தமிழ் உரைநடை வளர்ச்சியும் வகைப்பாடும்: THE DEVELOPMENT AND CLASSIFICATION OF TAMIL PROSE

Abstract

Tamil is one of the oldest classical languages, possessing a rich literary and grammatical tradition spanning more than two thousand years. Prose has played a significant role in the development of Tamil literature, evolving through various historical periods. Although poetry dominated the early stages of Tamil literary tradition, references to prose can be traced back to the period of Tolkappiyar. The prose elements found in Tolkappiyam and Silappathikaram provide important evidence of the early development of Tamil prose. During the Pallava period, prose developed through commentaries, inscriptions, and the Manipravalam style. Subsequently, the Chola and Nayak periods witnessed considerable growth in prose through the contributions of commentators and scholars. The arrival of Europeans, the establishment of printing presses, the expansion of education, and the emergence of periodicals contributed significantly to the development of modern Tamil prose as an independent literary form. Scholars such as Veeramamunivar, Arumuga Navalar, Mayuram Vedanayagam Pillai, Subramania Bharathiyar, Maraimalai Adigal, and Thiru. Vi. Kalyanasundaranar made remarkable contributions to its growth and enrichment. Furthermore, Tamil prose can be classified into six major forms based on its purpose and literary function: expository prose, argumentative prose, narrative prose, descriptive prose, dramatic prose, and contemplative prose. The classification of words used in prose also reflects its linguistic diversity and stylistic richness. This article examines the historical background, evolutionary stages, significant contributors, and various classifications of Tamil prose, highlighting its role in the enrichment of Tamil language and literature.

Keywords

• Tamil Prose
• Historical Development
• Tolkappiyam
• Silappathikaram
• Prose
• Commentaries
• Literary Development
• Classification of Prose.