எழுத்தாளர் இமையம் படைப்புகளில் நாட்டார் சமய மரபுகள்

Folk Religious Traditions in the Works of Writer Imayam

Abstract

Folk religious traditions refer to modes of worship that are integral to the lives of the people and are transmitted across generations through oral narratives and rituals. These traditions encompass the worship of natural elements—such as trees, stones, rivers, and mountains—as deities; the veneration of deceased ancestors as protective spirits; the traditional worship of specific deities for the protection of the family or community; and the open-air worship of guardian deities like Ayyanar, Mariyammal, and Karuppasamy, often represented by stucco sculptures. The works of the writer Imayam vividly portray the lived realities of people from the marginalized sections of society. Furthermore, these folk religious traditions are prominently featured in his writings. This research paper aims to systematically examine and highlight these aspects.