Kaalingar

Kaalingar (Tamil: காலிங்கர்) (c. 12th century CE), also known as Kalingarayar, was a Tamil scholar and commentator known for his commentary on the Thirukkural. He was among the canon of Ten Medieval Commentators of the Kural text highly esteemed by scholars. He was also among the five ancient commentators whose commentaries had been preserved and made available to the Modern era, the others being Manakkudavar, Pari Perumal, Paridhi, and Parimelalhagar. Kaalingar was born in Kaalingarayar tribe around the end of 12th century CE and was a farmer, soldier, and a physician. His commentary to the Kural chapter on fortification (Chapter 75) and other war-related chapters are rife with information about battlefield, which hints his military background. It is also believed that he might have migrated from the Kalinga country and hence known by the name. He is believed to have lived around the 12th century CE. Kaalingar had great respect for Valluvar and referred to him as "Lord Valluvar" in his work. He is believed to have published his commentary around 1225 CE. Kaalingar is believed to have been a follower of Jainism. This is evident by his explanations given to Kural couplets 377 and 580. Kaalingar's commentary on the Kural text is believed to have been considered the greatest commentary before the appearance of Parimelalhagar’s work. He quotes several older works in his commentary, which serves as a proof to his erudition. Kaalingar's commentary is known for its grammatically pure writing and usage of High Tamil vocabulary that appealed to the reader. The commentary is devoid of complex phraseology or intricate meanings. He provides the lexical meaning of terms wherever necessary. Unlike Manakkudavar and Pari Perumal, Kaalingar has followed the Tiruvalluva Maalai for subdividing the Kural books of Aram, Porul, and Inbam. At the end of each chapter, he introduces and connects the theme of the chapter that follows. However, he refrains from describing the meaning of the title of chapters.