KALANJIYAM - International Journal of Tamil Studies
KALANJIYAM – An International Journal of Tamil Studies is a quarterly bilingual publication in Tamil and English that seeks to enhance the knowledge and appreciation of Tamil literature and culture among scholars, students, and the general public through its rigorous, high-quality articles. The editorial team and contributors of KALANJIYAM consist of renowned experts in Tamil studies from around the globe, who contribute their expertise and insights to the journal. Each issue includes a variety of essays exploring different dimensions of Tamil literature, such as poetry, drama, fiction, and non-fiction, along with folklore and translation analysis. Additionally, KALANJIYAM features comprehensive book reviews that offer critical evaluations of recent academic works. This journal serves as an essential resource for anyone intrigued by Tamil literature and culture, enjoying widespread readership and citation among scholars and researchers. The significant contributions it makes to Tamil studies have led to several awards and honors. In addition to its printed version, KALANJIYAM is also available online, making its rich academic content easily accessible. With its dedication to scholarly rigor, thoughtful analysis, and promotion of Tamil literature and culture, KALANJIYAM is a must-read publication for anyone passionate about the vibrant heritage of Tamil Nadu.
Department of Library, Nallamuthu Gounder Mahalingam College, Pollachi
Our journal adopts CC BY License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License http://Creativecommons.org//license/by/4.0/ . It allows using, reusing, distributing and reproducing of the original work with proper citation.
குறவஞ்சி நூல்களில் குறி கூறும் மரபு – ஓர் ஆய்வு
Kuravanji holds a unique place in the Tamil Cittrilakkiyam (minor literature) tradition. It is a dramatic literary form encompassing elements such as the Kurathi (fortune-teller woman) predicting the future, the heroine expressing her state of love, the Kurathi describing the richness of the mountains and the country, receiving gifts for her predictions, and the Kuravan coming in search of the Kurathi. Among the distinct highlights of Kuravanji, the tradition of fortune-telling is paramount. This tradition did not emerge suddenly; it is considered to have evolved from fortune-telling traditions seen in Sangam literature, such as the Agavan Magal and Kattuvichi. This study focuses on the tradition of fortune-telling found in Kuravanji literature. Specifically, it examines how the act of fortune-telling is portrayed in works like Tirukuttrala Kuravanji, Meenakshiammai Kuram, Sarabhendra Bhupala Kuravanji, and Kumbesar Kuravanji, along with the signs and omens the Kurathi relies on to make her predictions. This research reveals that fortune-telling is not merely an act of predicting the future, but a multi-dimensional concept that understands the heroine's state of mind, instills hope in her love, reflects social beliefs, and establishes the social role of the Kurathi.
Copyright (c) 2026 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
பெருமாள்முருகனின் படைப்புகளில் விளிம்புநிலை மாந்தர்கள்
In all countries across the world, whoever is marginalized or sidelined across various spheres such as religion, race/ethnicity, language, economy, and education can be termed marginal people. In English, this is referred to as 'subaltern studies'. That is, anyone pushed from the center to the periphery can be included within the definition of marginal people. In this regard, transgender individuals, homosexuals, roadside workers, informal/casual workers, students, women, and children can all be brought under the definition of marginal people. The objective of this study is to focus on and depict the living conditions of people who struggle for their rights and to sustain their existence. Furthermore, this study explains the struggle of people from all walks of life striving to maintain their living conditions, their dignity and desire to break free from it, and their resistance.
Those who fought for the liberation of the marginalized
Marginal people in Perumal Murugan's works
சங்க காலத்தில் மன்னர்களின் கடமைகளும் செங்கோல் ஆட்சியும்: ஓர் விரிவான இலக்கிய-வரலாற்று ஆய்வு
Kings played an important role in the political, social, and economic life of Sangam-age Tamil Nadu. A king was not only a ruler but also a protector of the people and a promoter of their welfare. Sangam literature provides valuable information about the duties and good governance practices of the kings. The main duty of a king was to protect the country and its people from enemies, theft, violence, and natural disasters. Forts such as wall forts, land forts, water forts, forest forts, and hill forts were used for the safety of the kingdom. Kings also took steps to improve the livelihood of the people by developing water resources, constructing ponds and wells, and encouraging agriculture. Kings collected taxes and customs duties in a reasonable manner and used the revenue for the welfare of the people. They followed a moderate taxation system without causing hardship to the public. Thus, Sangam-age kings focused on justice, protection, public welfare, agriculture, and economic development. This system of fair and just administration was known as “Sengol Rule” (Just Rule). Sangam literature clearly reflects the kings’ responsibility towards their people and their principles of good governance.
