The composer of Periyapuranam
- AKambar
- BOttakuthar
- CSekkilar
- DPugalendi
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
Periyapuranam: Understanding its Composer, Sekkilar
The question asks about the composer of the renowned Tamil epic, Periyapuranam. This literary masterpiece holds a significant place in Tamil history and Shaivism.
Sekkilar: The Eminent Composer of Periyapuranam
The Periyapuranam, also known as Tiruttondar Puranam (திருத்தொண்டர் புராணம்), is a magnificent Tamil poetic epic. It meticulously narrates the life stories of the sixty-three Nayanars (சிவத்தொண்டர்கள்), the revered Shaiva saints who lived in various parts of Tamil Nadu.
- The composer of this monumental work is Sekkilar (சேக்கிழார்).
- Sekkilar was a chief minister in the court of the Chola King Kulottunga Chola II (reigned 1133–1150 CE) during the 12th century.
- He undertook the task of compiling the lives of these saints to promote devotion to Shiva and to counter the growing influence of other religious philosophies at the time.
- His work is celebrated for its poetic beauty, historical insights, and deep spiritual content, making it a foundational text for understanding Shaiva Siddhanta and Tamil devotional literature.
Composers: Differentiating Other Options
Let's briefly look at why the other options are not the composer of Periyapuranam:
- Kambar (கம்பர்): He is widely celebrated for composing the Kambaramayanam (கம்பராமாயணம்), a Tamil version of the Sanskrit epic Ramayana by Valmiki. Kambar lived in the 9th century CE or 12th century CE, depending on the scholarly view.
- Ottakuthar (ஒட்டக்கூத்தர்): A prominent Tamil poet and court poet during the Chola period, contemporary to Sekkilar. His notable works include Kulothunga Cholan Ula (குலோத்துங்க சோழன் உலா), Vikrama Cholan Ula (விக்ரம சோழன் உலா), Rajadithyan Ula (ராஜாதிராதிராதிராதிராதிரா உலா), and Takkayagaparani (தக்கயாகப்பரணி). He was known for his mastery of different poetic forms.
- Pugalendi (புகழேந்தி): He is known for his work Nalavenba (நளவெண்பா), a poetic rendition of the story of Nala and Damayanti from the Mahabharata. He is believed to have lived in the 12th or 13th century CE.
Based on the literary history and scholarly consensus, Sekkilar is the sole composer of the Periyapuranam.
The question asks about the composer of the renowned Tamil epic, Periyapuranam. This literary masterpiece holds a significant place in Tamil history and Shaivism.
Sekkilar: The Eminent Composer of Periyapuranam
The Periyapuranam, also known as Tiruttondar Puranam (திருத்தொண்டர் புராணம்), is a magnificent Tamil poetic epic. It meticulously narrates the life stories of the sixty-three Nayanars (சிவத்தொண்டர்கள்), the revered Shaiva saints who lived in various parts of Tamil Nadu.
- The composer of this monumental work is Sekkilar (சேக்கிழார்).
- Sekkilar was a chief minister in the court of the Chola King Kulottunga Chola II (reigned 1133–1150 CE) during the 12th century.
- He undertook the task of compiling the lives of these saints to promote devotion to Shiva and to counter the growing influence of other religious philosophies at the time.
- His work is celebrated for its poetic beauty, historical insights, and deep spiritual content, making it a foundational text for understanding Shaiva Siddhanta and Tamil devotional literature.
Composers: Differentiating Other Options
Let's briefly look at why the other options are not the composer of Periyapuranam:
- Kambar (கம்பர்): He is widely celebrated for composing the Kambaramayanam (கம்பராமாயணம்), a Tamil version of the Sanskrit epic Ramayana by Valmiki. Kambar lived in the 9th century CE or 12th century CE, depending on the scholarly view.
- Ottakuthar (ஒட்டக்கூத்தர்): A prominent Tamil poet and court poet during the Chola period, contemporary to Sekkilar. His notable works include Kulothunga Cholan Ula (குலோத்துங்க சோழன் உலா), Vikrama Cholan Ula (விக்ரம சோழன் உலா), Rajadithyan Ula (ராஜாதிராதிராதிராதிராதிரா உலா), and Takkayagaparani (தக்கயாகப்பரணி). He was known for his mastery of different poetic forms.
- Pugalendi (புகழேந்தி): He is known for his work Nalavenba (நளவெண்பா), a poetic rendition of the story of Nala and Damayanti from the Mahabharata. He is believed to have lived in the 12th or 13th century CE.
Based on the literary history and scholarly consensus, Sekkilar is the sole composer of the Periyapuranam.