சங்க இலக்கியங்களில் பதிவாகியுள்ள பருவநிலை அறிவும் நவீன காலநிலை மாற்றத் தரவுகளும்: ஓர் இடைத் துறை ஆய்வு
Climate Knowledge Recorded in Sangam Literature and Modern Climate Change Data: An Interdisciplinary Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63300/tm12012026.27Keywords:
Sangam Literature, Climate Knowledge, El Niño, Monsoon, Climate Change, Interdisciplinary StudyAbstract
This research paper presents a comparative study between the climate knowledge recorded in Sangam literature from over 2,000 years ago and modern scientific data from the 2026 El Niño event. Sangam Tamil literature—including Kurunthogai, Aingurunuru, Purananuru, and Agananuru—accurately categorizes six distinct seasons (early rainy season, late rainy/chilly season, early winter, late winter, early spring, and late summer). Among these, the early rainy season (Kaarkaalam) and its agricultural, social, and cultural impacts are recorded in extensive detail.
According to modern climate science, an El Niño event is currently developing in 2026. Based on the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) June 2, 2026 report, there is an 80% probability of El Niño forming during the June–August period. Consequently, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that India's southwest monsoon (June to September) will be below normal, reaching its lowest level in 11 years (at 90%). In contrast, northeast India is expected to receive normal rainfall, while heatwaves are projected to intensify across the rest of the country.
This comparative study reveals that floods, droughts, and extreme temperature fluctuations have been recorded in both eras. The cyclical structure of the six seasons, the rainfall-dependent agricultural system, and the critical need for climate change preparedness all highlight a continuous parallel between ancient Tamil wisdom and modern climate science.
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