பெரிய புராணத்தில் பண்பாடு: ஒரு விரிவான ஆய்வு
A human being attains distinction through the finest qualities within them — love, grace, truthfulness, purity, reconciliation, broad-mindedness, generosity, and modesty — all of which form the foundation of human relationships. Culture is the outward expression of the inner disposition that underlies a good life, and it is distinct from civilization: civilization refers to external/material progress, while culture refers to inner development. This refined state of people's intellectual well-being, moral elevation, ideological soundness, character, and quality of life constitutes culture, and this very state of life is found in the lives of the devotees portrayed in the Periya Puranam. Composed by Sekkizhar, who served as minister to the Chola king Kulottunga II in the twelfth century, this great epic narrates the life stories of the 63 Nayanmars across 4,286 verses. This research paper focuses on six core cultural values — generosity, the habit of giving what is asked for, the quality of forgiveness, hospitality, truthfulness to one's word, and maternal/nurturing virtue — and examines them comparatively against Sangam and post-Sangam literary works such as the Tirukkural, Naladiyar, Purananuru, Kalithogai, and Sirupanarruppadai. The paper further explores the sociological dimension of the Periya Puranam and its relevance to present-day society. Based on secondary data, this study establishes that the cultural values expressed in the Periya Puranam continue to serve as timeless guides for human life.
பொன்னீலன் படைப்புகளில் நெய்தல் நிலத்தாவரங்கள்
All the literary creators structure their works with nature as the central theme. It is customary for writers born in lands of bountiful nature to highlight the environmental state of their homeland, reminding both the public and the government of their duty to protect it. Among such creators the works of writer Ponneelan, who vividly portrayed Kumari district - a land that stands as the very kingdom of nature - are truly unique. The lifestyle of the people of kumara district is in noway inferior to the life of ancient Tamils who structured their ways of living based on the five geographical landscapes. In particular, Ponneelan has brilliantly identified and highlighted the Maritime (Neithal) lifestyle of that region and the profound ecological wisdom of its people through his literary works.
Sangam literature stands as a treasure trove of historical records depicting ancient Tamil society, where minor chieftains (Kurunila Venthar) ruled autonomous territories alongside the primary three crowned dynasties—the Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas. Clans such as the Velir and Kosar migrated from the north to settle in Tamilakam, playing a vital role in local governance and moral leadership. Focus modern research on Akananuru, one of the Eight Anthologies (Ettuthokai), reveals mentions of over a hundred rulers and patrons including prominent Chera monarchs like Uthiyan Cheralathan, Imayavaramban Neduncheralathan, and Palyanai Selkezhukuttuvan, alongside chieftains such as Thithiyan, Nannan, Pari, and Kari. This research paper evaluates the governance, valor, patronage of poets, and generosity of twelve specific chieftains featured in Akananuru—Akuthai, Aai Andiran, Athiyan, Aviyan, Ezhini, Thithiyan, Nannan, Athiyaman Neduman Anchi, Aathan Ezhini, Evvi, and Ori. Furthermore, the study offers a comparative analysis of the philanthropic virtues of the Last Seven Great Patrons (Kadayezhu Vallalgal)—Pari, Kari, Aai, Athiyaman, Began, Nalli, and Ori—while exploring historical theories regarding the origins of the Velir clan to contextualize the status and contributions of local chieftains within the ancient Tamil political landscape.
சங்க இலக்கியத்தில் உணர்வுசார் நுண்ணறிவு: அகப்புற இலக்கியங்களை முன்வைத்து ஓர் ஒப்பீட்டு ஆய்வு
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.
