pher”¹²⁵ He translated Avvai’s” “Ᾱtticūṭi”, “Kalvi Oḻukkam” and “Koṉṟai Vēntaṉ.” Dr. H. John says that the former work is taught at schools and several interpretations were given from which it was difficult to choose or decide; hence, he chose the one he thought best and the one which came nearer the manuscript he possessed, since there were several manuscripts. The work in Tamil is in alphabetical order which Dr. John call “The Golden Alphabet” of the Tamils. Examples of Dr. John’s translations are:-

Sample of his translations from “Kalvi Oḻukkam” (Rules of Learning) are:

In this work, while translating one of the Tamil poetess’ lines which reads “The present Tamil language does not equal the old.” Dr. John says that this work was not of great antiquity. There have been many persons with the name Avvaiyār who have written during their respective periods, Tamil works. The above probably was one of a more recent date. The various work attributed to these Avvaiyārs have yet to be collected and studied and the definite period of each individual has to be fixed. One hopes that this will be successfully executed someday in the near future.

A few examples of translation from “Koṉṟai Vēntaṉ” are given below:

125. John Dr.; “Asiatic Researches: or Transactions of the Society Instituted in Bengal for enquiring into .......... of Asia”; Vol. II, Ch. 12; Pp. 345-365.