Who was the author of Manimekalai?
A: Sattanar
B: Tirutakkatevara
C: Tiruvalluvar
D: Tholkappiar

see full answer

Your Exam Success, Personally Taken Care Of

1:1 expert mentors customize learning to your strength and weaknesses – so you score higher in school , IIT JEE and NEET entrance exams.

An Intiative by Sri Chaitanya

(Unlock A.I Detailed Solution for FREE)

Best Courses for You

JEE

NEET

Foundation JEE

Foundation NEET

CBSE

Detailed Solution

Among the Five Great Tamil Epics (Aimperumkappiyam), Manimekalai is the Buddhist sequel to Silappathikaram. Its poet is Sattanar (Sīthalai Sāttanār).

Manimekalai was authored by Sattanar (Sīthalai Sāttanār). Composed in the post-Sangam period, the epic continues the story world of Silappathikaram, following Manimekalai, daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi. It foregrounds Buddhist ethics—compassion, renunciation, and social justice—while depicting ports like Kāveripattinam. Literary tradition places it among Tamil’s Aimperumkappiyam and values it for both poetic and philosophical content.

The correct option is (A) Sattanar

Additional Information

Manimekalai is often read alongside Ilango Adigal’s Silappathikaram (prequel/companion text).
Themes include dhamma, the critique of desire, and the ideal of karuṇā (compassion), making it a key source for Tamil Buddhist thought.

Note