Tamilmanam Journal

This research paper undertakes a detailed examination of the philosophical bond between "Murugan and Mutthamizh" as articulated in Nakkeerar’s Thirumurugatrupadai, the first long poem of the Sangam literary anthology Pattupattu. The paper analyzes the connection between the components of Mutthamizh—Iyal (prose/poetry), Isai (music), and Nadagam (drama)—and the six sacred abodes (Arupadaiveedu) of Lord Murugan within literary, sociological, and philosophical contexts. Furthermore, it explains the evolution of Murugan worship through the framework of Sangam Tamil societal structure, archaeological evidence, and the literary conventions of Pattupattu, contrasting these findings with data from global research journals.

Pasumpoon Pandiyan ruled as the prince of Korkai, a place that held a premier position as the primary port of the Pandyas and a celebrated site for pearl diving. After Pandya Nedunchezhian tragically lost his life due to the twists of fate that caused grief to Kannagi, the prince Pasumpoon Pandiyan traveled from Korkai to the great city of Madurai to ascend the throne.

As a coastal town, the harbor of Korkai was abundant with Neidhal (coastal water lilies) and blue flowers. Korkai was a small town inhabited by chank (conch) divers and toddy consumers. Korkai pearls were considered to be of the highest quality. The people of Korkai town welcomed those returning from pearl diving with the sounding of auspicious instruments, including chank shells.

The locals worshipped the deity of the harbor, praying for an abundance of Valampuri chanks (rare right-coiled conches) and pearls to multiply in the Korkai sea. The Parathavar (coastal community fishermen) received toddy as payment for the oysters. Pearls were so plentiful at the Korkai port that monkeys would put them into empty seashells and play with them like rattles.

In the tradition of Tamil poetry, nature serves not only as an aesthetic theme but also as a medium to express various dimensions of human life. Vairamuthu’s contribution to modern poetic trends is considered significant. In his works, nature does not stand as a mere visual recording; rather, it manifests as an expression of human emotions and a symbolic language for socio-political ideas.This article aims to examine how nature is conceptualized in Vairamuthu's poems. The central themes of this study include his method of handling natural elements, the philosophical positions underlying them, and the uniqueness of his portrayal of nature within the contemporary Tamil poetic landscape. While nature has been an integral part of poetry from the Sangam literary tradition to the modern era, Vairamuthu connects that tradition with philosophy, social criticism, and existential thought to create a new dimension. A hallmark of his poetry is the technique of treating nature not just as an external reflection of the human mind, but as a peer in dialogue.

The lives of the people are also intertwined with their artistic works. The short stories of the writer C. M. Muthu can be classified as documents of the Tamil society. His stories are stories of a type that cannot be written without seeing the events happening before our eyes. He describes the original lifestyle of the villages, the customs and beliefs of the people, etc. Most of C. M. Muthu's short stories are written in a way that documents the lives of the people of the integrated Thanjavur district without being too down to earth. It is no exaggeration to say that the world he knew was the world in which he wrote his stories, leaving no room for images or imagination, and the words that really tremble. It is noteworthy that C. M. Muthu is one of the most important people like Jayakanthan S. Samudram, who gave Tamil life to the naturalistic literary perspective classified by Emil Solo.

Sangam literary poems serve as historical repositories that accurately record the internal (Akam) and external (Puram) lives of ancient Tamils. In particular, poets utilized nature as a primary tool to express the deep emotional states of characters in Akam poetry. Literary devices such as Ullurai Uvamam (Inherent Metaphor) and Iraicchi (Implied Meaning), which reflect human emotions through the behaviors of non-human beings, are predominant in these songs.

This study extensively analyzes the symbolic significance of the Anril bird within the ecological background of the Neithal (coastal) landscape and the psychological states of Akam characters as expressed by Sangam poets through the bird's life. The Anril, a unique bird that nests in palm trees, serves as a powerful metaphor for the heroine's longing and the sorrow of loneliness due to its inseparable nature, its mournful cry, and its behavior during separation. The primary objective of this paper is to approach the biological markers of the Anril’s appearance, its habitat, its vocalizations, and its symbolic status in literature through the lens of modern semiotic theories. Furthermore, using the ornithological research of scholars like P.L. Samy and contemporary biological data, this study substantiates the connection between the Anril bird and the Red-naped Ibis.

