Dimensions and Aspects of a Book

The Five Dimensions of a Text/Book

In the context of Nannool, a 'book' or 'text' refers to a subject text, typically centered on Tamil grammar during Nannool's era. Even renowned works like Thirukkural, which deals with virtues, statecraft, etc., adhere to the rules and structures outlined by the pothu paayiram grammar. While literary poems and anthologies like Aganaanooru may not strictly follow these guidelines, they still strive to adhere to them where applicable.

Today, we can apply these principles to various forms of writing such as textbooks, research articles, theses, or project reports.

The Pothu paayiram, as mentioned earlier, delves into the five dimensions of a book: text, teacher, teaching, learner, and learning.

noole, nuvalvon, nuvalum thirane,

kolvon, kodal kootraam – ainthum

ellaa noorkum ivai pothu paayiram

?

The text, the teacher, teaching methods,

The student and learning aspects - these five

Are the general prefaces applicable to all books.

Ancient Tamil texts, including Nannool, were typically composed in verse form, primarily for ease of memorization in the absence of mass media technologies. Nannool capitalizes on this aphoristic (noorpaa/sootram) structure to convey concepts poetically, with brevity and clarity, often adorned with similes and rhymes.

Nannool's Pothu paayiram provides a comprehensive framework for defining, classifying, and discerning between good and bad forms of writing. Its insights into the qualities of a good text can be directly applied to modern writing, such as textbooks, research articles, and reports, thereby enhancing their quality. It can also serve as a guiding light for novice writers struggling with organizing and refining their content.

?Similarly, Nannool's exploration of the other dimensions—teaching and learning—offers valuable insights into these processes, aiding in our understanding and improvement of them. It can also facilitate self-assessment for both learners and teachers, offering deeper insights into our strengths and weaknesses in these roles. We'll delve into these dimensions further in subsequent posts.

The Aspects of a Good Text

Nannool embarks on its exploration of what constitutes a good text by laying out the foundational elements (in the quoted aphorism), which is then further elaborated in the verses that follow.

?

noolin iyalbe nuvalin [1] or-iru

paayiram thotri [2], mummaiyin onraay [3],

naal porul payathodu [4], ezhu matham thazhuvi [5],

ai-iru kutramum agatri [6], am maatchiyodu [7],

enn-naangu uththiyin [8], oththu, patalam

ennum uruppinil [9], soothiram, kaandigai,

viruththi aakum [10], vikarpa nadai perume [11].?

Now, I understand that delving into these verses might seem daunting for many readers. It's perfectly fine to skip over them and focus solely on the main text of the posts. However, I include these verses as a tribute to the poetic richness of the Tamil language and to provide a glimpse of the beauty within what might otherwise appear as dry conceptual enumeration. For instance, observe the elegant use of cardinal numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, and 32) in the verse, symbolizing the aspects of a text and arranged in ascending order.

Let's break down the verse for better understanding:

[1] When discussing the essence of a text:

[2] It should commence with one or both prefaces,

[3] It should belong to one of the three types,

[4] It should yield the four benefits,

[5] It should adhere to one of the seven principles,

[6] It should be devoid of the ten faults,

[7] It should encompass the ten merits,

[8] Structured using thirty-two techniques,

[9] Divided into chapters and sections,

[10] Comprising aphorisms and commentaries,

[11] This, indeed, is how a book should embody diverse styles.

?

Rest assured, as we delve into each aspect in detail (in subsequent posts), it will become clearer and more digestible. Trust me, the journey will be rewarding!

Nannool stays true to its grammar (naturally!) and serves as a self-example of the principles it establishes. Its name Nannool, meaning good book, is no coincidence! The aphorism above draws upon some of the thirty-two techniques enumerated in the text, such as previewing what will be discussed and then elaborating on it.

So, this aphorism outlines the components of a good text, which we will explore in-depth, one by one, in the upcoming posts. Stay tuned.

Question: If you are to lay down the aspects of a good text/book, what factors will you enumerate?

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