Wedding of Kannaki and Kovalan
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Wedding of Kannaki and Kovalan |
Kannaki was a lovely woman of matchless beauty and serene disposition. As she came of age, her parents gave her in marriage to a man named Kovalan alias Palanga. Though they were not blessed with a child, they passed their days in conjugal harmony.
Pattini's earthly life as Kannaki, the wife of Kovalan, otherwise known as Palanga, was just the sort of life that a Hindu wife was expected to live -- a life of implicit obedience and tolerance. Kannaki was truthful, sincere, obedient, faithful and most trustworthy, and she considered chastity as her greatest virtue.
On the other hand, Kovalan lacked any of these qualities. With the passage of time, she developed a clandestine love-affair with Madhavi alias Vayanthi of Puhur. As the most handsome dancing girl of the temple and her charming looks fascinated Kovalan so much that he soon forgot Kannaki and deserted her.
Madhavi loved luxury and to satisfy her Kovalan spent lavishly on her. He became destitute and reduced to penury so much that he began to borrow money to balance his budget.