Sangam literature serves as a chronological mirror, precisely reflecting the culture, civilization, and lifestyle of Tamils from approximately two thousand years ago. This research paper explores the primary objective of identifying and analyzing food names and references found within Purananuru, one of the Ettuthogai (Eight Anthologies). By examining key terms such as Choru (Rice), Paal (Milk), Meen (Fish), Adisil (Cooked food/Cuisine), and Kari (Meat), the study demonstrates how these ancient culinary terms have persisted in the Tamil social fabric to the present day. The analysis further delves into the relationship between the five landscapes (Ainthinai) and food distribution, the cultural significance of hospitality (Virunthompalam), and the technical aspects of ancient Tamil culinary arts. Ultimately, the paper concludes that food in the Sangam era was not merely a means to satisfy hunger but a profound cultural identity that encapsulates the traditions and moral values of the Tamil community.

Ancient Tamil society was a sublime civilization intricately intertwined with the elements of nature. Specifically, the grammatical traditions of Purapporul did not merely celebrate heroism and philanthropy; they identified land-based occupations and arts as symbols of 'Victory' (Vaagai).

The medieval grammatical text Purapporul Venba Maalai lists eighteen types of victories under the 'Vaagai Thinai' (the theme of victory). These include agriculture, trade, wrestling, music, and various soil-based traditional occupations. Sangam literature and archaeological evidence prove that all these occupations maintained a sustainable economic cycle that did not harm nature.

However, contemporary research indicates that as a result of the industrial revolution, Tamil Nadu's soil fertility has become toxic due to heavy metals and industrial waste. This study provides a detailed analysis of the soil-based occupational concepts found in Purapporul Venba Maalai, compares them with modern ecological degradation based on data, and emphasizes the necessity of returning to a nature-oriented lifestyle.

Tamil civilization is deeply intertwined not only with its landscapes but also with the vast expanses of the ocean. Sangam literature, medieval inscriptions, and modern archaeological studies collectively prove that Tamils, with a historical background spanning thousands of years, were global pioneers in maritime trade and shipbuilding technology. This research paper provides a detailed analysis of the unique 'Tankai' (stitched-hull) shipbuilding technique, scientific methods of timber selection, the nautical expertise of navigating by understanding wind directions and tides, and the naval management of the Chola era. Furthermore, it covers technical evidence emerging from underwater explorations in regions like Poompuhar and Arikamedu, as well as modern initiatives such as the 'Mega Shipbuilding Cluster' undertaken by the government to transform the Thoothukudi region into India's 'Shipbuilding Capital.

தமிழர் நாகரிகம் என்பது அதன் நிலப்பரப்போடு மட்டுமல்லாமல், பரந்து விரிந்த கடல் பரப்போடும் இரண்டறக் கலந்த ஒன்றாகும். பல்லாயிரம் ஆண்டுகால வரலாற்றுப் பின்னணி கொண்ட தமிழர்கள், கடல்சார் வணிகத்திலும் கப்பல் கட்டுமானத் தொழில்நுட்பத்திலும் உலகிற்கே முன்னோடியாகத் திகழ்ந்தனர் என்பதைச் சங்க இலக்கியங்களும், இடைக்காலக் கல்வெட்டுகளும், நவீன தொல்லியல் ஆய்வுகளும் ஒருசேர மெய்ப்பிக்கின்றன. இந்த ஆய்வறிக்கையானது, தமிழர்களின் தனித்துவமான 'தன்கை' (Tankai) எனப்படும் தையல்முறை கப்பல் கட்டுமான நுட்பம், மரங்களைத் தேர்வு செய்யும் அறிவியல் முறைகள், காற்றின் திசை மற்றும் ஓதங்களை (Tides) அறிந்து கலம் செலுத்தும் மாலுமி கலை, மற்றும் சோழர் காலத்துக் கடற்படை மேலாண்மை ஆகியவற்றை விரிவாக ஆராய்கிறது. மேலும், பூம்புகார் மற்றும் அரிக்கமேடு போன்ற பகுதிகளில் மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்ட கடலடி ஆய்வுகள் வழி வெளிப்படும் தொழில்நுட்பச் சான்றுகளையும், தற்காலத்தில் தூத்துக்குடி பகுதியை இந்தியாவின் 'கப்பல் கட்டும் தலைநகராக' மாற்ற அரசு மேற்கொண்டு வரும் 'மெகா கப்பல் கட்டும் தளம்' (Mega Shipbuilding Cluster) போன்ற நவீன முன்னெடுப்புகளையும் இந்த அறிக்கை உள்ளடக்கியுள்ளது.

