Setting a legendary scene: An imagined topography of Pukār in the Paṭṭiṉappālai

Abstract

The Paṭṭiṉappālai, an Old Tamil text from the first half of the first millennium AD, provides a portrayal of Pukār, an ancient seashore settlement of the Cōḻa kingdom that, over time, evolved into a legendary locale in Tamil literature. This paper explores how Kaṭiyalūr Uruttiraṅ Kaṇṇaṉār, the poet of the Paṭṭiṉappālai, offers the first significant representation of this maritime town—not merely as a geographical point but as a space imbued with both historical and symbolic significance. By examining the imagined topography presented in the text, we trace how Pukār is constructed in the poet’s literary imagination, with its bustling markets and vibrant multicultural trade life. The depiction of Pukār goes beyond a mere trading hub; it stands as a centre of the Indian Ocean trade network, linking distant lands and peoples through maritime commerce. This flourishing trade, woven into the fabric of the town’s identity, serves as the foundation for Pukār’s later association with epic narratives such as the Cilappatikāram and Maṇimēkaḷai. In this context, the study emphasises how the Paṭṭiṉappālai shapes the topographical and cultural memory of Pukār, setting the stage for its transformation into a legendary town within Tamil literary tradition.