ஆண்டாள் திருப்பாவை கூறும் உளவியல் கருத்துக்கள் மற்றும் சமூக ஒருமைப்பாட்டு சிந்தனைகள் - ஓர் ஆய்வு
Thiruppavai,graced by Andal ,is a treasure chest of devotional literature. Beyond being an expression of spirituality, this text serves as a grand psychological arena that penetrates deep into the recesses of the human mind. All thirty hymns (Pasurams) of Thiruppavai sing the glories of Lord Vishnu (Thirumal) and narrate the history of obtaining his divine grace. The core concept of this text is that it is a wonderful piece of literature denoting the penance (Nonbu) undertaken by Andal and the young girls of the cowherd community for themselves and for the people of the world to receive all kinds of excellent benefits, keeping the attainment of Lord Krishna’s (kannan) divine grace as their ultimate goal. The feeling that arises while reading this book reflects the Gita, which says, “In whatever way men approach Me, in that same way do I accept them”. The objective of this research is to analyze where and how psychological and aesthetic unification thoughts have been handled in this outstanding devotional literature
தமிழ் வளர்ச்சியில் பல்துறை ஆய்வுகள் (சங்க காலம் முதல் தற்காலம் வரை)
This research paper provides a critical and comprehensive evaluation of the multidisciplinary evolution of the Tamil language across distinct historical periods—from the ancient Sangam age to the contemporary era of Artificial Intelligence. Tamil's classification as a classical language relies not only on its poetic heritage, but on its capacity to function as a precise medium for empirical sciences, astronomy, ecology, architecture, jurisprudence, medicine, mathematics, and computational linguistics. By embedding explicit textual citations, verse numbers, and line references from classical works such as Tolkappiyam, Purananuru, Pattinappalai, Thirukkural, Silappathikaram, and Thirumandhiram, this paper demonstrates the empirical foundation of Tamil scholarship. Furthermore, it addresses contemporary technological challenges and outlines strategies for integrating Tamil into modern machine-learning models and higher education.
எட்டுத்தொகை வழி அறியலாகும் சங்ககால தலைவியின் ஆளுமைப் பண்பு
Personality is not a trait exclusive to men; it is a quality possessed by women as well. The ability to initiate a task and bring it to a successful conclusion is a distinct aspect of the female personality—a trait women have embodied since the Sangam era. An exemplary female leader strives for success in all her endeavors. Sangam literature, specifically the Ettuthogai (The Eight Anthologies), beautifully portrays the numerous successes achieved by women of that period. This research paper examines and elucidates the multifaceted personality of the Sangam woman through the Ettuthogai—highlighting her traits across various contexts: from the successful realization of marital goals to the pursuit of personal objectives, and demonstrating qualities such as courage, innate instincts, the capacity for cooperation, steadfast adherence to principles, communication skills, and the ability to articulate emotions.
சங்க இலக்கியங்கள் வழி அறியலாகும் பண்டைய மக்களின் பழக்கவழக்கங்கள்
Since ancient times, the practice of naming individuals has been driven by the desire for one's lineage to endure within society. Specifically, bestowing the names of ancestors fosters the belief that they continue to live among us, transcending their physical existence. Sangam literature reveals that the custom of naming a child after the father originated from this very sentiment. This research paper examines various customs and practices—such as lighting lamps at dusk, the Madal-eru-thal ritual, Brahmins wearing the kudumi (tuft of hair), the beating of drums parai, and specific marriage, worship, and festival traditions—as they are depicted in Sangam literature.
எழுத்தாளர் இமையம் படைப்புகளில் நாட்டார் சமய மரபுகள்
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.
காப்பியங்களில் பழக்க வழக்கங்களும், நம்பிக்கை மரபுகளும்
Sangam literature serves as an important source for understanding the Tamil society that existed in Tamil Nadu more than two thousand years ago. The Tamil word “practice” is derived from the root word “To become accustomed” and is used to denote the meanings of habit, practice, custom, and conduct. The customs, practices, and beliefs followed and contemplated by the Tamil people have evolved over time. These customs, practices, and belief systems constitute the subject of the present study. When such practices are studied across different human communities and comparatively analysed, it becomes possible to identify their distinctive characteristics, values, and emotional dimensions. In this context, the present study examines the customs, practices, and beliefs of the Tamil people, with the aim of bringing to light the cultural conditions of Tamil society, its development of civilisation, related social practices, variations according to time, place, and circumstances, and the emergence of new practices.
அலைகளின் காலம் புதினத்தில் தோள்சீலைப் போராட்டம்
During the 18th and 19th centuries in Nanjil Nadu (South Travancore), women from lower-caste communities were denied the right to wear upper garments, a caste-based restriction that deeply undermined their dignity and freedom. The arrival of Christian missionaries offered critical support, giving these women the confidence to challenge social norms and publicly wear upper garments like the kuppayam. As Christian converts adopted this practice, it inspired women from other Hindu communities to demand the same right. However, upper-caste groups fiercely resisted this shift through public humiliation, harassment, and violent assaults. This conflict escalated into the historic Thol Seelai Struggle (Upper Cloth Agitation), marking a pivotal movement in South Travancore's history for caste equality, women's rights, and social reform.
