Vatakkiruttal

Vatakkiruttal (Tamil: வடக்கிருத்தல், Vaṭakkiruttal, 'fasting facing north'), also Vadakiruthal and vadakiruttal, was a Tamil ritual of fasting till death. It was especially widespread during the Sangam age. The Tamil kings, in order to save their honour, and prestige, were prepared to meet their death facing North ('Vatakkiruttal'), and never would they turn their back in battle. It was a Tamil martial vow (Tamil: நோன்பு, nōnpu, 'vow'). This was either done alone or as a group with the supporters of the captured king.

Few examples of Vatakkiruttal for friendship:

After the death of king Vēl Pāri in a battle, his friend poet Kapilar performs this act in Kabilar Kundru.^[1] In another, King Kopperuncholan and his friend poet Pisiranthaiyar did Vatakkiruttal.^[2]

• George L. Hart; Hank Heifetz (2002). The Four Hundred Songs of War and Wisdom: An Anthology of Poems from Classical Tamil, the Purananuru. Columbia University Press. ISBN 0-231-11563-6.
• Thapar, Romila (1996). Tradition, dissent and ideology: essays in honour of Romila Thapar. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-563867-0.
• Richards, John F. (1978). Kingship and Authority in South Asia. University of Wisconsin--Madison.