The Tamil Buddhist epic 'Manimekalai', which tells the story of the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi, was written by:

"Manimekalai" is a Tamil epic poem written by Seethalai Sattanar (also Chithalai Chathanar), a Buddhist poet and grain merchant of Madurai, probably around the 6th century CE.

About Manimekalai:

It is a sequel to the "Silappadikaram". It tells the story of Manimekalai, the daughter of Kovalan and the dancer Madhavi.

Manimekalai is pursued by Prince Udayakumaran, but she rejects worldly life and becomes a Buddhist nun.

With the help of a magic bowl called "Amudha Surabhi" (an ever-full begging bowl), she feeds the hungry and serves people.

It is the main Tamil text that explains Buddhist philosophy and criticises other schools of thought.

Silappadikaram ("The Tale of an Anklet"):

• It was written by Ilango Adigal, said to be a Chera prince who became a Jain monk.
• It tells the story of Kovalan, a merchant of Puhar (Kaveripattinam), his faithful wife Kannagi and the dancer Madhavi.

Kovalan is wrongly executed in Madurai for stealing the queen's anklet. Kannagi proves his innocence, and her anger burns the city of Madurai. She is worshipped as a goddess of chastity (Pattini).

The Five Great Epics (Aimperumkappiyangal) of Tamil literature:

• Silappadikaram (Ilango Adigal).
• Manimekalai (Sattanar).
• Civaka Cintamani (Tiruttakkatevar, a Jain work).
• Valayapathi (mostly lost).
• Kundalakesi (Buddhist, mostly lost).

Other Tamil classics:

• Tolkappiyam: the oldest Tamil grammar, by Tolkappiyar.
• Tirukkural: a work on ethics with 1,330 couplets, by Tiruvalluvar.
• Kamba Ramayanam (Ramavataram): by Kamban (12th century).
• Periya Puranam: by Sekkizhar, about the 63 Nayanars (Shaiva saints).

Why not the other options?

• ✗Ilango Adigal wrote "Silappadikaram".
• ✗Tiruvalluvar wrote "Tirukkural".
• ✗Kamban wrote the Tamil Ramayana.