தமிழ் இலக்கியங்களில் ஒப்பாரி:  ஒரு சமூகப் பண்பாட்டு மற்றும் வரலாற்று ஆய்வு: Oppari (Dirge) in Tamil Literature: A Socio-Cultural and Historical Study

ஶ்ரீகாந்த் ரா

doi:10.63300/tm07052026.04

Authors

Srikanth R Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Tamil, Madras Christian College, East Tambaram, Chennai - 59, Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63300/tm07052026.04

Keywords:

Oppari (Dirge), Kaiyarunilai (Elegy), Folk songs, Sangam literature, Tholkappiyam, Sociology, Professional mourners, Gender politics, Dalit feminism, Elegy

Abstract

In the landscape of Tamil literature, 'Oppari' (dirge) is not merely a component of death rituals; it stands as a rich oral tradition that has persisted through generations and serves as a historical document recording the internal and external transformations of society.

This article explores in detail the historical evolution of how the 'Kaiyarunilai' (elegiac) poems, celebrated in Sangam literature, transitioned over time into 'Oppari,' which reflects the emotions of the marginalized sections of society. Traces of Oppari are deeply embedded throughout all eras of Tamil literature—starting from the grammar for mourning defined in Tholkappiyam, the heroic elegies expressed in Purananuru, the righteous indignation found in laments within epics like Silappathikaram, to later Puranas and individual poems.

Beyond literary records, this article provides a detailed analysis of Oppari from a folklore perspective, covering its various classifications and sociological backgrounds—specifically examining power struggles related to caste, gender, and class. Furthermore, by comparing Tamil Oppari with Western elegiac traditions, this article highlights the universal aspects of human grief alongside the unique elements inherent to Tamil culture.

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Author Biography

Srikanth R, Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Tamil, Madras Christian College, East Tambaram, Chennai - 59,

ஶ்ரீகாந்த் ரா., முனைவர் பட்ட ஆய்வாளர், தமிழ்த்துறை, சென்னைக் கிறித்தவக் கல்லூரி, கிழக்குத் தாம்பரம், சென்னை – 59

Srikanth R*, Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Tamil, Madras Christian College, East Tambaram, Chennai - 59,

*Correspondence: srimccian@gmail.com. Tel: 7338885930

References

[1]. Chelliah, S. "The Governing Features of Greek and Tamil Elegies as Sharing the Credit of Standing in Parallel Lines in Treatment of Themes: An Appraisal." International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Health Sciences, 2018, pp. 22-26.

[2]. Greene, Paul D. "Professional Mourners in Tamil Nadu: Gender Dynamics and Social Navigation." University of Maryland, Baltimore County, [n.d.].

[3]. Goswami, M. P. "Tamil Songs of Mourning: Understanding the Reflection of Times in Oppari Songs." School of Communication, Central University of Tamil Nadu, 2022.

[4]. Subramaniam, Alagu. "Professional Mourners." 1964. Literary Study by Ea Fonseka, 2024.

[5]. "The Influence of Western Literary Traditions on Indian Poetry: A Critical Analysis." International Journal of Educational Research and Literary Studies, 2020.