Sangam era characters come alive on flyover

The illustrious characters depicted in the Sangam age are being resurrected to give an insight into their good deeds and also to create a flair for Tamil literature among the people.

Thanks to the efforts made by the Highways Department the parapet wall of the flyover built across the railway track at Chidambaram is now being adorned with the figures of the seven famed philanthropic chieftains of the Sangam era.

These chieftains who ruled mostly from the hilly terrains were known for their exemplary munificence as they liberally donated their riches to those who sought their assistance. Some of them had excelled in the art of giving by even sacrificing their valued possessions to birds and plants.

The chieftains and their acts of philanthropy are as follows:

Paari of Parambu Hills gave his chariot to Mullai creeper; Kaari of Mullur Hills donated lands to the needy; Ori of the Kolli Hills gave away purses of gold coins; Began of the Palani Hills protected a peacock found shivering in rain by covering it with his shawl; Nalli of the Thotti Hills contributed his chariot to a help-seeker; Aai Andiran of the Pothigai Hills gifted away an elephant to a commoner and Adhiyaman parted with a rare kind of amla fruit to Tamil poet and saint Avvaiyar.

Full report here Hindu