பழந்தமிழகத்தில் கொற்கை

Korkai in Ancient Tamilakam

Abstract

Pasumpoon Pandiyan ruled as the prince of Korkai, a place that held a premier position as the primary port of the Pandyas and a celebrated site for pearl diving. After Pandya Nedunchezhian tragically lost his life due to the twists of fate that caused grief to Kannagi, the prince Pasumpoon Pandiyan traveled from Korkai to the great city of Madurai to ascend the throne.

As a coastal town, the harbor of Korkai was abundant with Neidhal (coastal water lilies) and blue flowers. Korkai was a small town inhabited by chank (conch) divers and toddy consumers. Korkai pearls were considered to be of the highest quality. The people of Korkai town welcomed those returning from pearl diving with the sounding of auspicious instruments, including chank shells.

The locals worshipped the deity of the harbor, praying for an abundance of Valampuri chanks (rare right-coiled conches) and pearls to multiply in the Korkai sea. The Parathavar (coastal community fishermen) received toddy as payment for the oysters. Pearls were so plentiful at the Korkai port that monkeys would put them into empty seashells and play with them like rattles.