Sangam Literature
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.
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 Classification
Based on Period of Composition Details of Sangam Literature
Patinenmelkanakku 1. Works composed between 200 BCE to 100 BCE
2. Oldest surviving Tamil poetry
Patinenkilkanakku 1. Works composed between 100 CE and 500 CE
2. Collection of 18 poetry compositions
3. Mostly composed before the age of the Pallavas
4. Chief works include Thirukkural, Palamoli, Naladiyar, etc.
Based on the Context and Details of Sangam Literature
Interpretation
Aham (Inner) Abstract discussion on human aspects such as love, sexual relations,
etc.
Puram (outer) Human experiences such as heroism, customs, social life, ethics,
philanthropy, etc.
Sangam Literature – Three Sangams
As mentioned before, Tamil legends talk about three Sangams:
1. Madurai
2. Kapadapuram
3. Thenmadurai
Note:
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.
Ettuthokai
It consists of the following works:
1. Natrinai
2. Kuruntogai
3. Ainkurunuru (composed by Gudalur Mar)
4. Pathitrupathu
5. Paripadal
6. Kalittogai
7. Ahanuru (compiled by Rudrasarman)
8. Purananuru
Pattuppattu
It consists of the following works:
1. ThiruMurugatrupadai (composed by Nakkirar)
2. Sirupanarruppadai
3. Perumbanarruppadai
4. Pattinappalai
5. Maduraikkanji
6. Porunararrupadai
7. Kurinchippattu
8. Nedunalvadai
9. Malaipadukadam
10. 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:
In which Sangam work, is there a mention of the The Sangam work Ahananuru written by the poet
enormous wealth of Nandas? Mamulanar mentions Nandas’ wealth
Does Sangam Literature have any mention of Yes, the Sangam literature talks about the Mauryan
Mauryas? invasion of the far south
What is Sangam popularly known as? Muchchangam
Under whose patronage did the Sangam flourish? Under the patronage of famous south Indian kingdom
known as Pandyas
Which is the earliest of Tamil literature? Tolkappiyam written by Tolkappiyar
Who is the primary deity of the Sangam period? Seyon or Murugan is told to be the chief deity
