4th Standard Social Science Term-II
Philanthropists of Sangam Age
Geetha and her Grandpa are on a trip during summer holidays. They are on their way to Kodaikanal the hill station in Tamil Nadu. This is the first time that Geetha is travelling up a steep hill in a bus.
Grandpa, Why are more trees in the hills than in Chennai?
Hills usually have lot of trees. It is important for people to take care of them.
Grandpa, how did people come to these hills before buses and cars were used?
They used horses and donkeys to climb up the hill.
Grandpa, Who ruled these hilly regions?
In the Sangam Age, many philanthropists ruled the hilly regions. But seven philanthropists were very famous among them. They were the chieftains under Chera, Cholas and Pandiyas.
Why were only seven philanthropists famous? Who were they?
DO YOU KNOW?
Sangam literature, consisting of several classical poetry is the main sources of the Sangam Age.
Those seven philanthropists were Pegan, Pari, Nedumudi kari, Aay Andiran, Adhiyaman, Nalli and Valvil Ori. They ruled different hilly regions at different periods during the Sangam Age. They were all powerful, kind and cared for nature and the people. Shall I tell you a few stories about how those philanthropists and the people protected nature and how in turn nature protected them?
Grandpa, I would like to listen to the stories very much!
Pegan
Are you ready to listen to the first story?
Yes, Grandpa.
Okay. This story is about Pegan. Pegan ruled Palani hills (Dindigul district). It is a very small hilly region that we are visiting today. It is cold here. Isn't it?
Yes, grandpa. That's why Amma has packed sweaters for us.
Correct. One day, while Pegan was on his walk, he saw a peacock shivering. He assumed that the peacock was shivering due to cold and therefore he covered the peacock with shawl.
Grandpa, How could a peacock use a shawl?
Perhaps, it might not use the shawl. The point was that Pegan treated the peacock just like his own child. How many people now a days show such kindness towards the animals?
Grandpa, one day I saw a boy throwing stones at a dog. I stopped him. If he had known about Pegan, he would have found a way to love animals.
True It's not only showing just kindness towards the trees and the animals but also about valuing people. We should treat all living things equally.
Pari
Okay, the next story is about 2,000 years old. A wise and kind philanthropist called Pari ruled Parambu Nadu. This was located in Parambu malai, a hill range that extends fro in Sivaganga district in Tamil Nadu and extends all the way to Palakkad in Kerala.
The Moovendhars - the Cheras, Cholas and Pandiyas - wanted to make Parambu Nadu a part of their kingdom. They were not able to win the battles against Pari and his army individually. So, they attacked Parambu Nadu together.
They were not able to defeat the Pari's army in the thick forest which was surrounded by the hills. Therefore, they prevented the supply of water and food from the foothills of Parambu Nadu. They thought that Pari would surrender when he comes out of the hill for food and water.
Grandpa, did Pari surrender?
No, Pari did not surrender. Few months passed, the Moovendhars later realised that the forests in Parambu malai were so rich and they provided people with a lot of jackfruit, edible bamboo and other wild nuts. The hill also had a lot of streams that provided them with fresh, clean water.
So they didn't need food or water from any other place?
Yes, their forests took care of them, just like how Pari and the people in his region took care of nature. There is a famous story that tells about his generosity. One day Pari was passing a young jasmine climber. He felt that there was no tree to help the climber to grow. He offered his golden chariot to give support for the climber.
This is so interesting. Could I tell you an interesting matter? We have also planted a few trees, climbers, shrubs etc., in our school. I make sure that they grow well.
Would you like to listen to more stories about some of the other philanthropists?
Yes, Grandpa.
Adhiyaman
There was another philanthropist called Adhiyaman. He ruled a hilly region Thagadur in Dharmapuri district. One day he was presented with a very rare type of gooseberry. He was told that one who ate that rare fruit, would be immortal. Do you know what did he do?
He offered that fruit to an old Tamil poetess Avvaiyar.
Is that the same Avvaiyar whom I read in my Tamil textbook?
Yes, Geetha. Avvaiyar wondered and asked Adhiyaman why he was offering her the gooseberry. Further, she said that he should eat this fruit as he was the chieftain. Adhiyaman told her that there would be many chieftains after him, but there would not be many poets, to teach people how to make life better, like her.
Can you imagine a powerful chieftain offering such a valuable gift to a poetess? This shows how people valued each other in the Sangam Age. Do you agree?
Yes, grandpa. We should always value people around us.
Valvil Ori
Let me tell you a story of another chieftain Valvil Ori who ruled a hilly region, part of Kolli hills in Namakkal district.
What does the word 'Valvil' mean?
'Val' means powerful and 'Vil' means bow. He got his name as he was an expert archer.
Amazing! what did he do for the people?
Ori was not only known for his skill in archery, but also hailed as a kind ruler. He used to reward bards, musicians, dancers and other artisans for their skills.
Grandpa, I like Valvil Ori. What about the other three philanthropists?
Nedumudi kari
Aai Andiran also ruled a hills region in the Pothigai hills, situated in South of Madurai. It is said that he offered Lord Shiva a rare, glowing, blue clothing given by a cobra.
Nedumudi kari ruled the region of Thondaimandalam at Tirukkoyilur. He patronised the needy people who approached him, by offering them generously.
Nalli ruled the region of Thottimalai under the king cheran. He helped the poor who approached him without exposing himself.
They were all known for their kindness. That's why even after so many years, they are still fondly remembered by us.
Thank you for the interesting stories. I will share these with all my friends.
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