Nominal Verbs: Tolkappiyam and Later Grammar Texts

தொழிற்பெயர்: தொல்காப்பியமும் பிந்திய இலக்கண நூற்களும்

Abstract

This article aims to examine the tradition and transformations in nominal verbs (tozhirpeyars) as reflected in Tolkappiyam and later grammar texts. While Tolkappiyar does not explicitly define nominal verbs, he mentions them in several contexts. For example, in the Ezhuthathikaram section, first-level nominal verbs take the Ukarachari form, and in the Sollathikaram section, variation forms appear. However, Tolkappiyam does not explain what a nominal verb is or its grammatical rules in detail. Similarly, subsequent grammar works, such as Veerasoliyam and Neminatham, also do not provide specific rules regarding nominal verbs. The first detailed explanation of nominal verbs is given in Nannool.