Shanlax International Journal of Tamil Research

Kalaingar’s Plays Depict Dravidian Ideology

N Murugesapandian — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Kalaingar’s plays, in their role as replicas, confront contradictions between the period in which they were published and the current social environment. The contemporary nature of the dramatic works written by the Kalaingar must be assessed due to a specific political need or social crisis. The important question is how the Kalaingar’s plays, in the form of imitations, are absorbed by the modern reader. Kalaingar’s plays, written against the ideological backdrop of the Dravidian movement, which questioned the Vedic Sanatana and Varunashrama doctrines that had been dominant for centuries, are still in demand today.

Rajarajan’s Moral Principles based on Udaiyar Novel

B. Maragatham, P. Valarmathi — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

According to the statement of the great poet Bharathi that there is nothing as sweet as the Tamil language, the ‘Tamil language’ is overflowing with literature. In all the literature from the Sangam period to modern literature, the way of life of man has been described. The norms that he should follow have also been mentioned. Among the three dynasties that ruled the south during that period, there is a lot of data about the Cholas. Rajaraja, who came from the lineage of Sibi Chakravarthy, who cut his flesh for a pigeon, and Manuneethi Chola, who gave justice to a cow, ruled without compromising on justice. He lived with religious tolerance from a young age. During the reign of Uncle, he traveled all over the Chola country and heard the grievances of the people firsthand. After assuming power, he understood the needs of the people and fulfilled them. He interacted with warriors on friendly terms. He respected foreign warriors. He avoided anger while talking to officials. He did good to all living beings living in the Chola country. He paid more attention to worship. This article examines the qualities of Rajaraja, the grace he showed to the people, the respect he had for his guru, and his hospitality.

Kuramagal Ilaveyiniyin Pulamaithiram

K. Bharathi, P. Valarmathi — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sangam women poets for today. In the modern era, there is a situation where we have to live beyond many laws. We have to approach life again with literary positions based on feelings. The rich imaginations and melodious word combinations seen in the poems of the women poets are not only suitable for today but also for the future. It can be seen through their songs that the women poets were equally profound in their knowledge, intellectual thinking and political knowledge as their male counterparts. They did not lead their lives as mere poets, but they were also teachers who imparted knowledge to the king. Although it was their characteristic to sing praises of the king, they also pointed out and corrected his mistakes when the king made mistakes. The poets were not only learned but also socially conscious. They were innovative in society and had the idea of developing the country in a good way. Not only do they advise the king, but they also tell the glory of one king to another king. The purpose of this article is to examine the good qualities of a national leader, such as fame, strength, warlikeness, generosity, virtues, mercy, etc., From the perspective of Kuramagal Ilaveini and to explain them in a way that is also relevant to this time.

Pottery and Cultural Transformation

O Muthiah, M. Shanthi — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The fundamental principle of any research is that it should contribute to social development and progress. In this context, although this study may seem to simply highlight the tradition of handicrafts, it actually reveals the deeper influences of religion, society, culture, and historical background. Despite the transformations brought about by scientific advancement and industrial revolutions in culture, tradition, and civilization, earthenware items continue to be used as remnants of past traditions. Even though the value of handicrafts has declined due to cultural intermixing, pottery items still hold a stable place in cultural expressions, religious practices, and rituals. This paper focuses on the use of pottery as everyday objects and identifies the factors leading to its gradual disappearance from the cultural landscape due to social and civilizational changes. The aim of this study is to analyze these causes and propose solutions through research to preserve this cultural heritage.

A Study Focusing on the Performing Arts Traditions of the Bhakti Literature of the Pallava Period

Alagiah Alagiah — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The trajectory of the development of performing arts in Tamil history has evolved through various forms across different periods. This study focuses on only one stage of this developmental trajectory. It centers on the Tamil land and the Pallava period that prevailed in the Tamil land. Specifically, the period from 600 CE to 900 CE is historically defined as the era ruled by the Pallava kings. This period was a time when Saivism and Vaishnavism, opposing the Jain and Buddhist religions, flourished. This study examines the arts that prevailed during this period, particularly focusing on the performing arts such as dance (eldkam), drama (ehlfkam), and music (ir).
The Pallava Period: Bhakti
Known as the devotional period, during the Pallava era, around thirty-three Nayanmars (Saivite saints) and twelve Alvars (Vaishnavite saints) created numerous Bhakti literature. Among these devotional literatures, eighteen are found in Saivism and twelve in Vaishnavism. These literatures extensively discuss various aspects related to the performing arts. This study presents the performance traditions that were employed in the Bhakti literature.

Ecology of the Sea People

S. Prakash, R. Elangovan — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The sea and the surrounding area are also a part of the sea landscape. In this saline area, dense trees, flocks of birds, marine life, fishermen, and beaches with lapping waves all play a major role in the ecological balance. They go out into the sea in boats and do fishing. They also do business of processing, salting, drying and selling fish. The coastline is full of densely wooded oases. We will discuss this in detail in this research article titled “Ecology of the sea people”.

A Historical and Archaeological Study of Dharmanallur Village

J.R. Sivaramakrishnan — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The present research paper is an attempt to give a Historical and Archaeological overview on Dharmanallur village, near Sethiathope in Cuddalore district. The objective of the present research is to explore and understand the historical background of Dharmanallur village. The area selected for the purpose of study includes the rural archaeology which is a field focused on understanding the past human societies in the ancient period.

Lullaby Songs in the Rural Divine Worship of the People of Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province - Tradition and Change

Priyadarshny Jetheeswaran — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Eastern Sri Lanka, known as a vast cultural territory stretching along the eastern coast of the island of Sri Lanka, has a long political and social history unique to this region. While the aboriginal inhabitants of this region were the Veddas, Veddah Vellalars, and Austroloid ancient tribes, over time people who came and settled from Tamil Nadu, Kalinga, and Kerala, or those who established their rule here, along with the indigenous peoples, through the intermingling that occurred between them over time, have resulted in the arts, divine worship practices, and ways of life they brought with them continuing to be observed as the lifestyle of the people of this region to this day. However, it is noteworthy that remnants of the aboriginal peoples are also found here and there.
Two types of worship practices are observed here: those based on Agama (scriptural traditions) and those not based on Agama. Comparatively, non-Agamic village deities wield more influence in this region than the Agamic major deities. The method of worshipping or performing puja to these village deities is called performing rituals. When performing these rituals, they sing appropriate songs, invoke the deities, and perform with dance and song. These songs are the ritual songs.
Here, numerous musical forms such as Kaviyam (epic poetry), Ammanai, Oonchal (swing songs), Thalatu (lullabies), Kulurti, Ula (procession songs), Prarthana (prayers), Sindhu, Akaval, and Pallu are found. Among these, Thalatu songs are composed as songs that soothe or pacify God or the Goddess.