Puranaanooru

Lesson - 6
D01146 Pathitrupathu-2 4

This lesson discusses the 7th set of 10 poems from Pathitrupathu. The protagonist of these poems is the Chera king Selvak Kadungo Vaazhiyathan. Sung by Kapilar, these 10 poems celebrate the greatness of king Vaazhiyathan. The structure of these poems reveals that the poet sang them in the presence of the king.

Kapilar is one of most important poets of sangam literature. He was the court poet of king Paari. After Paari’s death Kapilar sought the patronage of king Vaazhiyathan. The Purananooru also contains two songs sung by Kapilar in praise of king Vaazhiyathan.

The poems depict Vaazhiyathan as an illustrious ruler endowed with several admirable qualities. In poem 1, Kapilar extols the benevolence and philanthropy of the king by comparing him with king Paari who was renowned for his generosity towards poets and friends.

King Vaazhiyathan was also a great scholar and was respected for his learning. He was a patron of poets and learned pundits.

Kapilar also records the courage and bravery of the king. A fearless warrior, the king fought and won several battles, thus bringing glory to his kingdom. King Vaazhiyathan is also celebrated as a man who always kept his word.

The 10 poems discussed here are rich in socio-cultural contexts. They offer us insights into the various aspects of the Tamil society like the rule of kings, war, and art of the sangam period.

This lesson also analyses the uniqueness of Pathitrupathu with regard to style. It is interesting to note that the titles of these poems are as meticulously crafted as the poems themselves. They signify the central idea in each poem.