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Normally, Adi is used to address females in derogatory tone or among friends or elderly
people calling women. So Kambar felt happy that he addressed the elderly poet Avaiyar,
the then great female poet, as Adi though not directly. But what Kambar meant to ask as
a question in the song was to identify a plant, called Aarai that has one foot but four
leaves. The Vallarai (Indian Pennywort - Biological name Centella asiatica) a relative of
the Aarai family that is now used as a natural memory power enhancer and rejuvenator.
Lets see the paraphrase below,
Ore Kaaladi -- Ore - One; Kaal - Foot; Adi - base, the lowest part, the surface beneath
something. So it means - Thing having One Foot at the base.
Naalilai Pandhal Adi -- Naal - four; Ilai - Leaf, Pandhal - Tent having only the roof. So
meaning, The four leaves forming a tent beneath.
So Avaiyar on hearing Kambar calling her derogatorily, fumed into fury and repeated
with the similar pun answering his question
"Saetrilae Mulaithu Irukkum Aanaal
Kokku Nikka Udhavadhu Adhu
Yaman Yerum Vaaganamae Unnum
Nee Aaraiyada Sonnaai"
the first meaning, the plant that would grow in mud, but will not be helpful for the small
storks to stand on it. Only the buffalos will eat that and you said the Aarai.
the second meaning, like the meanest of the species that grow in the mud, without
helping anything to stand on it and only the slothful creature like the buffalo likes it.
Having such qualities like the above, whom did you call derogatorily?
Also Ada, Dei means a derogatory tone or used among friends or by elders to address
men
Aarai is also used as an interrogative pronoun - Who. And this formed an interesting
incident, where Kambar got paid back through the same coin (The Pun) by Avaiyar.
Similarly there was another gathering of poets for a grand feast with the King, where
one poet named Vemburaar (Person from the land of Neem) rushed in late to only find
that he had no place in the feast. And the King remarked funnily at the poet with a pun.
"Vembukku Ingu Idam Illai"
first meaning, Vembu means Neem tree which is an indication of bitterness, has no place
in this happy and august gathering.
And the other meaning, Vemburar does not have a seat in the feast as he arrived late.
Then the poet's eloquence and brilliance showed up, he went straight to the King's seat
and just pushed the King a bit and sat in that place saying
"Vembu endrum Arasudanae Irukkum"
first meaning, Vemburar will always be beside the King.
And the other meaning Vembu - Neem, Arasu - Peepul tree. In Hindu tradition it is
considered as auspicious and sacred to have the Peepul and Neem grow beside each
other. Implicitly means that Vemburar being beside the King is sacred.