Maarg Manthan · Topic 9.7

Tamil Literature (Sangam Literature, Thirukkural)

Art & Culture › Language & Literature · Topic 9.7

Tamil literature is the writing in Tamil, a Dravidian language and the first language of India to get classical status, in 2004. Its oldest body is Sangam literature, composed between about 300 BCE and 300 CE, comprising the grammar Tolkappiyam, the Ettuthokai (Eight Anthologies) and the Pattuppattu (Ten Idylls). The Thirukkural (Tirukkural) of Thiruvalluvar has 1,330 couplets in 133 chapters. The five great epics include Silappatikaram by Ilango Adigal and Manimekalai by Sittalai Sattanar, followed by Bhakti works of the Nayanmars and Alvars and Kamban's Ramavataram.

5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Art & Culture · Language & Literature

At a Glance

Also spelt Tamizh, Tirukkural or Thirukkural
Language family Dravidian
Classical status First, in October 2004
Oldest layer Sangam literature, about 300 BCE to 300 CE
Most asked Epics and Thirukkural facts
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Art and Culture: Language & Literature

Where Does It Fit?

This is the first of the regional classical languages in the macro. The sequence of languages that follows is Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada, the other Dravidian languages, before eastern and northern languages. Previous topic: Prakrit Literature. Next topic: Telugu Literature.

What Is Sangam Literature?

Group	Contents
Tolkappiyam	Earliest surviving Tamil grammar by Tolkappiyar; also covers poetics and the Akam and Puram themes
Ettuthokai (Eight Anthologies)	Natrinai, Kuruntokai, Aingurunuru, Patirruppattu, Paripadal, Kalittokai, Akananuru and Purananuru
Pattuppattu (Ten Idylls)	Tirumurugarruppadai, Porunararruppadai, Sirupanarruppadai, Perumpanarruppadai, Mullaippattu, Maduraikkanci, Netunalvatai, Kurinjippattu, Pattinappalai and Malaipatukatam
Pathinenkilkanakku	Eighteen minor works on ethics, including the Thirukkural and Naladiyar
Akam poetry	Poems of love and the inner life
Puram poetry	Poems of war, kings, charity and public life
Tinai	Five landscapes: Kurinji, Mullai, Marutham, Neithal and Palai

Which Later Tamil Works and Authors Matter?

Work or poet	Details and period
Thirukkural	By Thiruvalluvar; 1,330 couplets in 133 chapters in three parts: Aram (virtue), Porul (wealth) and Inbam or Kamattupal (love)
Silappatikaram	Ilango Adigal; story of Kovalan, Kannagi and Madhavi; Chera prince-poet
Manimekalai	Sittalai Sattanar; a Buddhist epic, sequel to the Silappatikaram
Civaka Cintamani	Tiruttakkatevar; Jain epic, about the 10th century
Valayapathi and Kundalakesi	Remaining two of the Five Great Epics; fragmentary
Nayanmars (Shaiva)	Sixty-three saints; hymns in the Tevaram by Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar; collected as Tirumurai
Alvars (Vaishnava)	Twelve saints including Andal and Nammalvar; Nalayira Divya Prabandham compiled by Nathamuni
Kamban	Ramavataram (Kamba Ramayanam), Chola age
Sekkizhar	Periya Puranam, lives of the Nayanmars, Chola age
Subramania Bharati	Modern nationalist poet, 1882 to 1921

What Else Should You Remember?

Alternate names: Sangam is also written Cankam, and the period is called the Sangam age. Tamil is often called Tamizh
Three Sangams: Tradition speaks of three academies at Madurai, with the Pandya kings as patrons, though only the third is supported by surviving literature
Early script: Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions from caves in Tamil Nadu are among the earliest records of the language
Bhakti: The Bhakti movement began in the Tamil country with the Nayanmars and Alvars, as in Bhakti Movement
Great epics: The Five Great Epics are Silappatikaram, Manimekalai, Civaka Cintamani, Valayapathi and Kundalakesi
Silappatikaram: The three kandams are Pukar, Madurai and Vanji, named for the Chola, Pandya and Chera capitals
Chola patronage: Kamban and Sekkizhar flourished under the Cholas, and tradition says Nambiyandar Nambi arranged the Tevaram into the Tirumurai with the help of Rajaraja I
Printing: Jesuit missionaries printed Tamil books at Kollam in 1578, among the first books printed in an Indian script
Modern era: Subramania Bharati, Bharathidasan, Pudumaipithan and Kalki wrote in the 20th century. The Dravidian movement shaped modern Tamil identity
Women poets: Sangam poets include women such as Avvaiyar, Ponmudiyar and Nachchellaiyar, and Andal is the only woman among the Alvars
Patrons: Sangam poets sang of the Chera, Chola and Pandya kings and local chiefs such as Pari and Athiyaman, who are praised for generosity
Awards: Tamil writers have won the Jnanpith, such as Akilan in 1975 and Jayakanthan in 2002
Thiruvalluvar statue: A 133-foot statue of Thiruvalluvar stands at Kanyakumari, one foot for each chapter of the Thirukkural
Translations: The Thirukkural has been translated into dozens of languages, and is called the Tamil Veda or Universal Veda
Classical Tamil institutions: A Central Institute of Classical Tamil operates at Chennai under the classical language scheme
Sangam age history: Sangam poems are also a source for the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas, and for trade with Rome

