Auvaiyar is a female icon of Tamil literature. She wrote many poems about Hindu gods, of which Vinayagar Agaval in praise of Lord Ganesha (the elephant god) is famous. Her quotes are still in vogue in modern day Tamil Nadu. She lived during the Sangam age. Tamil literature says that she was in the patronage of King Adhiyamaan for some time. She also took responsibility in preventing the war that was about to happen between Adhiyamaan and another king Thondaimaan. Some of the commonly used quotations attributed to her include:

"Thol Uzhagil Nallaar Oruvar Ularael Avar Poruttu Ellarkum Peiyum Mazhai" - For the good one that exists on the earth, it rains for the benefit everyone.

"Thaal Unda Neerai Thalaiyaalae Thaan Tharuthalal" - A

Her quote "Katrathu Kai Mann Alavu, Kallathathu Ulagalavu" has been translated as "What you have learnt is a mere handful, What you haven't is like the world in its size" and exhibited at NASA. Her famous works include:

• Vinayagar Agaval
• Aathichoodi
• Kondrai Vendhan
• Moothurai
• Nalvazhi

Abithana Chintamani states that there were three female poets in the name of Avaiyar. It is also said that she was the cause of the poets of the Madurai Tamil Sangam to accept the great work of Thiruvalluvar - The Thirukural.

See also

• Abithana Chintamani
• Thiruvalluvar
• Thirukural