Sangam literature, often known as "the poetry of the noble ones," refers to ancient Tamil language and is South India's earliest known literature. The earliest accessible Tamil literature is known as Sangam literature. The Sangam period is roughly between 300 BC and 300 AD, while the majority of the work is thought to have been created between 100 CE and 250 CE. This article will explain to you the Sangam Literature which will be helpful in Ancient History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Sangam Literature

• 'Sangam' literally means 'association.' It refers to a group of Tamil poets who flourished in ancient southern India.
• From the first through the fourth centuries CE, the Ancient Tamil Siddhar Agastyar is thought to have presided over the first Tamil Sangam at Madurai.
• Sangam texts may be unusual in early Indian literature, which is virtually completely religious.
• The Sangam literature was written by 473 poets, 102 of whom were anonymous. The poets came from a variety of backgrounds: some were from royal families, others were businessmen, and some were farmers.
• Women made up at least 27 of the poets.
• These poets arose in an environment in which Tamil (Dravidian) civilization had previously engaged and inseparably fused with north Indians (Indo-Aryans), and both sides shared mythology, morals, and literary norms.
• Many of the poems, particularly those about heroism, have a great deal of freshness and vitality and are strikingly devoid of the literary conceits that pervade most of India's other early and medieval literature.
• They deal nearly solely with nonreligious issues, these poems are also devoid of the rich legendary references that distinguish most Indian art forms.
• Nonetheless, religious compositions may be found in sangam poetry. Poems on Vishnu, Shiva, Durga, and Murugan, for example, maybe found in Sangam Literature.

Sangam Literature - Classification

• Sangam literature is divided into two categories: akam and puram.
• Akam poetry is concerned with emotions and sentiments in the context of romantic love, sexual connection, and sensuality.
• Puram poetry is concerned with exploits and heroic achievements in the setting of battle and public life.
• Three-fourths of the Sangam poetry is akam-themed, while one-fourth is puram-themed.
• Sangam literature, including akam and puram, is divided into seven minor genres known as tinai.
• This minor genre is centred on the setting or scenery of the poetry.
• Kurinci refers to mountainous regions; mullai refers to pastoral woods; marutam refers to riverine agricultural land; neytal coastal regions; and palai refers to arid regions.
• In addition to landscape-based tinais, ain-tinai (well-matched, mutual love), kaikilai (ill-matched, one-sided), and perunthinai (unsuited, big genre) categories are employed for akam poetry.
• The Ainkurunuru — a collection of 500 short poems – is an example of reciprocal love poetry.
• Similar tinais apply to puram poetry as well; categories include vetchi (cattle raid), vanchi (invasion, preparation for war), kanchi (tragedy), ulinai (siege), tumpai (battle), vakai (victory), paataan (elegy and acclaim), karanthai, and pothuval.
• The akam poetry employs metaphors and images to build the atmosphere; it never contains names of people or places, and it frequently leaves out context, which the community would fill in and comprehend given their oral history.
• Puram poetry is more direct and utilises names and locations.

Sangam Literature - Major Works

• The period of Sangam literature is still debated because the three major epics of the time, Silappathigaram, Dipavamsa, and Mahavamsa, show that Gajabhagu II of Sri Lanka and Cheran Senguttuvan of the Chera dynasty were contemporaries.
• Also, coins struck by the Roman Emperor in the first century may be found in considerable quantities in various parts of Tamil Nadu.
• Furthermore, Greek authors such as Megasthenes, Strabo, and Pliny claimed trading links between the West and South India.
• Inscriptions from the Ashokan Empire described the Cheras, Chola, and Pandya monarchs to the south of the Mauryan Empire.
• On the basis of literary, archaeological, and foreign evidence, the dating of the Sangam literature has been placed between the third century B.C. and the third century A.D.
• Tolkappiyam, Ettutogai, Pattuppattu, Pathinenkilkanakku, and the two epics Silappathikaram and Manimegalai comprise the Sangam literature.
• Elango Adigal's Silappathigaram and Sittalai Sattanar's Manimegalai were both published during the postmodern era.
• These works include important information on the Sangam political system and society.
• The Kalugumalai inscription provides information about Tamil Brahmi writing, which dates back to the 15th century.
• The Tirukkovalur inscription mentions local chieftains as well as the terrible fate of Tamil poets.
• The Tolkappiyam, written by Tolkappiyar, was the first of these works, and it contains information about the social, economic, and political situations of the Sangam Age, as well as Tamil grammar.
• Ettutogai were the eight Anthologies, each of which had eight pieces.
• Ettutogai and Pattuppattu were both separated into two major groups: Aham (love) and Puram (valour).

