Thiruvaiyaru, the land of five rivers in Thanjavur district, runs deeply in the cultural consciousness of Tamil Nadu. It houses the temple of Aiyarappar, a foremost Saivite centre. It was on the streets of Thiruvaiyaru, saint composer Thiyagaraja did ‘unchaviruthi’, singing his keerthanas in praise of Lord Rama. His memorial remains a gathering point for Carnatic musicians to conduct his aradhana.
But an advertisement in the town says, ‘Thiruvaiyaru endraale Ashoka’ (Thiruvaiyaru is synonymous with Ashoka, a unique native halwa).
