தமிழ் இலக்கியங்களில் பெண்மைப் பாதுகாப்புச் சிந்தனைகள் மற்றும் நிலையான சமூக வளர்ச்சி : Concepts of Women's Safety in Tamil Literature and Sustainable Social Development

முனைவர் ப. பிரியதர்ஷினி; முனைவர் மு.ஹேமலதா; முனைவர் மா. இராமச்சந்திரன்; முனைவர் செ. சக்திமுருகன்

doi:10.63300/tm12012026.32

Authors

Dr. P. Priyadharshini Assistant Professor in Tamil, A. V. P College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Thirumurugan Poondi - Tirupur -641652, Author
Dr.M.Hemalatha Assistant Professor, Department of Tamil, Vellalar college for Women(Autonomous), Thindal, Erode 12. Author
Dr M.Ramachandran Associate Professor In Tamil, Nandha Arts And Science College (Autonomous), Erode. Author
Dr.C.Sakthimurugan Assistant professor in Tamil, Nandha Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Erode -638052 Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63300/tm12012026.32

Keywords:

Tamil Literature, Women's Safety, Sustainable Social Development, Sangam Literature, Thirukkural, Ethics, Gender Equality

Abstract

Throughout the ages, Tamil literature has highlighted the dignity of womanhood and presented scientific perspectives on women's safety. From Sangam literature to the Thirukkural and the Pathinenkeelkanakku (Eighteen Lesser Texts) anthologies, women's dignity, chastity, honor, and social security have been discussed in detail. In the Sangam era, virtue (Aram) was given paramount importance. The concept that virtue is the highest among the three goals of life—virtue (Aram), wealth (Porul), and pleasure (Inbam)—is deeply embedded in Sangam literature. Women believed that they too had a duty to protect virtue. They prioritized intellect and wisdom over mere valor. Sangam-era women possessed unique attributes and righteousness; these served as the foundation for the virtuous life of Tamils and helped balance the social structure. The Thirukkural presents wisdom and intellect as the foundation for a woman's safety. The couplet, "Tharkkaathuth tharkondaar paenith thagaisaandra sorkaathuch choorvilaal pen" (Kural 56), emphasizes that a woman must possess the capability to protect herself. The Pathinenkeelkanakku texts implement internal moral values such as sensory control, non-desire, and honor through wisdom as the foundation of righteousness. In today's world, sustainable social development is inextricably intertwined with women's safety, education, and empowerment. Gender equality, which is the fifth goal (SDG 5) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, reflects the global recognition of this concept. Contemporary studies have revealed that the concepts of empowerment and equality found in the Thirukkural align seamlessly with SDG 5. The principles of social justice, gender equality, and righteous governance offered by Tamil ethics closely match modern sustainable development goals.

This study explores the concepts of women's safety as expressed in ancient Tamil literature and provides an interdisciplinary analysis of how they form the bedrock for sustainable social development. It is our duty to cherish the ethical wealth that Tamil literature has bestowed upon us and pass it on to the next generation.

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Author Biographies

Dr. P. Priyadharshini, Assistant Professor in Tamil, A. V. P College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Thirumurugan Poondi - Tirupur -641652,

முனைவர் ப. பிரியதர்ஷினி, உதவிப் பேராசிரியர் தமிழ்த்துறை, ஏ.வி.பி கலை மற்றும் அறிவியல் கல்லூரி (தன்னாட்சி), திருமுருகன் பூண்டி -திருப்பூர்.

Dr. P. Priyadharshini^*, Assistant Professor in Tamil, A. V. P College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Thirumurugan Poondi - Tirupur -641652,

ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0684-7381

*Correspondance: priyaarundharshini16@gmail.com
Dr.M.Hemalatha, Assistant Professor, Department of Tamil, Vellalar college for Women(Autonomous), Thindal, Erode 12.

முனைவர் மு.ஹேமலதா, உதவிப்பேராசிரியர்,தமிழ்த்துறை, வேளாளர் மகளிர் கல்லூரி( தன்னாட்சி) ஈரோடு12

Dr.M.Hemalatha, Assistant Professor, Department of Tamil, Vellalar college for Women(Autonomous), Thindal, Erode 12,

EMail: hemapreethi1974@gmail.com
Dr M.Ramachandran, Associate Professor In Tamil, Nandha Arts And Science College (Autonomous), Erode.

முனைவர் மா. இராமச்சந்திரன், இணைப் பேராசிரியர், தமிழ்த் துறை,நந்தா கலை மற்றும் அறிவியல் கல்லூரி (தன்னாட்சி)-ஈரோடு.

Dr M.Ramachandran, Associate Professor In Tamil, Nandha Arts And Science College (Autonomous), Erode.

EMail: rampiththan@gmail.com

Orcid id: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3815-4580
Dr.C.Sakthimurugan, Assistant professor in Tamil, Nandha Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Erode -638052

முனைவர் செ. சக்திமுருகன், உதவிப் பேராசிரியர், தமிழ்த்துறை, நந்தா கலை மற்றும் அறிவியல் கல்லூரி (தன்னாட்சி), ஈரோடு -638052.

Dr.C.Sakthimurugan, Assistant professor in Tamil, Nandha Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Erode -638052

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