Shanlax International Journal of Tamil Research

Is Bharathiyar A Supporter of Marxism?: Some Basic Questions

2026-04-30T11:37:35+00:00

Bharathi’s view of labor is completely subjective. He presents his ideas in his works in a way that defends the prevailing social and political environment, without considering objective reality. Failed to see the Industrialist X Worker contradiction dialectically as related to the social relations of production, Bharathi, unconcerned about the ‘competitive’ capitalist market, reduces it to the problem of the individual capitalist. Bharathi, who raised an enthusiastic voice about social change through lyrics like “Agave, the revolution of the age has arisen”, “Krita Yuga Ezhuga Madho” has taken a stand against the oppressed in his prose.

Influence of Tamil Literature on Siddhars Conceptualization of Religion and Caste

2026-04-30T11:37:35+00:00

Literary contributions of Siddhars are significant and hence worth mentioning in the literary history of Tamil Nadu. Siddhars were the one who proposed alternative progressive traditions in place of the prevailing obsolete, regressive and decaying social norms. Among the various problems prevailing then, religion and caste were the most destructive. Though evolving into a socially and morally defined human from incipient animal, his religious and caste based ideas, notions and actions were primitive. It is in this context, conceptualization and literary preaching of Siddhars rescued the caste and communally divided society. Hence they are social activists, rabble rousers and rationalist who eradicated superstitions. They proposed progressive ideas against traditional regressive ideas. Siddhars, who identifies God within an individual, have awakened people who were drowned in darkness of ignorance until then. They opposed religious, caste and ritual based misconceptions and superstition. There is no doubt that the Siddhars were the first to record progressive ideas and revolutionalise the Tamil literary world. As per Sivavakkier, a renowned Siddahar, birth of an individuals do not arise from his right to be born, neither it is due the rights of his parent. The Birth as an act or event cannot be stopped or changed by the individual being born. Thus being classified as inferior or superior creation based on birth is ignorance. It is only when one grows up one takes ownership and responsibility for his action. Thus the appropriate thought is that a person should not be respected because of his birth, but should be respected according to his characters and morals. This articles describes such noble Siddhar thoughts and preaching in detail.

Sangapengalin Vazhviyal Nokkil Ingurunooru

2026-04-30T11:37:35+00:00

Society is a collection of individuals. In this way, the well-being, lifestyle, and morality of individuals become the identity of society. The role of women in contributing to the welfare of society is particularly significant. Through the homes where women with excellent qualities live—as mothers, daughters, sisters, lovers, and wives—the family, and through the family, society, and through society, the nation, gain prestige. In the Ainkurunuru, we see how such exceptional women lived, forgetting their own joys and sorrows for the sake of those around them, and how they lived with concern for the country and its resources. The woman is depicted as one who has immense love for her husband, who cannot tolerate separation even for a moment, and who considers even a husband who forgets her and goes to another woman as a divine being. It is noteworthy that the mental struggles and patience of such a heroine are revealed in the poems of Ainkurunuru.

The Emotion of Weeping in the Poems of Artist M. Karunanidhi

2026-04-30T11:37:35+00:00

In poetic creations, the emotions of the creator and the emotions of the characters featured in that creation are of primary importance. The emotion that the artist expresses - either through himself or through the characters — in the mode of conveying the poem, is what carries that poem to its audience. Therefore, it is said that the emotional expression found in a poem serves as the very life force of that poem. This article examines and explains the emotion of weeping expressed by artist Mu. Karunanidhi in his poems.

