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All About Dravidian Literature

April 18, 2024 469 0

Introduction

Dravidian literature encompasses the literary traditions of the Dravidian-speaking regions of South India, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. Dating back over two millennia, Dravidian literature boasts a rich and diverse corpus of poetry, prose, and drama.

Tamil Literature

  • Early classical Tamil literature is called Sangam literature. The Sangam classics comprise 18 works (eight anthologies of lyrics and ten long poems) written by 473 poets, 30 of whom were women. 
  • Sangam literature mainly has two schools of poets:
    • Aham is subjective love poetry dealing with the subjective emotions of the lover.
    • Puram is objective and public poetry dealing with all kinds of emotions, mainly the valour and glory of kings and about good and evil. 
  • Sangam literature makes references to the social classification of Varna. Arashar (kings), Vaishiyar (traders), and Velalar (farmers) are mentioned. [UPSC-2022] 
  • The Sangam literature is broadly categorized into two groups
    • Narrative  
    • Didactic

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NARRATIVE  DIDACTIC
  • These texts include Melkannaku, or eighteen major works, comprising Ettuthogai, a collection of eight long poems, and Pattupattu, a collection of ten small poems.  
  • These narrative texts of Dravidian Literature focus on heroic poetry, glorifying heroes and wars while providing insights into the process of state formation in South India. 
  • These texts include Kilkannaku, or eighteen minor works, including Tirukural and Naladiyar
  • These works prescribe a code of conduct for kings and society and shed light on various social groups and occupations.
  • The Sangam literary of Dravidian Literature collection encompasses several essential works, including Tolkappiyam, Ettutogai, Pattuppattu, Pathinenkilkanakku, and epics, namely Silappathigaram and Manimegalai. 
Tolkappiyam:

  • It was the earliest Tamil literary work, composed by the sage Tolkappiyar or Tolkappiyam Periyathar
  • It is a grammar treatise to understand early Tamil poetry.  
  • Tolkappiyam is divided into three books: 
    • Eluttatikaram (deals with the Tamil script and phonology), 
    • Sollatikaram (focuses on Tamil grammar and morphology
    • Porulatikaram (delves into the subject matter or content of literature). 
Ettuthogai: It is a collection of classical Tamil poetry, and “Ettuthogai” translates to “Eight Anthologies” in English. 

  • These eight anthologies are Aingurunooru, Narrinai, Aganaanooru, Purananooru, Kurunthogai, Kalithogai, Paripadal, and Padirruppattu.
Pattuppattu or The Ten Long Poems include: Kurincippattu, Porunararruppatai, Cirupanarruppatai, Perumpanarruppatai, Maturaikkanci, Malaipatukatam, Pattinappalai, Mullaippattu, Netunalvatai and Tirumurukarruppatai.
Pathinenkilkanakku contains eighteen texts encompassing many themes, including love, ethics, war, and ancient Tamil society’s general way of life.
Silappatikaram/Cilappatikaran: It was composed by Ilango Adigal. It’s a tale of love (the love story of Kovalan and Kannagi), betrayal, and justice that unfolds in three Kantams or books. 

Manimegalai: It is a classical Tamil epic poem counted among the five great epics of Tamil literature.

  • It was composed by poet Sattanar and was a sequel to the renowned Tamil epic Silappatikaram
  • It prominently features themes related to Buddhism.

Malayalam Literature

  • Ezhuthachan, a proponent of the Bhakti movement, is the father of Malayalam literature.
  • Kokasandisan is a significant work in Malayalam and Dravidian Literature.
  • Bhasa Kautilya is a commentary on the ancient Indian treatise on statecraft and economics, the Arthashastra.
  • Ramacharitam was composed by the ancient Malayalam poet Cheeraman in the 13th Century. The poem narrates the story of Lord Rama and his adventures.

Telugu Literature

  • Nannaya (11th century) was considered the first poet in Telugu. However, Telugu literature reached its zenith during the Vijayanagara period.

Some Major Works In Telugu Literature

  • Uttaraharivamsam: It was written by King Bukka I’s famous court poet, Nachana Somanatha.
  • Manu Charitra: It was written by Allasani Peddana (also known as Andhra Kavita Pitamahudu).
  • Parijatapaharanam: It was written by Nandi Thimmana.
  • Panduranga Mahatmayam: It was written by Tenali Ramakrishna (a court jester and poet who was said to have a close association with the king Krishna Devaraya).
  • Vasucharitra and Narasabhupaleeyamu: It was written by Ramaraja Bhushanudu (also known as Bhattumurti).
  • Nalopakhyanam: It was written by Harishchandra.
  • Rajasekhara Charitra: It was written by Madayyagari Mallana. The text narrates the love and war of King Rajasekara of the Avanti kingdom.
  • Ramabhudayamu: It was written by Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu
Krishnadevaraya was a great scholar and a patron of literature. 

  • His court housed eight accomplished Telugu poets, collectively known as “Ashtadiggajas.”
  • He patronized Haridasa (a Tamil poet) and Kannada poets such as Mallanarya, Chatu Vittalanatha, and Thimmana. 
  • During his Kalinga campaign, he composed Amuktamalyada, a treatise recounting the instance of Lord Vishnu in his dream.
  • He also authored Krishna Deva Rayana Dinachari (in Kannada) and Sanskrit treatises, including Madalasa Charita, Satyavadu Parinaya, Rasamanjari, and Jambavati Kalyana

 

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Kannada Literature

  • The Jain scholars played a major role in Kannada literature. 

Some Major works in Kannada literature

  • Dharmanath Purana: It was written by Madhava on the life of the fifteenth Tirthankara
  • Dharma Parikshe: Uritta Vilasa wrote it on the Jain teachings.
  • Kavirajamarga: It was written by Nripatunga Amoghavarsha I, a powerful Rashtrakuta king
  • Harishchandra Kavya and  Somanatha Charita: These were written by Harishvara.
  • Harivamshabhyudaya and Jiva Sambodhana: These were written by Bandhuvarma
  • Jagannatha Vijaya: It was written by Rudra Bhata.
  • Madana Vijaya or Kabbïgara Kava: It was written by Andayya. The text was celebrated as it was the first pure Kannada text that did not have any Sanskrit words.
  • Shabdamanidarpana: It is a grammar book composed by Kesirja.
  • Sukti Sudha Trnava: It is a collection of poems written by Mallikarjuna.
  • Torave Ramayana: It was composed by Narahari and written entirely in Kannada. It was the first story on Rama inspired by the Valmiki Ramayana.
  • Jaimini Bharata: It was written by Lakshamisha and it is also called the Kamata-Karicutavana-Chaitra (the spring of the Karnataka mango grove).
  • Hadibadeya Dharma (Duty of a devout wife): It was written by Honnamma (a female Kannada poet).

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The ‘Ratnatraya’ or ‘the three gems’ of the Kannada language includes:

  • Pampa  (9th-10th century AD)
    • He is also called the Father of Kannada language. 
    • Two of his most renowned poetic works include, Adipurana (written in the Champu style) and Vikramarjuna Vijaya.
    • He is known for his mastery of rasa in poetry and served at the court of Chalukya Arikesari. 
  • Ponna (9th-10th century AD) authored the famous treatise Shanti Purana.
  • Ranna (10th-11th century AD) authored the famous treatise Ajitha Purana.

Conclusion

  • Dravidian literature stands as a testament to the cultural, linguistic, and artistic heritage of South India. 
    • Through its poetry, drama, and prose, Dravidian Literature illuminates the nuances of Dravidian civilization, offering insights into the region’s history, society, and worldview.
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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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