Tirikatukam, also known as Thirikatukam, is a Tamil ethical poetic work of didactic character and belongs to the Patinenkilkkanakku compilation series of Ethical Tamil Literature. Patinenkilkkanakku (Pathinenkilkanakku) is a compilation of eighteen poetic works in Tamil that were composed in the period after the Sangam age, between 100 CE and 500 CE. Tirikatukam was written in the post-Sangam age equivalent to between 100 CE - 500 CE. The literary work contains one hundred verses, each containing 4 lines in Venpa metre. It was composed by the eminent Tamil poet Nalla Thanaar (Nalattanar). The poetic work of Tamil literature is well known and much accepted for its composition and its clarity; effortless and easy readability and presentation. The literary work of Tirikatukam or Thirikatukam comprises of a number of didactic messages which were the outstanding characteristics of the era. The poems of Tirikatukam are exceptional in the execution of similes which help to teach the moral codes with the employment of basic occurrences from daily life.
Composition of Cirupancamulam
Tirikatukam (Thirikatukam) is a compilation of ethical Tamil verses which were written by the poet Nalla Thanaar, also known as Nalattanar. This post Sangam work is one of the 18 minor literary works in Tamil which are comprised in the Patinenkilkkanakku collection. The venpa in its variation forms constitutes as the metre of the Tamil poetic work. Cirupancamulam utilises the similarities of the conventional herbal medicine that uses the roots of the three herbs, namely Sukku, Milaku, and Thippili. The Sukku herbal medicine refers to the use of dried ginger; where as the Milaku herbal medicine denotes the use of the Indian spice, pepper; and Thippili refers to the use of Indian long pepper or Pippali as an herbal medicine. These herbal plants are used to cure certain problems and difficulties related to health. The renowned Tamil poet Nalla Thanaar mentions these herbs as metaphors to portray three different maxims which depict the correct and proper behaviour and various moral codes that any individual should follow.
The poetic work of Tirikatukam or Thirikatukam stresses on the significance of learning and education, also the responsibility of a citizen in the society.
