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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Title or name in ancient Tamil literature}}<br />
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{{Infobox person<br />
| name = Saathanar<br />
| native_name = சாத்தனார்<br />
| occupation = Poet, Philanthropist, Warrior<br />
| era = [[Sangam period]]<br />
| notable_works = ''Manimekalai''<br />
}}<br />
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'''Saathanar''' ({{Langx|ta|சாத்தனார்}}) is a title or name attributed to several notable individuals in ancient Tamil literature, particularly during the Sangam period. The name "Saathan" was commonly associated with merchants, philanthropists (vallals), warriors, and poets, reflecting a multifaceted role in Tamil society.<ref>{{cite book |editor=George L. Hart and Hank Heifetz |title=The Four Hundred Songs of War and Wisdom: An Anthology of Poems from Classical Tamil, the Purananuru |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-231-11562-9 |pages=242–244 |quote=Saathan, son of the Chera lord of Ollaiyūr, is mourned as a heroic patron and warrior in poem 242.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Zvelebil |first=Kamil |title=The Smile of Murugan: On Tamil Literature of South India |publisher=Brill Academic Publishers |year=1973 |isbn=978-90-04-03591-1 |pages=215–220 |quote=The Manimekalai by Seethalai Saathanar is one of the earliest and most important Tamil Buddhist epics.}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |editor-first=S. |editor-last=Vaiyapuri Pillai |title=Tamil Lexicon |volume=4 |publisher=University of Madras |year=1936 |page=128 |quote=சாத்தன் – caravan leader, head of a [[merchant guild]]; merchant prince.}}</ref><br />
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== Etymology ==<br />
The term "Saathan" is believed to derive from the Tamil word ''sāttu'' (சாத்து), meaning a Buddhist monk or a merchant. This nomenclature was prevalent during the early days to denote individuals associated with Buddhism or trade. For instance, the poet known as ''Maturai Kulavāṇikan Cāttan'' (Madurai Grain Merchant Saathanar) was distinguished from others with similar names by his profession and place of residence.{{sfn|University of Ceylon Review|1948|p=97}}<br />
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== Notable Figures Named Saathanar ==<br />
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=== Chithalai Saathanar ===<br />
[[Chithalai Chathanar|Chithalai Saathanar]] was a renowned Tamil poet credited with composing the epic ''Manimekalai''. He hailed from Seerthandalai (later known as Seethalai) and was a grain merchant in Madurai, earning him the epithet "Kulavāṇikan". A practitioner of Buddhism, his works reflect deep philosophical insights and advocate Buddhist principles.<ref>{{Cite book <!-- |first=இராசமாணிக்கனார் --> |url=https://www.tamildigitallibrary.in/admin/assets/book/TVA_BOK_0003943_%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B1%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D_%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%8D.pdf |title=நாற்பெரும் புலவர்கள் |date=1996 | orig-date = 1944 | publisher=Pooram Publishing House | first = Chithalai | last = Saathanar | location= Chennai, India |page =4 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20240619201239/https://www.tamildigitallibrary.in/admin/assets/book/TVA_BOK_0003943_%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B1%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D_%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%8D.pdf | archivedate = 2024-06-19 | language=ta}}</ref><br />
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=== Perunthalai Saathanar ===<br />
Perunthalai Saathanar, a poet from Perunthalayoor near present-day Gobichettipalayam in Erode district, was known for his humility and poetic prowess. In ''Purananuru'' verse 209, he praises a chieftain despite not receiving any gifts, showcasing the self-respect of Sangam-era bards.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lending Ears to the Ancient Bards of Kongunadu |date=25 June 2014 |url=https://meenakshisundaramwriter.blogspot.com/2014/06/lending-ears-to-ancient-bards-of.html}}</ref><br />
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=== Vannakkan Saathanar ===<br />
Vannakkan Saathanar was a late Sangam period poet known for his erudition in Sanskrit and comparative studies between Tamil and Sanskrit. He authored verse 43 of the ''Tiruvalluva Maalai'', expressing his views on Valluvar and the ''Tirukkural''.<ref>{{cite book | last = Vedanayagam | first = Rama | title =Tiruvalluva Maalai: Moolamum Eliya Urai Vilakkamum | publisher = Manimekalai Prasuram | pages = 59-60 | date = 2017 | location = Chennai| language = ta }}</ref>{{sfn|Robinson, 2001|pp=26–27}}<br />
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== Other Notable Individuals with the Name Saathanar ==<br />
Several other poets and figures bore the name Saathanar, contributing to Tamil literature:<br />
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* Azhisi Nachchaathanar<br />
* Aaduthurai Maasaathanar<br />
* Aalampēri Saathanar<br />
* Uraiyur Kathuvāy Saathanar<br />
* Uraiyur Muthukannan Saathanar<br />
* Okkur Maasaathanar<br />
* Karuvur Kathappillai Saathanar<br />
* Karuvur Cheraman Saathan<br />
* Karuvur Boothan Saathanar<br />
* [[Seethalai Satthanar|Seethalai Saathanar]]<br />
* Seithivalluvan Perun Saathan<br />
* Thondi Aamur Saathanar<br />
* Piraan Saathanar<br />
* Perun Saathanar<br />
* Perunthalai Saathanar<br />
* Perunthōl Kurun Saathan<br />
* Perisaathanar<br />
* Mosi Saathanar<br />
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== References ==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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== See also ==<br />
* [[Sangam literature]]<br />
* [[List of Sangam poets]]<br />
* [[Manimekalai]]<br />
* [[Purananuru]]<br />
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[[Category:Tamil names]]</div>Wilfred0198