C.S. Lakshmi, writing under the pseudonym Ambai, is a pioneering creator in the world of Tamil short stories who expresses feminist perspectives through a subtle and nuanced aesthetic. Beginning her literary journey in the late 1960s, her works consistently interrogate a woman’s existence, silence, bodily autonomy, and the politics of social spaces within the traditional framework of the "family."

This paper provides a detailed analysis of the familial thoughts reflected in Ambai’s short stories against the backdrop of sociological and feminist theories. Specifically, this study reveals how her stories reflect the complexities of husband-wife relationships, parent-child conflicts, elderly care, and the challenges women face within patriarchal structures.

By comparing contemporary family dynamics with Sangam literary principles, this research explains the changes wrought by modernization and urbanization through stories such as ‘A Purple Bird with a Green Neck’ (Sivappu Kazhuthudan Oru Pachai Paravai), ‘Wrestling’ (Mallukkattu), ‘The Barbarian’ (Milechan), and ‘The Fall’ (Veezhthal). Furthermore, it explores how modern concepts like Ecofeminism and Body Politics are interwoven into Ambai's narratives.

Thirukkural, composed two thousand years ago, serves as a magnificent bridge connecting the life values of the Tamil people with universal ethics. This research paper, titled "Life Ethics in Thirukkural," provides an in-depth analysis of the foundations of virtue (Aram) as celebrated by Valluvar, its practical applications, the excellence of domestic life, social responsibility, political management, and purity of action.

Specifically, this study establishes that purity of mind is the fountainhead of virtue and that domestic life serves as the moral foundation for a human being’s function within society. By comparing Thirukkural with the Sangam literature Kurinjipattu and the ethical text Naladiyar, the uniqueness of Valluvar’s thoughts is highlighted.

Furthermore, the central theme of this research explores the universal impact and modern-day relevance of Thirukkural within the contemporary economic landscape, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Artificial Intelligence (AI) management, and positive psychology. Ultimately, it is extensively proven that Thirukkural is not merely a book for a specific era, but a complete life guide for the future of humanity.

The Kurinjipadi region, located in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, is renowned for its ancient history and unique handloom culture. This research paper provides a detailed analysis of the language usage of children living in this area, focusing on the regional dialects, phonological changes, and socio-cultural influences present in their daily conversations.

Specifically, the article analyzes the unique word formations, phonetic contractions, and the linguistic structure of folk/play songs found among children aged 4 to 12. Data collected through field study reveals the impact of family environment, occupational background, and modern media on the linguistic development of these children. Ultimately, this study establishes a strong foundation for creating a lexicon of regional children's vocabulary for the Kurinjipadi area.

Literature serves as a mirror reflecting the social changes of its era alongside the internal and external lives of its people. Modern novels that document the lives of marginalized communities are particularly significant, as they encapsulate oral histories and cultural elements within their narrative. Joe D'Cruz's novel, 'Aazhi Soozh Ulagu' (Ocean-Ringed World), stands as a profound social document recording fifty-two years (1933–1985) of the life and culture of the Parathavar community living in the southern coastal regions of Tamil Nadu.

The folk songs featured in this novel are not merely musical forms; they function as mediums expressing the labor, pain, rituals, family dynamics, and philosophical understandings of death held by the working class. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the lullabies, game songs, occupational songs (Amba), ritual hymns, and elegies (Oppari) found in the novel, utilizing the frameworks of folkloristic theories. Furthermore, this study demonstrates, through various evidences, how the novel serves as a specific ethnographic record and a significant work of cultural ecology.

Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, regarded as the "morning star" of modern Malayalam literature, wrote the novel "Balyakalasakhi" (Childhood Companion). It is not merely an ordinary love story; it is a tragic document of the poverty, patriarchal structures, and female subjugation prevalent in the Kerala Muslim society of the early 20th century.

This article provides an in-depth feminist analysis of the life struggles of the female characters, particularly Suhara. It explores the hierarchical power of a patriarchal society, the denial of education, physical oppression carried out through rituals, and the violence enacted in the name of marriage. Against the backdrop of Basheer’s unique philosophy of "something a little bigger," this study utilizes socio-historical data to present how poverty and patriarchy converge to shatter a woman’s personality.

Among the Sangam literary works, Purananuru, one of the Eight Anthologies (Ettuthokai), stands as a rare and invaluable literary treasure that vividly portrays the public life of the ancient Tamils. The poems in this work clearly articulate fundamental values of life such as war, polity, charity, moral conduct, self-respect, education, and humanism. This study examines the ethical principles of life presented by the poets of Purananuru under four major themes: the excellence of charity, the elevation of moral conduct, the nobility of kingship, and the self-respect of poets. The study concludes that Sangam-age Tamils did not regard material wealth as the ultimate goal of life; instead, this literary work firmly establishes that “living well oneself and enabling others to live well” was considered the highest ideal of life.

In the history of Tamil literature, the period following the Post-Sangam era is celebrated as the Age of Epics. The Five Great Epics—Silappathikaram, Manimekalai, Seevaka Chinthamani, Valayapathi, and Kundalakesi—which emerged during this time, structured the values of Tamil life based on the four fundamental goals: Virtue (Aram), Wealth (Porul), Pleasure (Inbam), and Liberation (Veedu).

Among these, Silappathikaram and Manimekalai are known as the 'Twin Epics' due to their interconnected narratives and character arcs. While Silappathikaram discusses the greatness of domestic life and the power of destiny, Manimekalai puts forth the excellence of renunciation and Buddhist ethics that sprouted from it. Seevaka Chinthamani explains the spiritual quest following the pursuit of pleasure through a Jain lens. Although Valayapathi and Kundalakesi are not available in their entirety, the extant verses allow us to understand the religious debates and philosophies regarding impermanence prevalent in the society of that era.

This paper explores the literary merit, social structure, the tradition of courtesans, and religious doctrines of these five epics through a multi-faceted analysis.

In the history of Tamil literature, the period from the 7th to the 9th century CE is considered the golden age of the Bhakti movement. The Saivite saints (Saiva Kuravargal) who lived during this era—Thirugnanasambanthar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundaramurthy Nayanar, and Manikkavasagar—nurtured both the Tamil language and spirituality concurrently. In their hymns, nature does not merely serve as a backdrop; it acts as a treasury of similes that illustrate the supreme power of God, the yearning of the soul, and the values of Saiva Siddhanta.

This article explores in detail how the Sangam-era Ainthinai (five landscapes) traditions underwent a spiritual evolution in Bhakti literature and how the richness of the sacred shrines is explained through nature similes. Specifically, it analyzes subtle literary elements—such as the natural beauty of the Marutham (agricultural land), Kurinji (mountainous region), and Neithal (coastal region); the tradition of sending bees and doves as messengers in Agapporul (internal/love themes); and the comparison of rain to the grace of the Divine—through the lens of Immanuel Kant’s aesthetic theories and Saivite philosophy. The primary objective of this research is to highlight how Bhakti literature transforms romantic love into a path of supreme bliss (Perinbam) and establishes the lofty concept of viewing nature as the physical manifestation of the Divine.

Saivism is not merely a religion based on ritualistic practices; it is a philosophy that ennobles human life. Operating on the core principle of "Anbe Sivam" (Love is God), this faith holds the practice of humanism and showing love toward all living beings as its primary tenet. This article explores the egalitarian thoughts that originate from the fundamental truths of Saiva Siddhanta—Pathi (the Lord), Pasu (the soul), and Pasam (the bond/attachment).

