Kongu Mangala Vazhthu w. Audio

Based on Tamil folklore it is believed that Kongu Mangala Vazhthu (aka Kongu Mangala Valthu, Kongu Mangala Vaazhthu or Kongu Mangala Vazthu) was written by Kavi Chakravarthi (Poet) Kambar (aka Kamban), who lived during circa 1180 to 1250 CE). The song is sung at marriages by various Kongu Vellalars, though is held at a high esteem by the Kongu Vellala Gounders. The song blesses the newlywed with wealth and prosperity.

The folklore says that during the reign of Kulothunga Chola III (reign during 1178 to 1218 CE) there was a flooding in river Cavery affecting all the crops. As all the measures to contain the river failed, Kongu Vellalars approached Kulothunga Chola for his interference. The King informed that River Cavery will obey the words of any noble and blessed poet. As Kambar was the most appropriate poet to fit the requirements of the King, he was approached for help. It is believed that Kambar’s songs ensured River Cauvery stopped flooding. In praise of Kambar, the King informed that the marriage tax that was paid by people to him should now be paid to Kambar as a token of appreciation of his blessings in keeping River Cauvery at peace. In response to the donations by Kongu Vellalars, Kambar sang the Kongu Mangala Vazhthu song for use by Kongu Vellalars in their marriages.

The descendants of Kambar, who were also poets sung this song at Kongu Vellalar Marriages and collected the marriage tax. The poets who were eligible to sing the song at marriages were selected by other poets and given the powers to sing the Mangala Vazhthu at marriages.

The practice of a nominated poet singing the Mangal Vazhthu diminished and stopped over time. This also bought to an end the ritual of providing donations to Poets in Kongu Vellala marriages after the poets sing the Mangala Vazthu. The song is currently sung by Navithars during the Kongu Vellala marriage.

The song is sung when the bridegroom and the brother of bride are sitting with their hands held below a heap of rice. The song is also sung during the Enaicheer function as well. Based on Tamil folklore it is believed that Kongu Mangala Vazhthu (aka Kongu Mangala Valthu, Kongu Mangala Vaazhthu or Kongu Mangala Vazthu) was written by Kavi Chakravarthi (Poet) Kambar (aka Kamban), who lived during circa 1180 to 1250 CE). The song is sung at various Kongu Vellalars by marriages, though at a high esteem by the Kongu Vellala Gounders is held. The song blesses newlywed with the wealth and prosperity.

The folklore says that during the reign of Chola Kulothunga III (reign during 1218 to 1178 CE) there was a flooding river in Cavery affecting all the crops. As all the measures to contain the river failed, Kongu Vellalars approached Kulothunga Chola for his interference. The King informed that River will Cavery obey the words of poet any noble and blessed. As poet Kambar was the most appropriate to fit the requirements of the King, he was approached for help. It is believed that ensured Kambar s songs Cauvery River flooding stopped. In praise of Kambar, the King was informed that the marriage tax paid by that people should now be paid to him as a token of appreciation of his blessings in Kambar to keeping peace at Cauvery River. In response to the donations by Kongu Vellalars, Kambar sang the song for use by Kongu Kongu Mangala Vazhthu Vellalars in their marriages.

The descendants of Kambar, were also poets who sung this song at the Kongu Vellalar Marriages and marriage tax collected. The poets who sing to the song at marriages were eligible were selected by the other powers given to poets and sing at the Mangala Vazhthu marriages.

The practice of singing the poet Mangal Vazhthu diminished and stopped over a nominated time. This also bought an end to the ritual of Poets in providing donations to the poets sing the Mangala Vazthu after Kongu Vellala marriages. The song is sung by currently Kongu Vellala Navithars during the marriage.

The song is sung when the brother of the bride and bridegroom are sitting below a heap of rice with their hands held. The song is also sung during the Enaicheer well as function.