30 ‘Atruppadais’ in Tamil
patronage. Their life was miserable. The kitchen did not enjoy the warmth of the fire’ and the walls. were full of insects. ,They had .insufficient light and the'lamps were filled with dust. They ate a poor meal as it consisted of merely greens without salt. But to all outward appearances they led a happy, cheerful and contented life. The Royal patronage never gaye them any opportunity to -brood over their miserable life. The poem describes vividly how these bards were treated by the kings. and what rewards they had from them.
These bards on their entry into the king’s. palace were received by the kings themselves and great honours. were bestowed on them. They were: presented with lace-bordered clothes and were allowed to stay in the rest houses. It appears that these bards stayed in the rest house for over many days and any bard’s desire to leave the rest house would give displeasure to the king. Cholan Kari- kalan was one such king. “Thus the learned bards who might have entered the king’s palaces as poor wandering minstrels would have become princes. as a result of the kindness shown towards them by these monarchs. The gifts given by one king.
-would enable them to live happily. during their life time and there was no necessity for such bards to receive gifts from another. The bards were given rich’ food and it consisted of boiled rice, meat and �
