Kurunji Flower in Sangam Literature – A Scientific Perspective

சங்க இலக்கியத்தில் குறிஞ்சி மலர் - ஓர் அறிவியல் பார்வை

Abstract

Sangam literature stands as a timeless mirror reflecting the life of the ancient Tamils and their harmonious coexistence with nature. While aspects such as love (Akam), valor (Puram), and fame have been widely studied, the scientific understanding of nature has received comparatively less attention. Nature must be examined from a scientific perspective. P.L. Sami, who studied the significance of plants in Sangam literature, observes that “many details mentioned in Sangam texts about plants, creepers, and trees correspond closely with those identified by modern botanists.” Though several kinds of flowers are found in the mountainous regions, the Kurinji flower holds a unique distinction. Because of its special features and association with the mountains, the people of the Sangam age named the mountainous landscape Kurinji land.