Culamani, also known as Chulamani, is a Jain epic work in Tamil language which is placed beside to the Civaka Cintamani, another Tamil epic, in terms of its importance in Tamil literature. Civaka Cintamani is a classical Jain epic poem and is regarded as one of the Five Great Tamil Epics that was composed during the 10th century CE in the Sangam age of Tamil Literature. The epic is a Jain religious text written by a Jain ascetic known as Tirutakkatevar. The Tamil literary work of Culamani (Chulamani) is composed by a Jain saint named Tolamolittevar and it has 2,330 viruttams in its composition. Culamani is based on the ancient literary work titled as Sripuranam, which is much renowned Sanskrit literary work. As similar to the work of Sripuranam, Culamani also narrates the tale of the two leading characters named Tivittan and Vicayan.
Culamani also includes several vivid descriptions of the landscape of the Tamil country, elaborates about the greatness of cities and towns, according to the literary traditions of Tamil literature. The Jain epic focuses the attention of the readers on various concepts like Cintamani renunciation and realisation of the Supreme. The verses in this epic work of Tamil literature are much admired and well regarded for their manner of composition and eloquence; graceful and simple presentation; and easy flow and pleasant rhythm. The virtuttam in its variation forms constitutes as the metre of the literary work of Culamani.
The Jain epic of Culamani, also known as Chulamani, is much appreciated by several Tamil and national scholars for the absolute magnificence of handling and treating the Tamil language. The poems in the popular Tamil literary work elaborately describe the beauty and exquisiteness of nature and the natural surroundings. These verses illustrate extraordinary mental images through poetic and narrative words. In many places of the Jain epic, the revered poet Tolamolittevar has excelled Tiruttakkatevar, the author of the Jain epic Civaka Cintamani, in the art of composing hymns in the virtuttam metre.
Culamani, composed by the Tamil poet Tolamolittevar, is one of the prominent Jain literary works that propagates and edifies the various moral codes and principles in the tradition of Jainism.
