Page:A Critical Study Of Kuruntokai.pdf/142

 The Theme of Akam in Kuruntokai 139

There are only a few instances to be found regarding the day-tryst in Kuruntokai. The companion tells that she is proceeding with her mistress to a tank which is situated very near the river on whose banks the cranes are looking for their prey. She adds that they are going to the park nearby to pluck the various flowers to adorn their tresses after their bathing in the river.t Thus in a way, she indicates him the meeting place. In another instance, she depicts that the hero has not turned up at the day-tryst to meet his lady-love and is not availing himself of and an opportunity good enough since the kith and kin of the lady-love have gone on fishing«*

INTERFERENCE IN THE DAY-TRYST

Sometimes the hero fails to meet his lady-love at the appointed day-tryst, owing to some unavoidable circums-= tances and reasons. This is called by Tolkappiyanar as ‘allakurippatutal’®. Because of this failure in meeting, the lady-love pines away and her companion pacifies her saying that the hero will come to her-soon.

After the harvest of the millet-fields is over, the parents would call back their daughter and her companion from the fields where they kept a vigourous and careful watch. Then Practically there is no chance left for the hero to meet his lady-love during the day. Because of this hindrance to the day-tryst, he tries to meet her by some other means.

THE NIGHT - TRYST (இரவுக்குறி)

The meeting place of the lovers in night at the instance of the lady-companion is called the ‘iravukkuri’, i.e, the night-tryst. The venue of the meeting at night would be a place not far away from the house of the lady-love but within

1. Kuru: 113. 2. Ibid : 123. 3. அல்லகுறிப்‌ படுதலும்‌ அவள்வயின்‌ உரித்தே அவன்குறி மயங்கிய அமைவொடு வரினே..- 1௦! : 1076.