Vatakkiruttal Explained

Vatakkiruttal ('fasting facing north'), also Vadakiruthal and vadakiruttal, was a Tamil ritual of fasting till death. It was especially widespread during the Sangam age. The Tamil kings, in order to save their honour, and prestige, were prepared to meet their death facing North ('Vatakkiruttal'), and never would they turn their back in battle. It was a Tamil martial vow ('vow'). This was either done alone or as a group with the supporters of the captured king.

Examples

Few examples of Vatakkiruttal for friendship:

After the death of king Vēl Pāri in a battle, his friend poet Kapilar performs this act in Kabilar Kundru.^[1] In another, King Kopperuncholan and his friend poet Pisiranthaiyar did Vatakkiruttal.^[2]

Further reading

• Book: George L. Hart . The Four Hundred Songs of War and Wisdom: An Anthology of Poems from Classical Tamil, the Purananuru . Hank Heifetz . Columbia University Press . 2002 . 0-231-11563-6.
• Book: Thapar , Romila . . Oxford University Press . 1996 . 0-19-563867-0.
• Book: Richards , John F. . Kingship and Authority in South Asia . University of Wisconsin--Madison . 1978.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Book excerptise: The Four Hundred Songs of War and Wisdom: An Anthology of Poems from Classical Tamil, the Purananuru by George L. (tr.) Hart and Hank Heifetz (tr.) . Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Kanpur . 26 February 2014 . Kapilar for King Pari #107 — When Vel Pari is killed in battle, kapilar is supposed to have committed suicide by vadakirrutal - facing North and starving..
2. News: From the annals of history . The Hindu . 25 June 2010 . 26 February 2014.