Sangam Literature
The Sangam literature is known to be authored by 473 poets, out of which 102 were unknown.
These poets arrived from distinct backgrounds; some belonged to royal families, and a few were
even farmers. A minimum of 27 of the total poets were females.
Several poems under the Sangam age literature discussed Heroism and displayed great
liveliness. They dealt exclusively with matters that were non-religious and lacked references to
rich legends.
Classification of Sangam Age Literature
Sangam Literature has been categorized based on the composition, context and interpretation
period.
• The literature is split into two types: Akam and Puram.
• Akam poetry relates to the feelings and sentiments of romantic love, sexual connection,
and sensuality.
• In contrast, Puram's poetry focuses on exploits and courageous attainments in the
setting of war and public life.
Given below are the details of every classification.
Sangam Literature Classification
Based on Period of Sangam Literature Details
Composition
Patinenmelkanakku The most ancient Tamil poetry works formed 200 BCE to 100
BCE.
Patinenkilkanakku Literary work formed between 100 CE and 500 CE, before the
era of the Pallavas
Group of 18 poetry manuscripts
Primary works include Palamoli, Thirukkural, Naladiyar, etc.
Based on the Context and Sangam Literature Details
Interpretation
Akam (Inner) Abstract conversation on human factors such as sexual
connections, love, etc.
Puram (outer) Experiences by human beings such as customs, ethics,
heroism, social life, philanthropy, etc.
Sangam Literature is divided into seven minor genres, called Tinai, which includes Akam and
Puram. This genre is based on the terrain or location in which the poetry is created, which
possesses the following.
Sangam Age Literature Classification
Kurinci Mountainous regions
Mullai Pastoral woods
Marutam Riverine agricultural land
Neytal Coastal regions
Palai Arid regions
In addition to the geography-based Tiṇais, the classifications used for Akam poetry are namely:
• Perunthinai - Unsuitable, big genre
• Kaikkilai - Badly-matched, one-sided
• Ain-tinai - Well-matched, mutual love.
Takanobu Takahashi commented that Puram poetry is straightforward as it utilizes names and
locations. The Tiṇais about Puram poems were similar to Akam. Types are occasionally based
on the activity listed below:
• Kanchi (Disaster)
• Vetchi (Cattle charge)
• Vanchi (Attack, training for war)
• Paataan (Burial hymn and praise)
• Vakai (Victory)
• Pothuviyal
• Tumpai (War)
• Karanthai
• Ulinai (Encirclement).
Three Types of Sangam Literature - Muchchangam
It is known that there are three types of Sangam Literature (Academy of Tamil poets) according
to the legends of Tamil. These are recognized in old Southern India, commonly known as
Muchchangam. The three types are:
• First Sangam - This was held at Madurai, accompanied by legendary scholars and
divinities. There is no availability of literary work under this Sangam.
• Second Sangam - It was conducted at Kapadapuram, solely Tolkappiyam prevails from
Second Sangam.
• Third Sangam - It was held at Madurai. This Sangam was a valuable source to rebuild
the history of this era and consists of a few Tamil literary works.
Sangam Time Period Kingdom No. of Poets
First 4440 years Pandiya 549
Second 3700 years Pandiya 1700
Third 1850 years Pandiya
Tolkappiyam - 2nd Literature of Sangam Age
The 2nd Sangam or Tolkappiyam literature work is the most ancient existent work of Tamil till
now and was formed by Tolkappiyar. It was found between the 4th - 5th centuries CE.
• It provided details on human psychology, economic, political, and social circumstances
during the Sangam period.
• It also explained Tamil grammar.
• Tolkappiyam has significantly less influence on Sanskrit in its literature work.
• The work includes a comprehensive range of 1612 Sutras.
• There are nine chapters in this work that are equally divided into three sections.
Third Tamil Sangam
The literature from the third Sangam period was classified and assembled in the tenth century
CE into two classifications based on chronology.
• The principal origins of information for this Sangam age are archaeological sources,
foreign accounts, and academic sources.
• The structure of the third Sangam is organized into eight anthologies known as
Ettuthokai/Ettuttokoi and ten idylls known as Pattuppattu.
