Aadhimandhiyar

Aadhimandhiyar is the daughterof Thirumavazhavanalias Karikarcholan. she got married ot Aatanathi, the king of Chera Nadu. After marriage they both went to Karikarcholanrkazhar to celeberate the new waterflow in Kaveri. Aatanathi is a handsome , charming young man who enjoyed playing in the water.Unfortunately, he was drowned in Kaveri while he was enjoying a swim in the water.She went in search of him everywhere; but unable to find him anywhere, she went in the direction of the river itself insearch of him.Unable to bear her desperate tone the sea himself brought him back. She embraced him and enjoyed his company. This story can be seen in Nedunthogai and Silappathikaram.This story is oft quoted by Panar whenever they want to describe the pain a lady undergoes being separated from her lover.In Kurunthogai,a sample of her poetic skill is displayed when she bemoans over the loss of her newly wedded husband.

Mannar Kuzhi:ya vizhavi nanum
Mahalirthazhi:ya thunangai yanum
Yandung kane:n mandak konai
Yanumo: radukazhe malhale: enkai
Ko:di rilangkuvalai nehiltha
Peedukezhu kurisilu madukala mahane

This poem has been analysed by Nachinarkiniyar as one the great poems written by the early
women poets. It is to be noted that the women Tamil poets were permitted to write love poems. They were allowed to write openly the pangs of separation, when the western women were not allowed to write their views on life or they didn't have a room of one's own . Further it is to be noted that men writers appreciated the lyric and the content of their writings.Not only the human beings but also nature yielded to their poetic skill and hence the husband was restored.The women proved that they are Ardhanaris and showed their importance in one's life.
Through a few poems Mahavidwan establishes the greatness of women and also glorifies socity of that period in Tamilnaduee

Mahavidwan's Nallisai Pulamai Pemmialargal

Mahavidwan in this book points out how the equality between men and women existed in Tamilnadu even two thousand years ago.I am just trying to narrate in brief in English what he said in that book.
In introduction he talks about the general qualities required both for men and women.According to him for any human being, it is essential to control the mind to differentiate evil from good. To attain this one has to focus his mind just like horse.This is essential both to men and women.He points out that during Sangakalam, both men and women practiced this.Hence, there had been many women poets in that period.He has written about them in Sentamil magazine which was published by Tamil Sangam. Later on the same came out as book.He has written about 31women poets. I am going to select a few and write the abstract about them as I am not competent enough to translate his workcompletely.
I am attempting this just to point out how women's education and creativity were appreciated even a decade ago.He quotes Tholkappianar:

"Mavvum Maakalum aiarrivinavei

Makkal thaame aarrariyuire"

He explains that human beings are categorized in two types -Makkal and Maakal. This differentiation is based upon wisdom and knowledge. He accepts this categorization is applicable both for men and women.He justifies his views by quoting the Kalavial of Ahananuru.It talks about

'Ootha kizhavanu and kizhathiyum kannba'

meaning the equality between men and women in family life.While Kalaviyal talks about men as 'Perumaium uranum aadvuu mena'

in Poruliyal, he says:

Serrivum nirraivum semmaium seppum
Arrivum marumaiym pennpalana

meaning

Serivu=be submissive (adakkam)
Niraivu=controlled mind
Seppum= saying what good could be done
Arivu+ being aware of what is good and bad
Arumai- knowing the inner mind
Penpaliyana= women
This explanation shows that the qualities ascribed to women are in no way inferior to men.
Talking about morality,he says that it is wrong to blame women alone in illicit relation. Both are equally to be condemned.Each individual is responsible for his or her immorality. The scale of morality does not differ for men from women.
He says further that women and men were treated equally in the days of the great poet Tholkappiyan. Whether it may be in pursuit of learning or in following Dharma no difference was shown.Only because of this there had been many poets in sangam period.Though some said women learnt only to play yall it is not so. Nacchinarkiniyar in his Kalaimalekarikai and Kalaivalar had expressed clearly that while there were many men expert in Yall, women also learnt other instruments. Likewise there were many women who composed poems .The ancient Tamilnadu always regarded the intellectuals and scholars irrespective of the fact that whether they are men or women or belonging to upper caste or lower caste.The great ancient women poets prove this statement. A few are listed below:

Athimandhiyar
Velividhiyar
Avvaiyar
Pari Mahalir
Boodhapandiyan Deviyar
Kakkaipadiniyar
Kuramagal Ilaveliyini
Peymahal Ilaveliyini
Kavarrpendu

Karaikalpeyammaiar

Villiputhur Kothaiyar

Don't you want to know their achievements?