Food Names in Palai Kali

பாலைக் கலியில் உணவுப் பெயர்கள்

Abstract

In this article, we shall examine the names of foods that are scattered throughout Kalithogai, one of the works in the Eight Anthologies (Ettuthogai), In the Paalai Kali, which deals with separation and the causes of separation, references to food items are extremely rare. It is said that the farmers, who cultivated crops in their own lands, gave away all the food they produced in order to relieve their distress and to protect their people; this is described as the way of the world. From the Sangam period itself, we can understand that sugarcane was cultivated in Tamil lands, as indicated by the line ‘Neel Kazhai nivantha poo niram”. References are also made to honey and honeybees. It is also stated that it has long been the nature of people that when one approaches another for food, they speak in praise and maintain a cheerful face while receiving it, but their expression changes when the time comes to repay that debt. The poet clearly explains that food and water are essential for human life. The fact that the foods and their names used 2000 years ago are still in use today in Tamil Society is a unique distinction of the Tamil people.