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Auvaiyar (Tamil: ஔவையார்)(also Auvayar) was the name of more than one poet who was active during different periods of Tamil literature. They were some of the most famous and important female poets of the Tamil canon. Among them, Auvaiyar I lived during the Sangam period and had cordial relation with the Tamil chieftains, Pari and Athikaman. She wrote 59 poems in Purananuru (புறநானூறு).

Auvaiyar II lived during the period of Kambar and Ottakkuttar during the reign of the Cholas She is often imagined as an old but intelligent lady by Tamil and primarily referred by them as Auvai.

Auvaiyar II wrote many of the poems that remain very popular even now and are inculcated in school text books in the State of Tamil Nadu. These books include a list of dos and donts, useful for daily life, arranged in simple and short sentences.

Abithana Chintamani states that there were three female poets in the name of Auvaiyar.


அறம் செய்ய விரும்பு
ஆறுவது சினம்
இயல்வது கரவேல்
ஈவது விலக்கேல்
உடையது விளம்பேல்
ஊக்க அமது கை விடேல்
எண் எழுத்து இகழேல் ஏற பது
ஏற்பது இகழ்ச்சி
அய்யம் இட்டு உண்
ஒப்புரவு ஒழுகு
ஓதுவது ஒழிஏல்
அஔ வி யம பேசேல்
அக்கம் சுருக்கேல்



ஆத்திசூடி

அறம் செய விரும்பு Be desirous of doing virtue
ஆறுவது சினம் It is the nature of anger to temper in time
இயல்வது கரவேல் Never stop learning
ஈவது விலக்கேல் Don't prevent charity (Always be charitable)
உடையது விளம்பேல் Avoid words that could hurt ( Don't boast of your possessions)
ஊக்கமது கைவிடேல் Don't give up perseverance
எண் எழுத்து இகழேல் Don't despise learning
ஏற்பது இகழ்ச்சி Acceptance (begging alms) is despicable
ஐயமிட்டுண் Eat after donating (to the needy)
ஒப்புர வொழுகு Act virtuously
ஓதுவது ஒழியேல் Don't give up reading (scriptures)
ஒளவியம் பேசேல் Don't carry tales
"Thol Ulagil Nallaar Oruvar Ularael Avar Poruttu Ellarkum Peiyum Mazhai" - The rain falls on behalf of the virtuous, benefitting everyone in the world.

"Nanri Oruvarku Seithakal An Nanri Enrum Thalaravalarthengu Thaan Unda Neerai Thalaiyaalae Thaan Tharuthalal" - A good deed will pay back, as the coconut tree that gives the benefit holding on its head, for the water you pour in its feet.

Her quote "Katrathu Kai Mann Alavu, Kallathathu Ulagalavu" has been translated as "What you have learned is a mere handful; What you haven't learned is the size of the world"