Sangam

Literature

Composed and Tamil texts other

compiled between 300 than Sangam literature
AD and 600 AD
(Sangam period) 2
major schools of Tolkappiyam was
Sangam literature: written to elaborate on
(a) Aham/agam - the nuances of Tamil
concentrates on the grammar and poetry.
abstract discussion of
human aspects like
love, sexual relations, The 5 epics of the
etc. Tamil literature
(b) Puram - discusses include:
the human » Silappatikaram by
experiences like social Ilango Adigal,
life, ethics, valour, » Manimegalai by
customs, etc. Seethalai Sathanar,
» Civaka Cintamani
by Tirutakkatevar,
In the extant of » Kundalakesi by
Sangam literature, Nagakuthanar or
around 30,000 lines of Nagasena,
poetry, has been » Valayapathi by an
arranged in 8 anthologies called anonymous Jain
Ettuttokoi. ascetic.
These were further
divided into 2 groups;
the older and the more
historically relevant
group is called the
Patinenkil Kanakku
(18 lower collections)
and the second is
Pattupattu (10
songs).