Shanlax International Journal of Tamil Research

A Rereading of Manimekalai

2025-02-20T12:34:28+00:00

Shathanar’s Buddhist propaganda purpose is embodied in Manimekalai epic’s excessive natural events and supernatural legends. The effort of religions to suppress the human senses that wash the human body has been emphasized in the Buddhist tradition. In the face of increasing inequality among people, Manimekali narrative has tried to subtly do the work of justifying existence. The emphasis on morals and ethics on religious grounds shows that the power of the rulers of the day was strengthened. The Manimekala epic was created to justify all kinds of oppression when Buddhism merged with state power.

Textual Variations in Akananoor Hymns

2025-02-20T12:34:28+00:00

This article is written focusing on the textual differences found in songs 131, 133, 135 of Akananoor in Sangam literature, in the context where various text authors have found text in countless songs found in Tamil literature. Is the word transition correctly positioned as in the original text? The readers of the song will have a doubt. In order to understand the correct meaning of the word found in the original text, the different opinions of the speakers are included in this article.

The Multifaceted Nature of a Woman’s Self-Existence – A Study Based on Anar’s Poems

2025-02-20T12:34:29+00:00

In the world of Eelam poetry, a dedicated space for female poets emerged only after the 1980s. Over time, female poets have expanded their presence, articulating deep feminist thoughts and structuring their poetry with profound linguistic frameworks, establishing a unique identity for themselves. A poet derives themes from society, shaping not only their own literary voice but also influencing the community. In this context, this study explores the multifaceted nature of a woman’s self-existence through the deeply personal and evocative poetry of Anar, the pseudonym of IssathReehaana Muhammad Azeez. Anar, hailing from Saindamaruthu in Eastern Sri Lanka, has made a distinct mark as a female poet, crafting a powerful and authentic voice in Tamil literature.

Tamil Architecture in Nedunalwadai

2025-02-20T12:34:29+00:00

The architecture of the Tamils is understood to include achievements in art and science-based technologies that the world marvels at. Tamil Architecture is the art and science of architectural design of the ancient Tamils. Tamil architecture had a special place in the architectural technique a thousand years ago. Architecture is one of the arts cherished by the Tamils. The building was created to build a shelter for man to protect himself. This building gradually developed as a house, a house, a palace, and a temple. About the architecture of the Tamils we find in Sangha literary threads, we find rare information about Nedunalvadai, one of the Sangha literature books, contains information about architecture.

Moral Values in the Society Depicted in Silappathikaram

2025-02-20T12:34:29+00:00

Silappathikaram, one of the five great Tamil epics, is attributed to Ilango Adigal, a prince of the Chera dynasty. This work served as a model for later Tamil epics. The Sangam era is often referred to as the “Age of Righteousness” (Aram Nerikkaalam), highlighting the significance of morality during that time. The moral values presented in Silappathikaram can still be observed in the lifestyles of contemporary Tamil society. Since ancient times, people belonging to a particular culture have lived together as a society. Despite their collective way of life, they exhibited diversity and complexity. Social activities were characterized by differences and conflicts. Against this backdrop, Silappathikaram reveals various moral values relevant to the society of that period. Concepts such as justice for those who suffer injustice, the reverence for the chaste woman (Pattini), and the inevitability of fate (Uzhvinai) form the foundation of this epic. Silappathikaram also sheds light on various aspects of society, including the people’s way of life, culture, religion, the status of women, political justice, and legal traditions. This study aims to illustrate the moral values presented in the epic and analyze their relevance and usefulness for the Tamil community. Additionally, under the theme “Moral Values in the Society Depicted in Silappathikaram,” this research examines the extent to which the ethical principles described in the epic were followed in the societal structure of that time, how relevant they were to ancient society, and how applicable they are to modern society.

Is ‘Silapathikaram’ An Epic of Justice?

