Who is the author of Manimekalai?
Sathanar
The question asks about the author of the famous Tamil epic, Manimekalai. This is a key piece of information regarding classical Tamil literature.
Let's examine the options provided:
Based on literary history, the author of the Manimekalai is Sathanar.
Manimekalai is one of the Five Great Epics of Tamil literature. It is a Buddhist epic and serves as a sequel to the Silappatikaram. It tells the story of Manimekalai, the daughter of Kovalan (from Silappatikaram) and the courtesan Madhavi.
We are looking for the author of Manimekalai. Traditional Tamil literary history attributes the authorship of Manimekalai to Sathanar.
Comparatively, Ilango Adigal wrote Silappatikaram. Kovalan is a character within Silappatikaram. Timtakkatevar is not recognized as the author of this epic.
Therefore, the author of Manimekalai is Sathanar.
| Epic | Author | Brief Description |
|---|---|---|
| Silappatikaram | Ilango Adigal | Story of Kovalan, Kannagi, and Madhavi. Jaina epic. |
| Manimekalai | Sathanar | Story of Manimekalai, daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi. Buddhist epic. Sequel to Silappatikaram. |
| Civaka Cintamani | Tiruttakkatēvar | Jaina epic about the life of Civakan. |
| Author | Known Work(s) | Era/Period |
|---|---|---|
| Sathanar (Chithalai Sathanar) | Manimekalai | Post-Sangam Period (often grouped with the Five Great Epics) |
| Ilango Adigal | Silappatikaram | Post-Sangam Period (often grouped with the Five Great Epics) |
| Tiruttakkatēvar | Civaka Cintamani | Post-Sangam Period (often grouped with the Five Great Epics) |
| Thiruvalluvar | Thirukkural | Sangam or Post-Sangam Period |
Manimekalai is highly regarded not only for its literary merit but also for its detailed exposition of Buddhist philosophy and practices prevalent at the time. Sathanar, its author, is believed to have been a Buddhist monk or scholar. The epic provides valuable insights into the social and religious conditions of that period in South India.
The connection between Silappatikaram and Manimekalai is significant. They are often referred to as the "Twin Epics" because Manimekalai continues the story focusing on a character from the first epic and shares thematic elements, though approaching them from different philosophical perspectives (Silappatikaram leans towards Jainism, while Manimekalai is Buddhist).
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