Ottakoothar

Kavichakravarthi

Ottakoothar
A portrait of Ottakoothar in the wall of Tiruchengode Sengunthar Nattanmaikarar sabai
BornPonnambala koothar, Koothan
Thiruverumbur, Tiruchirapalli
OccupationCourt poet, Minister
LanguageTamil
Period12th century CE
Notable works
  • Vikrama Cholan Ula
  • Kulottunga Cholan Ula
  • Rajarajan Cholan Ula
  • Uttara Kaandam of Raamaayanam
  • Kulothunga Cholan pillai tamil
  • Takka-yaaka-parani
  • Eeti-elupattu
RelativesSengunthar

Ottakoothar (c. 12th century CE) was a Tamil court poet and minister to three Later Chola kings, namely Vikrama Chola, Kulotunga II and Rajaraja II. He wrote poems in praise of these three kings.

The poet's memorial is believed to be still in a place known as Darasuram in Kumbakonam, just opposite the famous Airavatesvara Temple. According to legend, the goddess Saraswati blessed him in Koothanur, then he became a famous poet.