This book is a rendering in English of the Tamil epics ‘Silappadikaram’ and ‘Manimekalai’ written by renowned Tamil poets. Silappadikaram is the story of Kovalan and Kannagi and of how Kannagi avenges the wrong done to her husband. Manimekalai is meant to be a sequel to Silappadikaram, being the story of Kovalan’s daughter’s renunciation. There are strong spiritual undertones in the story that give an insight into the religious influence of those times. The illustrations are by A V Illango who is a well-known name in the Indian art scene. His areas of interest are Tamil folklore and the mythology and temple architecture of Tamil Nadu.