Legacy of Sangam Literature and the Magnificent Sangam Era

The Sangam Age,from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD, marked a significant period in South Indian history. It was characterised by the rule of the Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas, known as the Muvendar or three crowned kings, who governed the southern Indian peninsula. This era witnessed flourishing literary and cultural activities, with the Tamil Sangams playing a crucial role in preserving and promoting Tamil literature and poetry

Overview of Richness of Sangam Literature and the Sangam Age

A. Sangam Age

• • This period spans from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD in South India and Sangams were also called Muchchangam.

• South India During Mauryan Times: Ashokan Rock Edict II (270-30 BC), for the first time, mentions the political picture of South India. According to it, Cholas, Pandyas, Keralaputras, and Satiyaputra existed as independent Tamil kingdoms.

B. Sources to Study Sangam Age

• Archaeological: Megalithic Burials of South India: Buried their dead in urns made of red pottery, which is different from cist burial. 

• • • Cist Burial: In this type of burial, a small stone-built coffin-like box is used to hold the bodies of the dead. These types of burials were completely underground. 
    • Urn burial: After death, corpses are cremated, and the ashes are collected and put in an urn.

• Historic Ports & Capitals: like Arikamedu, Kodumanal, Uraiyur and Alagankulam.

• • Buddhist Stupas and Chaityas: in Amaravati, Nagarjunakonda etc.
  • Numismatic: Pre-Satavahana and Satavahana coins in Andhra-Karnataka, Coins of Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, Sangam chieftains, Roman copper, silver, and gold coins.
  • Epigraphic: Asokan, Tamil-Brahmi, Satavahana and Buddhist inscriptions, short inscriptions on pottery, rings, and stones in Tamil Nadu and international sites like Berenike and Quseir al Qadhim (Egypt)

• Literary

• • Tamil texts (Sangam, post-Sangam).
  • Kautilya’s Arthasastra on economy, and statecraft.
  • Puranas with Andhras/Satavahana genealogy.
  • Buddhist Chronicles like Mahavamsa.
  • Gatha Saptasati, a Prakrit text by Satavahana king Hala.
  • Tolkappiyam (Tamil text) 5 epics belong to post-Sangam times (fourth to sixth century AD).
• Foreign Accounts: include The Periplus of Erythrean Sea, Pliny the Elder’s Natural History, Ptolemy’s Geography, Vienna Papyrus and a Roman Map called Peutingerian Table.

C. Three Crowned Kings

• The Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas ruled this age and are also known as the Muvendar or three crowned kings. They ruled the Indian peninsula south of the Krishna River and fought with each other as well as Sri Lanka. 
• The Pandyas are believed to have patronised the Tamil Sangams, facilitating the compilation of Sangam poems.

D. Three Sangal Assembly Over The Years

E. Sangam Texts

• The Classical Sangam corpus consists of Tholkappiyam, Ettuththokai (the eight anthologies), and Paththuppattu.
• Tholkappiyam: attributed to Tholkappiyar, is the earliest Tamil grammatical text, dealing not only with poetry but also with the society and culture of the times.
• Ettuthogai and Pathupattu: collections have about 2400 poems composed by Panar (wandering bards) and Pulavar (poets). 

• Women Poets of the Sangam: There were thirty women poets who composed more than 150 poems. The most prominent poet was Avvaiyar. Others include Allur Nanmullaiyaar, Kaakkaipadiniyar, Kavarpendu, Nalveliyaar, Okkur Masaathiyar, and Paarimakalir.

F. Post Sangam Text

• Patinen Kilkanakku (18 minor works): deals with ethics and moral codes. The most important of them are Thirukkural and Naladiyar.
• Silappadikaram: by Ilango Adigal and Manimekalai by Seethalai Sathanar are two important epics useful for insights into cultural and religious history.
  • Silappadikaram deals with a love story in which a dignitary called Kovalan prefers a courtesan called Madhavi of Kaveripattanam to his wedded wife Kannagi from a noble family.
•  Manimekalai: deals with the adventures of the daughter born of the union of Kovalan and Madhavi.

Conclusion

The Sangam Age was a remarkable period in South Indian history, marked by the rule of the Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas. The Tamil Sangams, consisting of three major assemblies, contributed immensely to the preservation and development of Tamil literature and poetry. Through archaeological findings, historical accounts, numismatic evidence, and literary works, we gain valuable insights into the vibrant cultural and literary landscape of ancient South India during the Sangam Age.

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