Shanlax International Journal of Tamil Research

Ecological Values in Sangam Literature

2026-08-01T10:46:14+00:00

The Sangam hymns are written in a natural setting, so that they cannot be separated from nature. The uniqueness of the Tamils of the Sangam period was that they tried to understand their existence by appreciating the environment. Various values about the environment have been revealed in the Sangam hymns by presenting nature. They have recorded various trends in the life of ancient Tamils.

The Weaving of Classical Elements in Early Tamil Novels

2026-08-01T10:46:14+00:00

Whether they are works of art and literature or texts grounded in philosophy and theory, all such creations embody the essence of human existence. It is an undeniable reality that human existence adapts to the political, social, and economic changes it encounters. Internal psychological factors and external influences invariably play a significant role in this process of adaptation. In this context, readers require a framework to approach and observe creative works that encapsulate these elements, as well as to share and examine their reading experiences with others. Furthermore, approaching specific creative works often necessitates a defined analytical framework. Accordingly, the central focus of this article is to identify the classical elements interwoven within early novels.

The Life of Women in the Kurinji Landscape

2026-08-01T10:46:14+00:00

The term Kurinji occupies an important place in Sangam literature. Lexicons (Nikandus) also make reference to the term Kurinji. Mountains — and the continuous mountainous terrain formed by a succession of hills — were referred to as Kurinji land. Mountains and mountain-adjoining regions are designated as Kurinjithinai, representing the primary theme (mudhal porul) associated with this landscape. In the Kurinji land, women lived within a hierarchical structure comprising the mother, foster-mother (chevili-thai), the heroine (thalaivi), her companion (thozhi), the courtesan (parathai), the dancer (virali), daughters of hill-dwellers (varaiyar magalir), hill women (kodichiyar), the Kuratti (hill tribeswoman), and women of the bardic/wandering minstrel community (agavan magalir). Female voices predominate in the poems of the Kurinji genre. The primacy accorded to womanhood reflects a worldview centred upon the woman herself. The heroines of the Kurinji land extended their love and devotion to their male partners and those connected to them, both during the phase of clandestine love (kalavu) and within married life (karpu). In her married life, the Kurinji heroine led a shared, companionate existence. The Kurinji poems contain no distinct voice or role assigned to the mother; the mother appears specifically in contexts concerning the “declaration of virtue” (aRathodu nirthal). Beyond describing the natural beauty of the Kurinji landscape, the primary purpose of these poems is to persuade the hero (thalaivan) to marry the Kurinji heroine. This article seeks to elucidate the life of women in the Kurinji land, along with the associated social contexts and markers of lived experience.

The Role of Drama in Education in Developing 21st Century Skills: A Theoretical Study Centered on the Sri Lankan School Context

2026-08-01T10:46:14+00:00

In the context of modern globalization, this article explores the contribution of Drama in Education (DiE) in fostering 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills among students. As the contemporary exam-centered education system tends to stifle the natural personality development of students, Drama in Education is proposed as an alternative, grounded in the theories of Constructivism and the Pedagogy of the Oppressed.
Adopting a qualitative research methodology, this study examines various dramatic techniques through the conceptual frameworks of Brian Way, Augusto Boal, and Paulo Freire. Specifically, it discusses student identity formation and the creation of a ‘safe space’ for learning through Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development. Furthermore, the paper explains in detail how bringing folk ritual performances, such as Madurai Veeran, into the classroom can raise awareness among students regarding social hierarchies and social justice.
The findings of the study confirm that educational drama techniques—such as role-play, freeze-frames, and teacher-in-role—not only enhance students’ self-confidence but also transform them into socially responsible citizens. Finally, the study recommends the necessity of integrating Drama in Education as a teaching philosophy within the curriculum to meet the challenges of 21st-century Education 4.0.

The Art of Dance in Epics

2026-08-01T10:46:15+00:00

Following Sangam literature and didactic literature, the next genre of literature to emerge in Tamil was epic poetry. Epics are classified into two types: Sirukappiyam (minor epics) and Perunkappiyam (major epics). These two types differ only in scale; otherwise, there is no other distinction between them. Epics are characterized by a hero and heroine who are peerless; a purpose that encompasses the four goals of life virtue (Aram), wealth (Porul), pleasure (Inbam), and liberation (Veedu); descriptions of the five distinct landscapes (Tinai), a structure featuring various sub-plots linked to the main narrative; and the glorification of natural elements such as the country, city, rivers, and mountains. In Tamil literature, epics are classified into the ‘Five Great Epics’ (Aimperum Kappiyam) and the ‘Five Lesser Epics’(Ainsiru Kappiyam).

