Lesson - 2
P10412 Cilapathikaaram
- Vazhakurai Kaathai
This lesson deals with one of the five great epics entitled Cilapathikaaram.
A small part of this epic, namely Vazhakurai Kaathai, is explicated.
Cilapathikaaram is the story of a merchant, Kovalan, born in a coastal
town, Kaverippoom Pattinam. His life with his wife Kannaki is narrated
in three cantos of thirty story- parts or Kaathai. The three cantos provide
the movement of the story through the three Tamil Kingdoms of Chera, Chozha
and Pandiya. How Kovalan and Kannaki lived a life demonstrative of the
four subjects of Aram, Porul, Inbam and Veedu is explained here. Ilango
Adigal, the author, used literary. musical and dramatic techniques in
this epic which also has three messages to mankind.
Vazhakurai Kaathai occurs in the second canto of Cilapathikaaram as the
tenth story-part. Kannaki the wife of Kovalan seeks justice in the court
of the Pandiya king for the wrongful killing of the hero. This heightens
the principles adopted in the epic.
The third central unit focuses on the use of Venbaa for the expressions
made by the heroine Kannaki and by the observers of Kannaki departing
from her earthly body for spiritual attainment.
By learning this lesson you will have a fair knowledge of the Government,
Court of Justice, adoption of Royal Justice, strength of ethical and moral
behaviour and activities, and faith in fate as predestined events, and
ends of human lives.
|