சங்கம் போற்றும் வீரப் பெண்மை: புறநானூற்றுச் சான்றுகளின் வழியிலான ஆய்வியல் பகுப்பாய்வு

Heroic Womanhood Celebrated by the Sangam Age: A Research-Oriented Analysis through the Evidence of Purananuru

Abstract

Sangam literature serves as a historical repository documenting the ancient lifestyle, culture, social structure, politics, economy, love, and valor of the Tamils. Alongside the heroic deeds of men, Sangam literature remarkably records the valorous spirit, courage, and mental fortitude of women. In particular, the Mudin Mullai theme found in Purananuru stands as a crucial literary evidence highlighting the heroic virtues of women from warrior lineages. Actions such as proudly seeing off a husband going to the battlefield, taking pride in a son's heroic death in war rather than mourning it, and sending one's only son to war for the sake of the nation demonstrate the mental strength of Sangam-era women. Poems by female bards such as Okkur Masathiyar, Ponmudiyar, and Kakkaipadiniyar Nachellaiyar clearly illustrate this valorous spirit of women. This paper aims to examine the various dimensions of heroic womanhood portrayed in Sangam literature.