Which river is praised in the fifth century Tamil epic, Silappadikaram?
- A.Cauvery
- B.Godavari
- C.Saraswati
- D.Ganges
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, Cauvery. The Silappadikaram sings the praise of the Kaveri, the life-giving river of the Chola country, in whose delta its story begins.
The Silappadikaram, the Tale of the Anklet, is credited to Ilango Adigal and tells the story of Kovalan, his wife Kannagi and the dancer Madhavi. It opens in Puhar, also called Kaveripattinam, the Chola port at the mouth of the Kaveri, and its songs, especially the Kanal Vari, hail the river as the mother that feeds the land. Kannagi later burns Madurai to avenge her husband's unjust execution and is worshipped as a goddess of chastity. With the Manimekalai, it forms the twin epics of early Tamil literature.
Option B is wrong because the Godavari flows through the Deccan, far north of the Tamil country of the epic. Option C is wrong because the Saraswati is the river praised in the Rigveda. Option D is wrong because the Ganga is the sacred river of north India and is not the river the epic celebrates.
Exam tip: Silappadikaram = Ilango Adigal, Kannagi and Kovalan, Puhar on the Kaveri; Manimekalai = Sittalai Sattanar.
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