சங்க இலக்கியத்தில் புற வாழ்வியல்: ஒரு சமூக-அரசியல் மற்றும் அறவியல் ஆய்வறிக்கை

Puram Life in Sangam Literature: A Socio-Political and Ethical Research Report

Abstract

Sangam literature is an incomparable encyclopedia that categorizes and explains the life of ancient Tamils into two major divisions: Akam and Puram. Among these, ‘Puram’ encompasses social life beyond an individual’s internal emotions, including general ethical values such as politics, war, bravery, philanthropy, fame, and impermanence.

This research report provides a detailed analysis of the heroic theory, social structure, economic systems, and the social contributions of women known through the Puram poems of Sangam literature. Specifically, it documents how the Purathinai (external landscape) theories formulated by Tolkappiyar align with Akathinai (internal landscape) and how later grammatical works expanded upon them.

This study confirms that works such as Purananuru and Pathitrupathu exist not merely as literary creations, but as historical documents of Tamil Nadu from 300 BCE to 300 CE. By subjecting elements like the governance of kings, administrative committees, water management, trade relations, and mythical elements such as hero-stone worship to research, the exalted state of Sangam society is described. Furthermore, this chapter speaks in detail about the publication efforts of U.V. Swaminatha Iyer, who recovered these treasures when they were in a state of vanishing.