Nacchar Explained

Nacchar, also known as Nakkar, was a Tamil poet, scholar, and commentator known for his commentary on the Thirukkural.^[1] He was among the canon of ten medieval commentators of the Kural text most highly esteemed by modern scholars. However, his work has been lost along with other four ancient commentators, namely, Dhamatthar, Dharumar, Thirumalaiyar, and Mallar.^[2]

Biography

Nacchar is often incorrectly believed by some as Nachinarkiniyar, another medieval Tamil poet. However, several scholars deny this, citing that an ancient verse praising the poet Nachinarkiniyar does not mention that he has written commentary on the Tirukkural. Moreover, Nachinarkiniyar lived in the 14th century, about three centuries later than Nacchar. Scholars also opine that the similarity between the two names lead to this incorrect conclusion by some.^[3]

See also

• Ten Medieval Commentators
• Bhashya
• Commentaries in Tamil literary tradition

Further reading

• M. Arunachalam (2005). Tamil Ilakkiya Varalaru, Padhinaindhaam Nootraandu [History of Tamil Literature, 15th century].
• Book: Casie Chetty, Simon. The Tamil Plutarch, containing a summary account of the lives of poets and poetesses of Southern India and Ceylon . Simon Casie Chetty. 65. 1859. Ripley & Strong. Jaffna. The Tamil Plutarch.
• D. M. Vellaivaaranam (1983). Tirukkural Uraikotthu. Thiruppananthal Shri Kasimadam Publications.

Notes and References

1. Book: Vedhanayagam , Rama . திருவள்ளுவ மாலை மூலமும் எளிய உரை விளக்கமும் [Tiruvalluvamaalai: Moolamum Eliya Urai Vilakkamum] . Manimekalai Prasuram . 1 . 2017 . Chennai . 7–8 . ta .
2. Book: Natarajan , P. R. . Thirukkural: Aratthuppaal . Uma Padhippagam . First . December 2008 . Chennai . 1–6 . ta .
3. Book: Aravindan , M. V. . உரையாசிரியர்கள் [Uraiaasiriyargal] . Manivasagar Padhippagam . First . 1968 . Chennai . 339 . ta .