ஆற்றுதல்: கலித்தொகை காட்டும் வாழ்வியல் நெறி
Sangam literature serves as a vital record, illuminating the lifestyle norms and the cultural foundations of human relationships among ancient Tamils. Among these texts, *Kalithogai* offers a clear definition of the concept of *Aatruthal* (succor/support), stating, "To provide succor is to help the destitute." This line conveys that the essence of *Aatruthal* lies in empathizing with the suffering of others and standing by them when they are in need. This article examines the significance of the concept of *Aatruthal* within *Kalithogai* and elucidates how it evolves from an individual virtue into a social responsibility. Furthermore, by drawing comparisons with ethical concepts found in *Thirukkural*—such as *Eegai* (charity), *Aruludaimai* (compassion), *Oppuravarithal* (social reciprocity), and *Virundhombal* (hospitality)—the study explores the role of helping others within the Tamil ethical framework. The research establishes that *Aatruthal* transcends mere material assistance; it is a humanitarian virtue that encompasses empathizing with the sorrow of others and providing support tailored to their specific needs. Finally, in the contemporary context where individual self-interest and competitive mindsets are on the rise, the article highlights that alleviating the suffering of others and offering appropriate assistance is essential for social harmony and a humane way of life.
The antiquity and rich literary tradition of the Tamil language were preserved and nurtured through the institutional framework known as the Sangam (Tamil Academies). Established under the patronage of the Pandya kings, three successive academies brought poets, scholars, and grammarians together to critically refine, evaluate, and develop classical Tamil literature. This paper investigates the historical evolution, socio-linguistic impact, and literary heritage of Sangam Tamil. Drawing upon ancient commentaries—particularly the Iraiyanar Akapporul Urai—alongside epigraphical evidence and classical corpuses like Ettuthokai, Pattuppattu, and Tolkappiyam, this study analyzes the structural taxonomy of the Three Sangams, their distinctive Akam (interior/love) and Puram (exterior/heroism) poetic conventions, the prominent role of women poets, and the secular humanist values embedded within this classical era.
தொல்காப்பியம் பொருளதிகாரம் களவியல்: தலைவன்–தலைவி உறவுநிலைகள் பகுப்பாய்வு
In his grammatical treatise Tolkappiyam, the author Tolkappiyar articulates philosophies of life applicable to all people within the Kalaviyal (section on clandestine love) of the Porulathikaram (the section dealing with subject matter). He codifies the lifestyle of a hero and heroine who, sharing mutual affection, unite in marriage and live together. Akathinai (the genre concerning the inner life of love) comprises two phases: Kalavu (clandestine love) and Karpu (marital life). The grammarian Tolkappiyar has laid down grammatical rules governing the nature of the relationship between the hero and the heroine in both these phases. The Kalaviyal section extensively highlights details regarding the inner life of love (Akapporul) and the characteristics of the hero and heroine. Kalavu refers to the romantic bond formed between the hero and heroine in secrecy, unknown to others; in this process, the roles played by both the hero and the heroine are significant. This article, titled "Tolkappiyam Porulathikaram Kalaviyal: An Analysis of Hero–Heroine Relationship Dynamics," examines the insights provided in the Kalaviyal section to elucidate the nature of their relationship and the structural framework governing it.
Living beings have been classified based on their functions into categories ranging from those possessing a single sense to those with six senses. Having evolved from the five-sensed state to the six-sensed state, we humans ought to progress towards a 'seventh sense' rather than allowing our evolution to regress. The noble path lies in seeking and attaining true divine wisdom. Devotion, which initially arose from fear, has matured over time; today, it has reached a stage where human, social, and global unity are seen as achievable solely through devotion. Devotees like Sekkizhar, who were deeply immersed in such devotion, categorized the paths to attaining the Divine into two types: the path of intellect (Arivu Maargam) and the path of love (Anbu Maargam). This research paper examines these two paths through the lens of Sekkizhar’s Periyapuranam.
