‘ Pattni’ hails womanhood

By Dr. Ashoke Priyadarshana –Psychologist

Elaborating only on positive aspects of artifacts as psychologists might be under criticisms of some who only value the aesthetic content of a creation. The format in which a creation is presented has to be criticized in terms of its artistic dimension as well as the thematic content.  An artifact can be considered a consequence of human catharsis based on the subject’s experience in which the experience subjected to the creation could be internalized through his/her own experience or via a social experience. The subjective experience being socialized through creati
ons is adorable on our part as psychologists as long as it is psychologically inspirational and socially important. Aesthetic creations are the most convenient strategy to approach human inner-self; thus, artists tend to express their language through creations so as to touch the human heart and mind. In that sense the creations consisted of psychological value are frequently taken into consideration by us as psychologists since they could change the subject’s attitude and behavior in a positive manner.

The epic of Kannagi and Kovalan unfolded in ‘ Silappadigaram’ by Illanko Adigal     ( The story of anklet) is now on the silver screen in Sri Lanka having been cinematically re-interpreted  by Prof. Sunil Ariyarathne.  The movie has to be psychologically acclaimed since it has breathed a new life into the women psychology in the country in a situation in which woman psychology seems less concerned.  Kannagi, the protagonist of the narration is defied for her chastity to her husband. Kannagi alias Pattini is now being venerated by many Buddhists and Hindus, probably a prime example of syncretism of both Buddhists and Hindus.

Pattini cult, women and suggestive therapy

According to a research done by UNICEF in 2000 , it reveals a staggering number of females are suffering from physical, psychological, sexual and emotional abuse ;and it also indicates the co-relation between domestic violence and suicidal attempts by women. This co-relation seems to be significant in India, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka. Committing suicide which is closely linked to depression can only be prevented by detecting the ones with severe depression. Unexpressed pressure studded by traumatic incidents in life make women under pressure unless the pressure is exposed in a setting they are comfortable with. Counseling psychology is yet to be expanded in the country so that it could reach these women out there. Local ritualistic and religious approaches might be prophylactic and therapeutic though they are considered primitive by some; thus, invoking blessing of god and goddess such as Pattini may quell the discomfort within the subject since it plays as a ‘suggestive therapy’. Deprived women are believed to be blessed by the goddess mother and alleviate grievances.  Thus, goddess Pattini is a psychological idol that generates a self-healing strategy. Science that depends on empirical data may exclude such ritualistic performances; but psychologically those ritualistic methods seem working as informal therapies. Cognitive reconstruction is possible through these informal therapies since self- suggestions manifested within the person without his/ her awareness might replace unwanted thoughts.

A timely-valued movie

 ‘ Pattini’ could be a timely- valued creation from women’s point of view especially since it not only bears out the pristine womanhood but it shows as to how a woman with fidelity turns to be immortalized. In comparing the epic of Kannagi –Kovalan story with modern epoch, the same principle is valid to the current society since the women with fidelity are respected and accepted by society even today. Moths are lured by flame as if Kovalan is floored by the beauty of Madhavi, a dancer by profession. Kovalan who is intoxicated by her beauty gets over Kannagi and squanders all his wealth on Madhavi.‘ Love’ being misinterpreted in the form of mere lust causes numerous issues in youth whereas embarking on matrimony based on financial purposes might also dilapidate the true sense of love.

A lesson to modern-day love

 Robert Sternberg defines ‘the triangular theory of love’ i.e. it is consisted of intimacy, passion and commitment. Sternberg stresses mainly on two forms of love; romantic and companionate love. Romantic love is said to be consisted of passion and intimacy whereas compassionate love is a blend of intimacy and commitment.  It is worth analyzing the modifications of modern-day love.Kannagi who is isolated by an ironic twist of fate never hates her husband’s infidelity; but her love goes beyond all the mundane definitions reaching a state which is free from selfishness. Her stance in love never gets changed even after Kovalan’s return to Kannagi after he becomes impoverished and frustrated due to excessive expenditure over Madhavi and her behaviour. Notwithstanding, Kannagi offers her anklet to be sold and asks him to go back to Madhavi; but Kovalan rejects. Kovalan realizes that he got bewildered by a shallow cynosure.  A picture can speak thousands of words; likewise, a narration can teach thousands of lessons. Major issues in marital life can be settled by mutual understanding; in contrast, partners are sought to gratify their own aspirations without being concerned of other partner’s wishes in troublesome families. Few adjustments or changes will have to be spelled out in family setting in accordance with the partner’s nature of personality because the impetus of marital life is strongly determined by the manner in which you deal with your partner. Errors are committed by human, and forgiveness you convey reflects your divine nature; but no one is encouraged to be engaged in misconduct as Kovalan does in ‘ Pattini’ movie.

How strong women can be

In analyzing Kannagi’s personality from a psychological point of view in further, her personality seems to be strongly dominated by ‘cardinal trait’, a trait that dominantly governs her entire life. The cardinal trait of chastity is the impetus of her life that ultimately enables her to be defied.   Kovalan who embarks on an unethical matrimony with Madhavi jeopardizes the Kannagi’s family; but her fidelity never gets blemished throughout her life. She is continuously driven by her cardinal trait of ‘chastity ‘overriding the sensual glances of lechers. It is said ‘there is a woman behind a man’s successes; but it has to be elaborated because the man’s success is induced by the woman’s personality and her nature rather than her mere appearance. Life becomes challenging since the day Kovalan and Kannagi leave the city of ‘ Kaveri Pattanam’.  The solidness and the strength in addition to Kannagi’s fidelity are nicely crafted in the narration i.e. she becomes the psychological spinal of Kovalan’s physical body. Kovalan who sets off for the city of Madurapura, with the idea of selling the golden anklet of Kannagi, turns the narration topsy-turvy. The re-union of Kovalan and Kannagi doesn’t last so long since Kovalan who falls into a trap of a goldsmith is executed without trial as per the order of Pandiyan king. The anklet seized from Kovalan looks similar to the one (out of a pair) stolen from the queen( stolen by the goldsmith). Kannagi who is enraged by this injustice proves the innocence of her husband by breaking her anklet which is contained of gems whereas the queen’s anklet is consisted of pearls. Breaking the anklet figuratively allures what she has had in her heart for Kovalan. Besides, the brave manner in which she comes to the fore to prove the innocence, inspires all females as to how strong they can be in crucial situations. Then, Kannagi sets ablaze to the whole city by hurling her left breast to show her malice. A woman’s breast is a symbol of motherhood; hurling the breast in the narration allures that how a woman can strongly stand tall against injustice.

 The syncretism of Buddhism and ‘pattini’ cult is depicted at the end of the movie which also concludes ‘those who live by Dhamma are protected by Dhamma’ because Kovalan faced numerous tragedies due to his infidelity.