Question

Read the source carefully and answer the questions that follow:

A demon? This is an excerpt from a poem by Karaikkal Ammaiyar in which she describes herself: The female Pey (demoness) with . . . bulging veins, protruding eyes, white teeth and shrunken stomach, red haired and jutting teeth lengthy shins extending till the ankles, shouts and wails while wandering in the forest. This is the forest of Alankatu, which is the home of our father (Shiva) who dances … with his matted hair thrown own in all eight directions, and with cool limbs.

1. How beauty has been personified by Karaikal Ammaiyar?
2. “Bulging veins, protruding eyes, white teeth and shrunken stomach”, “Shouts and wails” State the reason behind the poet’s condition in the excerpt given.
3. Examine the phrase “With his matted hair thrown in all eight directions”.

Answer 1

1. Karaikal Ammaiyar personified beauty as “Pey” or “Demoness”.
2. The poet was mad as she was shouting and wailing in the devotion of Lord Shiva and she was desperately searching for him in Alankadu and hence her appearance has become “Bulging veins, protruding eyes, white teeth and shrunken stomach.”
3. The Phrase infers Lord shiva dancing in Alankadu where in, his matted hair was thrown in all eight directions while dancing with his limbs freely moving in the air.