2025-02-20T12:34:29+00:00

இந்த ஆய்வு, சிலப்பதிகாரம் எனும் ஐம்பெரும் காப்பியத்தில் ஒன்றான காப்பியத்தை அடிப்படையாகக் கொண்டு மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டது. இவ்வாய்வின் முக்கிய நோக்கமானது, சிலப்பதிகாரக் காப்பியம் நீதிக் கருத்துகளை அடிப்படையாகக் கொண்டு எழுதப்பட்டுள்ளதா என்பதைக் கண்டறிவதாகும். இவ்வாய்வு, பண்புசார் அணுகுமுறையில் மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டது. இவ்வாய்வுக்கான தரவுகள் யாவும் நூலக ஆய்வு அணுகுமுறையில் கையாளப்பட்டுள்ளது. இவ்வகை, நூலக ஆய்விற்கு ஏற்புடைய நூல்கள், ஆய்வுக் கட்டுரைகள் பயன்படுத்தி விளக்கவியல் அணுகுமுறையில் இவ்வாய்வு மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டுள்ளது. மேலும், கிடைக்கப்பெறும் தகவல்கள் அனைத்தும், ஆய்வின் நோக்கத்தை அடிப்படையாகக் கொண்டு ஆராயப்பட்டுள்ளன. ஆராயப்பட்ட, தரவுகளை ஆய்வு நோக்கதிற்கு ஏற்ப வகைப்படுத்தி, பத்தி (Text analysis) முறையில் பகுத்தாயப்பட்டுள்ளன. இந்த ஆய்வில், ஆறு நீதிக் கருத்துகள் கண்டுபிடிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. இந்த ஆய்வின் வாயிலாகச் சிலப்பதிகாரம் ஒரு நீதிக் காப்பியம் என்று சான்றுகளின் வழி உறுதி செய்ய முடிந்துள்ளது.

Sociobiographical Identities of Diaspora Tamil Women Narrators in Chinalakshmi’s Short Stories

2025-02-20T12:34:29+00:00

Many Tamil people in Singapore are contributing to the further growth of Tamil literature. Among them, female writers began to emerge after 1990. The research article aims to examine the current status of women writers in the contemporary literary world, the diaspora community, and how the identities of tamilwomem inform the lives of their narrators in the context of the Singaporean social context.

Singapore’s Bilingual Policy and Tamil Education: An Introduction

2025-02-20T12:34:29+00:00

This article explores Singapore’s bilingual policy and its impact on the promotion of Tamil education within the country’s multi-ethnic society. It examines the significance of language policy in Singapore’s development and its social, economic, and educational consequences. Following the People’s Action Party’s rise to power in 1959, the bilingual policy—emphasizing English alongside mother tongues—was strongly advocated. Former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew recognized the necessity of English for economic growth, international trade, and scientific advancement while also acknowledging the importance of preserving multicultural identity through mother tongues. As a result, Tamil, Malay, and Chinese were incorporated into the bilingual policy. This policy played a crucial role in strengthening Tamil language education by promoting English-Tamil bilingualism among Tamils in Singapore. This article provides a concise overview of this policy and its role in enhancing Tamil education.

Belief Myths in the Purathinai Society

2025-02-20T12:34:29+00:00

In the twentieth century, literary studies have evolved into various research fields. Influenced by Western scholarship, literary criticism has expanded into multiple specialized domains, including hermeneutic criticism, comparative criticism, appreciative criticism, and myth criticism. Among these, folklore criticism has seen significant growth, leading to the development of mythological studies. As a result, oral literary traditions passed down through generations have gained prominence. Myths permeate every aspect of society, influencing its cultural and ideological structures. Hence, myths are explicitly reflected in Sangam literature. This study examines the myths present in Purananuru, one of the classical Tamil Sangam literary texts, focusing on belief myths as a research subject.

Traces of Tamil Studies – History and Values

2025-02-20T12:34:29+00:00

Every language’s literary and grammatical texts serve as historical models, recording human thought processes and shaping time and its contradictions. In this context, Sangam literature can be identified as valuable documentation that provides insights into the socio-cultural and intellectual traditions of ancient Tamil society. A deep analysis of the structure and thematic aspects of the poems in the Sangam corpus reveals oral traditions that were prevalent among the early Tamil communities. These compositions, which existed as oral poems before being transcribed onto manuscripts, highlight the transformation from oral to written traditions.The materials, cultural values, and historical sources that evolved from oral traditions to written records have been analyzed over time based on geographical and political contexts. With the arrival of Europeans and the spread of the printing press, Tamil studies underwent a shift influenced by scientific and Marxist perspectives. Researchers from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds integrated these perspectives, challenging previous interpretations and necessitating a re-reading of Tamil history and literature.This article aims to compile and compare the evolving research trends in Tamil studies over time, analyzing the various research trajectories that have shaped the field.