Avaiyar is a female icon of Tamil literature. She wrote many poems about Hindu gods, of which Vinayagar Agaval in praise of Lord Ganesha (the elephant god) is famous, and other great thoughts about disciplined human life. Her quotes are so popular that they are used in every part of this world. She lived during the Sangam age. Tamil literature says that she was in the patronage of King Adhiyamaan for sometime. She also took responsibility in preventing the war that was about to happen between Adhiyamaan and another King Thondaimaan. Her contributions to the Tamil literature are used as quotes even now by the people like
"Thol Uzhagil Nallaar Oruvar Ularael Avar Poruttu Ellarkum Peiyum Mazhai" - For the good one that exists on the earth, it rains for the benefit everyone.
"Thaal Unda Neerai Thalaiyaalae Thaan Tharuthalal" - A good deed will payback, as the coconut tree that gives the benefit holding on its on its head, for the water you pour in its feet.
Her quote "Katrathu Kai Mann Alavu, Kallathathu Ulagalavu" has been transliterated as "What you have learnt is handful, What you haven't is like the world" and exhibited at NASA. Her famous works include:
Abithana Chintamani states that there were 3 female poets in the name of Avaiyar. It is also said that she was the cause of the poets of the MaduraiTamil Sangam to accept the great work of Thiruvalluvar - The Thirukural.
Her namesake of the ancient Sangam age was the prototypical Mother Goose of South India who authored the canon of moral guidelines that still form a mainstay to children's education in contemporary Tamil Nadu.
The character of the Sangam Avaiyar sharply contrasts the Avaiyar of the 14
Avaiyar's experience of Ganesha manifesting as "a mother" is a sure sign on her crossing the line of Brahminically sanctioned tradition.
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