marutham

Marutham is a term used in Sangam literature to describe a specific type of Tamil landscape and the associated marital or erotic theme. It refers to fertile, agricultural lands, characterized by paddy fields, groves, and rivers. This landscape is often depicted as a setting for love affairs, particularly those involving clandestine meetings and separations between lovers. The dominant mood associated with marutham is one of conjugal love, domesticity, and sometimes, jealousy or marital discord.

In the context of Tamil poetry, marutham is one of the five major topographical and thematic divisions, alongside kurinji (mountainous region), mullai (forest), paalai (desert), and neithal (seashore). Each of these landscapes is linked to a specific emotion or situation in love. The marutham landscape is typically associated with the phase of love where the lovers are united and settled, often focusing on the husband's infidelity or the wife's efforts to regain his affection.

The flora and fauna of the marutham region, such as the marutham tree itself, often feature in the poetry, symbolizing aspects of love and life within this landscape. The rivers and fertile soil are seen as conducive to growth and fertility, mirroring the domestic and emotional themes. The people inhabiting these lands are often portrayed as farmers and cultivators, deeply connected to the rhythm of nature and agriculture. The marutham theme explores the complexities of married life, the duties and emotions of both husband and wife, and the social customs of the time within this agricultural setting.