Tamil History

Tolkapiyam Thirukural Five Epics Avvaiyar
Tolkappiyam
தொல்காப்பியம் {Tolkappiyam} is the oldest Tamil grammar available today. This grammar book in is a literary form. Tolkappiyam was written by Tolkappiyarin the Sangam Time, which spanned from 300 BC to 300 CE. The word Tolkappiyam is made or two words, “தொல் {Tol}” and “காப்பியம் {Kappiyam} ”. The word “தொல் {Tol} ” means old and the word “காப்பியம் {Kappiyam}” means book. Tolkappiyam means Old Book. This book consists of three books(அதிகாரம் {atikaaram}), each with nine chapters (இயல் {iyal}). In the first book, it’s all written about the alphabet (எழுத்து {eluttu}). In the second book, it’s all written about the words (சொல் {Sol}). In the last book, it's all written about the meaning ( பொருள் {Porul}). Because of that, the first book is called எழுத்ததிகாரம் {Eluttatikaram}, the second book சொல்லதிகாரம் {Sollatikaram} and the third book பொருளதிகாரம் {Porulatikaram}.
Thirukural
The திருக்குறள் {Thirukural} is a classic Tamil language textbook consisting of 1’300 short verses (குறள்{Kural}). These Kurals are divided into three books with teachings on virtue(அறம்{aram}), wealth(பொருள் {porul}) and love(இன்பம்{inbam}). Thirukural was written by திருவள்ளூவர் {Thiruvalluvar}. The book on virtue(அறம் {aram}) contains 380 verses , the book of wealth(பொருள்{porul}) has 700 verses and the book of love( இன்பம் {inbam}) has 250 verses. Each verse (குறள்{Kural}) contains exactly seven words, four on the first line and three on the second line. Every verse has a powerful meaning, which can be used as a Life advice. This Book is dated between 300 BCE to 5th century CE. The book Thirukural is now available in many more languages as translations.
5 Epics
In Tamil Literature, there is a collection of five literature books which are referred as the five Epics ஐம்பெரும்காப்பியங்கள் {Aimperumkappiyankal} . The five Epics are stories, which have a meaningful end and can be used as Life advice.
    The Five Epics:
      Silappathikaram
      Manimekalai
      Civaka Cintamani
      Valayapathi
      Kundalakesi
Silappathikaram சிலப்பதிகாரம்
This epic is a tragic love story of an ordinary couple, கண்ணகி {Kannagi} and her husband கோவலன் {Kovalan} .Kannagi and Kovalan are a newly married couple. Over time, Kovalan meets மாதவி {Madhavi}. He loses interest in Kannagi and falls in love with Madhavi. He leaves Kannagi and moves in with Madhavi. After a long time, Kovalan sees that Madhavi is not the right one and goes back to Kannagi and confesses his mistake. Kannagi forgives him and tells him to forget it and to start a new life together. She gives him one of her jeweled anklets to sell it. Kovalan sells the anklet to a merchant, but the merchant falsely frames him as having stolen it from the queen of the Pandian Kingdom. The Kingdom arrests Kovalan and then kill him. When Kovalan doesn’t return home, Kannagi goes searching for him. She gets to know what happened. She goes to the Pandian Kind and ask for justice. The anklet which was from the queen are filled with white pearls, but her anklet was filled with pure diamonds. To prove this, she throws the anklet on the ground to break it. The King is ashamed of his mistake.Kannagi is so angry she just burned Madurai(a place in this Kingdom) down. The Writer of this story is இளங்கோ அடிகள் {Ilango Adigal} and was written in the Sangam Time.
Manimekalai மணிமேகலை
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Civaka Cintamani சீவக சிந்தாமணி
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Valayapathi வளையாபதி
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Kundalakesi குண்டலகேசி
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Avvaiyar
ஔவையார் Avvaiyar is one of the most famous female poem writer. She has written books like ஆத்திசூடி {Aathichoodi}, கொன்றை வேந்தன் {Kondrai Vendhan} and முதுரை {Moodhurai}. More coming soon ...
Aathichoodi ஆத்திசூடி
The Aathichoodi is a collection of single-line quotations written in alphabetical order. There are 109 of these sacred lines which include insightful quotes expressed in simple words. It aims to inculcate good habits, discipline and doing good deeds. An Example: