Sangam Literature: Lost Treasure Trove of Ancient Tamil and Indian Literature and all should know.

Sangam Literature is a collection of ancient Tamil literature consisting of poems and songs written between 300 BCE and 300 CE. These literary works are believed to have been composed by different Tamil poets and were compiled and preserved by the Tamil Sangam, an ancient Tamil assembly of scholars and poets.

The Sangam literature is categorized into two groups: the Pattuppā??u, which is an anthology of ten long poems, and the Ettuttokai, which is a collection of eight anthologies consisting of shorter poems.

The literature deals with a wide range of themes such as love, war, heroism, ethics, and philosophy. It also provides valuable insights into the social, economic, and cultural life of ancient Tamil Nadu.

Love and Romance in Sangam Literature

One of the major themes of Sangam literature is love and romance. The poets have depicted love and romance in various forms, from the playful flirtations of young lovers to the intense passion of mature relationships. One of the famous poems in the Pattuppā??u, Kuruntokai, describes the love affair between a married woman and her lover. The poem speaks about the clandestine meetings of the lovers and their deep longing for each other.

War and Heroism in Sangam Literature

Another important theme in Sangam literature is war and heroism. The poets have described the bravery and valour of the Tamil warriors who fought against their enemies. The poems in the Pattuppā??u, especially the Purananuru, speak about the heroic deeds of the Tamil kings and warriors who fought against the Chera, Chola, and Pandya dynasties.

The poem, Perumpanarruppatai, describes the Battle of Venni fought between the Chola and Pandya dynasties. The poem depicts the bravery of the Tamil warriors who fought in the battle and their willingness to sacrifice their lives for their country.

Ethics and Philosophy in Sangam Literature

Apart from love and war, Sangam literature also deals with ethics and philosophy. The poets have provided valuable insights into the moral values and ethical principles of ancient Tamil society. They have discussed the importance of virtues such as honesty, courage, and loyalty.

The poem, Tirukkural, is a classic example of the ethical and philosophical teachings of Sangam literature. The Tirukkural consists of 1330 couplets that provide guidance on various aspects of life, such as family, friendship, love, and governance. The poem discusses the importance of leading a virtuous life and the consequences of one's actions.

Little-Known Facts About Sangam Literature

Sangam literature is a treasure trove of ancient Tamil literature, and there are several little-known facts about it that are worth exploring. Here are some of them:

1. The concept of Kumari Kandam is connected to Sangam literature in the sense that it is believed to have been the homeland of the ancient Tamil civilization that produced the Sangam literature. According to some proponents of the Kumari Kandam theory, the ancient Tamil civilization was highly advanced and had a rich culture and language, which is reflected in the literary works of Sangam literature.There are several references to Kumari Kandam in Tamil literature, including Sangam literature. The Silappatikaram, one of the five great epics of Tamil literature, mentions a land known as Kumari Nadu, which is believed by some to be a reference to Kumari Kandam. Similarly, the Manimekalai, another Tamil epic, also mentions the existence of a landmass known as Kumari Kandam, which was submerged by the sea.
2. The exact number of poems and songs in Sangam literature is unknown. While the Pattuppā??u and Ettuttokai are the most well-known anthologies, there were likely many other literary works that have been lost over time.
3. Sangam literature was not just a form of artistic expression; it was also a means of recording historical events and social customs. The poems in the Purananuru, for instance, describe the political and social conditions of ancient Tamil Nadu.
4. The Sangam poets were not just men; there were several women poets who contributed to Sangam literature. One of the most well-known female poets was Avvaiyar, whose poems dealt with moral values and ethical principles.
5. Sangam literature was not just restricted to Tamil Nadu; it also had a wider influence. There are several similarities between Sangam literature and the literature of other South Asian countries, such as Sri Lanka and the Maldives. For example, the Tamil epic, Silappathikaram, has several similarities with the Buddhist epic, Jataka Tales, which is popular in Sri Lanka.
6. Sangam literature also had a connection with Madagascar, an island nation located off the coast of Africa. The Malagasy language spoken in Madagascar has several words that are similar to Tamil words. This has led some researchers to suggest that there may have been a Tamil presence in Madagascar in ancient times.
7. The Tamil language used in Sangam literature was very different from modern Tamil. The language used in Sangam literature is referred to as Old Tamil, and it had a different grammar and vocabulary compared to modern Tamil.
8. The preservation of Sangam literature is due to the efforts of scholars and poets who were part of the Tamil Sangam. They collected and compiled the literary works and ensured that they were passed down from generation to generation.

Sangam literature is a treasure trove of ancient Tamil literature that provides valuable insights into the social, cultural, and historical life of ancient Tamil Nadu. The poems and songs in Sangam literature deal with a wide range of themes, including love, war, heroism, ethics, and philosophy. It is not just a form of artistic expression but also a means of recording historical events and social customs.

Sangam literature has also had a wider influence beyond Tamil Nadu, with connections to other South Asian countries such as Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The Tamil language used in Sangam literature was very different from modern Tamil, and the preservation of Sangam literature is due to the efforts of scholars and poets who were part of the Tamil Sangam.

Overall, Sangam literature is a significant part of India's cultural heritage, and its influence can still be seen in modern Indian and Tamil literature and culture.

I wonder why I never learned about this in school.