Cultural Traditions of Sangam People in Pattinapalai

2026-04-30T11:37:36+00:00

When viewed in accordance with the statement that literatures are a mirror of time, a literary work can be understood as one that reflects not only the economic conditions, environment, and political factors prevailing at the time of its creation, but also the cultural way of life of the people. The purpose and nature of literatures can be considered as those that structure and present within themselves all the dimensions of the period in which they were created. In that regard, the Sangam literatures — Ettuthogai and Pathupattu — defined as the earliest literatures available in the history of Tamil literature, are seen to have explained cultural values such as the political, economic, and social structures of the Tamil people at various levels. Among these, Pattinappalai, one of the works in the Pathupattu series, was composed by Kadiyalur Uruthirangkannar to celebrate the greatness of the Chola king Karikala Peruvalathan. Nevertheless, cultural ideas are seen to be explained throughout the entirety of the literary work. This literature, which begins with the glory of the Kaveri River, is composed in a manner that praises Karikala Chola’s greatness, his prowess in war, and the methods by which he built his kingdom. Since it was composed following the Palai Thinai discipline within the Agathhinai tradition, the author Uruthirangkannar named this work Pattinappalai. Culture may be defined as the expansion of antiquity and its continuation through tradition. Just as literature and grammar are produced by human beings, culture too can be defined as something that has emerged and grown through human creation. Thus, this research article examines and explains in detail the cultural ideas embedded in the work — including the Tamil tradition of weather prediction as described by the author, the unity of the people, the occupational status in cultural tradition, the cultural lifestyle of merchants, a theft-free way of life, games in Tamil culture, and festivals.

Tourist Centers in Delft Island: A Historical Study

2026-04-30T11:37:36+00:00

Delft Island (Neduntheevu) stands as a unique tourist destination in Sri Lanka, possessing a rich history characterized by distinct geographical and cultural features. The region is a home to several significant landmarks, including the historic Fort of King Vediyarasan, Chola-era constructions, colonial-period structures, ancient ports, and various places of worship, all of which are complemented by natural attractions, pristine beaches and unique flora. However, despite this potential, Delft Island remains largely unrecognized by the wider public due to a lack of systematic documentation. This study seeks to document these tourist sites and raise awareness by categorizing the island’s landmarks into historical, recreational, and religious categories. Based on data gathered through field studies and interviews, the research analyses the current status of these locations and identifies that inadequate transportation and underdeveloped infrastructure are the primary barriers to tourism development. The study concludes that by preserving the island’s unique historical heritage and improving basic facilities, it is possible to achieve sustainable economic development and uplift Delft to its rightful status as a global tourist hub.

Domestic Virtues of the Hero as Depicted in the Kurinji Thinai of Ainkurunooru

2026-04-30T11:37:37+00:00

Ainkurunooru is one of the celebrated classical Sangam anthologies of Tamil literature, comprising five hundred short poems. The Kurinji Thinai poems, dealing with the mountain landscape, vividly portray the theme of premarital love and union. Within this thematic framework, the hero (Thalaivan) emerges not only as a romantic figure but also as one who embodies significant domestic virtues. This paper explores the household qualities and ethical values attributed to the hero in the Kurinji Thinai poems of Ainkurunooru, shedding light on the classical Tamil ideals of manhood, love, commitment, and domestic responsibility.

Feminist Thoughts in the Five Great Epics

2026-04-30T11:37:37+00:00

The five great Tamil epics — Silappatikaram, Manimekalai, Seevaga Sinthamani, Valayapathi, and Kundalakesi — place female characters at the very center of their narratives. Women in these works are portrayed as autonomous decision-makers, seekers of justice, practitioners of penance, and voices of social transformation. Characters such as Kannaki, Manimekalai, and Kundalakesi stand as powerful symbols of feminist thought. Composed by male authors, these epics champion the cause of womanhood by highlighting women’s unique talents, courage, and dedication. The epics collectively affirm that the world’s progress is entwined with the strength of women. This paper examines the feminist ideas embedded in the five great Tamil epics and explores how womanhood is foregrounded as a central force of moral and social significance.

Ramayana in Tamil Classical Literature

2026-04-30T11:37:37+00:00

The Ramayana is one of the stories that has spread and established itself throughout India since ancient times. This book is also called ‘Ithikasa’. This book, which originated in the northern language, has been translated, abridged, combined with new stories presented locally, and made some changes to suit the current situation and circumstances of the country. This book has been rewritten in various periods by great poets. Some people have compiled many of the events and some of the sub-stories contained in this book into separate books. The stories of the Ramayana have also had a great influence on the lives of ancient Tamils. References to the stories of the Ramayana are found in Sangam literature, poems, and ethical books.

