The great poets of Tamil
Scholars
From Avvaiyar to Bharathiyar
Tamil has been carried from generation to generation by its poets. Avvaiyar, who bowed to Lord Vinayaka and taught dharma; Kambar, who sang the story of Rama in Tamil; Bharathiyar, who sang of Mother India and of Parashakti: each of them gave Tamil a new light.
Here you will find the life and works of each poet. Open a poet's name for their page, or a book's name to read its verses.
Avvaiyar →
- Aathichoodiஆத்திசூடிOne-line maxims in the order of the Tamil alphabet110 verses
- Kondrai Vendhanகொன்றை வேந்தன்Alphabetical counsel that opens in praise of Lord Shiva92 verses
- MoodhuraiமூதுரைThe wisdom of elders, told through images from nature31 verses
- Nalvazhiநல்வழிForty verses on the good path through life41 verses
- Vinayagar Agavalவிநாயகர் அகவல்A hymn seeking the grace of Lord Vinayaka12 verses
Bharathiyar →
- Desiya Geethangalதேசிய கீதங்கள்Songs that worship the motherland as Mother and as Shakti53 verses
- Deiva Padalgalதெய்வப் பாடல்கள்Devotional songs to Vinayaka, Murugan, Parashakti and KrishnaComing soon
- Gnana Padalgalஞானப் பாடல்கள்Songs of wisdom and inner freedomComing soon
- Palvagai Padalgalபல்வகைப் பாடல்கள்Assorted songs, among them Paappaa Paattu for childrenComing soon
- Kannan Pattuகண்ணன் பாட்டுKrishna sung as friend, mother and servantComing soon
- Kuyil Pattuகுயில் பாட்டுLove and wisdom told through the tale of a koelComing soon
- Panchali Sabathamபாஞ்சாலி சபதம்The dice game of the Mahabharata and Draupadi's vowComing soon
- Bhagavad Gitaபகவத் கீதைThe Gita in Bharathiyar's Tamil translationComing soon
Kambar →
- Saraswathi Andhadhiசரஸ்வதி அந்தாதிTo Saraswathi, the Goddess of learning32 verses
- Sadagopar Andhadhiசடகோபர் அந்தாதிTo Nammalvar, who sang the Thiruvaimozhi105 verses
- Kamba Ramayanamகம்பராமாயணம்Iramavataram · the story of Rama in six booksComing soon
- ErezhupathuஏரெழுபதுSeventy verses in honour of the plough and the farmerComing soon
- Thirukkai Vazhakkamதிருக்கை வழக்கம்In praise of the giving handComing soon
- Silai Ezhupathuசிலை எழுபதுSeventy verses on the bow and valourComing soon