The Avvaiyar (ஔவையார்) was the title of more than one poet who was active during different periods of Tamil literature. Avvaiyar lived during the Sangam period (1st and 2nd century CE) and had cordial relation with the Tamil chieftains Paari and Athiyaman. She wrote 59 poems in the Purananuru.

Avvaiyar II lived during the period of Kambar and Ottakoothar during the reign of the Chola dynasty in the 13th century. She is often imagined as an old and intelligent lady by Tamil people. She wrote many of the poems that remain very popular even now and are inculcated in school textbooks in Tamil Nadu. These books include a list of dos and don'ts, useful for daily life, arranged in simple and short sentences. The following quotes from Aathichoodi illustrate the simplicity of her style and profoundness of the messages.

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Uyir Ezhuthu

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அ
ஆ
இ
ஈ
உ
ஊ
எ
ஏ
ஐ
ஒ
ஓ
ஒள

ஃ

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ஆத்திசூடி

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அறம் செய விரும்பு
ஆறுவது சினம்
இயல்வது கரவேல்ஈவது விலக்கேல்
ஈவது விலக்கேல்
உடையது விளம்பேல்ஊக்கமது கைவிடேல்
ஊக்கமது கைவிடேல்
எண் எழுத்து இகழேல்
ஏற்பது இகழ்ச்சி
ஐயமிட்டு உண்
ஒப்புர வொழுகு
ஓதுவது ஒழியேல்
ஒளவியம் பேசேல்
அஃகஞ் சுருக்கேல்

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English translation

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Intend to do right things
Anger should be cooled off or calm down
Help others based on your capacity
Never stop aiding
Never boast
Never give up enthusiasm
Never degrade learning
Begging is shameful
Share what you eat
Be virtuous
Never stop learning or reading
Never gossip
Never compromise in food grains

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