Mmgl - The Story Of Manimegalai Comments

After writing the story of Silappadigaram, the Killer Anklet, I thought this story will not have a good finish, unless I write the story of Manimegalai, in continuation of the earlier story for the reason Manimegalai, the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi, was complled by her mother to renounce the worldly life in her prime youthful days, while her grandmother wanted to bring her into her family's dancing girl profession. It was a trial period for this young girl to face the male dominated society and keep her modesty, while sticking up to the religious compulsions she was thrown in. Finally, she comes out successful in the new chosen field of religious order.

One of the finest jewels of Tamil poetry', the epic poem Manimekalai by Poet Sathanar,2nd century A.D., is unique for the deep spirituality and mysticism it unfolds against the historical and geographical background of South India and of adjacent Jaffna (Sri Lanka) .
The death of her father, Kovalan, under tragic circumstances, weighs upon the mind of young Manimekala and she resolves on a life of renunciation. At every turn she is obstructed. Running through her life story are a set of counteracting forces — on the one hand is her passion to enter holy orders of a Buddhist bhikkshuni and on the other, the infatuation of Udaya Kumaran, the Chola prince, to win her favours. (Bhikkshuni = Female Monk)
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