Which of the following books is the story of merchant Kovalan and a c...
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 fell in love with a courtesan named Madhavi, neglecting his wife Kannagi.
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Which of the following books is the story of merchant Kovalan and a c...
Silappadikaram is the correct answer.
Silappadikaram, also known as The Tale of an Anklet, is an ancient Tamil epic written by Ilango Adigal. It is one of the five great epics of Tamil literature and is considered a masterpiece in Tamil literature.
The story of Silappadikaram revolves around the lives of its three main characters: Kovalan, Kannagi, and Madhavi. Kovalan is a wealthy merchant, Kannagi is his loyal wife, and Madhavi is a beautiful courtesan.
Here is a detailed explanation of the story:
1. The marriage of Kovalan and Kannagi:
- Kovalan, a wealthy merchant from Puhar (now known as Poompuhar), falls in love with Kannagi, a virtuous and loyal woman.
- They get married and live a happy life until Kovalan is seduced by the courtesan Madhavi.
2. Kovalan's affair with Madhavi:
- Kovalan becomes infatuated with Madhavi and starts spending all his wealth on her.
- He abandons Kannagi and lives a lavish lifestyle with Madhavi.
3. Kovalan's downfall:
- Kovalan's wealth eventually runs out, and he realizes his mistake.
- He decides to return to Kannagi and seek forgiveness.
4. The false accusation and Kannagi's revenge:
- Kovalan and Kannagi arrive in Madurai, where Kovalan plans to start a new life.
- However, Kovalan is falsely accused of stealing the queen's anklet and is executed by the king's orders.
- Kannagi is devastated by her husband's death but is determined to seek justice.
5. Kannagi's wrath and the destruction of Madurai:
- Kannagi proves Kovalan's innocence by revealing the true culprit - the queen's pearl anklet contains a hidden gem that was stolen by the king himself.
- Enraged by the injustice, Kannagi curses the city of Madurai, causing it to be engulfed in flames.
- The city is destroyed, and the king and queen perish in the fire.
The story of Silappadikaram is not only a tale of love, betrayal, and revenge but also explores themes of justice, morality, and the consequences of one's actions. It is a timeless epic that continues to be celebrated for its literary brilliance and cultural significance.
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