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Akam and Puram Poetry in Sangam Literature

Sangam literature, the oldest surviving Tamil literature, consists of akam and puram poetry, reflecting themes of love and public life respectively. Akam poetry explores emotions and relationships using metaphors related to nature, while puram poetry celebrates heroism and societal values. This literature provides valuable insights into ancient Tamil culture, society, and history, highlighting the richness of the Tamil language and its poetic traditions.

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242 views2 pages

Akam and Puram Poetry in Sangam Literature

Sangam literature, the oldest surviving Tamil literature, consists of akam and puram poetry, reflecting themes of love and public life respectively. Akam poetry explores emotions and relationships using metaphors related to nature, while puram poetry celebrates heroism and societal values. This literature provides valuable insights into ancient Tamil culture, society, and history, highlighting the richness of the Tamil language and its poetic traditions.

Uploaded by

Jugal Khanchi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Akam and Puram Poetry in Sangam Literature

Sangam literature is the oldest surviving Tamil literature, composed by


various poets between 300 BCE and 300 CE. It is divided into two main
categories: akam and puram.

Akam poetry is about love, emotions, and sensuality. It uses metaphors


and symbols to express the feelings of the lovers, such as the five
landscapes (kurinji, mullai, marutam, neytal, and palai), the seasons, the
flowers, and the birds. Akam poetry also has different subgenres based
on the nature and quality of love, such as ain-tinai (mutual love), kaikilai
(one-sided love), and perunthinai (unsuitable love).

Puram poetry is about war, heroism, and public life. It praises the deeds
and virtues of kings, warriors, and patrons, such as their generosity,
bravery, loyalty, and justice. Puram poetry also describes the historical
events and social conditions of the Sangam age, such as the battles, the
alliances, the festivals, and the customs.

Sangam literature is considered to be a unique and valuable source of


information about the ancient Tamil culture, society, and history. It also
showcases the richness and diversity of the Tamil language and poetic
art.

The Sangam literature is classified into seven minor genres called tinai,
based on the setting or scenery of the poetry. The five landscapes
(kurinji, mullai, marutam, neytal, and palai) correspond to the five types
of love (union, separation, waiting, complaint, and lament). Each
landscape has its own associated elements, such as the time of the day,
the season, the flora and fauna, the mood, and the deity.

The Sangam literature consists of various works, such as the


Tolkappiyam (the oldest Tamil grammar), the Ettuttokai (the eight
anthologies of akam and puram poetry), the Pattuppattu (the ten songs
of puram poetry), and the Pathinenkilkanakku (the eighteen minor
works of various genres). Some of the most famous poets of the Sangam
literature are Kapilar, Paranar, Avvaiyar, Nakkirar, and Tiruvalluvar.

The Sangam literature reflects the values and beliefs of the ancient
Tamils, such as their love for nature, their sense of honor, their loyalty to
their rulers, their respect for women, their tolerance for diversity, and
their quest for wisdom. The Sangam literature also reveals the political,
economic, and social aspects of the Sangam period, such as the
existence of three Tamil kingdoms (Chera, Chola, and Pandya), the trade
and commerce with foreign lands, the caste and class divisions, the
religious and ethical systems, and the arts and sciences.

The Sangam literature is a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration


for anyone interested in the ancient Tamil civilization and its
contribution to the world culture. It is a testimony to the creativity and
sophistication of the Tamil people and their language.

Submitted by :
roll no :
Submitted to : Urvashi Sabu ma’am
Subject : Indian classical literature

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