importance of education in tamil literature

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Educational Ideas in Moral Tamil Literature

• Mohamed Azrin S ,
• Selvaraju T

Plum Analytics

In the Pathinenkilkanakku collection of books that arose in order to uphold righteousness, and in the moral books that followed them, the poets have expounded educational thoughts with interesting songs. Our forefathers have sung songs in Tamil texts even before western scholars have spoken about the importance of education. The kings of the Sangam age ruled the country with the help of learned men. An uneducated person, even if he had acquired a great deal of wealth, was treated with contempt. The authors of the moral books, who know the importance of education, have not only mentioned righteousness in their books but have also praised education in many songs. Thus, the songs of the poets of the moral book become the subject of study under the categories of merits of education, method of obtaining education, method of education, mode of expressing education, and the status of the unlearned.

• Sangam age ,
• Moral Books ,
• Pathinenkilkanakku ,
• Iramasubiramaniyam, M.A. (2009) Pathinen Keezhkanakku Volume 1, 2 & 3, Chellappa Publishing House, Madurai, India.
• Kalaimani, N.V. (2019) Ulaga Aringarkalin Nammai Membaduthum Ennangkal, Tamil E books, India.
• Karthikesu Swamikal. (1996) Avvaiyin Manuthathuvam, Aruloli Nilaiyam, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
• Pavaananthampillai, S. (1925) Tharkaala Tamizh Sollagarathi, Macmillan & Company, Chennai, India.
• Sellathurai Muralitharan. (2001) Neethi Noolkal Yezhu, Ashtalakshmi Publishing House, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
• Thirunganasambantham, S. (2018) Tholkappiyam Porulathikaaram Moolamum Uraiyum, Kathir Publishing House, Thiruvaiyaru, India.

Article Details

Vol. 3 No. 4 (2022): Volume 3, Issue 4, Year 2022

DOI: 10.54392/ijot2243

Published 2022-11-11

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Copyright (c) 2022 Mohamed Azrin S, Selvaraju T

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License .

Asian Research Association is a Member of the following Organizations

Vistas of Bharat : Indian Culture

Exploring the golden age of tamil literature: the sangam period.

Sangam Literature is the oldest form extant Indian Literature. It shapes the rich Indian cultures and society present today.

The vast Indian literature marks Indian history. When we think about literature, what inherently comes to our attention is English and its various literary eras. In this bias, what we’ve left behind is the richness of Indian literature and its historical descent. This literature is the leading force of the evolved Indian society today. 

Tamil, one of the oldest languages to exist today, has vast literature dating back to the 3rd century BC. The Sangam period spanned 600 years from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD. Historians and scholars regard it as the golden period of Tamil literature. 

Sangam Literature

Literally, “ Sangam ” means confluence. In Tamil literature, the term “Sangam” refers to a school of arts and letters. It was founded and patronized by Pandya, Chola and Chera, the three crowned monarchs of the Tamil land. The Pandyan monarchs, who had a deep appreciation for literature and the arts, specifically fostered this. Both history and Tamil traditions recognize The Pandyan capitals as the academy’s permanent home.

The Sangam academy was pivotal in defining the Tamil people’s literary environment throughout the Sangam period. The academy had a unique role as an educated community of literary critics. The critics mandated that any new literary work, regardless of the author’s social rank—prince or peasant— be subject to clearance before publication. The academy enforced stringent rules and guidelines, requiring every book to obtain approval before publication and ensuring that only highly regarded works received acknowledgment as authoritative. Due to this meticulous procedure, the academy was able to reject subpar works and instead provide the public with literary masterpieces of the greatest kind. 

These writings which were considered the first examples of Dravidian literature, not only reflected the rich cultural diversity of the era but also laid the groundwork for the long history of Tamil literature. According to Tamil legends, the Sangam initially acquired members through co-option. However, thereafter, Lord Siva accomplished membership through a miraculous scheme.

The Three Sangams

Tamil tradition states that three Sangams, known as Muchchangam, joined together in ancient South India to mark the beginning of the Sangam period. According to the ancient stories presented in Iraiyanar Ahapporul, there were three Sangams that existed for an amazing 9990 years at different times, with participation from 8598 academics. The sage Agastyar is considered the literary tradition’s founder.

The Pandya capital hosted all three Sangams, with Old Madurai functioning as the first Sangam’s centre. A gathering of ancient sages and gods is said to have taken place in Old Madurai during the First Sangam. However, no works of literature from this Sangam survived.

Kapatapuram hosted the second Sangam. The only surviving work from this era that deals with Tamil grammar is Tolkappiyam . Unfortunately, both the first and second Sangams were drowned by seawater during repeated deluges.

There is a more material legacy of the third Sangam, which is located in present-day Madurai. Several Tamil literary works from this era have survived and are important resources for piecing together the Sangam era’s history. The Sangam poetry, the oldest collection of Tamil poetry to exist, is said to have started during the third Sangam.

Given the circumstances, it is more probable to determine the date of the third Sangam. According to scholars, it happened somewhere in the first two centuries of the Christian era—possibly even the century before. This period corresponds to both the trade with the Indo-Roman world and the modern Imperial Rome. Greek writers at the time offered proof of offshore commercial activity between the Mediterranean area and the Tamil peninsula. This is also documented in Sangam literature. Consequently, the third Sangam era saw the prolific production of a great number of works that are still in existence. This exhibited a literary and cultural shine amid a time that witnessed significant political and commercial exchanges.

Tolkappiyam: The Second Sangam

Tolkappiyar’s Tolkappiyam is the first known literary classic and a seminal work in Tamil literature. Tolkappiyam is mostly a work on Tamil grammar, but it also provides insightful information on the social and political climate of the period. The Royal Academy’s careful study of this highly regarded work serves to highlight its relevance. Adangodu Brahman was sent by King Nilandaru Tiruvira Pandya to evaluate the work, according to the introduction of Tolkappiyam. However, Tolkappiyar showed his expertise by emphasizing the significance and relevance of the works contained in the Tamil Sangam.

Literature In Verses: The Third Sangam

As we go into the present day, academics refer to the poetry included in the Ettutogai (eight collections), Pattupattu (ten songs), and Patinenkilkanakku (the eighteen minor works) as Sangam Literature. According to historians, these pieces date back to a time between 150 and 250 A.D. The poem’s duration served as a critical foundation for its categorization into three major categories. The lengths of the poems in the “Eight Collections” vary from three to thirty-one lines, and the poems in the “Ten Songs” range from 103 to 782 lines. The ‘Eighteen Minor Works’ comprise didactic and ethical literature, such as the well-known Tirukkural , which is mostly arranged in stanzas with two to five lines each.

The ‘Five Epics’— Jivakachintamani , Silappadikaram , Manimekalai , Valayapathi , and Kundalakesi —have an established place in Sangam literature. Sathanar and Ilango Adigal’s Silappadikaram and Manimekalai, are notably referred to as the “twin epics”. This is because they narrate the continuous story of Kovalan, Kannagi, and Madhavi. With an emphasis on Madurai, Puhar, Vanji, and Kanchi, Silappadikaram , a poem written by Ilango Adigal, and other poetry works depict the social, religious, political, and economic circumstances of Tamilakam. These literary works capture the spirit of the Sangam age and present Tamil history and culture.

