Paayiram - The Preface

Nannool, the Tamil grammar treatise, primarily delves into the phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics of the Tamil language. However, it begins with an insightful exploration of prefaces, categorizing them into General Preface (pothu paayiram) and Special Preface (sirappu paayiram).?

The General preface, as its name suggests, is universally applicable to all texts, past, present, and future, hence its enduring relevance. In contrast, the Special preface is tailored to the particular text for which it is composed.

The Special preface (sirappu paayiram) delineates eight essential details:

1. Author's name
2. Type (Original/Derivative/Adaptation/Translation)
3. Region/Domain
4. Title of the Text
5. Structure
6. Content
7. Intended Audience
8. Benefits (outcomes).

Additional details such as (9.) Period (of composition), (10.) Place/Court (where the text is first presented and approved*), and (11.) Cause (the reason for composition) may also be included.

*This process, akin to a modern-day thesis defense (viva voce), is known as 'arangetram'.

The General preface (pothu paayiram) elaborates on the nature of the five dimensions of a text:

1. The Text itself (nool)
2. Its Teacher (nuvalvon)
3. The teaching process (nuvalum thiran)
4. Its Learner (kolvon)
5. The learning process (kodal kootru)

It is this section of Nannool that we are interested in, as it provides valuable insights into these dimensions, fostering growth in learners, teachers, writers, and beyond.

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