Tolkappiyam

ancient Tamil text

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The Tolkappiyam is an ancient Tamil text, considered the earliest work in the Tamil language, dating from the 1st to 4th century CE. It is a foundational treatise on Tamil grammar and rhetoric.123

The Tolkappiyam is crucial for understanding early Tamil language and literature. It is divided into three sections: sounds, words, and meaning, with the third section detailing the canons of Sangam poetic traditions. This text presupposes a large body of existing literature, likely in the form of anthologies. While it shows some influence from Sanskrit grammars, much of its content is original. The Tolkappiyam is a key component of Sangam literature, which represents the oldest non-Sanskrit literature from the South Asian subcontinent.421

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South Asian arts
Śaṅgam literature
The Tolkāppiyam was ascribed to the second śaṅgam, the eight anthologies and 10 long poems to the third; according to tradition, nothing is extant from the first śaṅgam. The early literature, itself known as Saṅgam, comprises 2,381 poems, ranging from four to nearly 800 lines each…
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The Tolkāppiyam was ascribed to the second śaṅgam, the eight anthologies and 10 long poems to the third; according to tradition, nothing is extant from the first śaṅgam. The early literature, itself known as Saṅgam, comprises 2,381 poems, ranging from four to nearly 800 lines each…
Read More

Sangam literature
The Tolkappiyam, a book of grammar and rhetoric, and eight anthologies (Ettuttokai) of poetry were compiled—Ainkurunuru, Kuruntokai, Narrinai, Akananuru, Kalittokai, Patirruppattu, Purananuru, and Paripatal. A ninth anthology, Pattupattu, consists of 10 idylls that present a picture of early Tamil life.
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The Tolkappiyam, a book of grammar and rhetoric, and eight anthologies (Ettuttokai) of poetry were compiled—Ainkurunuru, Kuruntokai, Narrinai, Akananuru, Kalittokai, Patirruppattu, Purananuru, and Paripatal. A ninth anthology, Pattupattu, consists of 10 idylls that present a picture of early Tamil life.
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Dravidian languages
Tamil
…work in the Tamil language, Tolkappiyam (1st–4th century ce; “Ancient Literature”), is a treatise on grammar and poetics. Its existence presupposes a large body of literature that was probably available in the form of anthologies. Although the influence of early Sanskrit grammars (dating from the 5th century bce) is obvious…
Read More
…work in the Tamil language, Tolkappiyam (1st–4th century ce; “Ancient Literature”), is a treatise on grammar and poetics. Its existence presupposes a large body of literature that was probably available in the form of anthologies. Although the influence of early Sanskrit grammars (dating from the 5th century bce) is obvious…
Read More