Silappatikaram is the first Tamil epic. In Tamil legend, Ilango Adigal is credited with creating Silappatikaram. The earliest Tamil epic is Silappatikaram. It is a 5,730-line poem written nearly entirely in akaval (aciriyam) metre. The epic is a sad love story of Kannaki and her husband Kovalan, two ordinary people. He is claimed to be a Jain monk and the younger brother of Chera king Senguttuvan, the family and ruler of whom is described in the Fifth Ten of the Patiuppattu, a Sangam poem. This article will explain to you about the Silappadikaram which will be helpful in Ancient History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Silappadikaram

• Kannaki and other characters in the narrative are referenced or alluded to in Sangam literature such as the Naiai and subsequent works such as the Kovalam Katai.
• It is credited to a prince-turned-monk named Ilanko Atikal and was most likely written in the 5th or 6th centuries CE.
• The Silapathikaram tells the story of the young merchant Kovalan's marriage to the virtuous Kannaki (Kannagi), his love for the courtesan Matavi, and his subsequent ruin and exile in Madurai.
• Where he is unjustly executed after attempting to sell his wife's anklet to a wicked goldsmith who had stolen the queen's anklet and charged Kovalan with theft.
• Kannaki, the widow, arrives in Madurai, confirms Kovalan's innocence, then cuts off one breast and tosses it at the burning kingdom of Madurai.
• Such is the power of a devoted woman. The third book is about a king's voyage to bring Himalayan stone for an image of Kannaki, who is now a chastity goddess.
• The king admits his error. Kannagi curses both the king and the people of Madurai.
• The king passes away. The society that caused her pain suffers in retaliation, as the city of Madurai is burned to the ground as a result of her curse.
• The gods and goddesses meet Kannagi in Cheranadu in the third portion of the epic, and she ascends to heaven with the deity Indra.
• When King Cheran Chenkuttuvan and the royal family of the Chera kingdom (modern-day Kerala) discover her, they decide to construct a temple with Kannagi as the prominent deity.
• They travel to the Himalayas, fetch a stone, carve her likeness, establish a temple, arrange daily prayers, and offer a royal sacrifice.

Silappadikaram - Characters

• Kannagi is the epic's heroine and key character; she is a humble, gentle, patient, and loving housewife who is completely devoted to her adulterous husband.
• Kovalan - Kannaki's spouse, the son of a wealthy benevolent kind merchant in Poompuhar, the maritime capital city of the early Chola monarchy; Kovalan inherits his money, is attractive, and the women of the city desire him.
• Madhavi - A youthful, gorgeous courtesan dancer introduced in Canto 3 and described as descended from the line of Urvasi - the celestial dancer in Indra's court.
• Madhavi's female acquaintance Vasavadaththai's messenger to Kovalan
• Madalan - A Brahmin visitor to Madurai from Poompuhar
• Kavunthi Adigal - A Jain nun
• Neduncheliyan - Pandya king
• Kopperundevi - Pandya Queen

Silappadikaram - Structure

• The Silappatikaram is split into three kantams, which are subdivided further into katais.
• The three kantams are called after the three important early Tamil kingdoms' capitals.
• Puharkkandam is based in Pugaar, the Chola capital (Kaveripoompattinam, where river Kaveri meets the Bay of Bengal).
• Kannagi and Kovalan begin their married life in this book, when Kovalan leaves his wife for the prostitute Madhavi.
• This work is divided into nine cantos. The first novel is mostly in the akam (erotic love) category.
• Maturaikkandam, based in Madurai, the capital of the Pandya monarchy at the time.
• This novel tells the story of the couple after they leave Puhar and strive to rebuild their lives.
• This is also the location of Kovalan's unjust execution after being wrongly accused of stealing the queen's anklet.
• This book concludes with Kannaki's apotheosis, in which gods and goddesses encounter her and she herself is revealed to be a goddess.
• Vanchikkandam is based in Chera country's capital, Vanci. The third book starts after Kannaki had gone to the sky in Indra's chariot.
• The epic revolves around the stories of the Chera king, queen, and army deciding to erect a temple for her as the goddess Pattini.
• It depicts Chera's trek to the Himalayas, the fights along the route, and the successful building of the Kannaki temple.
• This book is divided into five cantos. The genre of the novel is puram (heroic).

Silappadikaram - Significance

• It combines motifs, myths, and theological beliefs from the Jain, Buddhist, and Hindu religious traditions.
• Like many traditional epics, it is a Tamil narrative of love and rejection, pleasure and grief, good and evil.
• However, unlike previous epics about kings and armies caught up in universal problems and existential conflicts, the Silappathikaram is an epic about an ordinary couple caught up in universal questions and internal, emotional strife.
• The Silappathikaram narrative has long been a part of Tamil folklore.
• The epic, according to Dhandayudham, should be dated between the third and fifth centuries.
• Some Tamil academics have used the Ilango Adigal mythology about his being the brother of King Senguttuvan to date this work in the present age.
• Traditionalists situate the book within the reign of Chera ruler Senguttuvan, who reigned between 100 and 250 CE.
• The Tamil patriotic inspiration obtained from the Silappadikaram is a selective reading and appropriation of the great epic.
• It cherry-picks and brackets some rhetorical and ideological themes from the epic while ignoring the rest of the epic's elements that make it a full masterpiece.

Ilanko Atikal

• Ilango Atikal was a poet, a Jain monk, and a Chera prince. He is widely regarded as the author of Silappatikaram, one of Tamil literature's Five Great Epics.
• He is considered to be one of Cheranadu's best poets. In the epic poem's patikam (prologue), he identifies himself as the brother of the great Chera monarch Senguttuvan.
• Ilango is regarded as the younger son of Chera monarch Nedum Cheralatan and Chola dynasty son Sonai/Nalchonai.
• Senguttuvan, the renowned warrior-king, is said to be his elder brother.
• Because a priest had assured the royal court that the younger prince would replace his father, the young Ilango decided to forego the royal life.
• However, these traditional beliefs are called into question because the Sangam era document Patiuppattu has biographies of kings Nedum Cheralatan and Senguttuvan, none of which mentions Ilango Adigal.
• The Ilango Adikal-credited Silappatikaram epic inspired another Tamil poetry epic named Manimekalai. Silappatikaram is followed by this lyrical epic.
• It is centred on Manimekalai, the daughter of Kovalan (the protagonist of Silappatikaram) and Madhavi (who had an affair with Kovalan in Silappatikaram).
• Despite the fact that Manimekalai's mother was Madhavi, she worshipped the goddess Pattini (Kannaki, Kovalan's wife).

Conclusion

The Silappadikaram's patriotic motivation in Tamil is a selective reading and appropriation of the ancient epic. It cherry-picks and brackets some of the epic's rhetorical and ideological themes while neglecting the rest of the epic's features that make it a complete masterpiece.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Who is the author of the Silappadikaram?

A. Kambar
B. Ilango Adigal
C. Bharathiyar
D. Thiruvalluvar

2. What is the primary focus of the Silappadikaram?

A. The life of Siddhartha Gautama
B. The adventures of a hero
C. The story of Kannagi and her quest for justice
D. The history of Tamil kings

3. Which of the following themes is NOT explored in the Silappadikaram?

A. Love and fidelity
B. Revenge and justice
C. Politics and governance
D. Social morality

4. What literary form does the Silappadikaram primarily use?

A. Prose
B. Poetry
C. A mix of prose and poetry
D. Drama

5. What cultural aspect does the Silappadikaram highlight about ancient Tamil society?

A. The importance of education
B. The role of women and social justice
C. The impact of trade
D. The development of agriculture

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

1. Examine the significance of the Silappadikaram in the context of post-Sangam literature.

Answer: The Silappadikaram holds significant value in the context of post-Sangam literature as it represents a transition in Tamil literary tradition from purely poetic expressions to more narrative forms. Composed in the 2nd century CE, it not only reflects the societal norms and values of its time but also provides insights into the cultural dynamics of ancient Tamil Nadu. The epic's emphasis on themes such as justice, love, and the strength of women enriches the literary landscape, making it a crucial text for understanding the evolution of Tamil literature and its response to contemporary social issues.

2. Discuss the role of women as depicted in the Silappadikaram and its relevance to contemporary society.

Answer: In the Silappadikaram, women are portrayed as strong, resilient figures, with Kannagi serving as a prime example of loyalty, love, and the quest for justice. Her character challenges traditional gender roles and highlights the importance of women’s voices in the socio-political context. This portrayal remains relevant today, as contemporary society continues to grapple with issues of gender equality, empowerment, and social justice. The narrative encourages discussions around women's rights and their roles in advocating for justice, drawing parallels between historical contexts and modern-day challenges faced by women.

3. Analyze the cultural and historical significance of the Silappadikaram in understanding ancient Tamil society.

Answer: The Silappadikaram serves as a vital historical document that provides insights into ancient Tamil society's cultural, social, and economic structures. It reflects the intricate social fabric, highlighting the importance of kinship, trade, and the guild system prevalent during the period. The text also emphasizes the rich traditions of Tamil poetry and storytelling, showcasing the linguistic sophistication of the era. Moreover, it preserves elements of the religious and spiritual life of the time, offering a glimpse into the beliefs and values that shaped the Tamil identity, thus making it an indispensable resource for historians and cultural scholars.

Previous Year Questions on Silappadikaram

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2018

Question: Which of the following is a theme in the Silappadikaram?
A. The life of Siddhartha
B. The quest for justice
C. The history of the Mauryan Empire
D. The Ramayana

Answer: B

Explanation: The quest for justice is a central theme in the Silappadikaram, as it narrates the story of Kannagi's pursuit of vengeance for her husband's wrongful death.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1)

Question: "The Silappadikaram is not merely a work of fiction but a reflection of ancient Tamil culture and society." Discuss this statement with examples.

Answer: The Silappadikaram transcends fiction by providing a vivid portrayal of ancient Tamil culture, including social structures, economic activities, and moral values. For instance, it reflects the significance of guilds in the economy through the portrayal of silk-weaving artisans. The depiction of Kannagi not only emphasizes themes of love and loyalty but also challenges gender norms, thus providing insights into women's roles in society. The narrative's incorporation of historical and cultural elements makes it an essential text for understanding the complexities of ancient Tamil civilization.