What he said by Avvaiyar summary and analysis

 

This poem expresses the deep longing of a speaker who is constantly thinking about his beloved, even when the demands of the world keep him busy.

In the first part, the speaker says he thought again and again about his ladylove, but felt baffled or disturbed because of daily responsibilities pulled them away.

In the second part, the speaker shows how strong his passion is. He wishes his beloved were near to satisfy his intense desire. The image of a flood of desire compares love to water overflowing from a tree, which eventually settles so that one can drink peacefully with cupped hands.

The poem is about a lover’s restless thoughts, the tension between worldly duties and personal passion, and the longing for love to move from overwhelming desire to a calmer, fulfilling closeness.

The poem portrays the powerful presence of love in the speaker’s life. Even while he was busy with the worldly duties, thoughts of his beloved overflow like a flood. Yet the speaker hopes that this passion will eventually settle into something calmer, more tender, and more sustaining—like drinking water with one’s hands.

Two or Three Sentence Answers

1. Explain the meaning of the name Avvaiyar.

The name Avvaiyar means “respected old woman” or “venerable lady.” It is not a single poet’s name but a title given to several distinguished women poets of Tamil Sangam literature.

2. What is Kurunthokai?

Kurunthokai is an anthology of 400 short love poems from Sangam literature. It belongs to the Ettuthokai (Eight Anthologies) and deals mainly with the akam (interior, love based) themes.

3. Identify the speaker of the poem “What He Said: Male Lover.”

The speaker is the male lover who expresses his longing for his beloved. His words reveal the intensity of his passion while he struggles with the demands of work and other duties imposed by society.

4. Elaborate what the speaker means by “the world’s demands.”

“The world’s demands” refers to the responsibilities, duties, and practical obligations of life that distract the speaker from thinking only of his beloved. 

5. Outline the significance of the image “this flood of desire.”

The image of a “flood of desire” conveys the uncontrollable nature of passion and emotion. Just like a flood, the lover’s emotions are powerful, excessive and difficult to manage until that settle into calm and quite satisfaction.

Short Paragraph Answers

1. Differentiate between an Akam poem and a Puram poem.

Akam poems deal with the inner world of love, emotions, and personal relationships, usually expressed through nature and symbolic landscapes. Puram poems, on the other hand, focus on the outer world of war, heroism, kingship, and public life. While akam represents private feelings, puram represents collective social values.

2. Write a note on Tamil Sangam poetry.

Tamil Sangam poetry (c. 300 BCE–300 CE) is one of the oldest traditions of classical literature in the world. Compiled in anthologies like Ettuthokai and Pattuppattu, it covers themes of love (akam), war and public life (puram), and also philosophical reflections. Sangam poetry is known for its use of natural imagery, symbolic landscapes, emotional depth, and refined poetic techniques.

3. Evaluate the poetic techniques employed in “What He Said.”

The poem uses repetition, rhetorical questions, and rich natural imagery to convey intense longing. The metaphor of a “flood of desire” shows his emotional intensity. Symbolism took from nature (tree, water) adds more charm and effect to the emotional experience of the poem and makes it more relatable to common people.

Essay

What is an Akam Poem? Discuss “What He Said” as an Example of an Akam Poem.

An akam poem is a type of Sangam poetry that deals with the inner, emotional aspects of human life, especially love and personal relationships. Unlike puram poems, which focus on war, public deeds, and social events, akam poems explore private experiences such as desire, separation, longing, or fulfillment. These poems do not describe love directly but express it symbolically through landscapes and natural imagery.

The poem “What He Said” is a perfect example of an akam poem. The speaker is the male lover, who expresses his longing for his beloved while also struggling with worldly duties. The repeated questioning—“Did I not think of you?”—shows the obsessive nature of his thoughts. The image of the “flood of desire” conveys the intensity of his passion, while the final image of scooping water with hands suggests a hope for calmer, more satisfying intimacy. These natural images serve as metaphors for human emotions, which is characteristic of akam poetry.

Thus, “What He Said” captures the essence of an akam poem: it is personal, emotional, symbolic, and rooted in the natural world. It reflects the richness of Sangam poetry, where inner feelings are given universal expre

ssion through artistic techniques and imagery.