Kovalan

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Kovalan, the son of a wealthy merchant, Maasaathuvasn in Kavirippattinam, married Kannagi, the lovely daughter of another merchant. They lived together happily in the city of Kaveripoompattinam, until Kovalan met the dancer Madhavi and fell in love with her. In his infatuation he forgot Kannagi and gradually spent all his wealth on the dancer. At last, penniless, Kovalan realised his mistake, and returned back to Kannagi. Their only asset was a precious pair of anklets (cilambu--- hence the name of the epic), filled with gems, which she gave to him willingly. With these as their capital they went to the great city of Madurai, where Kovalan hoped to recoup his fortunes by trade.

The city of Madurai was ruled by the Pandya king Neduncheziyan. Upon arrival to Madurai, Kovalan set out to sell Kannagi's anklets. While on his way to sell the anklet, he was held by the king's guards for the alleged theft of the queen's anklet. It was the court goldsmith who had robbed the queen's anklets. Unaware of this, the king ordered to behead Kovalan for the theft and eventually Kovalan was killed.

As Kannaki heard this news and proves the king that he made a mistake and Kannaki's anger fires out the entire Madurai city, the king too dies,.

it is believed that the Kovalan and Kannaki are from Nagarathar community.

Cilappatikaram by Ilango Adigal
Characters
Kannagi \| Kovalan \| Madhavi \| Neduncheziyan \| Manimekalai \| Masattuvan \| Vacavadattai \| Kosigan \| Madalan \| Kavunthi Adigal \| Kopperundevi
Other
Puhar \| Madurai \| Vanchi