அகநானூற்றில் விலங்கினச் சூழலியலும் திணைசார் வாழ்வியலும்: ஓர் விரிவான ஆய்வுரை

Abstract

Sangam literature intricately records human lifestyle and the natural environment in an inseparable and nuanced manner. Among them, Akananuru, one of the Ettuthokai (Eight Anthologies) texts, contains rich details regarding the natural behavior, habitat environment, foraging, water dependency, familial bonding, and defense mechanisms of various animal species. Animals do not merely serve as background scenery or poetic metaphors; they function as primary stakeholders in the ecosystem and as essential thematic elements (karupporul) of the tinai framework.

This paper deeply analyzes the actions and behaviors of animals such as monkeys, ants, elephants, deer, and dholes (wild dogs) through the theoretical frameworks of contemporary Ecocriticism, Deep Ecology, and Tinai Ecopoetics. Furthermore, this study demonstrates the biological insights of the Sangam Tamils, highlighting their understanding of the subtle dynamics between nature and living beings, as well as the adaptive behavioral shifts animals make in response to seasonal changes.