Lesson - 3

P10413 Manimekalai - Inthiravizhavur Edutha Kaathai

    This lesson discusses another major epic called Manimekalai. The first story-part called Vizhavarai Kaathai is the main subject matter. Indravizha as a special event of social participation without religious differences has been taken up to highlight the epic character of this great Tamil work.

    Manimekalai is the daughter of Kovalan the hero of Cilapathikaaram and Maadhavi the alter-heroine. Thirty story parts narrate the life of Manimekalai as a young woman rejecting worldly life. This is considered as an epic of social reform, propagating the religion of Buddhism and the three principles of temporary nature of youth, human body and material wealth.

    This important unit Vizhavarai Kaathai, describes Indravizha as a function to relieve mankind from enmity, hunger and disease. The origin and the manner of organising of this function is described in the third central unit. The announcer of this event praises the country, the king and the people in the beginning and at the end of the announcement, as a tradition.

    You will learn from this lesson the manner of conducting a social function and the peerless culture depicted therein. The 28-day function and its special nature provide some insight into the ancient traditions. The elderly people of Poompuhar used to gather together seeking goodness for the town. The ideas of benevolence of conducting such a function and of malevolence in non-conduct of the event can be understood from this lesson. The secularism adopted by the ancient people during festival days is of great significance, relevant to modern times. The practice of public announcement infuses patriotic spirit in the people.