The Sanga m

Florilegi um
 The team

Akshita Ayushi Sidhi Singh Lalita

Aakriti Anshika
 TABLE OF

Contents
01. Introduction 06. Silappadikaram
02. Chronology 07. Tirukkural
03. Classification 08. Akananuru
04. Paripadal 09. Conclusion
05. Killer also the
Reviver
 Introduction
Historically known as 'the poetry of the noble ones', the
Sangam literature is the earliest known literature from
South India
The Sangam literature is a valuable source of information
about the early history and culture of Tamil Nadu. It provides
insights into the social, political, and economic life of the
period. It also throws light on the religious and philosophical
beliefs of the people. However, It is generally nonreligious
except for occasional mention of Gods.
 Chronology
The sheet anchor of Sangam chronology lies in the fact that Gajabahu II of
Sri Lanka and Cheran Senguttuvan of the Chera dynasty were
contemporaries. This is confirmed by Silappadikaram as well as the
Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa. Also the Roman coins issued by Roman
emperors of the first century AD were found in plenty in various palces of
Tamil Nadu. Therefore, the most probable date of the Sangam literature has
been fixed between the third century BC to third century AD on the basis of
literary, archaeological and numismatic evidence.
THREE DYNASTIES RULED DURING THE SANGAM
AGE

CHOLAS

CHERAS

PANDYAS
 The Sangam literature, however, fell into oblivion during the
second millennium CE. Fortunately, the poems and other
works were preserved mostly by Tamil scholarly families as
palm leaf manuscripts. The palm leaves which decay in about
fifty years must be replaced before they decay. It was done by
writing them down on new palm leaves.

All that changed in the nineteenth century when Sangam

literature- Tirukkural, Tolkappiyam, Kalittohai, Pattupattu,
Manimekalai, etc were printed and published along with
scholarly commentaries by Francis Whyte Ellis(collector of
madras presidency), U Ve Saminatha Iyer,
W. Thamotharampillai , etc.
 SANGAM
LITERATURE

AKHAM PURAM

This category deals with heroic

This category deals with love poetry in the context of war and
poetry. It deals with the love public life. These deal with the
between a man and a woman. relationship between a king and his
subjects
THREE SANGAM CATEGORIES

FIRST Three Sangams

(academies of Tamil
SANGAM poets) were held in the
ancient South India,
according to Tamil
SECOND THIRD tradition
SANGAM SANGAM
Post Sangam
This period saw a decline in the
production of Sangam style

period
literature. However, there were still
some important works produced
during this period, including:
century CE)
(4th- 10th

Tirukkural
Silappadikaram

Manimekalai: Kundalakesi
 Paripatal

Paripatal falls under the third Tamil Sangam Literature, which

has been divided into eight anthologies called Ettuttokoi and ten
idylls called Pattuppattu.

The compilation is attributed to 13 poets and composed around

c. 3rd - 4th century AD
The Paripatal manuscripts suggest that it was not purely an
abstract literary work, rather a guide for devotional songs to be
sung.

When the sun and the moon,
given to alternations
from the oldest times,
went out,
and the fresh golden world above
and the earthen one below
were ruined,
there were ages of absence
even of sky
rolling time after time.
The Time of the Boar
Sound was born first
in the first age of sheer sky —
womb of every growing germ
though yet without forms,
then came the age of great earth
then the ancient age of winds
driving all things before them,
the age of mist and cool rain
falling,
and when all four elements
lay drowned in the old flood,
the particles of earth
lay there,
recovering their own came the time of the Boar
natures, getting themselves that raised the earth
together; from the waters
and let it flourish.
lying potential Knowing that it is only one
in them all; of your Acts,
we know no one really can know
beyond the times counted the true age
in millions, billions, trillions, of your antiquity.
quadrillions, and zillions,
First One, Lord of the Wheel,
we bow,
we sing your praise.
 Hymn to Tirumal (Vishnu)

“Hymn to Tirumal” is a poetic work from Paripatal, the only predominantly

religious anthology in the Sangam Literature. This is probably the earliest
bhakti poem addressed to Visnu, also one of the first to celebrate a
“transcendent” god.

“The Time of the Boar” portion is an extract from the poetic work. It talks
about the destruction of the worlds and it's rebirth . These were drowned in
flood when the Boar avatar of Visnu comes, and rescues it.
 Mention of the Great Flood in Greek,
Mesopotamian and Christian religion
as an event of divine retribution as
opposed to an act of rescue in Indian
mythology.

