Influence of Tamil Literature on Siddhars Conceptualization of Religion and Caste

தமிழிலக்கியச் சிந்தனைப்போக்கில் சித்தர்களின் சமயம் மற்றும் சாதியம் குறித்த சிந்தனைகள்

Abstract

Literary contributions of Siddhars are significant and hence worth mentioning in the literary history of Tamil Nadu. Siddhars were the one who proposed alternative progressive traditions in place of the prevailing obsolete, regressive and decaying social norms. Among the various problems prevailing then, religion and caste were the most destructive. Though evolving into a socially and morally defined human from incipient animal, his religious and caste based ideas, notions and actions were primitive. It is in this context, conceptualization and literary preaching of Siddhars rescued the caste and communally divided society. Hence they are social activists, rabble rousers and rationalist who eradicated superstitions. They proposed progressive ideas against traditional regressive ideas. Siddhars, who identifies God within an individual, have awakened people who were drowned in darkness of ignorance until then. They opposed religious, caste and ritual based misconceptions and superstition. There is no doubt that the Siddhars were the first to record progressive ideas and revolutionalise the Tamil literary world. As per Sivavakkier, a renowned Siddahar, birth of an individuals do not arise from his right to be born, neither it is due the rights of his parent. The Birth as an act or event cannot be stopped or changed by the individual being born. Thus being classified as inferior or superior creation based on birth is ignorance. It is only when one grows up one takes ownership and responsibility for his action. Thus the appropriate thought is that a person should not be respected because of his birth, but should be respected according to his characters and morals. This articles describes such noble Siddhar thoughts and preaching in detail.