(A brief summary of the paper submitted by Dr. E. Balasundaram at Meiyakam on 26.04.2014.)

Foreword

This topic has not only been a subject of discussion during the past century but also a field of study at universities. But researchers have from time to time come out with new interpretations. As the author of this article is a breed of such scholars, feels that he is qualified to present this paper. Since love forms a part and parcel of Sangam people’s life, this article speaks of literature that were dedicated to love.

Some facts about the Three Sangams

We have come to know through literary tradition that there were First, Second and Third Sangams (Academies) at South Madura, Kapatapuram and Madura respectively, and that the first two were destroyed by tsunami waves. Even famous north Indian poets like Viyasar, Valmeeki and Sanakkiar had mentioned about the existence of Sangam at Kapatapuram.

1.1Ancient works such as Kalithokai, Silappathikaram and Manimekalai speak about these Sangams and destruction by tidal waves.

Professors like T.R. Shesakiri Sasthri, V.R. Ramachandra Thidsithar, K.S. Neelakanda Sasthri, and S. Vaiyapuri Pillai are of the opinion that there was only one Sangam.

Some others argue that the concept of Three Sangams is irrelevant.

1.4. Tholkappiam: However, it is true that there existed three Sangams and that the first two got drowned in the sea.  To understand better about Sangams, it is important to know

about Tholkappiam’s period. According to Dr. Ilakkuvanar its period was 7th century BCE. K. Vellaivaranar feels it should have been 5320 BCE. It is clear that literary activities were practiced long before Tholkappiam was written. There are 260 references in Tholkappiam itself to literary and grammatical works that existed before Tholkappiam. To understand  Sanga literary trends Porul Athikaram of Tholkappiam and its commentaries are very helpful.

Sangam Period

I am of the opinion that Tholkappiam must have existed during the period between 1000 BCE and 300 BCE.

Oral Tradition and Sangam Literature

The world’s original literature was in the form of poems. Prose form developed later. Rhyme and rhythm were found even in primitive folk songs. This is true of both solo and community songs. Community songs refer to group of ladies pounding rice, gathering flowers, bathing, playing games, etc. Rhyming and Chorus elements are the chief characteristics of these poems. It is to be understood that this bardic tradition gave way later to the development of poetic tradition. 

Works of Sangam Period

Works of Sangam period were collected in two major anthologies called Ettuthokai and Pathuppattu. The authors came from various parts of Tamil Naadu. Neither their place of births nor their names known to the compilers. Many names were either assumed or coined to match striking lines of their poems. Compilers seemed to have had in minds the length and content of poems while sorting them out.

4.1 Classification of Akam and Puram

Sangam books were classified into two major fields called Aka Thinai and Pura Thinai. Books dealing with love were collected under Aka Thinai and books dealing with valour under Pura Thinai. Akam actually means within or interior and Puram means exterior. Akam poems are love poems and Puram poems speak of war, heroism, ruling class.

4.2 Aka Thinai Books

The following are listed under the above category:

Ainkuru Nooru

Kurunthokai

Natrinai

Akana Nooru

Kalithokai

Mullai Paattu

Kurinchi Paatu

Pattina Paalai

Creative Tradition and techniques of Aka Thinai(Subjective) Literature

The Porul Athikaram (Subjects  Chapter) of Tholkappiam describes the tradition followed by the poets of Sangam Age in creative writing. The subjective nature of family life was found to fall under five ways of conduct called Anpin Ainthinai. Love behavioral manners unacceptable by the society or not in keeping with traditional conduct were called Kaikkilai and Perunthinai.

5.1-6.0Anpin Ainthinai: The five subjective behavioral manners are (1) Punarthal(to be with husband), (2) Iruththal(waiting for the arrival of husband), (3) Oodal(indignation), (4) Irangal(to feel pity), and (5) Pirithal(husband temporarily leaves).   Anpu means love. Ainthinai means five types of landscape viz. Mountain regions(kurunchi), Forests areas(Mullai), Farmlands(Marutham), Coastal Areas(Neythal) and Drylands(Paalai). But thinai also means feelings of love. The feelings of love common to the above landscapes are as follows:

Mountain regions - Punarthal

Forests areas         - Iruththal

Farmlands             - Oodal

Coastal areas         - Irangal

Drylands                - Pirithal

Life styles as painted by the Subjective literature

(Anpin Ainthinai, Kaikkilai and Perunthinai)

While Akam(subjective) literature describes the feelings of lovers, Puram(objective) literature describes activities of war and other exterior ventures mostly of men. Akam themes depict the natural life of ancient Tamils. Poets who collected the poems and categorized them as Akam and Puram seemed to have given importance to Akam poems to enhance family life.

7.1-4In this section Dr. Balasundaram goes on to give examples drawn mostly from Kurunthokai to show the feelings of lovers from Kurunchi, Mullai, Marutham, Neythal and Paalai. 

8.0 Literary Trends

Sangam poets were considered decent and dignified men of. They were honest in recording the real life of people. They did not give any specific names to their heroes or heroines. All of them followed a distinctive technique in larding the behavior typical to each of the five types of Thinai. Towards the end of Sangam period, we are able to observe deviations from traditional Sangam’s strict adherence to Akam and Puram. We therefore find some Akam poems also speaking of Puram subjects.

9.0 Life of etiquette as found in Akam literature

Subjective poems not only speak of love, family life and associated problems but also speak of Tamils’ customs and habits, kings and politics, cultural activities, trade etc. Akam books, therefore, serve as resource center for us to study, research and understand the noble and glorious life of the ancient Tamil people.