சஙககல வநதர - பலவர உறவமற / The Relationship between King and the Poet during the Sangam Period

Literature reflects the life and culture of ancient Tamils. Literatures help to mature the human mind. The matured human life does not end with one generation. It is bound together by relationships that develop from one generation to the next generation. Human relationships are very important for building a good society. One can learn easily about the excellence of human relationships through literature. Among relationships, Friendship is considered a primary one. Friendship is depicted in Sangam literature and it goes beyond the level of Friendship. The relationship of the Sangam period between the King and the Poet is a symbol of true friendship based on charity, love and compassion. The leader and the beloved relationship, the leader-companion relationship, and the leader-poet relationship depicted in Sangam literature seem pleasant. The King and the Poet’s relationship surpass all of them. Poets also served as wise ambassadors who gave advice to the Kings. The high quality of friendship can be seen in the life of the King Athiyaman, who respected Avvaiyar and the greatness of the emotional friendship that Kopperunchozhan and Pisiranthayar had for each other. One can see the friendship between Kopperunchozhan and the poet Pisiranthayar, who gave up his life facing north, the death ritual on hearing the king’s death. The Sangam poets have recorded their friendship as the eternal friendship that the poet Kapila had for King Pari. The virtues of a king who loves and patronizes the poets who seek help, the right given to poets to criticize mistakes by the king and unbiased ideas are found in Sangam literature. Nowadays, the concept of friendship is disappearing. So, the article highlights the King-Poet (Vendan-Pulavan) relationship at the times the Sangam period, using factual records from original sources.