Lines of a misogynist – Pattinathar Poems

Pattinathar is one of the greatest Shidda poet. But unlike most of the Shiddas, he hates even his body(Shiddas are known for preserving their body).

He is pessimistic,cynical and frustrated.One of the main features of his poems is his pathological hatred of women. Here is a sample of his poems.

நரகக் குழியும்இன்னும் நான்புசிப்பே னென்குதே
உரகப் படத்தல்கு லுனைக்கெடுப்பே னென்குதே. 17

And her cunt – cobra’s hood – says,

‘I’ll ruin you,my knave.’

And yet for its hellish pit

I still do crave. [17]

குரும்பை முலையுங் குடிகெடுப்பே னென்குதே
அரும்புவிழியு மென்ற னாவியுண்பே னென்குதே. 18

Fruit bud* breast say,

‘we’ll ruin your soul’

Blossoms – like eyes say,

‘We’ll devour you whole’.[18]

*-Kamil Zvelebil’s translation was Sugarcane -(but his source was diff – not able to verify the text in his source) – I am going with Project madurai Krumpai and hence fruit bud.

Translated by Kamil Zvelebil

Though language might sound bit vulgar to most of the Readers, I have posted you this blog to show the contrast in usage of Tamil Language by Sangam poets who have beautifully described sexual union and women’s beauty and Cittar poets who are usually misogynist.

Note: Numbers indicated in poems are in accordance to Project Madurai Pattinathar Padalgal Vol.3

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