thannumaik karuvik kanneri therivor

 Kuzhalodu kantam kolaccheer niruppor

 Pazhuniya paadal palarodu magizhvor” (81-84)

 The singing in the early hours of the day is termed as Marudhap pann, the evening as Mullaip pann.

“Kandru ninai kural mandru vazhip padara

 Yazhor marudhatthu in narambu ularak

 Kovalar mullaik kuzhanmer kola”

Music has been used as device to spread messages among the people to create awareness, instill courage, patriotism, and righteousness. Manimegalai is a musical feast with numerous features for the benefit of the mankind.