கே.ஏ. குணசேகரனின் 'கந்தன் × வள்ளி': புராண மறுவாசிப்பும் ஒடுக்கப்பட்டோர் அரங்க அரசியலும்
This paper examines K.A. Gunasekaran (1955–2016), a pioneering figure in Tamil Dalit theatre and the foremost Tamil exponent of the "Theatre of the Oppressed," a form he adapted from Brazilian theatre-maker Augusto Boal to voice the lived realities of Dalits, tribal communities, and gender minorities in Tamil Nadu. Central to Gunasekaran's dramaturgical method is the deliberate subversion of canonical myth: taking narratives sanctified by centuries of devotional retelling and reading them against the grain of caste and patriarchal privilege. Focusing on his 2004 play Kanthan × Valli, this study traces how the traditional Valli–Murugan marriage myth is reconstructed as a site of feminist assertion, caste critique, and social accountability. Rather than portraying Valli as a passive tribal maiden elevated through divine marriage, the play reimagines her as an assertive, self-possessed woman who resists assimilation into upper-caste legitimacy structures. The paper further considers how folk performance idioms, open-air staging, and satirical figures such as the 'Sirippan' (jester) function as instruments of social critique, and situates the play within Boal's theoretical vocabulary of the 'spect-actor.' Ultimately, the study argues that Kanthan × Valli transforms myth from an instrument of ideological consent into a vehicle of political resistance.
நீர்வழிப்படூஉம் நாவல் விவரிக்கும் சமூக மாற்றம்
Among the works in Tamil novel literature that document the regional way of life, Neervazhipaduum occupies a significant place. Set against the rural background of Udaiyampalayam village in the Kongu region, the novel not only presents a record of regional life but also subtly documents, from a sociological perspective, the social transformations that occurred there as a result of changing times. During the period in which the land-based agrarian society was declining and capitalist society was emerging, the novel extensively portrays the changes that took place in the agriculture-based way of life of the villagers, the occupational transformation of the Kudinaavithars, and the process of urbanisation. The novel documents the gradual disappearance of caste-based traditional occupational arrangements and the tendency of villagers to seek new forms of employment. Extending the discussion with comparative reference to other regional Tamil novels and to sociological writings on caste-occupation mobility, this research article establishes, through a sociological approach, that these changes were not merely economic in nature but also brought about significant transformations in social relationships and values..
திருக்கோவையாரில் ஆடல் கலைச் செய்திகளும் மெய்ப்பாட்டியல் கோட்பாடுகளும்: ஓர் விரிவான புலமைத்துவ ஆய்வு
Tirukkovaiyar, positioned as the Eighth Thirumurai in the Tamil Shaiva Bhakti literary canon, is a unique Kovai treatise that deeply articulates the nuances of Shaiva Siddhanta theology through the framework of Akam (interior love) poetry. Authored by Saint Manikkavasagar, this work uses worldly romantic conduct as a foundation to artfully depict the philosophical relationship between the individual soul (Atman) and the Supreme Being (Paramatman). The references to "dance" within this text transcend mere artistic performance, evolving into symbols of cosmic movement and the fivefold activities (Pancha Kritya) of the Supreme Deity. This study extensively examines the dance forms featured in Tirukkovaiyar—including Lord Nataraja’s Thillai Dance, Ananda Tandava, Pandarangam, Veriyatal, and Kuravai Koothu—along with their associated Sattvika aesthetic expressions (Meippatukal). Through a comparative approach, it establishes how the verses of Tirukkovaiyar align with the eight emotional expressions of Tolkappiyam’s Meippattiyal, the principles of Bharata Muni’s Natya Shastra, and the Navarasa concepts of Mahabharata Chudamani. Furthermore, textual references regarding Aharya Abhinaya (costumes, makeup, and ornaments) of both dancing maidens and the Deity, as well as data concerning musical instruments such as the Muzhavu (drum), are analytically evaluated with evidence. By demonstrating the convergence of devotional fervor, artistic refinement, and philosophical depth, this paper highlights how dance functions as a medium for spiritual elevation.