Silappathikaram

• The earliest Tamil epic is Silappatikaram. It's a 5,730-line poem written nearly entirely in akaval (aciriyam) metre.
• Silappatikaram is credited to Ilango Adigal in Tamil tradition.
• He is said to be a Jain monk and the younger brother of Chera king Senguttuvan, whose family and rule are detailed in the Fifth Ten of the Patiuppattu, a Sangam poetry.
• Kannaki and her husband Kovalan are the protagonists of the epic, which tells the sad love tale of an average couple.
• Kannaki and other characters from the narrative are addressed or alluded to in Sangam literature like the Naiai and later works such as the Kovalam Katai, indicating that the Silappathikaram has deeper roots in the Tamil bardic tradition.
• It is said to have been written in the 5th or 6th century CE by a prince-turned-monk named Iak Aika.

Manimegalai

• Kulavika Seethalai Sataar created Manimekalai, also known as Manimekhalai or Manimekalai, a Tamil-Buddhist epic, most likely in the 6th century.
• It's a "anti-love narrative," a sequel to the "love story" in the first Tamil epic Silappadikaram, including some of the same characters and their descendants.
• The epic is divided into 30 cantos and contains 4,861 lines in akaval metre.
• Manimekalai is also the name of Kovalan and Madhavi's daughter, who follows in her mother's footsteps as a Buddhist nun and dancer. Her tale is told in the epic.

Tolkappiyam

• The oldest existing Tamil grammar text and the oldest extant lengthy work of Tamil literature is Tolkappiyam.
• Some believe Tholkapiyam was authored by a single author named Tholkappiyar, a disciple of Vedic sage Agastya, who is attested in the Rigveda.
• The Tolkappiyam consists of three volumes (athikaram), each having nine chapters (iyal), for a total of 1,610 sutras in the nurpa metre in the extant manuscripts.
• Sutras on spelling, phonology, etymology, morphology, semantics, prosody, sentence structure, and the importance of context in language are included in this comprehensive grammar work.
• It's impossible to put a date on the Tolkappiyam.
• Some Tamil scholars situate the passage in the mythological second sangam, which date to the first millennium BCE or earlier.

Ettuthogai

• The Eight Anthologies, also known as Ettuttokai or "Eight Collections," is a great Tamil literary work that is part of the Sangam Literature's Eighteen Greater Texts (Patinen-melkanakku) anthology series.
• The Eight Anthologies (Pattuppattu) and its companion anthology, the Ten Idylls (Pattuppattu), are the earliest Tamil works extant.
• Aingurunooru, Narrinai, Aganaooru, Purananooru, Kuruntogai, Kalittogai, Paripadal, and Padirruppatu are the eight works that make up Ettuthogai (Eight Anthologies).

Pattuppattu

• The 10 Idylls, also known as Pattupattu or Ten Lays, is a collection of ten lengthier poetry from Tamil literature's Sangam period.
• They include between 100 and 800 lines, and the collection contains the well-known Tirumurukarruppaai by Nakkirar.
• The Pattupattu collection is a later-dated collection, with the first layer dating from the 2nd to 3rd century CE, the middle layer from the 2nd to 4th century CE, and the last layer from the 3rd to 5th century CE.
• Thirumurugarruppadai, Porunarruppadai, Sirupanarruppadai, Perumpanarruppadai, Mullaippattu, Nedunalvadai, Madurai Kanji, Kurinjippatttu, Pattinappalai, and Malaipadukadam are the 10 works that make up the Pattupattu (Ten Idylls).

Pathinenkilkanakku

• The Pathinenkilkanakku, also known as the Eighteen Lesser Texts in literature, is a collection of eighteen poetry compositions, most of which were written during the 'after Sangam period' (between 100 and 500 CE).
• Eighteen texts on ethics and morality are included in Pathinenkilkanakku.
• Tirukkural, written by Thiruvalluvar, a renowned Tamil poet and philosopher, is the most important of these texts.
• The poems in this collection differ from those in the Eighteen Greater Texts, which are the oldest known Tamil poetry, in that they are written in venpa metre and are very brief.
• The single anthology in this collection is Naladiyar, which has been sung by 400 poets.

