Classical period

mahAvIra

the digambara munI, who gave up everything to conquer himself.

buddha

buddha gautama shramaNa, philosophical and social revolutionary, who (unfortunately) opened up paths towards Ananda to a broader section of the society. This led to an unfortunate increase in ascetic tendencies in hindu society.

kAlIdAsa

mahAkavi.

sOmEshvara chAlukya

the polymath author of manasollAsa.

hemachandra-sUrI

a vaishya by birth, brilliant grammarian in the chAlukya court - MT.

mANikkavAchakar

author of Tiruvachakam, who with his “sorcery” reputedly returned the Manichi nairs to the hindu fold from the Syrian church [Ar].

appAr the nAyanAr

who liked to clean temples with his hoe [VA].

akka-mahAdEvI

the nude vIrashaiva poetess - for her boldness and freedom.

  • To be continued.