Life and Women in Purananuru

புறநானூற்றில் வாழ்வியல்

Abstract

There is a tendency to consider the puram (exterior) genre as mostly centered on men, but researchers have pointed out that women’s activities are also integrated into the puram genre. Hence, studying women in puram literature becomes essential.

This article explores the presence of women and their roles as depicted in Purananuru, a key puram anthology. It examines the social, cultural, and emotional dimensions of women’s lives reflected in the poems. The depictions include women’s participation in social events, their virtues, emotional expressions, and occasional valor. Such portrayals provide a balanced view of society, revealing women’s contributions beyond domestic spheres.

Through Purananuru, the ancient Tamil poets not only highlight male heroes but also vividly present women’s lives and their impact on societal and cultural settings during the Sangam period.