The social reforms spearheaded by the Nayanmars during the Bhakti movement and how they created a new social structure that transcended caste and gender divisions are analyzed in detail. Specifically, the humanistic values embedded in the Thirumurai hymns of Thirunavukkarasar, Thirugnanasambanthar, Manikkavasagar, and Sundarar are discussed with relevant evidence, alongside the social significance of Maheswara Pooja (the service of offering food to devotees) and feminine perspectives. Furthermore, historical events that occurred at sacred sites like Thiruveezhimizhalai and Avinashi illustrate how Saivism concerned itself with alleviating the daily hunger and suffering of the people. The objective of this article is to compare the philosophical richness of Saivism with modern humanistic thoughts and establish its universal nature.

In the global technological revolution of the twenty-first century, the internet has become an inseparable part of human existence. It dominates the knowledge-seeking, social interaction, and entertainment aspects of the younger generation in particular. This article comprehensively examines the benefits and drawbacks of the internet on the lives of youth, children, and young women, focusing on Andanur Sura’s short story collections: Sevvegap Panthu (Rectangular Ball), Thodarbu Ellaikku Ulle (Within Range), and Vidarku.

The article expands upon historical contexts, including the origins of the internet, its global growth, the contributions of Charles Kao and George Hockham, and the contributions of Singapore-based Na. Govindasamy to the Tamil internet. Furthermore, the article incorporates statistical data regarding the addiction to online gaming prevalent in contemporary Tamil Nadu, cybercrimes against women, and the provisions of the Online Gaming Regulation Act introduced by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The primary objective of this article is to meticulously explain how literature reflects the challenges of modern technology and the psychological and social changes it triggers in the lives of the youth.

Tamil is considered one of the classical languages in the world. Sangam literature is a testament to the classical nature of the Tamil language. It is a treasure trove and a film studio that portrays the lives of Tamils. The people of the Sangam period have understood and experienced love and heroic life well and have adopted a life style. Life is for living. Just living life is not enough. They have understood the morals in life well and given importance to morality and have led their lives effectively. This article is structured as a study on the origin of marriage, the reasons for the emergence of the marriage system, the love life of the hero and heroine in the epics, family happiness, and the good practices of not doing harm.

This study provides a detailed exploration of the ethics, culture, and social values embedded within the Ettuthogai (Eight Anthologies), which serves as a treasury of ancient Tamils' way of life. Composed during the Sangam period (300 BCE to 300 CE), these poems stand as hallmarks of an advanced civilization.

Specifically, this article analyzes values such as viewing agriculture as the axis of life, pursuing social progress through perseverance (Aalvinai Udaimai), and upholding philanthropy (Eegai)—the eradication of poverty—as the supreme virtue. With a research scope consisting of 37 selected songs from the Ettuthogai, the study explains how these ancient life principles serve as a guide for the modern era.

By highlighting the ancient Tamils' universal humanitarian philosophy of "To us all towns are one, all men our kin," alongside themes of farmer protection, gratitude, and the dignity of friendship, this research presents Sangam literature as a mirror of its time.

Mount Kailash, the abode of Shiva, who is beyond comprehension and attainment by the world, is the embodiment of His immense, selfless grace towards all living beings, acquiring divine grace. It shines with the glory of being the seat of the Lord with the Goddess, and it is of pure white hue. Upamanyu Muni meditated upon Lord Shiva, the Consort crowned with the evening crescent. As he clarified to the sages that Vantondar Perunthagai Sundaramurthy Nayanar, who appeared in South India by the grace of God, was ascending to Mount Kailash, both hands of Upamanyu Muni rose above his head.This article aims to explore in detail how the 63 Nayanmars, through various paths, manifested the birthless Lord Shiva, what the special qualities of the devotees are, and what kind of principles they followed.

