SANGAM LITERATURE TEXTS

PRERNA FOR IAS

Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari

Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath

SANGAM LITERATURE TEXTS

1. Tirukkural

Tirukkural is one of the greatest works of Tamil literature, written by Thiruvalluvar. It consists of 1,330 couplets arranged into 133 chapters. The text focuses on virtue (Aram), wealth (Porul), and love (Inbam). It teaches ethics, morality, good governance, and righteous living, making it a timeless guide for humanity.

2. Silappadikaram

Silappadikaram, written by Ilango Adigal, is one of the Five Great Epics of Tamil literature. It narrates the story of Kannagi, whose unwavering devotion and quest for justice became legendary. The epic highlights social values, justice, trade, urban life, and the cultural traditions of the Sangam period.

3. Ettuthogai (Eight Anthologies)

Ettuthogai means the Eight Anthologies, a major collection of Sangam poems composed by different poets. These works describe themes such as love, war, heroism, generosity, nature, and everyday life. They provide valuable historical evidence about the political, social, economic, and cultural conditions of ancient Tamil society.

4. Natrinai

Natrinai is one of the Eight Anthologies (Ettuthogai) containing poems mainly on love (Akam). The poems beautifully describe emotions, romance, separation, and reunion through nature symbolism. It reflects the refined literary style and emotional depth of Sangam poets while portraying everyday life and customs.

5. Kuruntokai

Kuruntokai is a Sangam anthology consisting of short love poems. It explores relationships, longing, emotions, and human feelings through symbolic descriptions of landscapes. The collection demonstrates the literary excellence of ancient Tamil poets and offers insights into the social values and traditions of the Sangam Age.

6. Ainkurunuru

Ainkurunuru contains 500 short poems grouped according to the five Tamil landscapes (Tinai). Each landscape represents a particular mood of love and human emotion. The anthology reflects the close relationship between nature and human life and is considered an important source for Sangam literature and culture.

7. Purananuru

Purananuru is a famous Sangam anthology dealing with public life (Puram). It praises kings, warriors, generosity, battles, governance, and patriotism. The poems provide valuable historical information about the political system, military traditions, and social life of ancient Tamil kingdoms during the Sangam Age.

8. Akananuru