Insects in Natrinai

நற்றினையில் பூச்சிகள்

Abstract

This paper examines the depiction of insects in the Sangam literary work Natrinai. Insects are among the most abundant living organisms in the natural world, and their presence is vividly reflected in classical Tamil poetry. The study identifies and analyzes various insects such as termite (<i>īyal</i>), spider (<i>silambi</i>), cicada (<i>silvīdu</i>), butterfly (<i>rumbu</i>), dragonfly (<i>thumbi</i>), honeybee (<i>theni</i>), firefly (<i>minminippūchi</i>), ant (<i>kappū</i>), and beetle (<i>vandu</i>) as portrayed in Natrinai. It highlights their physical features, behaviors, habitats, and symbolic meanings in poetic contexts. The research further correlates traditional Tamil names with modern scientific and English equivalents, revealing the ecological awareness and observational precision of Sangam poets. This study emphasizes the integration of natural science and literature in ancient Tamil culture.