Tolkappiyam
Topic: Sangam Age and Early South India · NCERT: Class 9, Ch 5 "State and Society up to 1000 CE"
Meaning
The Tolkappiyam is the oldest surviving grammar of the Tamil language. It is part of the early Tamil literary tradition of the Sangam age (c. 300 BCE – 300 CE). Besides grammar, it also deals with poetry, such as the akam (love) and puram (war) themes, and with society. It is a key source for understanding how Tamil society was organised.
Example
The Tolkappiyam divides society into four groups: arasar (kings), vanigar (traders), velar (farmers) and antanar (brahmanas, who were supported by the ruling elites). This division was based on occupation, meaning people's work, and people could move between groups. It was not a fixed varna system.
Don't confuse with
- Tirukkural: Tiruvalluvar's book of short verses on morals and right conduct. It is not a grammar.
- Vellalar: a term in Sangam texts for large landowners. It is not the same as the Tolkappiyam's velar (farmers).
Related concepts
- Tamilakam
- Sangam age
- Sangam literature
- Tamil Sangams
- Akam and puram
- Tinai
- Ettuthokai
- Akananuru
- Purananuru
- Pattuppattu