Tag: our golden past

Sangam literature is the most ancient literature in Tamil. Silappadhikaram and Manimekhalai are two of its well known epics. From Sangham literature we learn about the political and social life in South India during the period.

Sangam means a gathering of learned men. The literature compiled in such gatherings is known as 'Sangam Literature'. It is the most ancient literature in Tamil. A whole time period is labelled after this known as the Sangam Age.

Silappadikaram, one of the Tamil epics was written by Ilango Adigal. In this book the love story of Kovalan and Madhavi, a dancer, had been depicted.

The Sangam social structure was based on the traditional caste system. There were farmers, shepherds, hunters, fisherman, blacksmiths, weavers, carpenters, merchants, shippers, and priests. The Brahmins were ideal priests and even the chief advisors to the kings. The interesting thing is that though the Brahmins played a crucial and constructive role, the Sangam society was not priest dominated and thus even the other castes enjoyed respect in society.

During the Sangam age the Tamil land was broadly classified into 5 tinais or physiological divisions. They were Kurinchi, Palai, Neytal, Marutham, and Mullai. Each tinais were associated with particular landscapes and occupations.

1. The Sangam Age was the period of the history of ancient Tamil Nadu and Kerala and parts of Sri Lanka spanning from 6th century BC to 3rd century AD.

Tolkappiyam, the early Tamil grammar book written by Tolkapiyar who was a disciple of Agastya, was compiled during the second Sangam held at Kapatpuram.

The ancient Tamil literature or the Sangam songs are broadly classified into Akampattukal and Purampattukal. Akampattukal mainly deals with love while the main theme of Purampattukal is the wars and eulogy of the king.

In the Tamil region, large landowners were known as vellalar, ordinary ploughmen were known as uzhavar, and landless labourers, including slaves, were known as kadaisiyar and adimia.