Read the plot of the two epics — Sillapadikaram and Manimekalai. Compare and contrast the women characters in these two epics with those of Ramayana and Mahabharata.

The Sillapadikaram and Manimekalai are two outstanding works of Tamil Literature. Manimekalai is sequel of Sillapadikaram.

Sillapadikaram is story of Kovalan and his wife Kannagi. In this story Kovalan betrays Kannagi for other women and later realises his mistake and returns back to her. They then move to Madurai. The king of Madurai executes Kovalan on false charges of stealing anklet. Kannagi curses the king due to which he dies. Later Kannagi is worshipped like a Devi.

Manimekalai is the story of daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi. She was very beautiful artist. She was chased by a prince who wanted to marry her. She was helped by Buddhist angels to escape. Later the prince was killed and she walked away free.

Both these stories potray women who suffered and were harassed by the society in similar way as Sita and Draupadi suffered in Ramayana and Mahabharata, respectively. The women characters in Sillapadikaram and Manimekalai tend to have more agency and independence compared to those in Ramayana and Mahabharata. However, all the four epics feature women who exhibit strength, loyalty, and bravery in their own unique ways.