Tamil Language & Literature

Tamil is a Dravidian language that is spoken primarily in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Union Territory of Puducherry. It is also spoken by Tamil communities in other parts of India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and other countries. Tamil is one of the oldest living languages in the world, with a rich literary tradition spanning more than 2,000 years.

Tamil literature has a long and rich history, dating back to the Sangam era, which is estimated to have been between 300 BCE and 300 CE. The Sangam literature consists of poems and songs that celebrate love, war, nature, and the Tamil way of life. The Tamil epic Silappatikaram, composed by Ilango Adigal in the 2nd century CE, is considered a masterpiece of Tamil literature.

The medieval period of Tamil literature saw the emergence of devotional literature, which focused on the worship of Hindu gods and goddesses. The Alvars and Nayanars were prominent poets of this era who composed hymns in praise of the gods and saints.

The modern period of Tamil literature saw the emergence of literary movements such as the Manikodi movement and the Dravidian movement. The Manikodi movement, led by Tamil poet Subramania Bharati, focused on social and political issues and aimed to create a modern, secular Tamil identity. The Dravidian movement, led by E.V. Ramasamy and C.N. Annadurai, aimed to promote Tamil language, literature, and culture and played a major role in the politics of Tamil Nadu.

Tamil literature has produced several notable writers, including Kalki Krishnamurthy, R.K. Narayan, Pudhumaipithan, and Jayakanthan. Tamil literature has also been translated into several other languages, including English, Hindi, and Malayalam.

Directory of Tamil Language & Literature related Portals from Tamilnadu.