Tamilmanam International Research Journal of Tamil Studies

Kumanan was a patron who continued to generously provide for those who sought his aid, even after the era of the 'Seven Great Philanthropists' (Pegan, Pari, Ori, Kari, Athigan, Aay, and Nalli) had passed. Because he had lavishly bestowed vast wealth upon poets to foster he   growth of the Tamil language, he incurred the wrath of his younger   brother (Ilangumanan), lost his kingdom, and was forced to live in the forest. "Tamilukku Thalai" is a short epic   that illustrates the extraordinary generosity of the Tamil patron - king Kumanan; he instructed   his younger brother-who had set a price on his head-to take his head and use it to alleviate the   poverty of the great poet. Perunchithiranar, who had come seeking his aid.