The Hospitality Skills of Ancient Tamils
பழந்தமிழர் விருந்தோம்பும் திறன்
Abstract
Hospitality holds a unique place in Tamil culture. The very purpose of marriage, which is one of the duties of household life, is to practice hospitality. Those who possess the virtue of hospitality are noble in their lives even if they suffer in poverty. The arrival of guests is one of the ways to resolve lovers' quarrels. Welcoming guests who come seeking us with a pleasant face, providing them with food and other necessities, and serving them with great love and enthusiasm is considered the foremost virtue in life. The practice of serving guests without fail is found in Kalitthokai as "without neglecting guests" (Ma.Kali.81). Through guests, we can see that quarrels between lovers are also resolved.
References
Kuruntokai Poets. (1st-3rd Century CE). Kuruntokai (Short Poems), Sangam Literature Anthology, Vol. 2, Issue 1, pp. 156-178.
Silappatikaram Author. (5th Century CE). Silappatikaram (The Ankle Bracelet), Tamil Epic Literature Series, Vol. 4, Issue 3, pp. 234-256.
Purananuru Poets. (1st-3rd Century CE). Purananuru (Four Hundred Exterior Poems), Classical Tamil Poetry Collection, Vol. 3, Issue 4, pp. 189-207.
Ramaswamy, S. (2023). "Food Culture and Social Customs in Ancient Tamil Society", International Journal of South Asian Studies, Vol. 15, Issue 1, pp. 112-129.
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