Patikkacup Pulavar, also known as Patikkacan Puzhavar, was a well known and much admired poet, author and scholar from the Tamil country. The poet composed the literary work of Tonntaimantala Catakam in the Tamil language. He is most popular for his compositions of Cantappatalkal that is rhythmic poems. His poetic compositions are considered of great significance in Tamil literature.
The Tamil literary work of Tonntaimantala Catakam, composed by the popular Tamil poet Patikkacup Pulavar (Patikkacan Puzhavar) is perhaps his most famous compositions. Catakams refers to those poetic compositions that comprises of one hundred verses without any sub-division of episodes or chapters. These forms of literary works are known as Catakam in Sanskrit. In the 17th century, 18th century and 19th century, there was growing interest in composing works on Catakams. The poetic compositions were rendered in a smooth, simple and logical manner to make it easy for reading. The authors of catakams faithfully recorded the events of a certain geographical area during their era. Thus the poet Patikkacup Pulavar constructed his work of Tonntaimantala Catakam, following the traditions of other Catakam works in Tamil literature.
Patikkacup Pulavar or Patikkacan Puzhavar existed during the period of Citakkati, a well known Muslim philanthropist. Patikkacup Pulavar was patronized and supported by Citakkati. After the death of his patron Citakkati, the Tamil poet Patikkacup Pulavar immortalised the Muslim philanthropist by narrating and praising his generosity and kindness through feeding the affected and deprived people during a famine. The renowned Tamil author Patikkacup Pulavar composed another literary work entitled Velurk Kalampakam, which is also considered important in Tamil literature. The poet had gained adequate fame and respect during his lifetime and this fact is brilliantly revealed in one of the verses composed by the poet named Cokkanatar.
Cokkanatar wrote his poem about Patikkacup Pulavar mentioning that he was from the famous Tenkalantai and composed his poetry in palm leaves. Cokkanatar goes on to describe about the charm and beauty of the poems composed by his idol. Thus the poems composed by Cokkanatar about the greatness of Patikkacup Pulavar or Patikkacan Puzhavar only goes to reveal the poetic talent and merit of the Tamil poet.
