ஐங்குறுநூறு பகரும் குறிஞ்சி: The Kurinji Landscape as Depicted in Ainkurunuru

Abstract

Among the Ettuthogai (The Eight Anthologies)—which hold a unique place in the corpus of Sangam literature—the Ainkurunuru occupies a distinguished position. This work comprises five hundred poems, with one hundred dedicated to each of the five Thinai (landscape-based poetic modes). Focusing on the poems of the Kurinji landscape composed by the poet Kapilar, this article examines the lifestyles of the Kurinji people and the principles of Akathinai (the poetics of inner life). It draws upon evidence from the text regarding the geographical setting of the Kurinji region—including its Muthal-porul (primary elements of time and space), Karu-porul (characteristic features of the landscape), and Uri-porul (the specific emotional theme)—as well as the economic and romantic lives of its inhabitants. Furthermore, by drawing comparisons with other ancient Tamil literary works, the article highlights the cultural richness of the Kurinji landscape.

Keywords

• சங்க இலக்கியம்
• ஐங்குறுநூறு
• குறிஞ்சித் திணை
• கபிலர்
• அகவாழ்வு
• முப்பொருள்