Ilango Adigal

Ilango Adigal
Ilango Adigal
Ilango Adigal
Born 2nd century CE
Dynasty Chera
Father Nedum Cheralathan
Statue of Ilango Adigal at Marina Beach, Chennai

Ilango Adigal was a Chera prince from the 2nd century CE, who is the author of Silappatikaram, one of the five great epics of Tamil literature.[1]

Biography

Ilango was said to be the brother of Kodungallur-based Chera king Senguttuvan. According to legend, an astrologer predicted that he would become the ruler of the land and to obviate such a happening, especially when his elder brother, the rightful heir, was alive, the prince became a monk taking the name of Ilango Adigal.[2][3]Astrologers predicted that he will be famous and will remain in people heart for a long time.Until then people will remember kings and queens for their deeds. To nullify astrologers predictions the prince became a monk. But astrologers were hitherto true as his work Silapthikaram is being tested with time. There are also claims that Ilango Adigal was a contemporary of Sattanar, the author of Manimekalai.

Notes

  1. ↑ Rosen, Elizabeth S. (1975). "Prince ILango Adigal, Shilappadikaram (The anklet Bracelet), translated by Alain Damelou. Review". Artibus Asiae. 37 (1/2): 148–150. doi:10.2307/3250226. JSTOR 3250226.
  2. ↑ Mohan Lal (2006) The Encyclopaedia Of Indian Literature (Volume Five (Sasay To Zorgot), Volume 5 Sahitya Akademi. 8126012218 p. 4098
  3. ↑ K. A. Nilakanta Sastry, A history of South India, pp 397

References

  • Adigal, Prince Ilangô (1965), Shilappadikaram: (The Ankle Bracelet), translated by Alain Daniélou, New Directions


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