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

Sangam works: Eight Anthologies, Ten Idylls, Tolkappiyam
Epics: Silappatikaram and Manimekalai authors and religion
Thirukkural: Number of couplets and three parts
Bhakti: Nayanmars, Alvars and their collections
Common errors: calling Manimekalai Jain or giving the Silappatikaram to Sittalai Sattanar

As an analytical point, Tamil is one of the few ancient languages with a continuous literary tradition into the present. Its classical status supports research, but the larger task is to keep it vibrant in schools, courts and digital use.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Factual Sangam texts and epics
Ethics Thirukkural
Heritage First classical language

What Came Next?

Next comes the literature of Telugu, another classical Dravidian language. Next topic: Telugu Literature.

Key People and Terms

Akam Inner life poems
Puram Outer life poems
Tinai Landscape
Tevaram Shaiva hymns
Prabandham Vaishnava hymn collection
Kural Short couplet

Study this topic together with these linked topics from other subjects.

Sangam Literature and Society (Ancient History)

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

First classical language: Tamil, 2004.
Thirukkural: 1,330 couplets, 133 chapters.
Silappatikaram: Ilango Adigal; Manimekalai: Sittalai Sattanar.
Sangam: Ettuthokai and Pattuppattu.
Alvar collection: Nalayira Divya Prabandham.

Do Not Confuse With

Silappatikaram and Manimekalai Ilango Adigal versus Sittalai Sattanar
Nayanmars and Alvars Shaiva versus Vaishnava saints
Akam and Puram Love versus war and public life

Memory Hook

Eight and Ten for Sangam, Kural for ethics, five epics for story.

Mains Angle

Questions ask about the relevance of Tamil literature to ethics and identity. These points give a frame.

Ethics Thirukkural and public life
Social history Trade, women poets and kingship
Language policy Classical status and use

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“Sangam literature is a valuable source of social history. Discuss.”

How to Answer

Corpus Anthologies and idylls.
Content Akam and Puram life.
Use Trade, polity, society.
Limits Dating is debated.

GS Relevance

Prelims: Sangam texts, epics, Bhakti poets, authors. GS Paper 1: Indian heritage and culture, Sangam age, literature; also used in ancient history.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tamil literature?

Tamil literature is the writing in the Dravidian language Tamil, covering over two thousand years. It begins with Sangam poetry and the Tolkappiyam, includes the Thirukkural and five great epics, continues with Bhakti hymns of the Nayanmars and Alvars, and has a rich modern tradition.

Who wrote the Thirukkural?

The Thirukkural was written by Thiruvalluvar. It has 1,330 couplets in 133 chapters, grouped into Aram (virtue), Porul (wealth and polity) and Inbam (love). It is among the most translated works of ethics from India, and a large statue of the poet stands at Kanyakumari.

Which language family does Tamil belong to?

Tamil belongs to the Dravidian language family, in its southern group. It is related to Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu. Tamil is one of the oldest living languages of India, with Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions and Sangam poetry as early records.

What is the classical language status of Tamil?

Tamil was the first language declared classical by the Government of India, in October 2004. Benefits include international awards, a Centre of Excellence and a Central Institute of Classical Tamil at Chennai. The list of classical languages stands at eleven as of November 2026.

Why is Tamil literature important for UPSC?

Prelims often asks which epic or anthology belongs to the Sangam age, the authors of the Silappatikaram and Manimekalai, and the Thirukkural. Tamil literature is also a key source for the Sangam age, Bhakti and Chola history, so it appears in both history and culture papers.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 Manimekalai is a Buddhist epic of Tamil literature.

True

By Sittalai Sattanar.

2 The Thirukkural has three parts: Aram, Porul and Inbam.

True

1,330 couplets.

3 The Silappatikaram was written by Sittalai Sattanar.

False

It is by Ilango Adigal.

4 Sanskrit was the first language declared classical.