Question

Explain the meaning of the word Epics. Discuss two Tamil epics.

Answer 1

I. Epics: Epics are grand, long compositions, about heroic men and women. These compositions include stories about deities.

II. Two Famous Tamil Epics

(a) The Silappadikaram: A famous Tamil epic, the Silappadikaram, was composed by a poet named Ilango, around 1800 years ago. It is the story of a merchant named Kovalan, who lived in Puhar and went to Madurai, where he was strongly accused of theft by the court jeweller of the Pandya king. The king sentenced him to death. Kannagi, his wife, was full of grief and anger at this injustice. She destroyed the whole city of Madurai.

(b) The Manimekalai: Second Tamil epic, the Manimekalai was composed by Sattanar around 1400 years ago. This describes the story of the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi (his beloved.).
These beautiful compositions were lost to scholars for several centuries. Their manuscripts were rediscovered, about a hundred years ago.