மருதக்கலி கூறும் வாழ்வியல்

Life Concepts Presented in Maruthakkali

Abstract

Sangam literature serves as the primary literary evidence for understanding the ancient lifestyle of the Tamils. Kalithokai, one of the Ettuthokai (Eight Anthologies), is a collection of Akam (interior/love) poems composed in the Kali metre. Within it, Maruthakkali highlights the lifestyle elements of the Marutham landscape (tinai) across various dimensions. The songs of Maruthakkali range from 66 to 100 and were composed by Maruthan Ilanaganaar. The primary thematic essence (Uripporul) of Marutham is oodal (love sulking) and its causes. Consequently, Maruthakkali reflects diverse aspects of life, including the relationship between the hero and heroine, courtesanhood (parathaimai), the heroine's sulking, the friend's conciliation efforts, family relationships, resolution of conflict through the son, social life, nature, and festivals.This study approaches Maruthakkali not merely as love literature, but as a document of life that reveals the family structure, women's psychology, male-female relationships, social morality, economic background, nature-centric living, and ethical thought of the Sangam period. In particular, the lifestyle values presented in Maruthakkali are analyzed based on songs 66, 91, 92, 98, 99, and 100. Grounded in descriptive and analytical methodologies, this study establishes Maruthakkali as a vital literary record aiding the understanding of the psychological, social, and economic life of the Sangam people.