In addition to using A for Apple, E for Elephant, I for Ink, O for Ox and U for Umbrella like names of Objects to teach alphabets, In Tamilnadu which lies in the southern part of India, School Children are also taught as Aram seya virumbu (Have desire to do good deeds), Eevadhu Vilakkael (Don’t stop doing charity), Iyam ittu un (Before eating, share food with those who need), Odhuvadhu Ozhiyael (Never stop learning) and Udaiyadhu Vilambael (Do not boast about your possession). These verses are taken from the book aathichudi written by an ancient Tamil female poet Avvaiyar.

She had written many poems in addition to Aathichudi and was supposed to live during 1st century BCE. I have taken it as a mission to spread her works worldwide by translating and explaining them in English and including them in the storehouse of digital media.

Now I have translated her major work ‘aathichudi’. This book will only be a starting point for my effort to bring some good books of ancient Tamil literature which could be very useful for the modern world.

Thirukkural is the only book which got its due exposure and reached worldwide audience and many other great works have not seen their day yet. I feel that the works of Avvaiyar can fill some gaps available in the moral space of the modern world today.

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