சங்க இலக்கியத்தில் நடுகற்கள் - மீள்பார்வை
The human mind is like a fragile vine; it cannot stand alone or function independently. Its nature is to cling to something and flourish. Concepts such as magic, rituals, beliefs, and worship are the direct outcomes of the human psyche, coalescing over time into established traditions of worship. Just as humans evolved through various stages while living in harmony with nature, belief-based worship has similarly progressed. Evolving from nature worship to divine worship and the veneration of individuals, worship has secured an indispensable place in human life. In this context, references to heroic stones (Nadukarkal) are widespread throughout Sangam literature. Literary works bear witness to the practice of erecting stones to commemorate and worship warriors who died heroically in battle. This paper aims to analyze the records regarding these heroic stones.
பாமா அவர்களின் 'மனுசி' நாவலில் தலித் பெண்ணியச் சிந்தனைகளும் தனித்து வாழும் பெண்ணின் சமூகப் போராட்டங்களும்: ஒரு விரிவான ஆய்வு
Focusing on the novel Manusi (2012) by writer Bama, one of the most significant figures in contemporary Tamil literature, this article extensively explores Dalit feminist perspectives. Although remnants of matriarchy from ancient Tamil society persist today, female subjugation continues in modern contexts through the denial of education, child marriage, and social exclusion. The novel's protagonist, Rasathi, is portrayed as a revolutionary woman who, remaining unmarried past the age of thirty, achieves autonomy through her education and labour. This study analyses Rasathi's life struggles, caste-based oppression, and the psychological challenges she faces using Sharmila Rege's Dalit Feminist Standpoint Theory and P. Mangalam's concept of Spatial Autonomy, and situates the novel within the wider field of Dalit feminist literary scholarship, including comparative readings of Sangati, Karukku, and the sociology of single womanhood in contemporary India.
ஐங்குறுநூற்றில் ‘தாய்க்கு உரைத்த பத்து’ காட்டும் நெய்தல் நில மனையறம்
Sangam literature stands as a vital literary record of the life, culture, social relationships, and economic conditions of the ancient Tamil people. Among the Ettuthogai anthologies, the Neithal thinai poems of Ainkurunuru offer valuable insight into the inner (agam) life of the coastal community. In particular, the ten poems known as ‘Thaaikku Uraitha Pathu’ reveal aspects of the hero–heroine relationship, love, separation, waiting, betrothal, and marriage. This study examines the household ethics (manaiyaram) of the Neithal landscape as portrayed in these poems, situating them within the wider context of Tolkappiyam’s thinai theory and recent scholarship on Ainkurunuru. The study concludes that Neithal manaiyaram was structured on the interconnected values of love, responsibility, trust, and social recognition.
தமிழ் வகுப்பறையில் மாணவர் அடையாளமும் தன்னம்பிக்கையுடன் பேசுதலும்
This paper examines the critical role of classroom discourse in shaping the social and linguistic identities of students within the Singaporean Tamil education landscape. Drawing on the framework of classroom discourse analysis proposed by Rymes (2016), this study explores how teacher-student interaction and the utilization of Standard Spoken Tamil (SST) facilitate a supportive environment for language acquisition and the development of student confidence. The research highlights the challenges faced by minority-community students in navigating diglossic language demands and emphasizes the importance of the teacher's role in creating a pedagogical space that bridges home and school language practices. By reviewing historical and contemporary perspectives on SST, the paper argues that integrating SST into classroom pedagogy is essential for fostering a positive linguistic identity, enabling students to communicate with assurance both within and beyond the classroom. The findings suggest that when teachers provide scaffolded opportunities for oral engagement through varied pedagogical tasks, students are better equipped to overcome linguistic anxiety, ultimately ensuring the vitality of the Tamil language in Singapore.
கல்வித் தொழில்நுட்பப் பயன்பாட்டில் நெறிமுறைச் சிக்கல்கள் மற்றும் எதிர்கொள்ளும் சவால்கள் - ஓர் ஆய்வு
Educational technology plays a crucial role in simplifying the teaching-learning process and enhancing students' learning experiences. The use of online learning, learning management systems (LMS), digital resources, video learning, online assessment, and educational software has brought significant changes to the educational environment. However, alongside the rapid development of technology, various ethical issues have also emerged. Particularly, the protection and privacy of students' personal information and academic data, cybersecurity, reliability of information, intellectual property rights, equal technological access, and responsible technology use stand as major concerns. This study examines the ethical issues and practical challenges faced by educational institutions, teachers, and students while utilizing educational technology. Specifically, the study focuses on key elements including disparities in technological access, teachers' technical competence, students' digital literacy, cybersecurity awareness, and issues in preserving educational quality. Furthermore, it discusses the necessity of transparency, accountability, equity, and a humanistic approach in technology adoption. This study emphasizes that clear institutional policies, data protection practices, teacher training, student awareness, and equitable access to technology are essential to transform educational technology into an effective tool.