Ettuthokai - Eight Anthologies of Sangam Literature
Ettuthokai, also well-known as the Eight Anthologies, is a poetic work of Tamil that comprises
part of the Eighteen Greater Texts anthology series of Sangam Literature. It includes the listed
literary works.
Name Extant poems Number of poets
Narrinai 400 175
Kuruntokai 402 205
Ainkurunuru 499 5
Patirruppattu 86 8
Paripatal 33 13
Kalittokai 150 5
Akananuru 401 145
Purananuru 398 157
Pattuppattu - The Ten Idylls
It was commonly spelt as Ten Idylls and is a classical poetic Tamil work in Sangam Literature. It
contained Puram (public life and battle) poems with 100 and 800 lines. It includes the listed
literary works.
Name Author of Sangam Literature Poem Lines
Malaipatukatam Perunkaucikanar 583
Kurincippattu Kapilar 261
Perumpanarruppatai Uruttirankannaiyar 500
Tirumurukarruppatai Nakkirar 317
Netunalvatai Nakkirar 188
Pattinappalai Uruttirankannanar 301
Porunararruppatai Mutattamakkanniyar 234
Mullaippattu Napputanar 103
Cirupanarruppatai Nattattanar 296
Maturaikkanci Mankuti Marutanar 782
Post-Sangam Period (200 CE - 600 CE)
The era began in 200 CE and lasted till 600 CE. It is believed that Jain writers also authored five
minor works. The post-Sangam period witnessed the composition of five big epics in Tamil:
• Jivaka Chintamani
• Valaiyapati
• Kundalakesi
• Manimekalai
• Silappadikaram.
Silappadikaram
Ilango Adigal composed this Sangam. The meaning of term depicts the story of an anklet. The
Author is considered stern-prince, and his elder brother was Cheran king Senguttuvan.
• The main character is Kannagi, who seeks revenge for her poorly killed husband from
the Pandya empire.
• The poem gives a lot of understanding into modern Tamil culture, government, values
and social life of the people.
Manimekalai
Chithalai Chathanar, also known as Sattanar, composed this literature, a continuation of
Silappadikaram. The principal objective of the Author was to grow Buddhism in South India as
the work unites the faith of Buddhism over other theologies of the time.
Significance of Sangam Literature in Ancient South India
Sangam literature or poetry focused on individuals and culture. It is virtually only non-religious
except for reference to numerous gods. The literature provided wisdom into diverse aspects of
old Tamil society, individuals, and religious and non-religious beliefs.
• It constitutes evidence of Sanskrit loan words, indicating continuing academic and
linguistic cooperation between ancient Tamil Nadu and other regions of the subcontinent
of India.
• The Sangam literature offered recorded evidence of native literary evolution in Southern
India, similar to Sanskrit literature and Tamil’s classical status.
• The existing mythological Sangams certify a group of scholars who influenced the life of
old Tamil Nadu based on literacy, intellectual, cultural and linguistic aspects.
List of Sangam Literature Books
The Sangam books collection contains 2381 poems in Tamil written by 473 poets, out of which
many poets are still unidentified. Mentioned are some of the best books for Sangam Literature.
These are available online on popular websites.
Sangam Literature Books Author
The Interior Landscape, Love Poems from a Classical Tamil A.K. Ramanujam
Anthology
Tamil Heroic Poetry K. Kailasapathy
Tamil Love Poetry – The Five Hundred Short Poems of Martha Ann Selby
Ainkurunuru (Translation of all the 500 poems)
The Four Hundred Songs of War and Wisdom George L. Hart and
Hank Heifetz
Tholkappiyam S. Ilakkuvanar
Tamil Brahmi Inscriptions of the Sangam Age Iravatham Mahadevan
The Smile of Murugan: On Tamil Literature of South India Kamil Zvelebil
Poets of the Tamil Anthologies – Ancient Poems of Love and War George L. Hart
Landscape and Poetry – A study of nature in Classical Tamil Xavier Thani Nayagam
Poetry
The Poems of Ancient Tamil – Their Milieu and Their Sanskrit George L. Hart
Counterparts
Decline of Sangam Literature
The decline of the Sangam age began at the end of the 3rd century AD. The Kalabhras
inhabited the Tamil homeland after the Post-Sangam era between the span of 300 AD to 600
AD. The period witnessed was known as a dark side or interregnum by the ancient chroniclers.