Sangam Literature Vs. Sanskrit Literature Vs. Tamil Literature

Academics find the Sangam period controversial due to its historical significance, primarily because the dating of the Sangam works’ writing remains unclear. Establishing a consensus on the age of these works is a challenge since they are essential to understanding the Sangam era. Various scholars have presented opposing viewpoints. 

While some suggest the influence of Sanskrit grammarians on Tolkappiyar, others contend that Tolkappiyam was influenced by Katantra , a Sanskrit grammar work written by Sharvavarman under the Satavahana dynasty. Due to the lack of conclusive proof, many scholars also suggest that the similarities between Katantra and Tolkappiyam may indicate mutual influences between Sangam and Sanskrit writers.

The term “Sangam” originates from the Tamil translation of the Sanskrit word “Sangha.” The term “Sangha” refers to any kind of organization or group that adheres to a shared interest, but the Tamil Sangam has a particular purpose. The religious connotation connected to Buddhism and Jaina Sanghas is completely different from Sanghata, a kind of poetical production by a single author on a certain selected theme. 

The aim of the Tamil. Sangattamil, a unique compositional style distinguishes Sangam Literature from Tamil Literature. This style has its derivation, interpretation, and distinctive syntax, meter, and grammar. As a result, it is regarded as a classic.

Contemporary Relevance of Sangam Literature

There are 2279 poems in the present Sangam collections, ranging in length from 3 lines to over 800 lines. Some poets have contributed to certain works, like the Naladiyar , while a single author has written other works. 473 poets—about half of them women—wrote more than 30,000 lines of Sangam poetry, along with 102 anonymous authors. As an example of the Sangam period’s historical impact and cultural significance, the Sangams are comparable to contemporary European establishments. This includes the French Academy as they both share a dedication to upholding language purity and literary standards.

Aranmula Kannadi: Your True Reflection

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Discover the exquisite Aranmula Kannadi mirror, a rare handmade gem from Kerala, reflecting tradition, legends and the threat to the craft.

“Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” A question asked by many. From the Evil Queen in Snow White & The Seven Dwarves to Poo in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham to every one of us who check ourselves in front of the mirror before heading out, the mirror is an integral part of our life. According to Sylvia Plath, a glass mirror gives the most accurate reflection of one’s identity, but perhaps her famous poem Mirror would have gone slightly different had she known about Aranmula Kannadi, a mirror that reflects only the truth.

Aranmula Kannadi: Process

Passed down from generation to generation, this mirror is a rare gem from Kerala. “Aranmula” refers to the place this mirror originates from and “Kannadi” basically means “mirror” in Malayalam. Aranmula Kannadi stands out from its contemporaries because of the way it’s made. It’s a metal mirror that is entirely handmade from scratch. Typical glass mirrors reflect light through the back of the mirror leaving open possibilities for distortion while Aranmula Kannadi reflects light on the surface of the metal giving a rather accurate reflection. The tiny imperfections that you find on the mirror are never concealed but rather highlighted with pride as just like human fingerprints they are what makes each piece unique.  

Made using a tedious process that includes melting the right amount of both tin and copper and pouring the metal alloy into clay moulds and then cutting and polishing it before finally attaching it to handles, it is truly one of a kind. Given the uniqueness of the article, the proportion used to make the metal alloy is never revealed to outsiders and has been kept in the family of certain artisans for generations. Considered a craft suited only for a man, Sudhammal J and many other modern women are trying to reverse this popular notion.

Aranmula Kannadi: Origin

With its origin being linked with the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, it is considered sacred by the people of the region. According to legends few artisans came to Aranmula from Sankaran Koil near Tirunelveli at the King’s order to help in building Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. While working with different metals to help in the construction of the temple, the artisans by mistake discovered the reflective property when they mixed a certain amount of tin and copper together. 

According to another tale, the high priest of Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple found the crown of the deity had cracked which urged the local King to order the Bronze Smith clan to make a new crown in just three days. The chief of the clan worried that they didn’t have enough material or time to get the project done on time. In his dream, the Goddess appeared and told him the exact proportions of tin and copper that needed to be used to make a metal shine like a glass.

Taking inspiration from his dream he told his wife to gather all the ladies in the village and ask them to bring their gold as they would sell it all to buy enough copper and tin to make the crown as ordained by the Goddess herself. And the result of it was the makudam of crown known as Kannadi Bhimbom an artistic marvel that was preserved in the temple till 1946. 

Aranmula Kannadi: Significance

Though very expensive owing to the materials used and the manual labour expended, it is a popular gift item during weddings because of the auspicious connotation attached to it. The mirrors are considered one of the eight auspicious items or “ ashtamangalyam ” that are used in weddings during the bride’s entry. It is a first-surface mirror in which no gap exists between the object and the image, eliminating the possibilities of secondary reflections and aberrations commonly found in glass mirrors. The uniqueness and rarity of this mirror have made it an item worthy of receiving a GI (Geographical Indication) tag in 2004-05. 

Aranmula Kannadi: A Dying Craft

Although it is one of a kind, the manual labour required to make even one Aranmula Kannadi is a lot and hence it discourages today’s generation from learning and keeping the craft alive. The constant flood and COVID-19 have only made the situation worse for Aranmula Kannadi artisans. As they hope and pray for their ancestral art to be kept alive, let’s do our part and spread the word about this rare gem from Kerala.

Exploring Medieval Indian Temples and Their Reflection on Society

Medieval Indian Temples were developed as the reflection of the contemporary society. Let’s explore their architecture and cultural impact.

Medieval India holds a special place in Indian cultural history due to the extensive impact it had on society. This included architecture, literature, music, social engagements, etc. As for architecture, temples across the Indian subcontinent saw a massive change due to Bhakti. Initial simple rock-cut cave shrines gave way to vast, elaborate temples that spanned the Indian subcontinent and beyond as Hindu architecture developed over the ages. This design is now followed in contemporary Hindu temples all over the world. 

When we look at the detailed intricate carvings and magnificent sculptures that adorn the medieval temples of India, a colourful tapestry of society unfolds before our eyes. These temples are visual storytellers that have captured the essence of the society that birthed them. Indian Temple Sculptures intertwine art, history and culture, calling us to delve deeper into their symbolic language.  Let’s explore the impact medieval temples had on society and culture in India.

Indian Temple Structures

The emergence of indian temple sculptures.

For us to truly understand and appreciate the societal reflections in Temple Sculptures, we have to first understand their historical evolution. The Gupta period which lasted from the 4th – 6th century CE marked the beginning of temple sculptures in India. During this time, spiritual devotion and artistic mastery came together, resulting in sculptures that radiate grace and divinity. Depictions of deities and celestial beings were the prime focus of the art of this time, which highlighted the religious and spiritual inclination of the Gupta society.

One can find such sculptures in the Dasavatara temple at Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh. It is the first North Indian temple to have a shikhara, though now part of it has disappeared and curtailed. Originally, people stated that the shikhara was around 40 feet. The temple depicts the ten avatars of Vishnu.

