The Remnants of the Ethnic Community in the Silappathikara Vettuva Vari (Hunting Chapter)

Abstract

Silappathikaram, the first epic that appeared in Tamil, contains relics of ethnic life. The purpose of this article is to bring them out. Silappathikaram also highlights the life of the ethnic people in the midst of the chapters that speak of the greatness of the Moovendars (Three Kings). In this way, in the Vettuva vari of the Madurai Chapter, one can see that the life of the Eyinars and their worship are explained. In the worship of Kottravai, they gave her the symbols of their race as her weapons. These can be seen to illustrate their life. The lyrics sung in this worship form the collective mantra. It is also based on the belief that collective worship accomplishes everything. Because of their victory in the battle to attract the enemy, they give a gift of blood to Kottravai. This is an expression of extreme devotional consciousness. This article is written with the aim of examining how ethnic life is thus represented by living beings.