சங்கம் வளர்த்த தமிழ்

Tamil Nurtured by the Sangam

Abstract

The antiquity and rich literary tradition of the Tamil language were preserved and nurtured through the institutional framework known as the Sangam (Tamil Academies). Established under the patronage of the Pandya kings, three successive academies brought poets, scholars, and grammarians together to critically refine, evaluate, and develop classical Tamil literature. This paper investigates the historical evolution, socio-linguistic impact, and literary heritage of Sangam Tamil. Drawing upon ancient commentaries—particularly the Iraiyanar Akapporul Urai—alongside epigraphical evidence and classical corpuses like Ettuthokai, Pattuppattu, and Tolkappiyam, this study analyzes the structural taxonomy of the Three Sangams, their distinctive Akam (interior/love) and Puram (exterior/heroism) poetic conventions, the prominent role of women poets, and the secular humanist values embedded within this classical era.