Usage-Based Illustrations by the Commentators of the Sollathikaaram of the Tolkaappiyam

தொல்காப்பியச் சொல்லதிகார உரையாசிரியர்களின் வழக்குச் சுட்டல்

Abstract

This study examines in detail how the commentators who wrote exegeses on the Sollathikaaram of the Tolkappiyam employed the technique of usage-based illustration. One of the major findings of this research is that the commentators did not explain Tolkaappiyar’s grammatical principles merely as abstract rules; rather, they interpreted them by relating them to the spoken language of their own times, social practices, ancient traditions, and literary usages. Firstly, through contemporary usage-based illustration, commentators such as Ilampooranar, Seenaavaraiyar, Naçcinaarkkiniyar, and Deivacilaiyaar explained grammatical concepts by citing examples drawn from the vocabulary, measures, food habits, occupations, social relationships, and belief systems prevalent in their respective periods. As a result, the commentaries on the Sollathikaaram also function as reflections of the social life of those times. Although Kallaatanaar and the Old Commentator largely followed earlier commentaries, they too pointed out contemporary usages in certain places.
Secondly, through illustration of ancient usage, the commentators clarified not only the usages current in their own times but also those that were prevalent in earlier periods. By explicitly referring to “ancient usage,” they explained words and expressions that had either disappeared or undergone change over time. Such illustrations are particularly helpful in understanding the historical continuity and transformation of the Tamil language. Further, through grammatical usage-based illustration and literary usage-based illustration, the commentators highlighted the distinction between grammatical norms and literary practice. In some instances, they clearly stated that certain usages found in literary works do not conform to grammatical convention, thereby guiding readers away from possible misunderstandings. Among the commentators, Deivacilaiyār employed this technique with notable clarity and precision. In conclusion, the technique of usage-based illustration adopted by the commentators of the Sollathikaaram serves as an important area of study that integrates the functional history of the Tamil language, its socio-cultural context, and the relationship between grammar and literature. These commentaries are thus not merely grammatical explanations but also valuable sources for understanding the linguistic and social history of Tamil.