The extract talks about the great age of Lord

Tirumal’s antiquity and him being “ the first one”.
 KILLER ALSO THE
REVIVER

One woman entreats and another obliges to make a dead man come alive .There is a
similar but more colourful story in Tamil Sangam literature. Aadi Mandhi is Savitri’s
counterpart.
Daughter of Karikal Chozha, she marries the valiant Attan Athi, from the neighbouring land
of
the Cheras. This Poem describes the love two had for each other.
 The Story Begins....
It is Aadi Perukku, the day River Cauvery brims with fresh flow. People throng the river bank
and royal families are not an exception. They frolic in the water and on the sands, after
worshipping the river, which is their lifeline. The river roars, the frothy waves covered with
garlands, flowers and stuff the revellers have offered her. Personified as a maid and goddess,
Cauvery is awesome, spanning both banks, teasing swimmers to try their strength and skill.
Young men rise to the challenge. After all this is an opportunity to show off their prowess to their
sweet hearts, who are proud of their broad shoulders. Their hands entwined, Aattan Athi and
Aadhi Mandi watch the beautiful spectacle. The churning waters, which sparkle in the mid-day
sun, beckon Athi and how can he resist it? Is he not known for his tireless arms and swift
strides? It is a shame to stand when men of his age are swimming back and forth.
Disengaging himself, he climbs a post and leaps into the ferocious river. As Mandhi watches, a
bit anxiously, he swims — the river becoming his play field. All eyes are on him as now he rides
a crest, laughing, then ducking under a wave.
Caught in a current, Athi is dragged away. A collective ‘Ah’ is followed by frenetic action as men
jump into the river. No sign of him anywhere. Is it even possible that he could have survived?
They return empty handed. Refusing to give up, Mandhi runs along the shore, for hours —
sobbing and screaming for her husband, surely dead. She begs Mother Cauvery to return her
beloved.
And a wave showers an already drenched Aadhi Mandhi, carrying with it Athi — alive. This is a
miracle and the refrain may go back to the woman’s love and chastity. At a subtler level, it is
another woman, the river, which gives life to a man, who until a few hours ago seemed
invincible.
 IMPORTANCE
Aadhi mandhi and her husband Aattan Atthi were praised in several Sangam poems composed
2000 years ago. Later Tamil epic Silappadikaram also praised them.
Kannaki, heroine of Tamil epic Silappadikaram six great ladies who were born before her time in
her native city Kaaveri Puumpattinam (also known as Pumpuhaar). Aadhi Mandhi was one of
them.
Famous Sangam poet Paranar who listed over 80
historical anecdotes in his verses also sang
about this accident. Post Sangam poet Ilango, author of
Tamil epic Silappadikaram gave more
details about this incident.
 Silappadikaram Says,

“The daughter of the celebrated king Karikaala followed the floods which carried away her
husband, Vanchikon (king of Kerala), calling aloud: O, my lover with hill-like shoulders! Then the
sea itself came and presented her husband before her. She, the golden creeper, returned
embracing him” – Vanchinamaalai, Silappadikaaram.
TAMIL PRINCESS ATTAN
ATTHI
 In Akam76
A courtesan says aloud (so that the
lady love of the hero hears it), “ Long
ago Aaadi Mandhi lost
her husband and she went on asking
everyone, ‘ did you see my husband
Aattan Aththi, who
wears a garland, anklet, waist band,
sports a beard? but she did not get
an answer. She was
fainting out of sadness. Like the east
flowing river shattered its banks and
took Aattanathi, now I
am going to take that mand. What
will his lady love do then?”
 Silappadikaram
(The Song of the Anklet )

Silappadikaram is one of the five great epics of Tamil literature according to later Tamil literary
tradition. As a literary work , this epic is held in high regard by the Tamils . An excerpt from the
poem is listed below .

