Sangam literature is a valuable source of information about the life and culture of ancient Tamil people. It provides insights into their ways of life and their relationship with nature, which has not been extensively studied by scholars. If these aspects of Sangam literature had been studied earlier, we could have gained a better understanding of the rich knowledge tradition of ancient Tamils.
The study of Sangam literature reveals that it contains a wealth of knowledge about various subjects such as biology, taxonomy, medicine, astronomy, mathematics, and architecture. This knowledge was transmitted orally from one generation to another by the ancient Tamil scholars. The earliest known Tamil grammar, “Tholkappiyam,” which is a part of Sangam literature, deals with various aspects of Tamil grammar, phonetics, semantics, and poetics. It also contains valuable information about the principles of Tamil poetics, such as the concept of “thinai,” which categorizes poetry based on the mood and the season.
The study of Sangam literature also reveals that ancient Tamils had a deep understanding of the natural world. For instance, the poetic work “Purananuru” contains several references to the behavior of animals and birds, indicating that ancient Tamils had a good understanding of animal behavior. Similarly, the works “Ainkurunuru” and “Kurunthogai” contain several references to the medical knowledge of ancient Tamils, including the use of herbs for medicinal purposes.
The study of Sangam literature also reveals that ancient Tamils had a well-developed system of astronomy. The works “Pattinappalai” and “Silappathikaram” contain several references to the movement of stars and planets, indicating that ancient Tamils had a good understanding of astronomical phenomena. Similarly, the works “Kalithogai” and “Natrinai” contain several references to the principles of mathematics, indicating that ancient Tamils had a good understanding of mathematical concepts.
The study of Sangam literature also reveals that ancient Tamils had a deep understanding of the human body. The works “Paripadal” and “Nedunalvadai” contain several references to the structure and function of the human body, indicating that ancient Tamils had a good understanding of human anatomy and physiology. Similarly, the works “Kuruntokai” and “Akananuru” contain several references to the principles of medicine, indicating that ancient Tamils had a good understanding of medical concepts.
In conclusion, the study of Sangam literature reveals that ancient Tamils had a rich knowledge tradition that covered various aspects of life, including biology, taxonomy, medicine, astronomy, mathematics, and architecture. This knowledge was transmitted orally from one generation to another by the ancient Tamil scholars. The study of Sangam literature provides valuable insights into the life and culture of ancient Tamils and their relationship with nature.
References:
Ramaswamy, V. (1998). Cultural History of the Tamils: From Sangam to the Cholas. The University of Chicago Press.
Kailasapathy, K. (1968). Tamil Literature. Asian Educational Services.
Zvelebil, K. (1973). The Smile of Murugan: On Tamil Literature of South India. Brill.
Shulman, D. (2016). Tamil: A Biography. The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.
Rajeswaran, K. (2015). Sangam Literature: An Overview. International Journal of Advance Research in Management, 3(1), 1-6