தமிழ் இலக்கியங்களில் ஒப்பாரி: ஒரு சமூகப் பண்பாட்டு மற்றும் வரலாற்று ஆய்வு
Oppari (Dirge) in Tamil Literature: A Socio-Cultural and Historical Study
- Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Tamil, Madras Christian College, East Tambaram, Chennai - 59,
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a component of death rituals; it stands as a rich oral tradition that has persisted through generations and serves as a historical document recording the internal and external transformations of society.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.
Keywords
- Oppari (Dirge)
- Kaiyarunilai (Elegy)
- Folk songs
- Sangam literature
- Tholkappiyam
- Sociology
- Professional mourners
- Gender politics
- Dalit feminism
- Elegy
How to cite
APA 7 Srikanth R (2026). தமிழ் இலக்கியங்களில் ஒப்பாரி: ஒரு சமூகப் பண்பாட்டு மற்றும் வரலாற்று ஆய்வு: Oppari (Dirge) in Tamil Literature: A Socio-Cultural and Historical Study. , 7(05), 1508-1520. https://doi.org/10.63300/tm07052026.04
MLA 9 Srikanth R. “தமிழ் இலக்கியங்களில் ஒப்பாரி: ஒரு சமூகப் பண்பாட்டு மற்றும் வரலாற்று ஆய்வு: Oppari (Dirge) in Tamil Literature: A Socio-Cultural and Historical Study.” , vol. 7, no. 05, 2026, pp. 1508-1520, https://doi.org/10.63300/tm07052026.04.
Chicago Srikanth R. “தமிழ் இலக்கியங்களில் ஒப்பாரி: ஒரு சமூகப் பண்பாட்டு மற்றும் வரலாற்று ஆய்வு: Oppari (Dirge) in Tamil Literature: A Socio-Cultural and Historical Study.” 7, no. 05 (2026): 1508-1520. https://doi.org/10.63300/tm07052026.04.
Harvard Srikanth R (2026) ‘தமிழ் இலக்கியங்களில் ஒப்பாரி: ஒரு சமூகப் பண்பாட்டு மற்றும் வரலாற்று ஆய்வு: Oppari (Dirge) in Tamil Literature: A Socio-Cultural and Historical Study’, , 7(05), pp. 1508-1520. doi:10.63300/tm07052026.04.
IEEE Srikanth R, “தமிழ் இலக்கியங்களில் ஒப்பாரி: ஒரு சமூகப் பண்பாட்டு மற்றும் வரலாற்று ஆய்வு: Oppari (Dirge) in Tamil Literature: A Socio-Cultural and Historical Study,” , vol. 7, no. 05, pp. 1508–1520, 2026, doi: 10.63300/tm07052026.04.
Vancouver Srikanth R. தமிழ் இலக்கியங்களில் ஒப்பாரி: ஒரு சமூகப் பண்பாட்டு மற்றும் வரலாற்று ஆய்வு: Oppari (Dirge) in Tamil Literature: A Socio-Cultural and Historical Study. . 2026;7(05):1508-1520. doi:10.63300/tm07052026.04
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