Kongu Nadu is a country that was located on the banks of the Cauvery River, on the Karur-Trichy road, about 500 years ago. Some years ago, a Tamil film was also produced with the name ‘PONNAR SHANKAR’ describing the heroic acts of the two divine brothers, Ponnar and Shankar, and it was widely accepted by the Tamil audiences.
The details of Veerappur Ponnar Shankar Temple are as follows:
Address: Veerappur, Tamil Nadu 621307
Phone: 099943 21827
Ponnar Shankar, is a 2011 Indian Tamil-language period action drama film produced and directed by Thiagarajan. It is a fictionalised account of the Ponnar Shankar epic, adapted from M. Karunanidhi’s novel of the same name.
This is an ancient story that tells the history of two brothers named Ponnar and Shankar, who were the leaders of the Kongu Vellalar. They have a sister named Arukani Thangam, and the main part of the story moves from the perspective of this sister. The final stage of the story, the Padukalam, focuses on Arukani Thangam. The story’s protagonists, Ponnar and Shankar, are called Annanmar from the perspective of their younger sister. Arukani Thangam calls her older brothers Periannan and Chinnannan. This story is popularly referred to as the ‘Chinnna Annan Periannan Katha’. That is why it has become ‘Annanmar Sami’. Ponnar-Shankar ruled the Ponnivalanad between Trichy and Karur.
The Kongu Vellalar community has a tradition of naming children after their elder brothers. Their real names like Ponnar and Shankar are not given much. Periyasamy, Chinnasamy, Ponnaiyan, Chinnaiyan are given in this area. The name Periya Annan is also given. These are names that refer to both Ponnar and Shankar. If the twins are born as boys, it is customary to give these names to the children. The names Arukani, Thangam, Thangammal are given to the girls. The names of other characters in this story such as Rakhiannan, Muthai, Pavalai, Bhavai etc. can also be found in the popular names.
The father of the brothers, Kunnadaiyan, is referred to in this story as ‘Masaiyan, Masachami, Masakavundan’. The story also tells of his character as ‘Vellai Cholam’. All these have the meaning of ‘Vekuli’, INNOCENT one. Such words are used to describe his character of trusting everyone without knowing all the tricks of his partners. These are also present in popular speech today. ‘Masaiyan’ and other nicknames are given to uninformed people who have the character of trusting anything.
The first part of the story shows the miserable life of Annan Mar’s parents, Kunnadayan and Thamarai Nachi. The latter part of the story describes the heroic battle between the Vellar leaders Ponnar and Shankar and the death of the Vettuvar leader Thalaiyur Kali. The time period of the story is said to be the fifteenth century AD.
“OM SRI ANNANMAR SWAMY NAMAHA”
COMPILED BY
R. HARISHANKAR