Are there wise men here? Are there wise men here?
Are there wise men here? Are there wise men here
who nurture and care for others’ child?
Is there a God? Is there a God?
In this *town whose King unjustly killed (my husband)
Is there a God? Is there a God?
 The story
The Story of Silappadikaram is about Kovalan (who was a son of a
wealthy merchant ) who was married to Kannaki. However, Kovalan fell in
love with a courtesan named Madhavi And squandered all of his money on
her . Kovalan left kanaki to live with Madhavi . He eventually returned
home after quarreling with Madhavi . When Kovalan returned , Kannaki
welcomed her by giving him a golden anklet in order to raise some money
. Both of them visited Madurai , Kovalan went off to sell the anklet of his
wife .Tragedy strikes when Kovalan is wrongly accused of stealing the
queen's anklet, leading to his execution.
Kannaki , upon learning of her husband’s unjust death , embarks on the quest of justice .The journey
symbolizes her unwavering dedication to dharma , a concept of morality and justice in Indian philosophy .
Kannaki’s pursuit of justice takes her to the court of the king ,where she confronts him with irrefutable
evidence of Kovalan’s innocence. Her restless determination to uphold justice serves as a powerful reminder
of righteousness and truth , even in the pursuit of truth , even in the face of adversity .The king , who had
executed a man unjustly dies of remorse along with his wife .
Kannaki in grief tears off her left breast and hurls it into the city in fury . The poem ultimately concludes
with the city of Madurai being consumed by flames , as Kannaki’s wrath , her righteous fury ,causes the
city’s destruction .This is a powerful representation of consequences of injustice and corruption. The poem
emphasises the idea that injustice and immorality , even if they go unpunished for a time , will eventually
lead to their own destruction
 Tirukkural
Tirukkural(Tamil:''Sacred Couplets'') is the most celebrated of the
Patiren-kirkkanakku("Eighteen Ethical Works") in Tamil literature and a
work that has had an immense influence on Tamil culture and life.
It is classic Tamil language text consisting of 1330 short couplets or
kurals.
It's authorship is traditionally attributed to valluvar also known as
Tiruvalluvar.

Tirukkural has been compared to the great books of the

world's major religions.It's an all-inclusive ethical guide,it
has its foremost moral imperatives the avoidance of killing
and avoidance of falsehood.
 Tirukkural has 133 section of 10
couplets each are divided into three
books

Aram Kamam
(virtue) Porul
(government
(Love)
and society )
 Tirukkural on morality...
Happiness springs only from Dharma. All else is sorrow and merits no praise.

That body where love dwells is the seat of life;all others are skin clan bones.

Help done expecting no return, if weighted will be vaster than sea.

Self- control places one among the gods; lack of it leads one to the darkness
of hell.

If one wishes to maintain character one's conduct must be marked by patience.

Wealth is not for the unwary, Compassion is not for the flesh-eater.

Water cleanses the body; truth cleanses the soul.

Men at the height of their penance cam triumph over even death.

He enters the abode of the gods who lays axe at 'I' and 'mine'.
 In the Sangam age,women were in the public place and
socially visible,and also participated in economic activities.
However, the way they were treated in the workplace is
very important. Often teased for their physical beauty, the
anger they express to those who tease them shows that
women had freedom to fight against these stereotypes. It
also points out the patriarchal attitude of the society. On
some of the occasions, beauty is seen as a curse or as a
threat to the girl herself and the city she was born. The
poem Purananuru(349) describes the consequences of a
lovely and highborn girl attaining puberty and becoming
the object of desire of the king,and when her people
refuse to give her to him,he attacks her city to take her
forcefully.
 Perfection and disability

Bodily aspects were given importance because of reproduction. The burden

of physical perfection is more on women than on men.
 The term Sangam literature, provides an amazing

Conclusion wealth of material concerning the social life of the

Tamils and to a certain extent political conditions of
ancient Tamilakam.
From Pathinenkilkanakku,insight into the ethical and
moral values of the ancient Tamil people as been
provided as it includes works such as the 'Tirukkural'
the book that is all-inclusive ethical guide.It
immensely influenced Tamil culture and life it's
teachings are eternal inspiration and guide for
Tamilians. Silappadikaram showcases how far a person
can go to prove their love. It emphasizes the
consequences of injustice and immorality as poems of
the sangam period contain many love stories and
descriptions of romantic relationships,as well as
accounts of battles and wars.These themes are often
interwoven,with love stories being set against the
backdrop of war and political conflict.
 Paripatal is an anthology centered around religious belief. The time of the boar is an
extract from Paripatal, dedicated to Tirumal (Vishnu). It talks about the mythology
concerning the great flood and Varaha incarnation of lord vishnu letting the earth flourish
by raising it. Sangam literature provides valuable insights into the social, political, and
cultural aspects of ancient South India, spanning over several centuries. It is known for its
literary excellence, featuring classical Tamil poetry, with intricate metrical patterns and
themes that explore love, war, nature, and more
Last but not least, Sangam literature is invaluable for its historical, cultural, social, and
literary significance in understanding the ancient Tamil society and its enduring impact on
the region's literary and artistic traditions.
 References
Tirukkural by V.R. Ramchandra Dikshitar
Poems of Love and War by AK Ramanujan
‘History of ancient and early medieval India’ by Upinder
Singh
academia.edu
Beauty as a social concept journal article by RS Rajalakshmy
Silappadikaram (The Anklet Bracelet) by Prince Illango
Adigal [The translation by Alain Danielon
Chieftains of the Sangam Age by Dr. K.D Chirunavukkarusu