Transitional Phase

Spanning from the 6th to the 8th century, Indian Temple Sculptures witnessed a mix of fusion of local and foreign influences. The Pallavas and Chalukyas have marked their legacy not just through their glorious reign but also through their extraordinary art and architecture. The Pallavas, currently a part of Tamil Nadu, are considered the pioneers of Southern Indian Architecture, as they gave us the single rock temples in Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. The Chalukyas gave us the “Chalukyan Architecture ” or “Karnataka Dravida Architecture ”, in the form of the rock-cut temples of Pattadakal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Their sculptures blended local elements with foreign influences which resulted in a unique visual language. They often were expressions of royal patronage and regional pride that showed the interconnectedness of art and power.

Such a stunning visual of that era can be found in Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, in the Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. The Chariot or Ratha Style temples there are a UNESCO site and are one of the oldest monolithic rock-cut structures. The Pallava kings constructed 5 of these marvels, each cut from a single stone. One of them is “Arjuna’s Penance” or “Decent of the Ganges” which is at a height of 96 feet and 43 feet long.

Mature Phase

During the reigns of the Cholas and the Hoysalas, from the 9th to the 13th century CE, the mature phase of the Indian Temple Sculptures unfolded. The Chola temple sculptures distinguish themselves through their grandeur and intricacy, presenting a rich canvas of mythological stories and religious symbolism. They were also the ones to pioneer the art of bronze sculptures, whose narrative style captured the viewers’ imagination. The Hoysala introduced distinctive decoration and intricate detailing in their sculptures which highlighted their artistic finesse.

One can witness a marvel created during this time at Modhera, Gujrat. The Sun Temple there, dating back to the early 11th century, was constructed by Raja Bhimdev I of the Solanki Dynasty. The massive rectangular stepped tank called the “Surya Kund” in front of this temple is the captivating aspect, where each year, at the time of the equinoxes, the sun shines directly into the “Surya Kund.”

Emergence of Bhakti and its Effects on Medieval Indian Temples

As the Bhakti movement had a great impact on Indian society, it also affected their ways of worship. People had replaced traditional and old Vedic gods with popular deities like Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Brahma and Devi. People made temples dedicated to each deity. These temples included various sculptures influenced by mythological happenings and adventures of their time. There were also specific places for activities such as devadasis dancing, performing various rituals and bathing. 

The temples were considered the home of a particular god, and therefore, its maintenance held utmost importance. For this, priests looked after temples, ensuring their condition. The maintenance of temples was ensured by land offerings and contributions from the ruling elite because, as many temple inscriptions indicate, they were the centerpiece of a community.

History of The Architecture of Medieval Indian Temples 

Indian temples saw a significant aesthetic and structural transformation during the medieval period, combining innovative architectural styles with symbolic religious symbols. This change is a direct result of early Buddhist buildings like stupas, which had a profound influence on the evolution of Hindu temples. In the Indian subcontinent, temples were originally carved out of ancient caves. 

However, the introduction of Gupta architecture in the 4th or 5th century CE was the turning point. It was around this time that the first Hindu temples to stand alone developed. The Dashavatara temple in Deogarh, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is a notable example of this era. Cave temples were important architectural and religious marvels during the Middle Ages. One such example is the Udaigiri cave temple in Malwa, which dates to the fifth century CE. 

The temples were built around the garbhagriha , also known as the womb-chamber. This closed chamber, with no windows, held an emblem or picture of a particular god. The garbhagriha was thought by devotees to exude a strong energy that had an all-encompassing effect on the surrounding architectural features. The architecture of the temple often featured blind entrances on three sides to represent this flow of divine energy, letting the deity’s power expand symbolically.

The garbhagriha was the main element of the early temples. But by the 10th century CE, new architectural features like the sikhara , mandapa , and ardhamandapa had been added. The temples were changed and given a more intricate structure by these modifications. Many temples look like silhouettes of mountains from a distance, especially when seen from above because of their many towers. Notable examples of these temple constructions are the 11th-century Kandariya Mahadeva temple in Khajuraho and the 12th-century Rajarani temple in Bhubaneswar.

Temple architecture evolved regionally, as seen by the various features of temples in Orissa, Kashmir, and Bengal. Nevertheless, people widely acknowledge the Nagara and Dravida architectural styles as the two main architectural forms.

What Do Medieval Indian Temples Depict?

Depiction of society in temple sculptures.

Temple sculptures give us a visual representation of the socio-political hierarchies in medieval Indian Society.Royalties wear regal attire and strike sophisticated poses that symbolize their authority. The courtiers and nobility assume poses that demonstrate their homage or assistance to the royalties.

The clothes worn by them further depict the hierarchies. The ruling class adorned themselves with elaborate clothing and heavily detailed jewelry that set them apart from the rest of society. With close examination of these sculptures, we gain insights into the divisions of power, privilege, and status that shaped medieval Indian society. We get a visual understanding of social fabrics and hierarchies that were present at that time.

Representation of Daily Life

Temple sculptures give us a look into the routine and occupations of people during medieval India. Artisans, farmers, traders, and other members of society actively engage in their roles and responsibilities to the community. These sculptures capture not only the aspects of daily life but also the essence of the norms, gender roles, and cultural practices. From depictions of agricultural labour to busy bazaars, the sculptures bring to life the everyday existence of medieval India.

Religious and Mythological Narratives

Temple sculptures are storytellers, presenting religious and mythological stories in a physical form. They depict gods, goddesses, and epic tales from Hindu mythology, giving us a visual representation of the cultural and spiritual traditions of medieval India. Sculpture panels show us the stories of creation, the war between gods and demons, and the victory of good over evil. These stories convey morals, ethics, and philosophical aspects, providing us with lessons and inspiring devotion. These sculptures are not only objects of worship but also powerful conduits for spiritual enlightenment and cultural preservation.

Social and Political Commentary in Sculptural Narratives

Going beyond just religious and mythological stories, Temple sculptures give us a glimpse of social and political commentary. They tell us stories from historical events, legends, and power dynamics. Sculptures show us war, conquests, and political alliances, showing us the bravery of warriors and the ambitions of rulers. They show us the patronage of art by kings, spotlighting their authority and cultural influences. In addition, these sculptures highlight religious and cultural practices such as pilgrimage sites, rituals, and ceremonies. Sculptures further illustrate the diversity of regional customs and distinct traditions and rituals.

Impact of Medieval Indian Temples on Society 

In earlier times, temples were more than simply a place of worship. Education was fundamentally religious, and temples had the primary role in it. People went to temples to learn religious and moral teachings about society and life. They also learnt dance, music, other fine arts and social behaviors at temples. As these temples were central to society’s functioning and sheltered students and scholars, they also acted as a place for the needy. These temples had enormous wealth and it was used to help the society’s betterment in all aspects. As times changed, temples also started garnering medical facilities to help the sick. It also acted as a court of law as people started discussing concerns and conflicts in this central space. 

