INTRODUCTION
Ottakoothar (12th century AD) was a popular court poet of Chola kings, and he wrote poems in praise of Chola kings.
His memorial is situated in Kumbakonam, nearby Airavatesvara Temple.
According to ancient texts, he has become a great poet after he was blessed by goddess Saraswati in Koothanur.
FAMOUS LITERARY WORKS
1. KulottungaCholanPillai Tamil.
2. Eetiyelupattu
3. Eluppelupattu
IMPORTANCE
Once, he was requested by his sengunthar community people to compose a work in honor of them. For that, Ottakoothar has asked them to sacrifice the 1008 lives of their firstborn sons. Accordingly, they have sacrificed their firstborn sons. The poet then wrote, Eetiyelupattu, in praise of the history of the chief of Sengunthar and the soldiers. He later wrote another poem called Eluppelupattu to regain the dead members to life. When he sang the poem, the heads of the dead persons have attached to their bodies, and the dead became alive once again. The poet thus came to be known as OttaKoothan, since due to his great power he made the heads attached to the bodies.
CONCLUSION
Ottakoothar was a great poet, who got good knowledge, courage, and wisdom, which he acquired through the divine grace of Goddess Saraswathi. He possessed spiritual power, and he was a sincere devotee of Goddess Saraswathi. Let us chant his name and be blessed.
“OM SREE TAMIL PULAVAR OTTAKOOTHARE NAMAHA”
“OM SREE SARASWATHI THAYE NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR