Kanagan Puthinam Velipaduthum Samuga Mathippugal

Abstract

In the five-fold classification of land types in Tamil tradition, the Mullai region refers to forests and forest-related areas. The forest is the land of the ancient tribes. The novel ‘Kaanagan’ unfolds with this forest as its setting. The lifestyle and beliefs of the Paliyar people contribute to the narrative’s development. The clan deity of the Paliyar people is Palichiamman. The tiger, a wild animal of the forest, serves as a symbol of Palichiamman’s spirit. The belief of the Paliyar tribe that a cub will come in the form of a golden tiger and kill the hunter who killed its mother, forms the central theme of the novel ‘Kaanagan’. The bravery and downfall of the hunter Thangappan form the central theme of the novel. The emotional conflict between Thangappan and his adopted son, Vasikkum Puli, strengthens the development of the novel’s plot. The novel ‘Kaanagan’ depicts all the problems faced by forestdwelling tribal communities due to urbanization. This article aims to compile and present the social values revealed by this novel, ‘Kaanagan’.