Eventually, a feudal system became attached to the temples. People began to consider temples the home of their particular deity and started giving their financial offerings and other resources to God instead of the priest. The king of the particular area claimed these offerings, and even the society considered him entitled to this. While Brahmans had their exclusive advantages, they did not appreciate this shift and held deep opposition against this system. However, due to the pressure of kings and local people, the system prevailed. 

As we end our journey through the corridors of time, we must appreciate and preserve these cultural treasures. Medieval Indian temples witnessed a considerable architectural shift, becoming hubs for social services, education and culture. As a reflection of shifting social and religious forces, they were crucial in forming Indian society and culture. Temples developed from simple rock-cut caves to elaborate buildings. Their impact went beyond religious practices to include the arts, education, social services and even the legal system. This historical heritage, which still has an impact on modern India, exemplifies the complex interplay of medieval culture, architecture and religion.

The legacy of medieval Indian Temple sculptures continues to inspire and captivate. When we delve into their beauty and deep symbolism, we create a deeper connection to our heritage and get an understanding of the vibrant tapestry that is Indian society. It gives us a larger picture of the complexities of Indian society and the forces that have shaped it over the course of time and influenced by various reigns and dynasties.

Indian Textile Prints to Jazz Up Your Wardrobe

Indian textile prints are as varied as they can be, both because of designs and the different techniques that they employ.

There are three very visible markers of any place that defines it. First is language, second is their clothes and third is their food. Among these three, it’s clothes that are most easily adopted by people from different cultures as they often add more vibrancy and life to one’s look without giving their taste buds the sometimes unpleasant aftertaste or their brain a numbing pain from remembering the word structure and formation in another language. In India, cloth has been a symbol of freedom and resistance since colonial times and today it stands the testament of time and is the face of our national heritage . The different handloom technique that is used is one way to distinguish the different textiles in India. The different prints and printing technique is also a major distinguishing element. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular Indian textile prints:    

Popular in Odisha, Gujrat and Andhra Pradesh, this print is surely an acquired taste. Made by tying and dyeing sections of the yarn before weaving the fabric which leads to the iconic blurring effect. The symmetry and beauty of this print are bound to leave you spellbound. It is common to find motifs of flowers and animals like fish, parrots, etc. in this design.

Started by the Khatri community of Gujarat, it is known for its different dot-sized prints on a colourful backdrop. Created using a tie-dye technique wherein the cloth is tied in several tight small knots with a sealed thread and then dyed. If you’re a lover of bright colours this print is for you.

Another popular print from Western India, Dabu follows a hand-block printing technique. In this a mud-resisting agent primarily made up of calcium hydroxide or chuna , naturally pounded wheat chaff ( beedan ) and gum ( gond ) is used to apply it on the fabric before and during an indigo bath. After the indigo bath, the cloth is washed to remove the mud and it leaves behind the beautiful motifs of flowers and plants. Getting its name from ‘dabana’ meaning ‘to press’, this technique creates beautiful patterns that have re-emerged as a trendy pattern in the fashion scene today.

Using a wax resistance dying technique Batik is a very intricate design technique which involves covering certain areas of clothing with bits of wax and then dyeing the cloth. This leads to the formation of patterns in those areas where the bits of wax were originally laid. This creates an intricate and repetitive pattern consisting of motifs which may be floral or ornamental.

Very popular in Sindh, Pakistan; Kutch, Gujarat; and Barmer, Rajasthan in India, Ajrakh follows a hand-block printing technique that gives it its rich and vibrant look. Using only natural dyes design stamps are created which are then applied to a piece of clothing to create the design. The print usually uses indigo or deep red colours and white or black outlines to define the design. It consists of symmetrical geometric elements that give it its intricate look.

Heavily inspired by Hindu mythology, and using motifs from Ramayana and Mahabharata it uses block or hand printing to achieve the famous intricate design. Kalamkari literally means “pen art”. In earlier days poets and singers used to paint Hindu mythology characters and their tales which ultimately led to the generation of textile printing Kalamkari.  

Leheriya is another traditional tie-dye technique that hails from Rajasthan. It is a rather simple technique that uses resist-dyeing to create the signature flickering wave-like patterns. In Rajasthan, waves are called “Leheriya”, and hence the technique is named after the pattern it creates. Printed on bright-coloured fabric, this print will surely add colourful zest to your wardrobe.   

These are just a few prints among the array of prints that give Indian textiles their unique flair! 

Unraveling Bhakti Literature: An Immersive Exploration into its Saints and Cultural Imprint

Bhakti Literature was one of the most significant movements in Indian Literature. Discover more about its cultural impact in this article.

“Awake, arise, or be forever fallen.”  John Milton, Paradise Lost

Modern days of the 21st century continually draw us towards the liberating ideologies that span the globe. However, in this fervor, we fail to acknowledge that we need not traverse vast distances to recognize that India’s Bhakti Movement and the various European anti-feudal movements may have shared their underlying ideas. That is the richness of our history.

Movements are born from reforms or rebellions. These may stem from changing socio-cultural landscapes or mental atmospheres about the prevailing social systems. The Bhakti Movement was one such movement. It arose from the advent of nationalism, as the scholars claim, against the heavily feudal social orders.

While the first wave of Bhakti as a concept dates back to the 7th century, it was only in the 12th century that it started evolving as a widespread cultural movement. As Balkrishna Bhatt referred to the Bhakti Literature as “the evolution of people’s sensibilities”, the medieval Indian masses witnessed a heightened awareness. This was in the forms of emotions, concerns and socio-economic position. This awareness gave rise to democratic cultural practices, much like the Renaissance in the European subcontinent.

Rejection of Feudalism: Folk Culture, Democratized Literature and Unification of Knowledge in Bhakti Literature

During the Sultanate period, Indian society was crammed with several aberrations, such as the caste system, rituals, polytheism, chaturvarna, etc. Therefore, Brahmanical dominance prevailed more than ever. It was during this time that many famous Bhakti saints like Kabir, Surdas and Mirabai wandered from place to place, singing hymns and drawing upon common people. These vernacular Bhakti saints, who were ideologically anti-Brahmanical, placed much importance on faith in divinity. This faith was free of prejudice against castes, regions, genders and religions. This spirit lay in the awareness spread by the Muslim invaders with the introduction of a more egalitarian religion, Islam. Alongside, they rejected aristocratic poetry and court languages – Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit and Apabhramsha and produced literature in regional languages.

This form of rebellion against anti-human feudal orders was seen in the Bhakti movement for the first time. Moreover, it was not only the forms of court poetry that the Bhakti saints rejected. Primarily, it was their content that sprang from the experiences of common people and developed in folk culture and literature. This also bridged the artificial gap between literariness associated with traditional poetic language and spoken language for the first time in Indian history. As a counter-cultural movement, Bhakti had a lasting impact on literature, fine arts, and music altogether. At the same, it also unified the masses on a pan-Indian level, opposing the social issues of caste and gender.

As the Bhakti movement actively questioned and rebelled against the orthodox Brahmanical society, it beckoned people from lower castes and women to partake in the movement. This provided them with aspirations of gaining salvation regardless of their religion via devotion to the divine instead of reliance on exclusive Brahmanical knowledge. 

