P10422 LESSON - 2

Villibaaratham

     This lesson explains what Baratham is, Explantations about Barathanoolkal in Tamil literature are given. Biography of the author of Villibaratham, the structure of the story and descriptions in the work are also presented. A note on sending messages in personal and public life is presented. Of also gives an account of Krishna going as a messenger from Pandavas to Duriyothanan.

     The four central units deal with the work and the author,

     The four attempts by Krishna as a messenger, are described in detail. It also deals with the literary excellence of this work and how it compares with other works.

    The first unit on Villibaratham explains its source books as well as its dependent work called Nallapillai Baratham.

     In the second unit the section of Krishnan Doothu is described in detail. After consulting the Pandavas, Kannan approaches Duriyothanan four times in a span of 4 days to reclaim at least a part of the country for Pandavas. But Duriyothanan is not for settling the dispute amicably. Hence Kannan foresees war and plans a few strategies.

     There are about 300 characters is this epic, which includes both human and divine characters.

     The third unit is about the literary excellence of Villibaratham. Literary embellishments such as similies and metaphors abound in this work. Flowering plants and fruits are compared to clusters of coral. emerald and pearl.

    Villibaratham has allusions from Ramayana.

    On learning this lesson you will understand the efforts made to render the story of Baratham in Tamil. How Greed for land can be the basic cause for all wars destroying the world, is the central message. You will appreciate the heroic deeds and the youthful games of Kannan. Kannan's attempt as a messenger representing the Pandavas is successful. Though war could not be avoided, he helped Pandawas to win the war. Atharmam is destroyed in front of Darmam, such philosophical ideas emerge on reading this lesson.