தமிழ் இலக்கியத்திலும் திருவிவிலியத்திலும் விருந்தோம்பலின் சிறப்பிடம்
: Fostering love and virtue is the hospitality found in domestic life. Hospitality is a noble quality essential for both household life and asceticism. From past to present, everyone has practiced hospitality and held it in high regard. Tamil literature and the Holy Bible both highlight the special place of hospitality. In line with the saying "Guest means novelty," the Tamil heart rejoiced in welcoming relatives and non-relatives alike. Tamils practiced hospitality keeping in mind the Kural: "As the Anicham flower fades when smelt, so fades a guest when faces turn away." This article explores the details of hospitality indicated in texts such as Tirukkural, Naladiyar, Neethimozhi, and Purapporul Venbamalai. Furthermore, hospitality references found in Sangam literature such as Narrinai, Tolkappiyam, and Manimekalai, along with the traditions of Abraham and others in the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible, are comparatively analyzed to identify the similarities and differences between the two traditions. This article also emphasizes the social significance of the virtue of hospitality in today's nuclear family setup.
சங்க இலக்கியம் முதல் காப்பிய இலக்கியம் வரை: தமிழர் ஓவியக்கலையின் பண்பாட்டு அடையாளமும் பரிணாமமும் – ஓர் திறனாய்வு
There are sixty-four traditional fine arts, and painting is one among them. Since ancient times, as a testament to the early stages of human development, people drew on rocks and the ground using stones and plant root extracts, depicting their favorite scenes from nature. There is no doubt that these later served as vital evidence and a foundational guide. The objective of this essay is to explore how the art of painting is presented across various Tamil literary works as a reflection of Tamil cultural identity, how widely it has been depicted throughout literary history, and how past generations have cherished, preserved, and handed it down to us today."
தந்தை பெரியாரின் களப்போராட்ட அணுகுமுறைகள்: சமூகச் சீர்திருத்தக் கோட்பாடு, தந்திரோபாய நெறிமுறைகள் மற்றும் வரலாற்றுப் பரிமாணங்கள் பற்றிய விரிவான ஆய்வு
In the twentieth-century social and political history of Tamil Nadu and South India, the field struggles undertaken by Thanthai Periyar (E.V. Ramasamy) hold unique theoretical and practical significance. This article comprehensively analyzes Periyar's field struggle approaches against the backdrop of his policy stances, ethical self-sacrifices, rules of discipline for volunteers, and logical dialogues that compelled opponents to reflect. Various field events are analyzed here from a sociological and historical perspective, including the economic sacrifice of cutting down 500 coconut trees in his own grove during the toddy shop picketing, the cross-border social mobilization against caste oppression during the Vaikom Struggle, the 13-point code of conduct issued to volunteers during the Anti-Hindi Agitation, and the tactical clarity demonstrated during the Ganesha idol breaking protest to prevent communal riots. This work establishes that Periyar's struggles served not merely as political opposition, but as a social pedagogy aimed at individual self-respect and intellectual liberation.
பெரியார் ஈ.வெ. ராமசாமியும் தமிழகப் பெண்கள் மறுமலர்ச்சியும்: ஒரு வரலாற்று ஆய்வு
Among the social renaissance movements that emerged in Tamil Nadu at the beginning of the twentieth century, the Self-Respect Movement led by Thanthai Periyar E.V. Ramasamy holds a unique place. Periyar fiercely criticized not only caste and religious domination, but also the structural systems that enslaved women, such as the family institution, marriage systems, denial of property rights, and denial of education. This article examines Periyar's feminist thoughts within their historical background. It attempts to establish that he did not import women's liberation from Western theories, but rather formulated it from Tamil Nadu's own social realities. The contributions of women leaders such as Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar, Neelavathi, and Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy, alongside Periyar's struggles in areas such as the abolition of the Devadasi system, self-respect marriages, widow remarriage, women's education, and changes in attire and habits, are discussed here. The relevance of Periyar's feminist thoughts to contemporary demands for gender justice is also analyzed. Finally, the historical significance and limitations of the theory of women's liberation put forth by Periyar are reviewed.