Kodai Madam (Generous Folly) in Sangam Literature

சங்க இலக்கியத்தில் கொடை மடம்

Abstract

Although many generous patrons lived in Tamil Nadu, literature has specially mentioned seven patrons with the names Pegan, Pari, Kari, Ay, Adhikan, Nalli, and Ori. A peacock calling in the forest, jasmine vines spreading in the forest, and beggars pleading in poverty are natural occurrences. We see patrons who gave away even the finest blue Kalinga cloth and the life-sustaining gooseberry fruit to God and Tamil elders without keeping them for themselves. The act that gave rise to the compassionate feeling of showing mercy even towards inanimate objects, rather than considering all these as natural events, was called "kodai madam" (generous folly).