Classification of Sangam Literature

Origin of Sangam Literature

Sangam literature, a cornerstone of Tamil literary tradition, refers to a body of classical Tamil literature created between 600 BCE and 300 CE. This period, known as the Sangam period, is named after the Sangam academies, which were scholarly assemblies of Tamil poets and scholars believed to have been sponsored by the Pandyan kings of the ancient Tamil Kingdoms. These gatherings were held in the city of Madurai, a significant cultural and religious center in Tamil Nadu, southern India....

Classification of Sangam Literature

Sangam means “fraternity, meeting, gathering, academy”. The Sangam poetry focuses on the culture and people. It has both narrative and didactic compositions, occasional mentions of the Hindu gods, and more substantial mentions of various gods in the shorter poems....

Sangam Literature- Three Sangam

The Tamil tradition and legends link it to three literary gatherings around Madurai (Pandyan capital): the first over 4,440 years, the second over 3,700 years, and the third over 1,850 years before the start of the common era, this Tamil tradition-based chronology has been considered by historian as being ahistorical and mythical. Historians have referred to the organization of three Sangams over 600- 700 years....

Major Works in Sangam Literature

Tolkappiyam, Ettutogai, Pattuppattu, Pathinenkilkanakku, and epic Manimegalai are some of the major works of Sangam literature....

Post- Sangam Period (200- 600 C.E.)

The Post- Sangam Age is marked by the composition of five great Tamil epics, which consist of Manimekalai, Jivaka-cintamani, Valaiyapati, Kundalakesi, and Silappadikaram....

Art and Architecture During Sangam Age

During this period, the Viman style of architecture flourished. Dwarpal and Gana were common in Chola temples. Pandya style of temple architecture existed during this period which consisted of Gopuram, Garbagriha, Prakaras, gateways, and Viman....

Significance of Sangam Literature

The Sangam literature provides evidence of some aspects of the ancient Tamil culture, secular and religious beliefs, and the people. More than giving accounts of shaped power balance and foreign relations with other states, the Sangam period gave more importance towards hero- worship and exaggeration of victories and territories of the king. Sangam literature has been extensively used to trace back the history of the Cholas, Chera, and Pandya kingdoms and to understand the inception of Tamil literature dating back to 300 B.C.E....

Deccan Dynasties associated with the Sangam Literature.

The Sangam literature offers a window into some aspects of the ancient Tamil culture, secular and religious beliefs, and the people These poems also allude to historical incidents, ancient Tamil kings, and the effect of war on loved ones and households....

Important Facts about Sangam Literature

1. Sangam literature is important because Sangam literature provides historical evidence of the presence of indigenous Tamil literature in parallel to Sanskrit and provides literary sources to historians for constructing a history of ancient Tamil....

Conclusion

Sangam literature reflects the conception of the state getting crystallized in the Deccan kingdoms. The Sangam literature provides evidence to trace back the history of Tamil and the Deccan kingdoms which dates back to 300 B.C.E. The Sangam literature provides historical evidence of the indigenous literary developments in Deccan parallel to Sanskrit and the classical status of the Tamil language....

FAQ’s on Sangam Literature

Where were the three Sangam held?...