Agricultural Tools and Farming Occupation in the Ezhuppathu Literature

2026-08-01T10:46:15+00:00

This research article, titled “Agricultural Tools and Farming Practices in the Ezhuppathu Literature,” concerns a work composed by Kambar in the 12th century CE. Kambar, who created the Kamba Ramayanam with numerous qualities that enhance its literary flavor, has also recorded the excellences of farming in the Ezhuppathu literature. It describes the tools used from the beginning to the end of agricultural work, the methods of using them, the special contribution of farmers (Vellalars) to the growth of prosperity in the world through the profession of farming, the flourishing of moral conduct, and the excellent flourishing of arts such as literature, music, and drama, among other things.

The Life of the Marginalized (Bottom-Rung) People in the Works of Perumal Murugan

2026-08-01T10:46:15+00:00

The novels of Perumal Murugan bring out, in fine detail, the caste dominance and untouchability-related problems of the regional society of Tiruchengode. The economic and social hardships of the marginalized people are portrayed in depth. This article records the way of life of the Kongu region and its social discriminations.

The Philosophies of Life Conveyed by Vaali’s “Krishna Vijayam”

2026-08-01T10:46:15+00:00

Through his work titled Krishna Vijayam, Vaali’s command of language is showcased, as this epic has been composed with the poet’s distinctive charm of rhyme (edhugai) and alliteration (monai). His enchanting Tamil words render mythological events as vivid pictures before the readers’ eyes. The epic Krishna Vijayam, written by the poet Vaali, goes beyond the mythological narrative to present numerous moral principles and guiding lessons essential for human life. This epic emphasizes that one must not remain silent when injustice is committed in life, but must stand up and question it. Through the incidents of slaying Kamsan and destroying demons such as Narakasuran, Vaali has recorded the truth of life that “however powerful evil may be, it will one day surely fall.”

The Philosophy of Life in the Songs of Kannadasan

2026-08-01T10:46:16+00:00

It is only when spiritual insight and experience function together in harmony that a work becomes great literature. Most creative works are structured in such a way that they seem to speak directly and establish a connection with the reader. In this sense, the works of Kannadasan belong to the realm of literature. His film songs are, for the most part, directly relatable to audiences ranging from the common man to the scholar. Since the poet’s film songs express, through words, the emotional experiences of the human heart, they stand as an art form and thus possess genuine literary quality. The poet wishes to convey these very qualities through the tradition of Sangam literature. Furthermore, these works perform the function of creating a connection with the reader through thought, feeling, and experience. Only those works capable of offering simplicity, naturalness, moral values, pleasure, and joy can be regarded as truly great literary creations. In narrating and writing about the joys and sorrows of life as a story, Kannadasan may be said to have no equal but himself. It is the poet Kannadasan who, by stating life’s events and truths exactly as they are, created a new chapter in literary history. This article examines how he has recorded human life as literature in his songs.

The Wing & Clipping Education System and Diya’s Recovery

2026-08-01T10:46:16+00:00

This article is based on the novel “Diya’, subtly authored in Malayalam by
P.V. Sukumaran and neatly translated by YU.Ma Vasuki, a prominent figure in the Tamil literary world. This book, which won the prestigious Kerala State Award for Children’s Literature in 2016, focuses on the early school experiences of a young girl named Diya and captures the challenges prevalent in the contemporary education system.
Having completed her kindergarten years (LKG and UKG) with great joy and playfulness without any pressure, Diya faces bitter circumstances during her entry into the first grade, which leads her to develop a deep resentment toward school. In particular, many private educational institutions operating today tend to disregard children’s emotions, even considering speaking in their mother tongue a grave offense.
Despite the provision of formal and quality education in government schools, parents often gravitate toward private schools, spending large sums of money for the sake of social status and superficial prestige. Such an educational environment, filled with rigors and restrictions, stifles children’s natural imagination and gifts them with unnecessary stress and fear. The story details how Diya, from that critical state of distress, returns to her former self through the love and guidance of a government school teacher who approached her as a fellow human being. Diya is not just a character; she is a mirror reflecting today’s educational landscape. Through her, we witness the true&and sometimes cruel&face of the modern education system.

The Social Misery Conveyed by the Poem “Irupuraka Karukkulla Pattayam” (The Double-Edged Sword)

2026-08-01T10:46:17+00:00

Today’s poems bring forth the individual and societal problems prevailing among the people. They point to the sufferings faced by society within the context of everyday life - poverty, education, the struggle of unemployment, the failure to protect the elderly, crimes, and oppression, among other such issues.