Avveyar

In ancient times, there were many renowned sages and Avveyar is one of them. Avveyar was the most renowned ancient female Tamil sage among the four women and three men sages of her time. The father of Avveyar was a Brahman and her mother an outcast. They got married without knowing about the cast difference.

It is said that when Avveyar`s father came to know about the cast difference after the marriage. So, the father of Avveyar decided that he could live together with his wife only if they have a child, who should be deserted immediately on birth.

Avveyar was the second female child of her parents. She was born, reared, and educated at a village inhabited by Panars.

Many books have written various facts related to this Tamil sage Avveyar. But, it is quite confusing to take the correct facts from all these books. The most accepted among them suggests that Avveyar lived during the rule of the Tamil King Ukkiraperu varithi Pandian, who was the king of the Seran and Sorhan kingdoms.

Avveyar has cited the name of such kings in her history, which is still transmitted by oral tradition. There are also references of various amazing miracles performed by Avveyar.

From the writings of Avveyar, she was educated by a Panar with great care and talent. Avveyar is said to possess eminent natural abilities. Avveyar was not only a clever sage but was also involved in doing good works for mankind.

Some principal compositions of Avveyar include Atthichuvadi Kondre Venthan, Muthure (or Vak-kundan), Nal-Vali, Kalvi-Orluk-kam, Avve-Kerao, Avve-Kovl, Pilaiyar-Agaval, Ganapathi-Asiria-Virutham. There also many detached verses in Avveyar`s name. But most of her writings are lost now.

Avveyar was very clever in chemistry and medicine. It is said that Avveyar discovered a magical panacea (or Kapla) and she lived up to the age of 240 years after eating this medicine. The popularity of Avveyar spread in all parts of India and abroad. She was shown high respect by the kings and nobles, the learned and the ignorant.