PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
My object in writing this work of fiction is to supply the want of prose in Tamil, a want which is admitted and lamented by all, and also to give a practical illustration of the maxims of morality contained in my former works, Nidinool," "Penmady Malai," "Samarasa Keerthana" & c.
The scene is laid in Southern India. The hero is a well educated native gentleman of brilliant parts, wit and humour. He gives an account of his birth, parentage, education, marriage and other important events of his life and the narrative is intermixed with various scenes of humour and pleasantry, and observations of a mora tendency.
The principal personages who play important parts in this novel are the hero's mother, Sundara Anny and
