Inscriptions of the Pāṇar, Kūttar and Viṟaliyar in Sangam-period Eelam
Inscriptions of the Pāṇar, Kūttar and Viṟaliyar in Sangam-period Eelam
During the Sangam period in ancient Tamilakam, rulers such as Vēntar (வேந்தர்), Arasar (அரசர்), and Vēlir (வேளிர்)belonged to the ruling class. In the Prakrit-language inscriptions found in Eelam, they are referred to as Mahārāja (மஹரஜ), Rāja (ரஜ), and Vēl (வேள்). The reason for this terminology is connected with the influence of Ājīvika Jainism (ஆசீவக சமணம்), which emerged in Eelam — considered part of ancient Tamilakam during the Sangam age — through great ascetics such as Makkhali Gosāla (மற்கலி கோசாலர்) and Kaṇi Nandāsiriyar (கணி நந்தாஸிரியர்)around the 6th century BCE.
They constituted the first social class.
The second class consisted of ethical and learned individuals such as Antaṇar/Bamaṇar (அந்தணர்/பமணர்), Tāpathar (தாபதர்), Arivar (அறிவர்), and Kaṇiyar (கணியர்), who are mentioned by Pisirāntaiyār (பிசிராந்தையார்) in Puranānūru verse 191. They were distinguished by knowledge, research, discipline, public welfare, and ascetic practices.
The third class consisted of wealthy and respected members among merchants, craftsmen, and agricultural landowners.
The fourth class included small-scale merchants, small-scale craftsmen, small farming communities, warriors, and groups such as Pārppanar (பார்ப்பனர்), Pāṇar (பாணர்), Kūttar (கூத்தர்), Porunar (பொருநர்), and Viṟaliyar (விறலியர்).
The Pulayar (புலையர்) and Iḻiccanar (இழிசனர்) were also included in this fourth class.
During the Sangam period, these groups were regarded with respect. Ancient Tamilakam had only these four social classes. Inter-class marriages existed, and movement between classes was possible; members of higher classes could become part of lower classes, and members of lower classes could rise to higher social positions.
Therefore, according to this interpretation, caste divisions did not exist during the Sangam period; only social classes existed.
An indication of the absence of rigid caste divisions was the practice known as “Uṭaṉpōkku” (உடன்போக்கு) marriage. This refers to a woman choosing the man she loved and going with him to marry him. Sangam-period Tamil society accepted and recognised this practice. Sangam literary works describe heroines entering such marriages without regard to differences of clan, class, or occupation. Therefore, the Sangam period is described as having social classes rather than caste systems.
Among these groups, the presence of Pāṇar (பாணர்), Kūttar (கூத்தர்), Porunar (பொருநர்), and Viṟaliyar (விறலியர்)in ancient Eelam is supported by several inscriptional records.
Some examples are:
- கோணகல (Koṇakala) inscription — IC No. 670
“சுட புதர கித தேரஹ அதி வஸிக பத திஸஹ (லெணெ)”
Meaning:
The cave belonging to Tisa (திஸ), a Pāṇar (பாணர்) who was an excellent master (pada) skilled in auspicious music (budara gita).
The term “பத (Pada)” indicates a highly accomplished teacher or master in a particular field.
- சித்துல்பவுன (Cittul Pavuṉa) inscription — IC No. 614
“ஈஸீர கித தேரஹ ஸதி விஹரிய பத பகினிய திஸ தேரஹ”
Meaning:
The cave belonging to Tisa (திஸ), a master (thera) skilled in divine singing (Īsīra gita) and a great teacher who travelled constantly.
In this context, he is identified as a Pāṇar (பாணர்), a professional musician and singer.
- வெஹெரகம (Veheragama) inscription — IC No. 700
“தேவர கிதஸ ச – தேவ எனும் மேள இசைஞரும்”
“தம தேரஸ ச – நீண்ட மேள இசைப்பில் தேர்ந்தவரும்”
“லேணெ – குடைவுத்தளம்”
Meaning:
A cave belonging to a musician skilled in divine songs and accompanied by drum and instrumental music.
The personal name is not preserved in the inscription.
- தம்புள்ள (Tampulla) inscription
“தமரகித தெரஹ லெணெ, அகத அநகத சதுதிஸ ஸகஸ, கமணி அபய ஸ ரஜியஹி கரிதெ.”
Meaning:
A cave created by King கமணி அபய (Gamani Abhaya) of the Pāṇḍya lineage (பாண்டியர் குலம்) for a Pāṇar skilled in drum music.
This ruler later became known as Mahārāja கமணி அபய, a king of Eelam.
These are only a few examples among the many inscriptional references indicating the existence and recognition of Pāṇar, Kūttar, Porunar and Viṟaliyar communities in ancient Eelam during the Sangam period.
Translation by Hari
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