Sakthi Jothi’s poetry collection “Nilam Pugum Sorkal” offers a powerful reimagining of the Sangam literary Thinai tradition within a contemporary poetic framework. The classical Thinai concept, which expresses human emotions through the relationship between land and time, becomes a renewed artistic tool in her work. By continuing this ancient methodology, the modern Tamil woman poet binds the Thinai structure with the lived experiences of the female body, mind, and society, giving her poems a distinctive and relevant literary identity. The five landscape based emotions Kurinji, Mullai, Marutham, Neithal, and Paalai transform in her poetry into expressions of love, resistance, loneliness, sorrow, and the search for freedom, thereby functioning as powerful feminist voices. Through this transformation, natural imagery such as seasons, trees, time, and other Sangam literary symbols resonate with her personal experiences, creating a layered poetic effect. While the Sangam era Thinai dealt with land, time, and human emotions through nature’s reflection, Sakthi Jothi reinterprets these same elements by linking them to the psychological and social realities of women. Thus, each Thinai becomes a symbolic representation of feminist emotions like love, separation, waiting, opposition, and liberation. Natural symbols like rain, earth, trees, and night deepen the representation of feminine uniqueness. By embracing and simultaneously transcending the Sangam tradition, her poetry forges a new literary pathway for the modern female voice, expanding the potential of the Thinai framework from a feminist perspective.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), announced by the United Nations in 2015, aim to achieve global poverty eradication, health, equality, environmental protection, and peace by 2030. However, progress is slow due to factors such as COVID-19, wars, economic crises, and investment shortfalls; many goals are currently off track. This study explores ways to accelerate progress towards the SDGs by integrating them with the Vethathirian principles (14 fundamental principles) developed by Reverend Vethathiri Maharishi and the Simplified Kundalini Yoga (SKY) practices propagated by the World Community Service Centre (WCSC). This analysis examines how the WCSC's objective of achieving world peace through individual peace via its simplified yoga practices, such as manavalakkalai yoga (Personality development yoga) and meditation, aligns with the integrated approach of the SDGs. Vethathiri's 14 principles (including a world without war, economic justice, respect for women, and common access to food and water) directly align with SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace). SKY practices such as physical exercises, Kayakalpa (Rejuvenation technique) and meditation offer empirically proven benefits in stress reduction, physical health, emotional balance, and spiritual development, which are relevant to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education). This integration provides an approach that fosters social and global transformation based on individual change. WCSC programs such as village service projects, women's empowerment, and environmental awareness initiatives implement this. This study emphasizes recommendations for accelerating the SDGs using Vethathiriyam and SKY practices and highlights future research needs.

Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiar was not only the pioneer of the 20th-century Tamil literary renaissance but also a profound social reformer and feminist thinker. This article provides a detailed analysis of the methods of Goddess worship featured in Bharathiar's poems and the underlying feminist and social perspectives. Specifically, the songs composed during Bharathiar’s period of residence in Kadayam (1918-1920) regarding Goddesses Bhadrakali, Kalyani, and Muthumari are taken as the primary subjects of study.

Bharathi perceived woman as the manifestation of the Divine (Shakti); his proclamation, "Shakti is everywhere you look," reveals his unique vision of viewing universal energy as feminine power. This article explains, based on data, how Bharathi’s worship of female deities was not merely ritualistic but served as a tool for the abolition of caste and the liberation of women. Furthermore, it elaborates on the philosophical connections between his concept of the 'Modern Woman' (Pudhumai Penn) and the worship of Adi Shakti, as well as the spiritual transformation he underwent following his meeting with Sister Nivedita.

Ancient Tamil literatures are not merely creative works of imaginative elegance and linguistic beauty; they are repositories of knowledge that proclaim the profound scientific expertise of the Tamils of that era. This study explores in detail how, over two thousand years ago, Tamils possessed an understanding of biological evolution, astrophysics, geological techniques, advanced medicine, and metallurgical technology that parallels contemporary scientific laws.

Specifically, Tolkappiyar’s classification of living beings serves as a precursor to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. The Five Elements Theory (Aimperumbhutam) explains the origin of the universe through atomism. Furthermore, evidence unearthed from archaeological sites such as Keezhadi and Adichanallur substantiates the technological excellence described in literature. By integrating literary evidence with archaeological data, this article establishes the ancient scientific tradition of Tamils within a global context.