The Role of Manikkodi in the Development of Modern Poetry

புதுக்கவிதைகள் வளர்ச்சியில் மணிக்கொடிகள் பங்கு

Abstract

The arrival of the printing press during the British colonial period brought significant changes to Tamil life. Tamil civilization and culture experienced a fusion of Tamil and English literary sensibilities. This transformation affected not only Tamil culture but also the landscape of Tamil literature. Tamil scholars, who had traditionally studied only classical Tamil literature, began exploring literary works in other languages. A desire arose among Tamil poets to simplify literary expression. Bharathiar, inspired by Western poets such as Walt Whitman and Shelley, studied their works and sought to compose his poems in innovative forms.