Love in the Maritime Tract - A Translation of Neitalkali

Lands adjacent to sea are called Littoral Tract (Neital). People there, are called Paratavar, Kanavar, Nulaiyar. They are mainly fisherfolk and other communities engaged in trades and avocations connected with fishing industry and maritime trade. Their community leader is called Cerppan, Turaivan, Konkan, etc. Their staple food are fish and the produce in the lagoons. Saltpetre is the main source of their income. By barter, they get rice for food. Maritime trade brings wealth to this tract. Men go in search of fortune beyond the sea. Their lady loves at home eagerly await their return . The ladies wait at shore at the evening dusk for the arrival of their lovers. This is the accepted love convention of the people of the littoral tract.

The great bard, Nallantuvanar composed Neital verses. He has already sung on Tirupparankunram. He is greatly praised by the great poet Marutan Ila Nakanar of Maturai. Nacchiniarkinyar, one of the great four commentators has paid him rich tributes to his erudition. He is popularly known as Nal Antuvan. He belongs to Maturai. He not only sang on Neital, but also helped edit all other Kalitokai. In his Paripatal, he has lavished praises on Maturai, Vaiyai and Paran Kunram. He has sung one in Narrinai, four in Paripatal, 33 in Kalitokai, invocation song on Kalitokai 1 and Aka Nanuru 1, totaling 40.