THE TAMIL SOCIETY OF THE SANGAM AGE
[A Paper Submitted to the
International conference - Seminar
of Tamil Studies at Kural Lumpur (Malaysia) in April 1966.]
V. PERUMAL, M. A., B.
T., M. R. A. S.
1. Introduction
It is an acknowledge fact that the Tamil Society is noted for its high antiquity. The historical, linguistic, archaeological, literary beyond a shadow of doubt the high antiquity of the Tamil Society and its many-sided excellence. The very fact that there are 260 references (16% of the total aphorisms) to ancient literatures in Tholkappiyam, confirms in an unambiguous language the existence of great literary treatises on various branches of knowledge. Unfortunately, all these literatures have been list due to serious natural calamity. The ancient Tamil Literature extant which is popularly known as the Sangam Literature consists of Tholkappiyam (grammar), Pathuppattu (ten Idylls) Ettuthogai (eight anthologies), Thirukkural (ethics), Silappathikaram and Manimekalai (twin epics). On the basis of the various relevant evidences available, the Sangam Literature can be assigned to the period ranging from 500 B. C. to 200 A. D. This period is generally known as the Sangam Age as the Tamil Sangam (Academy) which was patronized by the Pandyan Kings at Madurai has played a very significant role in the literary and cultural fields of Tamil Nad. The Sangam Literature besides throwing an appreciable flood of light on different branched of knowledge reflects each and every aspect of the Tamil Society. The ancient Tamilians have distinguished themselves in various healthy activities and led a very useful life of a high order. A deep analysis of the Sangam Literature and other relevant sources and records reveals the face that the ancient Tamil Society was in a very advanced position. It was a society of well-balanced development in Titanic proportions. The encomium paid on ancient Tamil Nad by the foreign personalities is not a hyperbolical statement but a naked truth. An attempt is made in this paper to study analytically the Tamil Society of the Sangam Age with a deep sense of impartiality.
2. Literature
Tholkappiyam
is not only a grammar in the ordinary sense of the term but a great treatise which
deals with almost all the aspects of human activity. Tholkappiyar has clarified
each and every point with logical precision and aphoristic brevity. For
instance, he points out that one can legitimately feel proud owing to four
reasons viz. learning, valour, fame and charity.
‘கல்வி
தறுகண் இசைமை கொடையெனச்
சொல்லப்பட்ட
பெருமிதம் நான்கே’
--Tholkappiyam :
Porulathikaram
Tholkappiyam is he grammatical and literary charter , serving
as a beacon light throughout the ages of literary history of Tamil Nad. The
Pathuppattu describes every aspect of the Tamil Society in a picturesque
language. The eight anthologies (Ettuthogai)were compiled and classified on the
basis of metre and subject matter. It is needless to mention that the
classification was done in an apple pie order according to the principles of
logistical division. Among the eight anthologies Natrinai, Kurunthogai,
Ainkurunooru, Kalithogai and Agananooru mainly deals with warfare, statecraft,
charity and ethics. Pathitrupathu gives an account of the Chera Kings and
throws a light in fixing the chronological position of the ancient Chere
Monarchs. Paripadal is a miscellany which deals with love, religion and nature.
Thiruvalluvar has given the quintessence of advanced wisdom in his immortal
ethics, Thirukkural. Silappathikaram, a dramatic epic (tragedy) and
Manimekalai, a religious epic are greater appeal as "our sweetest songs
are those which reflects all the aspects of the ancient Tamil Society. The
Sangam poets, who were about 500 in number, touched every branch of knowledge
in their pen portraits, sublimity of idea, catholicity in character and
universality in outlook are the special characteristics of the Sangam
Literature. It is almost free from Sanskrit words, hybrid style, pedantic
phrase and fantastic imagination. The Sangam poets sincerely considered
inspiration from Nature and described her beauty in a mellifluous language with
aesthetic excellence.
3. Education
From time
immemorial education is considered to be the infallible wealth Thy very fact
the Thiruvalluvar, who was very brief in his treatment, has allotted many
chapters dealing with various aspects of education, corroborates the sublime
values of education. Thiruvalluvar has divided the entire faculties into two
main divisions’ viz. arts and science. Mathematics - the queen of sciences, and
letters the basis of arts are the two faculties pointed out by Thiruvalluvar.
He has indicated in an unerring language the universality of education. In
other words, mathematics and letters are the two eyes for each and every human
being under the sun.
‘எணெண்ண்ப
ஏனை எழுத்தென்ப இவ்விரண்டும்
கண்ணென்ப வாழும் உயிர்க்கு’ (Kural 392)
The learned author has indicated briefly but very clearly the
various aims of education, Knowledge aim (Kural 396), social aim (140), moral
aim (134), philosophical aim (354), spiritual aim (2), cultural aim (997) and
living aim (391) are some of the important aims of education dealt with in
Thirukkural, According to Thiruvalluvar, teaching has four sages viz. feeling
the pulse of the students, grasping the subject, and appealing and inspiring
presentation. (Kural 424,711) To all intents and purposes an uneducated man is
no better than animal (Kural 410). Tholkappiyar mentions general education and technical
education in one of his aphorisms in Tholkappiyam. "வாயினும் கையினும் வகுத்த பக்கமோடு" (Tholkappiyam,
Porulathikaram (Kazagam Edition June 1953) Agathinai iyal Aphorism No. 44).
Pandyan Nedunchezhian, the King poet, gives a vivid pen portrait of the glory
of learning. The sum and substance of his Poem (Purananooru 183) is that an
educated man, however low may be his social position, will be respected even by
the ruler of the land. The poets of the Sangam Age have educated the Kings as
well as sound advice on various matters at the appropriate occasions and played
a remark able role in the educations and played a remarkable role in the
education field of ancient Tamil Nad. Teaching was considered as the noblest
and the most respectable profession. In short, the ancient Tamils did not
consider education as a means to earn bread and butter realized that it was for
life, through life, and throughout life.
[To be continued]
KURAL
NERI - 01.06.1966
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