Alangudi Vanganar
Alangudi Vanganar (Tamil: ஆலங்குடி வங்கனார்) was a poet of the Sangam period, to whom 8 verses of the Sangam literature have been attributed, including verse 53 of the Tiruvalluva Maalai.[1]
Biography
Alangudi Vanganar hailed from Alangudi in Pudukottai district in Tamil Nadu.[2] He was said to be involved in maritime trade and hence acquired the name 'Vanganar', which means the one related to ships.[1]
Contribution to the Sangam literature
Alangudi Vanganar has written 8 verses, including 2 in Kurunthogai, 3 in Natrinai, 1 each in Agananuru and Purananuru, and 1 in Tiruvalluva Maalai.[2]
Views on Valluvar and the Kural
Alangudi Vanganar opines about Valluvar and the Kural text thus:[3]
The gods have known the taste of ambrosia by having partaken of it; but men will know it when they imbibe the milk issuing from the three teats (parts) of the Cural. [Emphasis in original]
Notes
- Vedanayagam, Rama (2017). Tiruvalluva Maalai: Moolamum Eliya Urai Vilakkamum (in Tamil) (1 ed.). Chennai: Manimekalai Prasuram. pp. 71–72.
- Kowmareeshwari (Ed.), S. (August 2012). Kurunthogai, Paripaadal, Kalitthogai. Sanga Ilakkiyam (in Tamil). 2 (1 ed.). Chennai: Saradha Pathippagam. p. 419.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
- Robinson, 2001, p. 22.
References
- Edward Jewitt Robinson (2001). Tamil Wisdom: Traditions Concerning Hindu Sages and Selections from Their Writings. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services.