Madurai Veeran (warrior of Madurai)
- He is a folk deity popular in Southern Tamil Nadu.
- The prefix to his name is because of his association with Madurai.
- He is venerated as the protector of the people of the city.
- There are also many folk songs, ballads and plays that describe his bravery.
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister released two books: “Folk Deities of Tamil Nadu: Worship, Tradition and Custom” and “Forts of Tamil Nadu: A Walk-Through.”
- The book on folk deities documents Tamil Nadu’s innumerable folk deities’ history, worship, tradition, and customs.
- Tamil society worshipped heroes who laid down their lives for a common cause. ‘Nadu Kal’ (hero stones) were erected to honour those heroes.
- Madurai Veeran, Kaathavarayan, and Muthupattan were raised to the status of deities for questioning existing norms of society and achieved martyrdom.
- Muneeswaran and Karuppasamy were worshipped as guardian deities, as per the book.
- The book also has chapters on Sudalai Madan, Ayyanar, Ponnar-Sankar, Maasani Amman, Bannari Amman, and Angalamman. With many of these deities and their worship methods fast disappearing.
- The book on forts explores the history of several forts in Tamil Nadu through essays and photographs, both contemporary and archival.
- It features Fort St. George in Chennai and forts at Gingee, Sadras, Thirumayam, Alamparai, Vandavasi, Vellore, Sankagiri, Tharangambadi, Ranjankudi, Krishnagiri, Dindigul, Cuddalore, Tiruchi Rockfort, Rayakottai, Namakkal, and Vattakottai.
- The book aims to deepen understanding of Tamil Nadu’s historical contribution to India.
Dig Deeper: Koodiyattam a Sanskrit theatre of Kerala uses many stories of Tamil Nadu folk deities, Read about Koodiyattam.
