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Sangam Literature

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Shrestha Basu
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
360 views7 pages

Sangam Literature

Uploaded by

Shrestha Basu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Sangam Literature:

A Treasure Trove of Ancient Tamil Culture:


Sangam literature, a rich tapestry of ancient Tamil poetry, stands as a
testament to the intellectual and artistic prowess of the Tamil people.
Spanning centuries, this body of work offers a profound glimpse into the
social, cultural, and political landscape of Tamil Nadu during the
Sangam period, roughly between 300 BCE and 300 CE. The term
'Sangam,' meaning 'association' or 'congregation,' alludes to the literary
academies that are believed to have flourished in Madurai, a prominent
city in Tamil Nadu, fostering the development and preservation of Tamil
literature.

Periodization:
 First Sangam (c. 600 BCE - 200 CE):
o Location: Primarily in Madurai.
o Notable Works:"Tolkappiyam," an early grammar treatise,
and "Ettuthokai," an anthology of poems.

 Second Sangam (c. 200 - 600 CE):


o Location: Shifted to Kapadapuram.
o Notable Works: "Purananuru," a collection of poems
celebrating war and love.

 Third Sangam (c. 600 - 900 CE):


o Location: Dindugal.
o Notable Works: Limited surviving works, including
"Manimekalai," an epic poem.
Genres:
1. Epic Poetry:
- Silappathikaram: Epic by Ilango Adigal, narrating the story of
Kovalan and Kannagi, with elements of love, betrayal, and justice.
- Manimekalai: Another epic, focusing on the life of a Buddhist nun,
Manimekalai.
2. Love Poetry:
- Ainkurunuru: Part of the "Ettuthokai," it contains poems about
love and nature.
- Kuruntokai: A collection of short poems expressing various
emotions related to love and life.
3. Didactic Literature:
- Tolkappiyam: A foundational work on Tamil grammar, poetics, and
rhetoric.
- Ettuthokai and Pattupattu: These anthologies cover various topics,
including ethics, social life, and war.

Themes:
Thematic Spectrum of Sangam Literature:
Sangam literature encompasses a diverse range of themes, offering
insights into the lives and aspirations of the Tamil people. Love, heroism,
nature, and the intricacies of human relationships are eloquently
captured in the verses of Sangam poets.
Themes:
1. Love and Nature:
- Poems in Sangam Literature often celebrate the beauty of nature and
explore the complexities of love.
2. War and Valor:
- Sangam poets glorified the heroic deeds of warriors and the honor
associated with battle.
3. Ethics and Morality:
- Didactic works like "Tolkappiyam" imparted ethical values and
guidelines for righteous living.
Poetic Forms:
1. Aham (Interior):
- Poems expressing the poet's personal emotions and experiences.
2. Puram (Exterior):
- Poems focusing on external subjects, such as kings, wars, and
society.
Aham Literature: The Realm of Love and Desire
Aham, or 'interior,' pertains to the realm of love and personal emotions.
This genre of Sangam poetry delves into the complexities of love,
exploring themes of longing, separation, and unrequited affection. The
poems often depict the yearning of a lover for their beloved, using vivid
imagery and symbolism to convey the intensity of their emotions.
Puram Literature: Chronicles of Valor and Heroism
Puram, or 'exterior,' encompasses the external world, focusing on
heroism, warfare, and the virtues of kings and chieftains. Puram poets
celebrate the valor of warriors, extol the generosity of patrons, and
lament the loss of heroes in battle. These poems provide valuable insights
into the political and social structures of the Sangam period.

Influence and Legacy:


 Tamil Culture: Sangam Literature played a crucial role in
shaping Tamil cultural identity.
 Literary Tradition: It laid the foundation for subsequent Tamil
literature, influencing later poets and writers.
 Historical Insight: The literature provides valuable insights into
the social, political, and cultural aspects of ancient Tamil society.
Literary Styles and Forms
Sangam poetry is characterized by its rich imagery, intricate similes,
and evocative metaphors. Poets employed various poetic forms,
including the kuruntogai, a seven-line poem, and the purananuru, a
long narrative poem.
Idylls: Glimpses into Rural Life
 Pattupattu, a collection of ten long poems, offers a window into the
pastoral life of rural Tamil Nadu. These idyllic poems depict the
beauty of nature, the rhythms of agricultural life, and the vibrant
customs and traditions of the Tamil people.
Epics: Tales of Courage and Sacrifice
 The Sangam period also witnessed the birth of two epic poems,
Silappathikaram and Manimekalai. Silappathikaram, a tale of love,
loss, and redemption, is considered one of the greatest Tamil epics.
Manimekalai, a sequel to Silappathikaram, explores themes of
Buddhism and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.

Impact and Significance


 Sangam literature holds immense significance for understanding
the cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu.
 It provides a rich source of information about the social, political,
and cultural life of the Tamil people during the Sangam period.
 The poems also showcase the linguistic finesse and poetic genius of
the Tamil language.
CONCLUSION:
 Sangam literature holds immense significance for understanding
the cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu.

 It provides a rich source of information about the social, political,


and cultural life of the Tamil people during the Sangam period.

 The poems also showcase the linguistic finesse and poetic genius of
the Tamil language.

 Sangam literature stands as a timeless treasure, a testament to the


enduring legacy of Tamil culture.

 Its rich tapestry of poetry offers a profound glimpse into the lives,
emotions, and aspirations of the Tamil people, providing valuable
insights into the cultural and historical context of
ancient Tamil Nadu.

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