Porunarāṟṟuppaṭai – Its Structure and the Poet’s Perspective

பொருநராற்றுப்படை அமைப்பும் புலவனின் நோக்கும்

Abstract

Among the Ten Idylls (Pattuppāṭṭu) of Sangam literature, Porunarāṟṟuppaṭai holds a distinctive place. This work was composed by the poet Muthathamak Kanniyaar and consists of 248 lines. The poem portrays a journey in which a bard who has received gifts from the generous Chola king Karikala Peruvazhudhan guides another bard—who has not yet been rewarded—toward the same patron. Thus, the work functions both as a poetic guide and as a reflection of the poet’s vision, emphasizing the themes of patronage, gratitude, and the cultural significance of generosity in the Sangam age.