முல்லை நிலத் தெய்வமும் கலித்தொகையின் மாண்பும்

The Mullai Landscape Deity and The Literary Greatness of Kalithogai

Abstract

The ancient life of the Tamils was closely aligned with nature1. The Sangam Tamils, who lived based on the land, shaped their moral codes and modes of worship according to the specific geographical regions they inhabited1. Among the Eight Anthologies, Kaliththogai stands fifth1. Composed in the Kalippa meter, this work is characterized by its lively rhythm and dramatic style1. The section Mullaikali, composed by Chozhan Nalluruthiran, vividly portrays the life of the people of the Mullai region right before our eyes1. Among the five landscapes or Thinais, the Mullai Thinai denotes the forest and forest-adjacent way of life1. According to Tholkappiyam, the primary deity of the Mullai region is Maayon (Thirumal/Vishnu)1. This paper examines in detail the pastoral life of the cowherds, the bull-taming events, the modes of worship of the Mullai deity, and the unique literary merits found in Mullaikali of Kalithogai1. The study further explains how the worship of the Mullai deity and the distinctive literary qualities of Kalithogai reflect the culture of Sangam-age Tamils1. It also highlights how the worship practices of the Mullai people were intertwined with their bravery, love, daily life, and cultural identity.