Wit of Sangam period poetesses praised * Special Correspondent
VILLUPURAM: The Sangam period poetesses have, through their works, proved beyond doubt that they were equal to their fellow poets in wit and creativity, according to Avvai D. Natarajan, former Vice-Chacnellor of Tamil University, Thanjavur.
He was speaking at the ‘Muthamizh Vizha,' organised by the Tamil Department of Theivanai Ammal College for Women here.
Mr. Natarajan said he learned about their mettle when he was doing research on the works of illustrious poetesses of the Sangam period such as Avvaiyar, Ponmudiyar, Adhi Mandhiyar, Koperundevi, Perungopendu and Velli Veedhiar
They were adept at portraying the State-craft and the battle front which rivalled that of men. A foreign scholar who evaluated his thesis, however, posed a question as to how Mr. Natarajan could know that women had authored these works. That made him approach various authorities seeking an answer.
Forensic experts followed the line that women's handwriting had special characteristics as it was full of curvatures and slants whereas that of men was rounded. College secretary S. Senthil Kumar and principal T.Kasturibai were present.
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