Kārikkannanār, known in full as Kāviripoompattinathu Kārikkannanār (Tamil: காவிரிப்பூம்பட்டினத்துக் காரிக்கண்ணனார்), was a poet of the Sangam period, to whom 10 verses of the Sangam literature have been attributed, including verse 28 of the Tiruvalluva Maalai.[1]
Hailing from Kaveri Poompattinam (present-day Puhar), Kaari Kannanar was a trader by occupation and has sung in praise of kings Chola Kura Palli Thunjiya Perunthirumavalavan, Pandiyan Ilavanthigai Palli Thunjiya Nanmaran, Pandiyan Velliyambalatthu Thunjiya Peruvaludhi, Aai Aandiran, and Pittan Kottran.[2] He compared the Chola and Pandiya rulers with Lord Vishnu and Balarama.[2] His time was close to that of Uraiyur Marutthuvan Dhamodharanar, Kovoor Kilar, Maadalan Madurai Kumaranar, Aavoor Moolam Kilar, Nakkirar I, and Marudhanila Naganar.
Kaari Kannanar has written 10 Sangam verses, including 5 in Purananuru (verses 57, 58, 169, 171, and 353), 1 in Kurunthogai (verse 297), 3 in Agananuru (verses 107, 123, and 285), and 1 in Tiruvalluva Maalai (verse 28).[2]
Kaari Kannanar opines about Valluvar and the Kural text thus: