Tamil Silapathikaram is the earliest epic poem in Tamil. It was written by Prince Ilanko Adikal in the 5th–6th century AD. The poem tells the story of the prince’s love for the courtesan Matavi and his ruin and exile in Maturai. It is based on a famous story from Tamil mythology.

The story starts with the prince, who is the son of the king of Maturai, being lovesick. He goes to the courtesan Matavi to cure his heartache. She loves him and asks him to marry her. He agrees to marry her, but on the day of the wedding, he finds that he has fallen in love with her. He decides to take his love to another city, where he can be alone with her.