Saint Poets of The Medieval Bhakti Movement

Ramanuja, an influential figure in the Bhakti movement, emphasized the idea of devotion as a pathway to spiritual liberation. Similar to other Bhakti saints, he criticized and rejected the idea of the inaccessibility of spiritual liberation for the lower castes. Instead, he actively engaged folks from all social backgrounds. Furthermore, his commentaries on important Hindu scriptures, such as the Bhagavad Gita, provided knowledge to the lower sections of society, which violated the essential ideologies of Hinduism. 

The aspects of rebellion and resistance have an immense place in the poetry of Surdas and Tulsidas. They immensely used the traditional Sanskrit elements as tools to create their Bhakti poems. These poems were often centered around courageous heroes rebelling against exploitative and unjust forces. This highlighted the then-current socio-cultural and economic landscapes. Moreover, their heroes often killed the tyrannical figures in order to establish benevolent socio-political orders. It was these underlying ideologies that aggravated the aristocrats and invited resistance of Bhakti from their courts.

Sant Kabir, born in the 15th century, was yet another saint poet of medieval Bhakti movements. He emphasized the importance of inner divinity and humanism over outward piety, which is false in its actual essence. It denounced the hypocrisy of the aristocrats and authority figures and accentuated the anti-humanist emotions behind social violence.

Mirabai, often considered a symbol of  Bhakti poetry , popularized devotional literature in vernacular languages. She made spiritual themes accessible to the masses, which aristocrats again looked down upon. More importantly, her devotion defied the rigid gender and social norms attached to her as a Rajput woman. Her  poetry  also contained many elements of Sufism, which again targeted the religious beliefs of the time. 

It is almost surprising how both the ancient and the medieval Bhakti movements were established in vastly different societies, contemporary politics, religious beliefs, masses across the Indian subcontinent, etc., and yet shared the underlying essence. What is equally astonishing is that it remains a striving utopia even today, in the 21st century. The socio-political affairs, massively advanced and reformed, lack the egalitarianism that Sant Kabir adopted as inner divinity in the 15th century and women’s liberation still remains a quest as they hide their innermost desired achievements in secrecy behind the guise of gopis.

The Rich History & Value of Indian Handloom

Indian handloom is the pride and joy of our nation, but were you aware of its rich history and how much significance it holds for us Indians?

India’s pride and joy which makes it stand out on the global stage is indefinitely its handloom. Indian handloom has been around for centuries. But how well do we know about its existence? Has its history always been rich and colourful? Or have there been specks of black and grey that adds a tone of melancholy to this vibrant sector? Let’s dig deep into this so that we can understand its true value by the end of this article at the very least.  

Indian Handloom: A Brief History

Having a vibrant and diverse history, Indian handloom has been around for a really long time. Some say it dates back to the Indus Valley Civilisation . There was a time in ancient India wherein every village had their own community of weavers. And these weavers ensured that all the clothing needs of each respective town were met. Because of the existence of many weaver communities that were scattered throughout India catering to a very diverse population and having different access to resources, different forms and styles of weaving on different kinds of materials came into existence.

Considered a high-standard occupation, weavers were of immense importance to the Vedics. The settlement of Aryan ensured weaving as a craft was honoured and efforts were made to develop it further. The era of the Mughals was considered the golden age for Indian craftsmanship. During their rule, handloom sarees like Sambalpuri, Banarasi, Jamawar, Maheshwari, Nuapatna Khandua, Mulmul, etc. took centre stage. 

With the colonial invasion and the usage of industrial looms, the handloom sector in India saw a decline. As the British officials forced the weavers to use synthetic yarn, it led to a loss of livelihood for the spinners. And gradually weavers who were unable to afford these industrial looms lost their livelihood as well. Fortunately, this trend was reversed by Swadeshi movement. As people went back to using Khadi, there was a revival of the Indian handloom sector.

Sadly this revival was quashed once again with India’s entry into the global market. On one end India opened its door to globalisation in the 1990s and made it easier for private companies to grow. And on the other end, many traditional weavers closed their shops as they were unable to keep up with the cheap and mass-produced goods.  

Significance

Due to continued efforts by the government, such as The rural employment guarantee act (MGNREGA) of 2006, the National Handloom Policy of 2007, etc. weavers’ livelihoods are protected to some extent. The handloom sector not only holds cultural significance to the country but has also made India the 3rd largest exporter of Textiles & Apparel in the world. It is one of the sectors that promoted women’s employment as over 70% of the weavers are women.

Because of its huge significance in helping our country gain freedom and ensuring that our culture is immortalized, the government of India has designated 7th August as National Handloom Day, as on that particular day in 1905 the Swadeshi Movement was launched. It celebrates the historic call to promote indigenous products during the Swadeshi movement. Spearheaded by visionary leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai, this movement held a special significance in encouraging the use of handloom and local craftsmanship, while the Indian handloom played a very integral part in deciding the fate of India’s freedom.

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Educational Ideas in Moral Tamil Literature

Indian Journal of Tamil

In the Pathinenkilkanakku collection of books that arose in order to uphold righteousness, and in the moral books that followed them, the poets have expounded educational thoughts with interesting songs. Our forefathers have sung songs in Tamil texts even before western scholars have spoken about the importance of education. The kings of the Sangam age ruled the country with the help of learned men. An uneducated person, even if he had acquired a great deal of wealth, was treated with contempt. The authors of the moral books, who know the importance of education, have not only mentioned righteousness in their books but have also praised education in many songs. Thus, the songs of the poets of the moral book become the subject of study under the categories of merits of education, method of obtaining education, method of education, mode of expressing education, and the status of the unlearned.

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An Appraisal of the Conceptions of the teaching profession found in the literature

• Nedunchezhian V

Published 2022-10-09

• Sangam Period ,
• Ethical Literature ,
• Teaching Profession ,
• Pallikoodam

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License .

Sangam Literature - UPSC Ancient Indian History (Art & Culture)

Sangam literature is the name given to the earliest available Tamil literature. The Sangam age roughly extends between 300 BC and 300 AD*, although most of the work is believed to have been composed between 100 CE and 250 CE.

The word ‘Sangam’ literally means association. Here, it implies an association of Tamil poets that flourished in ancient southern India. The Ancient Tamil Siddhar Agastyar is traditionally believed to have chaired the first Tamil Sangam in Madurai. This period is known as the Sangam Period . The three chief Tamil kingdoms of this period were the Cheras, the Cholas and the Pandyas.

The term Sangam was coined by later scholars. In this article, you can read relevant information about Sangam Literature for the IAS Exam . In total, there are about 2300 poems that are attributable to 473 poets.

Sangam Literature – UPSC Ancient Indian History Notes (Art & Culture):-  Download PDF Here

Sangam Literature Classification

There were mainly three Sangams called Muchchangam. The chief sources of information for this age are archaeological sources, literary sources and foreign accounts.

Sangam Literature – Three Sangams

As mentioned before, Tamil legends talk about three Sangams:

• Kapadapuram
• Thenmadurai

All the works of the first two Sangams except Tolkappiyam (2nd Sangam work) are lost. Only the works of the third Sangam survives.

Sangam Literature – Tolkappiyam

• Composed by Tolkappiyar.
• Oldest extant Tamil work till date.
• Dated between 4th and 5th century CE.
• Offers information on social life, human psychology, political and economic conditions during the Sangam Age.
• Also discusses Tamil grammar.
• The work is divided into three sections, each section further divided into nine chapters.
• Contains a total of 1612 sutras which are extensive in their range.
• Sanskrit influence on this work is peripheral and very little.

Third Tamil Sangam

The compositions of the third Sangam are classified into eight anthologies known as Ettuttokoi /Ettuthokai and ten idylls known as Pattuppattu .

It consists of the following works:

• Ainkurunuru (composed by Gudalur Mar)
• Pathitrupathu
• Ahanuru (compiled by Rudrasarman)

Pattuppattu

• Thiru Murugatrupadai (composed by Nakkirar)
• Sirupanarruppadai
• Perumbanarruppadai
• Pattinappalai
• Maduraikkanji
• Porunararrupadai
• Kurinchippattu
• Nedunalvadai
• Malaipadukadam
• Mullaippattu

The third Sangam saw the Patinenkilkanakku. They mainly deal with moral values. The most important among them is the Thirukkural, also simply called the Kural. Other important works are Palamoli (by Munrurai Araiyar) and Acharakkovai (contains a description of the daily life of an orthodox Hindu, shows the influence of the Sanskrit Shastras).

Sangam & Thirukkural

• First Dravidian work for ethics.
• Comprises of 1330 couplets.
• It has been translated into many languages including foreign languages.
• It discusses epics, love, and polity and governance.
• Authored by Thiruvalluvar.

Post-Sangam Period

This period lasted from 200 to 600 CE. This age saw the composition of five great epics in Tamil:

• Silappadikaram
• Manimekalai
• Jivaka Chintamani
• Valaiyapati and
• Kundalakesi.

There are also five minor works authored by Jain writers.

Sangam & Silappadikaram

• Composed by Ilango Adigal.
• The story revolves around an anklet. The name literally means the tale of an anklet.
• Author Ilango Adikal is supposed to be an ascetic-prince and the younger brother of Cheran king Senguttuvan.
• A chief character is Kannagi, who seeks revenge on the Pandya kingdom for her husband who was wrongly put to death.
• The poem gives a lot of insight into contemporary Tamil society, polity, values and social life of the people.

Sangam & Manimekalai

• Composed by Chithalai Chathanar, also spelt Sattanar.
• It is a sequel to Silappadikaram.
• The author’s aim was to propagate Buddhism in South India as the work espouses the values of Buddhism over other religions of the time.

To know the political history of the Sangam Period , aspirants can follow the linked article.

Important Facts about Sangam Age for UPSC

There are important facts stated in Tamil Nadu state board books of class 11th & 12th which aspirants sometimes miss. Read the table below to get those facts:

There are a few topics important from ancient Indian history perspective, which are linked in the table below:

Frequently Asked Questions on Sangam Literature

Q 1. what are the types of sangam literature, q 2. what is sangam literature, q 3. when was sangam literature composed, q 4. how is sangam literature important.

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Language, Literature and Cultural Identity: A Narrative from the Malaysian Tamil Diaspora

• First Online: 01 February 2023

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• M. Mahalingam 3  

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Malaysia is a multicultural and multiracial country located in the Southeast Asian region of the world. The diverse Indian community is the third largest ethnic group after the Malays (also known as Bumiputeras) and the Chinese immigrant communities. The major Indian ethnic group is the Tamils, who form approximately ‘eighty percent of the total Indian population’. Given the majority of Tamils among the Indian ethnicity, ‘Tamilness’ is asserted in Malaysia’s culture, religion and political representation. This chapter makes an attempt to map the contribution of Malaysian Tamil community for the persistence of Tamil langauage, literature and cultural identity among the global Tamils in general and the Malaysian Tamil coommunity in particular.

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“Kangani means ‘foreman’ or ‘overseer ’ in Tamil in the Malaysian plantations. As per the Kangana system, the already employed kangani on the plantation was sent by his employer to recruit labour from his village”.

Phone Interview with Mani Vellaiyan, Ex-president of Malaysian Movement for Tamil culture, dated 15th March 2022.

Murugan ’ is regarded as the younger son of Lord Shiva, and he is a clan deity of Nattukottai Chettiars of Tamil community.

‘Mariamman ’ is viewed as a form of Parvati, consort of the supreme God, Lord Shiva.

Little tradition means the temple worship is based on village or folk beliefs.

Pandaram or Puchari is regarded as a priest either from non-Brahmin caste or lower caste who knows the folk deity ’ s rituals that are handed over down by the predecessors.

‘Great tradition’ is the temple worship based on agamic or Sanskritic rituals.

Thai pusam is a “Saivaite festival dedicated to worshiping the deity Lord Murugan. It is held on or near the full moon day in the month of Tai (January–February”).

Kavadi consists of “a small wooden pole surmounted by an arch. The devotional pictures are fixed under the arch. The Kavadi may be decorated with peacock feathers, margosa leaves, flowers, and other materials. At the same time, there are different versions as well” .

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Sajaudeen Chapparban

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About this chapter

Mahalingam, M. (2023). Language, Literature and Cultural Identity: A Narrative from the Malaysian Tamil Diaspora. In: Singh, N., Chapparban, S. (eds) Literature of Girmitiya. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-4621-9_2

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-4621-9_2

Published : 01 February 2023

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Early Medieval India, 750-1200: Growth of Tamil Literature

Early Medieval India, 750-1200: Growth of Tamil Literature

Tamil literature over period c.A.D. 500 – 850

• The oldest body of works now known in the Tamil language was the literature of the Sangam Age. The next epoch in the annals of Tamil literature extends over a period of three and a half centuries (c.A.D. 500 – 850). selfstudyhistory.com
• Several words and concepts in the domain of ethics, religion and philosophy were freely borrowed and incorporated in Tamil.
• The Sanskrit codes and law books were accepted as the basis of a considerable volume of didactic literature which forms a striking feature of the time.
• Sometimes entire works in Sanskrit or allied dialects were translated or adapted into Tamil.
• There was a preponderance of Jain writers to start with as elsewhere Jainism and Buddhism were exercising a strong influence.
• But the rising tide of Hindu reaction soon produced a great volume of popular devotional literature in verse, which were set to music and ravished the hearts of the common folk.
• It was of great importance alike for its volume and for its influence on the life of the people.
• Groups of devotees headed by some prominent religious leader moved from place to place and shrine to shrine singing the hymns they composed in the course of these pilgrimages. The result was the use of simple diction and catchy tunes.
• It was a comprehensive manual of ethics, polity and love.
• The author was most probably a learned Jain divine and his close acquaintance with the works of Manu, Kautilya and Vatsayana is unmistakably evident from the work.
• A love poem in which a lovelorn lady is supposed to describe the dreadful approach of the rainy season in the absence of her beloved.
• A Jain anthology (400 verses) put together by Padumanar and arranged in forty chapters.
• By a Vaishnava poet, Vilambi Naganar.
• It is a work of high literary merit and ranks next only to the Kural.
• It is a veritable Tamil smriti by a Saiva author based avowedly on Sanskrit originals.
• The two other poems written by her mark the beginning of Prabandha literature in Tamil.
• The devotional songs of the Vaishnava alvars were compiled in the Natayira Divyaprabandham or Four Thousand Sacred Hymns.

The age of the imperial Cholas (c.A.D. 850 – 1200)

• It was the golden age of Tamil culture, and it was naturally marked by the widespread practice and patronage of literature. The impulse to produce devotional religious literature which was so active in the last period (c.A.D. 500-850) continued with some force far into this (c.A.D. 850-1200).
• Great Siva temples were built anew and the hagiology of Saivism was standardized in a great purana by Sekkilar .
• A quantum of Vaishnava devotional literature and commentaries on the canon also came into existence.
• In general literature, the Jivakacintamani of the Jain ascetic and poet Tiruttakkadevar was composed early in the tenth century.
• Another Jain writer of the time was Tolamoli whose Sulamani handles a Jain puranic theme in verse form and is counted among the five minor kavyas of Tamil literature.
• The Kalingattupparani of the poet – laureate of the chola court, Jayangondar , is a war poem par excellence about the Kalingawar of Kulottunga.
• Another poet laureate of the Chola court was Kuttan or Ottakkuttan who was the contemporary of Vikrama Chola, Kulottunga II and Rajaraja II and sang eloquent Ulas of each of them.
• This poem is the greatest epic in Tamil literature.
• His work includes six Prabandhas on Nanasambandar and one on Appar, besides Tiruttondar–tiruvandadi which gives brief account of the lives of the sixty – three saints.
• All these and the poems he wrote in praise of Vinayaka and Chidambaram, find a place in the eleventh book of the canon.
• The Periya-puranam of Sekkilar composed in the reign of Kulottunga II (c.A.D. 1133-50) is a landmark in the history of Tamil Saivism.
• Vaishnava religious literature during this period was mostly composed in Sanskrit.
• In the field of Tamil grammar , the Yapparungalam and Yapparungalakkarigai, two authoritative works on prosody, were composed by Amitasagara , a Jain ascetic of the close of the tenth century. He received patronage from contemporary Chola monarchs and granted liberal assignments of territory.
• In lexicography the concise nigandu (lexicon) called Pingalam after its author belonged to this period.

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Three Reasons Tamil Literature is Important

By Sarah-Claire Jordan

Palm-leaf manuscript

Tamil is a language native to the Indian subcontinent and is part of the Dravidian language family. It is spoken primarily in India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Malaysia. Tamil has is both an official and national language of Sri Lanka, and is recognized as a regional language in many Indian states. It also happens to be one of the oldest of all of the classical languages.

Being a classical language, Tamil has a huge body of literature that goes back to ancient times. Here are three things that make Tamil literature unique:

1. It has existed for over 2,000 years

Though the oldest works of Tamil literature show many signs of an evolution that must have started years before, the oldest evidence of literature in the language dates back to 300 BC. This was the beginning of the first period of Tamil literature, the Sangam period, which was full of poetry anthologies that dealt with every topic related to life, from love and war to religion. After that was the Post-Sangam period, which included a didactic age where the most popular topics were ethics, morality, grammar, and lexicography. From there, the Hindu devotional period came about as a result of a Hindu revival after centuries of oppression. This was followed by Medieval literature, the Vijayanagar and Nayak period, and finally the age of modern Tamil literature.

2. Literature of the Sangam period was extremely complex

The majority of literature in the Sangam period was divided into two categories based on the subject matter. “Subjective” literature was anything that dealt with emotions and human relationships, things that the individual has to experience for themselves. “Objective” literature dealt with everything else, basically. It was common for subjective literature to have as a backdrop specific scenery or a specific landscape as a way to subtly mirror the mood of the piece. In fact, there were five different types of landscapes that were used: mountains, forests, farmlands, the seashore, and wastelands.

3. One Medieval poet’s work is still taught in schools today

The Medieval period of Tamil literature was full of religious texts, poetry, and texts about Tamil grammar. All of this was possible thanks to the relative stability of the period, as well as the interactions between different cultures that were finally able to take place. In Tamil literature, the name “Avvaiyar” can refer to more than one female poet. One lived during the Sangam period, and another during the Medieval period. The Avvaiyar of the Medieval period was known for four main works, two of which were meant for young children, and the other two for older children. All of them are still taught today in schools, as they include moral lessons about how one should behave and be a good citizen.

At Alpha Omega Translations, Tamil and other Dravidian languages are considered just as important as English, French, and other languages with many speakers. This is a translation, interpretation, and desktop publishing company that does not underestimate the cultural contributions every language can make if its literature, texts, movies, and more, are translated into other languages for the rest of the world to learn from.

 For an overview of our translation expertise, visit our  legal translation service page .

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About Tamil Language And Its Importance In Indian

Tamils have made key contribution to the Indian literature and to the Indian freedom movement, and every other important movements from then on. Read the blog to know more about their importance. 

Tamil is one of the world’s oldest languages and holds a unique place in the global landscape. It prides itself on having a rich heritage and is fondly called “the mother of all languages”. It is spoken by more than 80 million people around the world. Tamil is one of the 22 languages listed as national language by the eighth schedule of the constitution of India. 

The blog captures some of the important facts of Tamil language, significance of Tamil language learning, and the importance it has in the Indian ecosystem. 

Tamil is one of the oldest surviving languages in the world

There are more than 7000 languages in the world. They have evolved over hundreds of thousands of years. Some of them survived invasions that 23 out of those 7000 languages have more than 50 million native speakers at the moment. More than half the planet speak one of these 23 languages and Tamil prides itself being one among them. Inscriptions unearthed from 500 BC at Adichanallur signifies the age of the Tamil language. It is one among the oldest languages being spoken in the world even today.

Tamil language is worshipped as a God

Tamil cultures places enormous importance on the Tamil language. That Tamil people personify Tamil language and call it ‘Tamil Thai’ meaning mother reveals the significance of the attachment Tamils have with the language.

The term ‘Tamil Thai’ was first coined by Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai, a renowned Indian scholar known for his “Manonmaniyam” drama.

Tamils have built a temple for Tamil Thai at Karaikudi where the presiding deity is Tamil Thai. 

Tamil is the official language of three countries

Tamil is recognized as one of the national languages amidst 22 other languages by the Indian constitution. Tamil is the official language and mother tongue of people living in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. Beyond India, it is also the official language of two other countries including Sri Lanka and Singapore. It is also spoken by more than 3 million people in USA, UK, and Canada. More than 1.2 million people in Malaysia speak Tamil. It is also one of the primary language of education in Malaysia, and one must note that there are more than 500 schools that function on Tamil as a medium of instruction. 

Tamil is declared as one of the classical languages

In India, for a language to be recognized as classical, it must meet the following criteria.

• It should be having an ancient origin
• It should have an independent tradition
• It should have an original literature. 

Tamil has met all of these criteria to be declared as a classical language by the Indian government in 2004. It has also been added to the ‘Memory of the World Register’, part of UNESCO’s global programme. 

Importance of Tamil in India

If you are exploring why is it important to learn Tamil , this section provides the right answer. 

Prominence of Tamil literature

Tamil literature is vast and extensive and some of the works are renowned across the world. It has served to communicate the thoughts, ideas, and uniqueness of the lives of the Tamil people. 

Tholkappiyam penned by Tholkappiyar is a famous book on Tamil grammar. It was written around 200 BC and contains sutras on a variety of subjects including phonology, morphology, vocabulary, sentence structure, and spotlights the significance of grammar in the Tamil language learning. 

Thirukkural from Tiruvalluvar have stood test of time to emerge as one of the most renowned work in Tamil literature. It signifies the art of living and has 133 chapters and each of them have 10 kurals making upto 1330 kurals in total. It talks about human virtues and serves as a code of conduct for Tamils and Indians no matter where they live. 

It is said that Mahatma Gandhi considered to be the father of our nation wanted to learn Tamil so he can read Thirukkural in its original form. Such is the prominence of Thirukkural in Indian culture. 

The Tamil literature has produced five great epics as to what we call ‘Aimperum kappiyam’ in Tamil – Silapathikaram by Ilango Adigal in 1st century CE describes the tragic love story of Kannagi and her husband Kovalan; Manimekalai emphasizes love and charity as the most important quality of human life; Seevaka Chintamanu by Thiruthakka Devar, a Jain monk describes the forms of music, dance and other arts persistent during the era; Valayapathi is a renowned Jain work of the 9th century CE and Kundalakesi talks about the upperhand of Buddhism over Shrauta and Jainism.

Tamil literary works placed a significant importance on enhancing the lives of women centuries back. There were several women poets like Avvaiyar, Ponmudiyar, Velli Vitiyar and many others during the Sangam period and this reveals the kind of importance that Tamils and the literature attached to women. 

If you lack the basic knowledge of the Tamil language and are looking for ways to learn Tamil online, there are a plethora of online Tamil classes and resources available. Powerkid Tamil Academy offers one-on-one online Tamil classes to support Tamil learners and the diaspora carry forward the legacy of Tamil language.

Freedom movement of India

Tamils had played an important role in the freedom movement of India. Marudhu brothers, Puli Thevar, Velu Nachiyar, Veeran Sundharlingam, Dheeran Chinnamalai, Veera Pandiya Kattabomman were some important people who participated in rebellious movements against the British occupation in India. Subramania Bharathi, Si Su Chellappa and many others evoked the sentiments of freedom among the Tamil minds through their literary works. VO Chidambaram Pillai, Kamaraj, Satyamurthi, and Rajagopalachari were other prominent leaders from Tamil Nadu who lead the movement from the front. 

So, Tamils have played an important role in leading several movements in India. Their contribution to literature will stand good for ages unknown. 

Tamil people are naturally hard working and contribute to a significant share of the country’s GDP. The entrepreneurial spirit complemented by their hard work has created an industrial revolution in Tamil Nadu. 

Why is it important to learn Tamil?

The Tamil diaspora is spread across the world and to bond with them as a community, it becomes important to know the essence of Tamil language learning. The bond is always stronger when it involves conversations in the native language. If you do not have a strong foothold in Tamil language, learn common words in Tamil so you can participate in the conversation. 

Beyond bonding with fellow Tamils, learning Tamil widens the exposure to the rich Tamil literature. From code of conduct to the science and maths understanding, Tamils hold a prominent place in the society. Their literature is rich and learning Tamil opens a wide door of possibilities. 

Tamil culture is significant and as native Tamils, it becomes important to carry forward its legacy no matter where we live. It is a duty to enrich our children and the next generation of kids with the intricacies of Tamil language. 

Where I can learn Tamil?

If you are looking for a reliable online Tamil classes for yourself or for your children so they can learn Tamil online , Powerkid Tamil Academy is the right place. From basic and beginner level classes to intermediate and advanced classes, Powerkid Tamil Academy offers online Tamil classes in levels. If you are looking to just learn common words in Tamil, our classes can be customized to suit that. Or otherwise, you wish to learn the intricacies of the Tamil grammar, our classes can be customized to meet the requirements of the learner. 

If you are exploring how to learn Tamil from native Tamil teachers, we are sure you will love the online Tamil classes from Powerkid Tamil Academy because all our classes are handled by native Tamil speaking teachers. Our teachers are child friendly and exercise utmost patience in educating the children. With Powerkid Tamil Academy , Tamil language learning is easier than ever before. 

Sign up to our online Tamil classes and learn Tamil online from anywhere, anytime.

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Scrutinizing the Standards: A Literature Review of the Advantages and Disadvantages of Standardized Testing

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For schoolchildren in the twenty-first century, the weeks of standardized testing each year mean more than just hours of tedium and boredom; for some, they mean the difference between moving to the next grade with their peers or being held back, or whether they get placed in a gifted or ESL class. Those at the front of the room are not free from the scrutiny either as the assessment of teachers’ job performance has become more reliant on the testing results of their students, and schools are even shut down when students are consistently poor performers. As the pressure surrounding these tests has risen, so has the research exploring whether this is a beneficial change for education. Jennings and Lauen (2016), Kaufman et al. (2015), Toldson and McGee (2014), Laurito et al. (2019), and Jacob and Rothstein (2016) all explore this same topic from different perspectives with their research. In the literature, though the perspectives of the articles differ, similarities emerge regarding the issue of achievement gaps in testing, the dangers of tests being so high stakes for students and educators, and the importance of informing professionals in academia regarding how to best interpret test scores.

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Jacob, B., & Rothstein, J. (2016). The measurement of student ability in modern assessment systems. The Journal of Economic Perspectives, 30(3), 85–107. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43855702

Jennings, Jennifer L. & Lauen, Douglas L. (2016). Accountability, inequality, and achievement: The effects of the no child left behind act on multiple measures of student learning. RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences, 2(5), 220–241. https://doi.org/10.7758/rsf.2016.2.5.11

Kaufman, J., Hamilton, L., Stecher, B., Naftel, S., Robbins, M., Garber, C., Ogletree, C., Faxon-Mills, S., & Opfer, D. (2015). What are teachersʹ and school leadersʹ major concerns about new K–12 state tests?: Findings from the American Teacher and American School Leader Panels. In What Are Teachers’ and School Leaders’ Major Concerns About New K–12 State Tests?: Findings from the American Teacher and American School Leader Panels, 1–8. RAND Corporation. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7249/j.ctt19w72c7.1

Laurito, A., Lacoe, J., Schwartz, A. E., Sharkey, P., & Ellen, I. G. (2019). School climate and the impact of neighborhood crime on test scores. RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences, 5(2), 141–166. https://doi.org/10.7758/rsf.2019.5.2.08

Toldson, Ivory A. & McGee, Tyne. (2014). What the ACT and SAT mean for Black students’ higher education prospects (Editor’s Commentary). The Journal of Negro Education, 83(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.7709/jnegroeducation.83.1.0001