Hangul Sound Found in Tamil Language

2026-04-30T11:37:37+00:00

Tamil is spoken in various countries around the world. The reason is that in ancient times, people who had Tamil as their mother tongue migrated around the world, and those who migrated developed the language in those places. Generally, all languages have their own unique grammar. Similarly, the Tamil language also has its own unique grammar. Among them, the book Tolkappiyam is the first and oldest book available in the Tamil language. The book, called Ezhuthathikaram, contains grammatical rules regarding the origin of letters and their sounds. This article aims to examine only one type of grammar, the kutriyalugara grammar, from among such grammars, and to compare it with Hangul, which is considered a Korean language, to find areas of similarity.

Food Names in Palai Kali

2026-04-30T11:37:38+00:00

In this article, we shall examine the names of foods that are scattered throughout Kalithogai, one of the works in the Eight Anthologies (Ettuthogai), In the Paalai Kali, which deals with separation and the causes of separation, references to food items are extremely rare. It is said that the farmers, who cultivated crops in their own lands, gave away all the food they produced in order to relieve their distress and to protect their people; this is described as the way of the world. From the Sangam period itself, we can understand that sugarcane was cultivated in Tamil lands, as indicated by the line ‘Neel Kazhai nivantha poo niram”. References are also made to honey and honeybees. It is also stated that it has long been the nature of people that when one approaches another for food, they speak in praise and maintain a cheerful face while receiving it, but their expression changes when the time comes to repay that debt. The poet clearly explains that food and water are essential for human life. The fact that the foods and their names used 2000 years ago are still in use today in Tamil Society is a unique distinction of the Tamil people.

The Four Paths in Thiruvasagam

2026-04-30T11:37:38+00:00

Saiva Siddhanta recognizes four spiritual paths (Nalvagai Nerigal) for attaining union with the Divine: Sariyai (righteous conduct), Kiriyai (ritual worship), Yogam (meditative practice), and Gnanam (supreme knowledge). The Thiruvasagam, composed by Manickavasagar, profoundly embodies all four of these paths. Sariyai refers to external acts of devotion performed at Siva temples; Kiriyai involves ritualistic worship of the Sivalinga form; Yogam denotes the inner contemplation and meditation upon Siva; and Gnanam represents the offering of the soul itself to the Divine. Manickavasagar expresses these spiritual disciplines deeply through his hymns — singing with a melting heart, prostrating at the sacred feet of the Lord, and attaining liberation through the path of wisdom. This paper examines the four-fold path as reflected in the verses of Thiruvasagam, exploring Manickavasagar’s spiritual journey and the philosophical dimensions of Saiva devotional experience.

Inner Ethical Norms (Akam Traditions) in Thiruvasagam

2026-04-30T11:37:38+00:00

The ethical codes of inner life (Akam) as outlined in Sangam literature — encompassing the role of the female companion (Thozhi), the heroine’s lament (Pulambal), and the ten emotional expressions (Meyppadu) — are deeply embedded in devotional literature as well. In Thiruvasagam, composed by Manickavasagar, the classical Akam framework is transposed onto the spiritual realm: Manickavasagar imagines himself as the heroine (Thalaivi) and Lord Siva as the hero (Thalaivan). Throughout Thiruvembavai, the role of the companion (Thozhi) is portrayed across thirty hymns as friends awaken one another for the pre-dawn ritual bath. Manickavasagar beautifully expresses all ten emotional states described by Tholkaappiyam — longing, single-minded contemplation, physical wasting, purposeful action, loss of modesty, seeing everything as the beloved, forgetfulness, infatuation, and thoughts of death — through his devotional verses. This paper examines how the ethical norms of Sangam Akam poetry are interwoven within Thiruvasagam.