Sangam Literature - Significance

• During this period, there were three major Tamil kingdoms: the Cheras, the Cholas, and the Pandyas.
• The Sangam literature provides historical evidence of indigenous literary growth in South India parallel to Sanskrit, as well as the Tamil language's classical rank.
• While little evidence exists for the first and second mythological Sangams, the surviving literature attests to a group of intellectuals based on ancient Madurai (Maturai) who affected the "literary, academic, cultural, and linguistic life of ancient Tamil Nadu."
• The Sangam literature provides insight into various aspects of ancient Tamil society, secular and religious ideas, and individuals.
• The Sangam literature contains evidence of Sanskrit loan words, implying ongoing linguistic and literary collaboration between ancient Tamil Nadu and other areas of the Indian subcontinent.
• Sangam poetry is concerned with culture and people. Except for the odd reference of Hindu gods and more major allusions of numerous gods in the shorter poems, it is virtually exclusively non-religious.

Conclusion

Sangam is a Sanskrit term that translates as "association." It references Tamil Sangam, a Tamil poets' organisation that existed during South India's ancient history. The Ancient Tamil Siddhar Agastyar is considered to have presided over the first Tamil Sangam in Madurai from the first to fourth century CE. Sangam writings are perhaps unique in early Indian literature, which is almost entirely religious.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following is NOT part of Sangam literature?

A. Ettuthokai
B. Pattuppattu
C. Arthashastra
D. Tolkappiyam

2. What is the central theme of Aham literature in the Sangam period?

A. War and politics
B. Love and personal emotions
C. Religion and philosophy
D. Trade and commerce

3. Which of the following is a grammatical work in Sangam literature?

A. Manimekalai
B. Tolkappiyam
C. Silappadikaram
D. Purananuru

4. Which ancient Tamil king is associated with patronizing the Sangam poets?

A. Ashoka
B. Kharavela
C. Cheran Senguttuvan
D. Samudragupta

5. The term “Puram” in Sangam literature refers to which of the following?

A. Personal emotions
B. Heroic exploits and public life
C. Trade and commerce
D. Religious devotion

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the importance of Sangam literature as a source of information on ancient Tamil society.

Answer: Sangam literature is an invaluable source for understanding ancient Tamil society. It offers detailed insights into the political structure, economic practices, social hierarchy, and cultural values of the time. The literature reflects a society that was deeply connected with nature, valorized heroism, and upheld moral virtues. Themes such as Aham and Puram provide a glimpse into both the personal and public lives of individuals. Additionally, Sangam literature is rich in information about trade routes, agricultural practices, and the status of women in society, making it a crucial historical document for scholars of ancient India.

Q2: Analyze the contributions of the Tolkappiyam to the linguistic and literary traditions of Tamil literature.

Answer: The Tolkappiyam is one of the earliest works of Tamil literature and a foundational text on Tamil grammar and poetics. It establishes the rules for phonology, morphology, and syntax in classical Tamil and provides a framework for understanding the language's structure. The Tolkappiyam also offers valuable insights into literary devices, the composition of poetry, and the social norms of the time. Its comprehensive treatment of Tamil grammar has had a lasting influence on Tamil literature, serving as a reference for subsequent generations of scholars and poets.

Q3: Examine the role of Sangam academies in the preservation and promotion of Tamil literature and culture.

Answer: The Sangam academies played a vital role in the promotion and preservation of Tamil literature and culture. These academies, patronized by Tamil kings, brought together poets and scholars who composed, curated, and preserved the rich literary output of the time. The works produced in these academies reflect the values, beliefs, and practices of Tamil society, including themes of love, heroism, morality, and governance. The Sangam academies were instrumental in fostering a literary tradition that has endured for centuries and continues to be a source of cultural pride for Tamils worldwide.

Previous Year Questions on Sangam Literature

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020

Question: Which of the following texts is associated with Tamil Sangam literature?
A. Arthashastra
B. Tolkappiyam
C. Kalidasa’s Meghaduta
D. Ramcharitmanas

Answer: B

Explanation: The Tolkappiyam is a significant work in Tamil Sangam literature, focusing on Tamil grammar and poetics. It is one of the earliest examples of Tamil literary tradition.

2. UPSC CSE 2020

Question. Evaluate the contribution of Sangam poets to Tamil literature and their influence on later literary works.

Answer: The Sangam poets, including renowned figures like Auvaiyar and Kamban, laid the foundation for Tamil literature through their lyrical compositions that emphasized beauty, heroism, and emotion. Their works contributed to the establishment of poetic forms and styles, influencing the evolution of Tamil literature for centuries.
The Tolkappiyam, a significant work attributed to the period, set grammatical standards and literary theories that remain relevant. The themes and motifs in Sangam literature, such as nature, love, and war, continue to resonate in contemporary Tamil poetry and prose. Furthermore, the emphasis on moral and ethical values in their works has left an indelible mark on Tamil culture. The legacy of the Sangam poets can be seen in subsequent literary movements, making them pivotal figures in the history of Indian literature.