குறுந்தொகையில் பெண் மனத்தைப் பாடும் ஆண் புலவர்கள்: Male Poets Singing the Female Mind in Kurunthokai

Abstract

Scholars widely regard Kurunthokai as one of the most ancient and celebrated anthologies among the Classical Sangam literary works. Within the spectrum of Akam (interior love) poetry, Kurunthokai captures intricate human emotions, interpersonal relationships, and psychological depth. This research paper focuses specifically on the Kurinji landscape (the mountainous region symbolising union and clandestine love) to examine how the female voice is articulated in classical poetry. A central dimension of this study is the portrayal of female psychology, feelings, and perspectives expressed not only by female bards but also by male poets who adopted a feminine persona (thozhi or thalaivi). Through a comparative framework, the paper investigates how male poets navigated female sensibility, emotional intimacy, and social expectations compared to their female counterparts. It evaluates whether structural, stylistic, or thematic differences emerge when male poets embody female consciousness in their compositions. By juxtaposing poems authored by male and female poets within the same thematic landscape, the study highlights the aesthetic empathy and literary techniques employed by male bards. Ultimately, this research contributes to Sangam literary studies by analyzing gendered voice, empathetic authorship, and the nuanced depiction of the female mind in early Tamil classical poetry.

Keywords

• Sangam Literature
• Kurunthokai
• Female Psychology
• Feminine Voice
• Male Poets
• Female Bards
• Kurinji Landscape
• Akam Poetry
• Comparative Literature
• Gendered Voice