Auvaiyar

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Auvaiyar was the name of more than one poet who was active during different periods of Tamil literature. They were some of the most famous female poets of the Tamil canon.

One such Auvaiyar them lived during the Sangam period (c. first and second century C.E.) and was a friend of the Tamil chieftains, Pari and Athikaman. She wrote 59 poems in Purananuru (புறநானூறு).

There seem to have lived another Auvaiyar during the period of Kambar and Ottakkuttar during the reign of the Cholas in the 13th century C.E. This is the poet who lives in the minds of Tamils as a grand old lady and is the one most Tamil relate to when referring to Auvai.

This latter Auvaiyar wrote many of the poems attributed to Auvaiyar that are very popular even now amongst Tamil school children. These books include a list of do's and don'ts, useful for daily life was arranged in simple and short sentences.

Abithana Chintamani states that there were three female poets in the name of Avaiyar.

Contents

[edit] Sangam age Auvaiyar

The Auvaiyar who lived during the Sangam period was the court poet of the rulers of the Tamil country. She travelled from one part of the country to another and from one village to another, sharing the gruel of the poor farmers and composing songs for their enjoyment. The Purananuru poet wrote most of her songs on the petty chieftain Athikaman Neduman Anji and his family. The rest of her songs relate to the various aspects of state governance.

[edit] Chola age Auvaiyar

The medieval period Auvaiyar was the court poet of the Chola monarch and was the contemporary of Kambar and Ottakkuttar. She found great happiness in the life of small children. Her works, Athichoodi and Konraiventhan written for young children, are even now generally read and enjoyed by them.

Her two other works, Mooturai and Nalvali were written for slightly older children. All the four works are didactic in character. They explain the basic wisdom that should govern mundane life.

[edit] Auvaiyar Quotes

The following quotes from Athichoodi illustrate the simplicity of her style and profoundness of the messages:

ஆத்திசூடி

அறம் செய விரும்பு Be desirous of doing virtue
ஆறுவது சினம் It is the nature of anger to temper in time
இயல்வது கரவேல் Never stop learning
ஈவது விலக்கேல் Don't prevent charity (Always be charitable)
உடையது விளம்பேல் Avoid words the could hurt
ஊக்கமது கைவிடேல் Don't give up perseverance
எண் எழுத்து இகழேல் Don't despise learning
ஏற்பது இகழ்ச்சி Acceptance (of sin, injustice) is despicable
ஐயமிட்டுண் Eat after donating (to the needy)
ஒப்புர வொழுகு Act virtuously
ஓதுவது ஒழியேல் Don't give up reading (scriptures)
ஒளவியம் பேசேல் Don't carry tales

"Thol Uzhagil Nallaar Oruvar Ularael Avar Poruttu Ellarkum Peiyum Mazhai" - The rain falls on behalf of the virtuous, benefitting everyone in the world.

"Thaal Unda Neerai Thalaiyaalae Thaan Tharuthalal" - A good deed will pay back, as the coconut tree that gives the benefit holding on its head, for the water you pour in its feet.

Her quote "Katrathu Kai Mann Alavu, Kallathathu Ulagalavu" has been translated as "What you have learnt is a mere handful, What you haven't is like the world in its size" and exhibited at NASA. Her famous works include:

[edit] Shrine

In Muppandal, a small village in the Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu. there is an image of Avvaiyar. By tradition, this is the spot where the great poetess left the mortal world.[1]


[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Padmanabhan, S.. Shrine for the Tamil poetess. The Hindu. Retrieved on 2006-10-28.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

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