Spgm 002 - The Kannagi Statue Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

KANNAGI STATUE

This statue of Kannagi has been erected on the first line Marina Beach, Chennai, Tamilnadu, South India, to celebrate her chastity, modesty, and devotion to her merchant husband, Kovalan, despite his disloyalty to her by going astray with a dancing girl, Madhavi, who betrayed him later on.

Kovalan was beheaded at the command of King Pandian on a false charge of stealing the Royal Queen's anklet, while it was actually stolen by the goldsmith, who cunningly shifted the blame on this poor Kovalan.

Kannagi, Kovalan's chaste wife, then burnt the Madurai City by invoking the Fire God, sparing the virtuous people, innocent children and animals from her curse. Even today, this tragic story has become a burning topic in several open debates and group discussions, held on important occasions.