Avvaiyar (12th-century poet)
Tamil Poet
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Through Chola dynasty, 12th century and India
The name Avvaiyar in Tamil is defined as a respectable good woman and was considered an honorific. Her given name is not known.
Biography
Avvaiyar was the court poet of the Chola monarch and was a contemporary of Kambar and Ottakkuttar. S
Quotes
The following quotes from Aathichoodi illustrate the simplicity of her style and profoundness of the messages:
"Thol Ulagil Nallaar Oruvar Ularael Avar Poruttu Ellarkum Peiyum Mazhai" – The rain falls on behalf of the virtuous, benefitting everyone in the world.
"Nandri Oruvarukku Seithakkal An Nandri Endru tharum kol ena vaenda nindru Thalara valar thengu Thaanunda Neerai Thalaiyaalae Thaan Tharuthalal" -Don't wait for a return benefit as to when a good deed done will pay back, but be just like that tall and erect coconut tree that drank water from its feet gives the benefit of giving that sweet water by its head."
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Translation into English
In 2009, Red Hen Press published a selection of Avvaiyar's poetry from the twelfth century, entitled Give, Eat, and Live: Poems by Avviyar. The poems were selected and translated into English by Thomas Pruiksma, a poet and translator who learnt of Avviyar's work while on a Fulbright scholarship at The American College in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Literary tribute
Letitia Elizabeth Landon pays tribute to Avvaiyar in her poem "Hindoo Temples and Palace at Madura" in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1836.