{"product_id":"song-of-the-ankle-rings-eric-alagan-9798223083283","title":"Song of the Ankle Rings (Large Print)","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn classical Tamil, \u003cem\u003eSenkonmai\u003c\/em\u003e means Righteous Sceptre. In latter centuries it became \u003cem\u003esenmai\u003c\/em\u003e, or when shortened even further-\u003cem\u003esen. Kol \u003c\/em\u003eis the wooden rod used by a shepherd to guide and protect his flock. Combine the two words, and \u003cem\u003esenkol\u003c\/em\u003e (a word in popular use) becomes the staff (sceptre) a king wields. It is the physical manifestation of austerity, purity, mercy, and truthfulness-the dharmic tenets that guided the rulers of ancient Tamilakam. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe sceptre was not a symbol of lordship and power, as was commonly associated with the royal mace in other ancient cultures such as the Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Persian, and even later-day monarchies.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn ancient Tamilakam, kings were known as \u003cem\u003ekovalan\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003ekavalan\u003c\/em\u003e, both terms used interchangeably. Kovalan is the wielder of the senkol. Kavalan is the servant-guardian.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA kovalan, by his example, serves and guards and guides the state.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf he fails in this duty, he must make good, or if unable to rectify the error, he must pay a penalty. The price could be restitution, such as money to put matters right or some other favour that restores or compensates the damage or loss to the affected constituent, be it a person or an institution. In extreme cases, he must be prepared to forfeit his life. Honour, duty, and accountability demanded this of him.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe senkol in the hands of the kovalan constantly reminded him he, as the wielder of the kol, was a mere kavalan, servant-guardian of the state.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese obligations on the king were disseminated to the people by temple inscriptions, palm-leaf books, \u003cem\u003eguru-sishyan\u003c\/em\u003e (teacher-student) discourses, and history enacted through the medium of story-telling (oral tradition), visual arts (portraiture and sculpture), and performance arts (dance and drama).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn early example of the kavalan's duty, responsibility, and accountability was expounded in \u003cem\u003eSilapathikaram\u003c\/em\u003e, the classic Tamil epic composed by Elango-Adigal (the venerable ascetic prince). He was a prince-turned-monk and brother of Senkuttuvan, the Cheran king.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSong of the Ankle Rings\u003c\/em\u003e is based on the \u003cem\u003eSilapathikaram\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Pandyan King, Nedun-Cheliyan, wrongly condemns Kannagi's husband of stealing the queen's anklet, and puts him to death. When she learns of this atrocity, she confronts the king in open court and proves her husband's innocence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe righteous king, horrified by his negligence that had led to the irredeemable error, grabs his chest and cries, \u003cem\u003e\"Am I king? No, I am the thief.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDistraught and ashamed of the gross injustice committed, he digs his fingers into his chest and dies-his heart having failed him.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePanegyrists sang his praises thus: \u003cem\u003e\"The kavalan's injustice bent his senkol, yet the kovalan's death reinstated his dynasty's righteousness. Rejoice people, for the senkol stands upright again.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKannagi, arguably the first female protagonist in Tamil literature, is revered in India and the Tamil diaspora as an exemplary model for womanhood. There are temples and statues raised to her memory.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWelcome! Hear Kannagi and her husband, Kovalan-his name is an irony in more ways than one-recount their stories in \u003cem\u003eSong of the Ankle Rings\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Eric Alagan\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798223083283\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Eric Alagan\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 10\/24\/2023\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 480\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.54lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 1.07d","brand":"Eric Alagan","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48089192366335,"sku":"9798223083283","price":25.9,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_d1a7933b-a158-4517-a54d-f9561ef8591e.jpg?v=1769108727","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/song-of-the-ankle-rings-eric-alagan-9798223083283","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}