Vannam: Changes in Rhythm Through Different Periods and Interpretation of Meaning

வண்ணம்: சந்தம் காலந்தோறும் மாற்றமும், பொருள் விளக்கமும்

Abstract

Vannam is one of the 34 components in the poetry section of Tolkappiyam's Porulatikaram. This vannam encompasses multiple meanings such as beauty, rhythm, music, color, sound, goodness, painting, garland, excellence, and sweetness. Vannams sung to praise God, honor kings, alleviate poets' poverty, and for various other purposes appeared in oral literature and were classified into twenty types during Tolkappiyar's period. Yapparungalakkarigai mentions one hundred types. Later grammatical texts such as Ilakkana Vilakkam, Thonnul Vilakkam, and Muthu Veeriyam show the development of vannams, indicating that they existed before Tolkappiyar's time, as evidenced by oral songs such as folk songs.