and preaches the ideals of Buddhism, and human interest is diluted in supernatural features. The narration in akaval meter moves on in Manimekalai without the relief of any lyric, which are the main features of Cilappatikaram. Manimekalai in puritan terms is not an epic poem, but a grave disquisition on philosophy.

There are effusions in Cilappatikaram in the form of a song or a dance, which does not go well with the Western audience as they are assessed to be inspired on the spur of the moment. Calcutta review claims that the three works