sekkizhar

Sekkizhar, also known as Sekkizhar or Sekkilar, was a prominent Tamil poet and scholar who lived during the 12th century, specifically in the Chola dynasty period. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest poets of the Sangam era’s later phase, though his exact birth and death dates remain uncertain. Sekkizhar is best known for his epic poem *Konradam*, which is a retelling of the Hindu epic *Mahabharata* in Tamil.

Born in the village of Tiruvidaimarudur in the present-day Tamil Nadu, India, Sekkizhar was a devotee of the Shaiva tradition and served as a court poet for the Chola kings. His work *Konradam* (also spelled *Konradam* or *Konradam*) is a 10,000-line narrative poem that translates and adapts the *Mahabharata* into Tamil, preserving its moral and philosophical themes while incorporating Tamil literary conventions. The poem is structured into 100 cantos, each focusing on a key event or character from the original epic.

Sekkizhar’s style blends classical Tamil poetry with elements of Sanskrit literary traditions, making his work a significant bridge between the ancient Sangam literature and later medieval Tamil poetry. His use of poetic devices, such as *pattuppattu* (lyrical verses) and *akam* (love poetry) within an epic framework, reflects his mastery of Tamil aesthetics. Beyond *Konradam*, he is credited with composing other works, though most have been lost over time.

Sekkizhar’s contributions to Tamil literature have earned him lasting recognition as a cultural icon. His epic remains a cornerstone of Tamil literary heritage, studied for its linguistic elegance, narrative depth, and philosophical insights. Scholars and poets continue to reference his work as a model of Tamil poetic excellence.