சங்க இலக்கியத்தில் உணர்வுசார் நுண்ணறிவு: அகப்புற இலக்கியங்களை முன்வைத்து ஓர் ஒப்பீட்டு ஆய்வு

Emotional Intelligence in Sangam Literature: A Comparative Study of Akam and Puram Poetry

Abstract

Sangam literature serves as a remarkable repository of ancient Tamil life, culture, ethics, social relationships, and human emotions. This study analyzes the human emotions and emotional management techniques depicted in Sangam poetry through the lens of modern psychological Emotional Intelligence (EI) theory. Relying on Tholkappiyam's concept of Meyppatu (emotive expression) as a foundational framework, the paper examines interior (Akam) works like Kuruntokai, Ainkurunuru, Akananuru, Narrinai, and Kalittokai, where dialogues between lovers and the confidante (Thozhi) exhibit love, separation, patience, emotional regulation, and empathy. A prominent example includes the confidante sensing the heroine's state of mind to comfort her, exemplifying high emotional awareness and interpersonal relationship management. Furthermore, exterior (Puram) poetry like Purananuru and Patirruppattu is analyzed for leadership qualities and social consciousness. By comparing the core dimensions of EI defined by Peter Salovey, John Mayer (1990), and Daniel Goleman (1995)—self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills—with Sangam emotion theories, the research demonstrates how ancient Tamil emotional and social perspectives remain directly relevant to modern individual growth and social harmony.