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பாடம் - 2
c01222 - ஆத்திசூடியும் கொன்றைவேந்தனும்

ஒளவையார் has written several anthologies of poem / verses such as the ஆத்திசூடி, the கொன்றை வேந்தன், மூதுரை and நல்வழி. This lesson enumerates her views on some of the basic virtues and qualities that are essential for living as an ideal individual, through ஆத்திசூடி and கொன்றைவேந்தன்.

Both these works consist of single line verses which highlight the virtues an individual must possess and practice in the course of one’s life. The simple language and easy style have popularised them amongst the children as well as adult learners of Tamil language, since the time of their inception to the present.

Several poets are said to have lived in Tamil nadu by the name of ஒளவையார். Some scholars are of the opinion that a person named ஒளவையார் lived during the sangam Age and contributed to the Sangam Literature; a few others opine that ஒளவையார் was associated with Bhakti Literature the Bhakti Movement; this assumption is followed by another diverse view that ஒளவையார் who authored the ஆத்திச்சூடி, கொன்றைவேந்தன் etc., lived during a later period. Yet another group of scholars feels that there were four individuals by the name of ஒளவையார், belonging to different ages.

In this lesson you would be learning about ஆத்திசூடி and கொன்றை வேந்தன், the two popular anthologies of ஒளவையார், who is believed to have lived during the 12th century. Incidentally. the word ‘ஒளவையார்’ means ‘an elderly woman’.

• தனிப் பாடல்கள்

In addition to the anthologies, ஒளவையார் is said to have composed several other independent, single verses. In general, these verses reflect the clarity of thought, wisdom, command of language and the poetic style of ஒளவையார்.

ஆத்திசூடி

ஆத்திசூடி happens to be the first word in the opening line of the invocative verse of this anthology. It refers to Siva as one who wears the garland strung with ஆத்தி flowers.

The ஆத்திசூடி contains 109 lines. in alphabetical order. The work deals mainly with

(i) education - its importance. traditional learning techniques. including reading habits. listening skills etc.,

(ii) discipline - of the individual and society. and the need for adherance of conventions for social harmony.

(iii) munificence and

(iv) The war and its innumerable negative impacts.

கொன்றைவேந்தன்

The கொன்றைவேந்தன் is named after ‘Siva who adorns himself with the flowers of the கொன்றை tree. The invocation begins with கொன்றைவேந்தன் செல்வன் who is none other than Murugan,

கொன்றைவேந்தன்

(i) emphasizes on the importance of learning and the role it plays in shaping an individual’s life and ultimately the society.

(ii) stresses on the necessity for perseverance and sustained effort. thereby its advantages and rewards.

(iii) hails the significance of agriculture as an occupation and its indisputable place in the progress of civilization in this world and

(iv) describes the lofty position given to hospitality outlining the essential qualities of an ideal host and the ways in which it indicates the moral fabric of an individual and family.

The ஆத்திசூடி and கொன்றைவேந்தன் on the whole. delineates some of the basic indispensable qualities to be inculcated and imbibed during childhood, in order to consciously aim to become disciplined individuals, who would ultimately grow up to live in harmony.